The 2014 Eisner Award nominations were released today. Not a lot of surprises again this year. The nominations tend toward more serious subjects in the year’s comic book offerings as opposed to action-packed superhero titles, sci-fi, fantasy, humor, or popular works. But there are exceptions, and some can be found this year. And should you think the books reviewed and lauded here at borg.com might be out of touch with the Eisner nomination committee, actually some of our favorite books from 2013 can be found throughout this year’s nominees.
The ringer of course is Marvel Comics’ Hawkeye series. Not only do we like it, everyone seems to agree this is the best book around, two years running. And it’s up for multiple awards again this year.
But no Afterlife With Archie? Where are all the Dynamite Comics nominees? Where is recognition for the jaw-dropping visuals on Dark Horse Comics’ landmark series, The Star Wars? Why not more from IDW and Dark Horse? How about some variety?
So… congratulations to all the nominees, and extra snaps to some of our favorites (the full nomination list is after the break):
Best Single Issue (or One-Shot)
Hawkeye #11: “Pizza Is My Business,” by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel). This made the borg.com Best of 2013 for Best Single Issue. I even bought extra copies of this one. It’s that good.
Best Continuing Series
Hawkeye, by Matt Fraction and David Aja (Marvel)
I read books this year from other nominations in this category: Saga, East of West, and Nowhere Men (we weren’t fans, but reviewed Issue #1 here), and the others just didn’t make our review list.
Best Limited Series
The Black Beetle: No Way Out, by Francesco Francavilla (Dark Horse).
We reviewed this series here at borg.com this year and decided it should have made our Best of 2013 list had we reviewed it earlier.
I also read nominee Mike Richardson’s 47 Ronin–a good read, which I may review here later this year. I had a review copy of The Wake from DC Comics, but didn’t find the story or art as gripping as others.
Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 7)
Itty Bitty Hellboy, by Art Baltazar and Franco (Dark Horse). Reviewed here, I’m glad this wasn’t passed up for consideration.
