Best Short Story printed in 2004: "We were not made for this world" by Paul Hornschemeir in Forlorn Funnies #5.
A subtle soft story of metaphors about a robot trudging forward in a desert, certain that he won't reach the undisclosed destination. Could it be heaven? A quest for love?
Best Short Story discovered in 2004: "Ex Falso Quodlibet", by Paul Hornschemeier.
A heartbreakingly beautiful story about being unable to deal with the memories of one's girlfriend after a breakup. Depressing with an incredible ending.
Best Single Issue: Eightball #23 by Daniel Clowes
Probably unfair to include this because people were producing monthlies and Clowes came in after two years surprised everyone with his version of a superhero.
Best Serialised Story: Gotham Central 19-23, Unresolved by Ed Brubaker and Michael Lark.
The book's best moment came when Brubaker finally went back to disgraced ex-cop Harvey Bullock, and wrote a story about a down-and-out drunkie reclaiming an old case and trying to reclaim former glory. Probably the best comic DC is publishing. If you weren't completely taken by the book the first time around, check this arc out.
Best Monthly: Daredevil by Brian Bendis & Alex Maleev.
The definitive run on the character continued this year with Bendis and Maleev delivering nonstop quality every four weeks. Note-perfect dialogue and characterisation with Murdock, Foggy, Luke Cage and the rest of the cast. And everyone knew that there was no happy ending for Murdock in romance and it was delievered in a very classy and sad way.
Best Mini: Seaguy/We3. Impossible to pick one and leave the other one, Seaguy was a refreshingly original work from Morrison with mangnificent visuals by Cameron. Every single was an experience in itself with a seperate mood without telling a single story. Hijinks and Superhero Adventure in #1, surprisingly tragic #2 and dsytopian SF "unhappy" ending with #3. We3, the most gorgeous comic ever published. Quitely, is the first artist who I'll be buying a comic for regardless of the writer from now on. Something I'ven ever done or thought I would do. Good thing is he'll be working with Grant for a while. Life couldn't be sweeter.
Best New Series: Didn't read many of new series, but Demo despite dud issues delieverd some unforgettable short love stories. Wood's writing wasn't incredible but Cloonan's art gave the book the lyrical feeling it deperately needed to work. See #8 or 9.
Honourable Mention: Ex Machina. It has to be most interesting comic in a while. Finally a comic that asks "what if our world had a superhero" in a post 9/11 world and doesn't embarass itself. Brian Vaughan's writing is better than it's ever been and improves every issue while Tony Harris finally returns to a monthly.
Best Anthology: Don't think I read many anthologies but...
Or Else. Kevin Hugienza (sp?), an indiy talent got his own book at Drawn & Quarterly, who were billing it as the next Optic Nerve. It's not that but it's a terrific new series that collects shorts, with new material. I think it's a quarterly, with issue 2 out in Feb. Not all stories are earthshattering but there's at least one that makes the book worth the purchase. A nice quiet comic.
Best Graphic Novel (Original): Will think of this one later, nothing comes to mind.
Best Collection: I know it looks weird having Hornschemeir in every category, but Mother, Come Home is the best book since Jimmy Corrigan (if not better). Deeply moving, beautifully drawn, there is poetry in every page. With this comic, the young cartoonist belongs in the ranks of Ware, Clowes and Tomine. Crushing story about loss and the inability to deal with it. Marvelous. If you could only read one more comic before you die, picking this would an admirable choice.
Best Writer: Grant Morrison.
Why? Do I have to tell anyone why? We3. Seaguy.
Best Writer/Artist: Paul Hornschemeier.
See above.
Best Artist: Frank Quitely.
Honourable Mentions: Cameron Stewart and Becky Cloonan
Best Cover Artist: James Jean
I don't read the book, but I have to stop and stare at the covers at the store. They should make posters out of the man's work. And I thought McKean's Sandman covers were great.
Best Series Discovered: So I did'nt discover it in 2004 but I didn't read more than a few issues years ago. Shade the Changing Man is Peter Milligan's magnum opus, Milligan struggles at the start and Bachalo's art looks awful with those colours but when the book hits Vertigo, Milligan's genius spirals out of control and pushes Bachalo limits and brings out the best in the artist. The book never panders or fears change. Mad ideas, honest and hilarious dialog, angst, love and lots of pisstaking. The series deserves the recognition Sandman got. And it deserves the reputation Invisibles has, and those fuckers should trade the whole thing already.
Absent Genius of the Year: Paul Pope. Clowes, Lapham, Tomine, Millidge all brought in something this year. There wasn't any new Pope work though. Thankfully Solo #2 is only weeks away. |
