Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #23 and the Great Escape from Apokolips

Previously in Justice League, the World Forger condemned the Leaguers to the Sixth Dimension Apokolips – a prison planet that holds countless villains and all those who got in the way of the Celestial’s utopian vision.

With the prime Superman still trapped in a galaxy of perpetual darkness, Wonder Woman and team must find a way to break free from the clutches of Warden Lois Lane and save their Multiverse. They just might be able to do so with the help from the most unlikely of allies.

** Some Spoilers Below **

Story

“The Sixth Dimension” chapter four! Our heroes have been banished to the prison planet of villains by the World Forger. Stuck with no way of escape, the team hatches a plan to defeat the World Forger and get back to their dimension with the help of a new ally, but where is Superman?!

After a brief respite, Scott Snyder and Jorge Jimenez return to Justice League to continue their overtly praised story set in the Sixth Dimension. Snyder is an expert at creating mythology, building upon these already cosmic story lines and characters. What’s more, as beyond epic a story as Snyder is writing, he is still able to make it accessible for any reader.

In this series, Snyder is exploring exciting and interesting concepts for these beloved characters. Batman – who infamously refuses to kill – has seemingly accepted the price of the World Forger’s true justice throughout the Multiverse. The Lois Lane of the sixth dimension, and Warden of the Apokolips prison, will do anything to ensure a peaceful future for her and her family, at any cost. Darkseid, sworn enemy of the Justice League, is helping them escape and defeat the World Forger.

The only character that Snyder has kept true to his ethos is Superman. It is to some dismay that Superman has been kept on the outskirts for this adventure. However, it was a necessary decision on Snyder’s part. Superman is the unbending optimist of the Justice League. The team finds themselves divided and questioning their code without Big Blue in tow.

The MVP of this issue of Justice League is undoubtedly Shayne, the son of future Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl. Shayne saw a number of the people imprisoned or killed to create the utopian future were undeserving of their punishment. He refuses to stand idly by any longer. Shayne is revealed to be an exceptionally powered child, breaking the Leaguers free from their prison cell on Apokolips and it will be interesting to see what Snyder has in store for him during this arc, and hopefully beyond.

Art

Jorge Jimenez nails the artwork once again in Justice League #23. There is a spirit to his work that is wholly unique, simply perfect for these characters and set pieces. As Superman takes off into space, you can feel his sheer strength and force as the planet below breaks apart. You can feel the rage and determination on the Man of Steel’s face. The pages showing Shayne’s power, and the League’s subsequent escape, have a bendy and distorted layout. It is as if the action and explosions are so intense they have warped the panels on the page.

Alejandro Sanchez’s colors are big and bold. He adds layers of depth that make the characters pop off the panel. In this particular issue of Justice League, Sanchez adds a red overlay to the rainy scenes on Apokolips, which gives it a dystopian sci-fi vibe akin to Blade Runner.

Conclusion

What more can be said that hasn’t been thus far about this run of Justice League? Snyder, Jimenez, and Sanchez are crafting an epic space opera chock full of surprising stories, exceptional world building, and stunning artwork.

What do you think of this version of Apokolips? Let us know in the comments!

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Interview: Dan Abnett Explains His Process Of Building Out Valiant’s FALLEN WORLD

Matthew Sardo

April 30, 2019

FALLEN WORLD #1 hits your local comic book store this week From Valiant Entertainment. The five-issue mini-series is written by Dan Abnett with art by Adam Pollina.

The quick pitch from Valiant – In the year 4002, a cyborg samurai named Rai struggles to find his morality, while the Nanite-filled supersoldier Bloodshot is on a mission to save the citizens of Earth. Will they work together for the greater good? All signs point to no. Oh, and did we mention there are also dinosaurs on the loose and powerful animal-human hybrid mutants? Good luck with that, Rai.

After reading FALLEN WORLD #1, we can confidently say the book is epic on a Game of Thrones scale. Monkeys Fighting Robots spoke with Abnett about his writing process, and how he’s able to pack so much content into a single issue. Read the interview below.

MFR: Dan, thank you for taking the time to chat with Monkeys Fighting Robots.

ABNETT: My pleasure!

MFR: As a writer, how do you balance the scope of the story in FALLEN WORLD and give each character a moment to connect with the reader?

ABNETT: There’s certainly a lot to get in, given the story has such a grand scope…and you know from the outset your “real estate” is limited to a certain number of pages and issues. Careful planning is the answer. Laying the story out to make sure you’ve got enough space to tell the whole thing, convey the “big” story points, but also give enough space and time for characters to breathe, to have their moments. And if you do that, with any luck, you make that connection with the reader.

MFR: FALLEN WORLD has fascinating plot elements (A.I. vs. Man, Class struggles, environment, refugees). These plot threads are going on right now in today’s society. How much of today’s headlines seep into your writing and how do you convey a message with sounding preachy?

ABNETT: I think it’s inevitable, you can’t help but have things seep in. And even in the most fantastical story, I think it’s always helpful to have it grounded with elements and ideas that are current in the world around us.

That said, I seldom deliberately aim for those real-world themes. The plot elements in FALLEN WORLD connect strongly with our daily lives, but I chose them because they suited the business of the story, and FALLEN WORLD, not ours. They fit naturally. I think when you pick contemporary themes and try to push them into a story, that’s when it can get preachy.

MFR: FALLEN WORLD #1 ends on a climactic note, to where I need to read issue two right now! How hard is it to build up tension throughout an issue, and then “stick the landing” with an exciting cliffhanger?

ABNETT: That comes back to planning again 😉 You want that high or dramatic note to end on, so there is an eagerness in the reader to find out what happens next. I usually plan out my beats and work out exactly where I need an issue to end, in terms of drama, then structure the issue to lead to that point.

MFR: With a five-issue mini-series, what is your outlining process? Do you stay ridged in your outline, or if a new crazy idea pops into your head, you change things up?

ABNETT: Pretty rigid, otherwise disasters occur, but I keep as much flexibility as I can to accommodate ideas as they pop up. You don’t get all your great ideas in one hit—some things may occur to you as you’re actually working on a project. That’s when you need to think on your feet and fit them in…or do a major revision!

MFR: Adam Pollina’s art is awe-inspiring in the first issue of FALLEN WORLD. Can you talk about your relationship with Pollina and how you built this world together?

ABNETT: His work is superb. I just created the storyline and described the sorts of things I need, and I imagine in terms of the way the world works (and the story!), and he’s simply delivered. Usually, everything I’ve needed or hoped for, and more besides!

MFR: What was your emotional reaction to Pollina’s art on those final two pages?

ABNETT: Very strong 🙂 It’s powerful and emotional.

MFR: Thank you again for your time, and best of luck with FALLEN WORLD!

ABNETT: Thanks… and thank you!

Do you plan to pick up FALLEN WORLD #1 on Wednesday? Comment below with your thought on the book and interview.

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Review: DESCENDENT Is A Wonderfully Constructed Conspiracy Comic

Darryll Robson

The new AfterShock comic, Descendent, draws on American history and the love of a good conspiracy. Elements of true stories are mixed in with the fictional adventure to create a gripping, challenging read. It is an intelligent comic which doesn’t spoon feed the reader but instead allows the reader to interact with it on whatever level they want to.

cover art — Descendent #1 Credit: AfterShock Comics

Writer/Story

Stephanie Phillips open’s her conspiratorial tale with a heinous act: the kidnapping of a Senator’s child. The Senator in question is portrayed as a headstrong, hard right-winger who is tough on his wife, even in horrendous circumstances. His depiction is that of a villain which affects the way the reader interprets the situation, especially in light of the rest of the story.

The other story thread introduces David and his ex-wife, Amanda. David is obsessed with conspiracies but his obsession goes beyond spouting over-used rhetoric. David actively challenges the establishment in an attempt to shine a light on the truths he believes in.

Phillips uses an action sequence to introduce David. This approach not only tells the reader something about David’s character but also about Senator Miller and his self absorbed introduction. These are the two main characters and by contrasting the way the reader first meets them, Phillips is able to enhance and compare their personalities without the characters having to meet.

The most fascinating aspect of this comic is the way Phillips weaves real conspiracy theories into the plot. David’s knowledge of these theories and their relationship to the story gives Descendent an edge over other such comics. Whereas the conspiracy theme is a large aspect of comics such as Saucer State, the ‘Truths’ are often extraterrestrial or supernatural in nature and require a much more open mind. In Descendent there is an element of realism and proven truth to the theories, this gives the story more weight.

There is a strong distinction between the characters voices evident through the script. The way that David talks in comparison to Amanda, for example, allows the reader access to their relationship beyond the words spoken. Again, Phillips forces the readers to questions the characters by comparing the interactions of the central cast. David and Amanda appear to have a more caring relationship than Carter and Jean, despite the fact they are divorced and the other couple aren’t.

Descendent interior art — Descendent #1 Credit: AfterShock Comics

Art

In a comic such as Descendent, the art work has to make the character’s act. Their personalities and emotions have to shine through their expressions and posture. Much of the story is simple interaction between characters and, except for a single scene, there is very little action. Evgeniy Bornyakov produces some excellent figure work. Although his penciling is fairly standard with a realist approach, there is an element of modernism to his work. His figures have an elongated look with smooth curves which gives the comic a suave appearance.

Lauren Affe’s colors continue this expressionist approach by adding small details of bright color against the more realistic, earthy tones. The bright pink of a teddy bear is later reflected in the pink of some fluffy dice in David’s car.

The back grounds are highly detailed but neither Bornyakov or Affe are afraid to drop the backgrounds entirely to emphasis the foreground or the speech lettered by Troy Peteri. Descendent is about spotlighting certain elements of a story, or a conspiracy, and the art work accomplishes this just as much as the script.

interior art — Descendent #1 Credit: AfterShock Comics

Conclusion

This first issue is about laying the ground work for the series. It introduces the main cast in an in-depth way so that the reader has a good indication about the characters. A brief moment of action adds a faster paced element to the comic but this also works to enhance the characters.

The real beauty of the piece is that it subconsciously encourages the reader to search out extra reading. Everyone who reads this will be Googling Lindbergh Baby as soon as they can. In a world of ‘fake news’ and institutionalized bias, it is wonderful to read a comic that encourages the reader to seek information for themselves, to broaden their horizon’s and find their own Truths.

Between them, the creators have produced an intriguing first issue. Focusing on characters, Phillips has been able to relay a surprisingly high amount of information in a single issue. She treats the readers with respect and does not spoon feed them information. Descendent is a clever introduction to a series and will appeal to fans of the X-Files and Paul Cornell’s Saucer State series.

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Review: The Chariots are Coming in RED SONJA #4

David DeCorte

The Zamoran Empire is still in pursuit of the Hyrkanians in Red Sonja #4. This time, Emperor Dragan pulls chariots from all across the empire to aid in the war effort. But, as with the previous issues, Sonja and the Brothers of Misfortune have may have more tricks up their sleeves.

The Writing

Red Sonja #4 is less action-oriented than previous issues. However, writer Mark Russell does a good job keeping the reader’s interest.

Sonja applying the lessons she learned under Domo of Khitai and demonstrating her prowess as a leader is a recurring theme throughout the series thus far. In each chapter, she calls on a lesson imparted by her teacher to help guide her. The book reminds the character that one can’t rely on strength alone. Otherwise, a simple surprise from your enemy can be your undoing.

Although downplayed in this issue, humor and irony remain consistent themes in Red Sonja #4. The tone of Red Sonja is like a less-madcap Looney Tunes. We see the Hyrkanian horde constantly frustrate Emperor Dragan, destroying his equipment and making off with his goods like Bugs Bunny bamboozling Elmer Fudd. The subtle humor is one of the book’s strongest attributes.

In all, there is less plot advancement here than in the last three chapters. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. Russell develops the relationship between Sonja and Kryon a bit, even letting the warriors express vulnerability with one another. We see Sonja is still less-than-confident in her ability to lead, but Kryon provides reassurance. It’s a nice sharing of sentiment between family members, helping flesh out their characters.

The Artwork

Mirko Colak’s artwork is impressively-detailed as always in Red Sonja #4. The settings and character designs are meticulously laid-out, drawing readers into the world. That said, the work doesn’t flow with as much ease as in previous chapters.

Battle sequences, in particular, can be hard to follow. Colak packs tightly-cropped panels onto the page in a sometimes haphazard way. It’s hard to make out what’s happening in several of these panels. Rather than feeling the chaos of battle, the reader feels detached, ultimately detracting from the effect.

That said, the colors remain very impactful in Red Sonja #4. While sandy brown and yellow tones dominate much of the environment, there are plenty of points at which colors leap off the page, producing some striking imagery.

Final Thoughts

Red Sonja #4 isn’t as memorable as previous entries. It’s still a solid issue overall, though, and well worth picking up.

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‘Batman/Superman’: The World’s Finest Team Returns To DC Comics

Kevin Sharp

April 29, 2019

A new Batman/Superman series from DC Comics — written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by David Marquez — is just one of the news items the publisher revealed today. We also have the return of the Secret Six (sort of), and the announcement that The Batman Who Laughs miniseries has been extended from six issues to seven.

So, how does all this tie together? Let’s start with DC’s official description of Batman/Superman:

To launch the new DC series, the first arc… will follow the two titular heroes as they hunt down six infected heroes in the DCU—people revealed to be infected by the Batman Who Laughs with a deadly pathogen that violently transforms them into the evilest versions of themselves. The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel must journey into the depths of Gotham City to learn which of their fellow heroes has been transformed into the horrifying horseman of their most dangerous and deranged foe ever.

Longtime fans will remember the previous incarnations of this team-up: 2003’s Superman/Batman and 2013’s Batman/Superman; very longtime fans could add World’s Finest Comics to the list as well.

According to Williamson, in an interview with THR:

“We discover, through the Batman Who Laughs series that the Batman Who Laughs have been working on this massive plan since Metal. What it is is, he has sleeper agents throughout the [DC Universe]. They’ve been infected, and they’re slowly turning into the worst versions of themselves. Some of them know they’re changing, some don’t. Some aren’t aware it’s kind of like a Jekyll and Hyde situation where they’re not aware of [what] the other side is doing… This is happening to six people — we’ve been calling them the new Secret Six — who have been turned.”

Thus, the new Secret Six isn’t the same team that debuted way back in 1968… or the team written by Gail Simone in 2006… or the team that may be headed to CBS TV. DC has certainly gotten a lot of mileage out of that name over the years.

Williamson went on:

“It becomes this mystery across not just this book but really the line… It’s a thing where it’s not just going to be focused on this one book; it starts [in Batman/Superman], but you’re going to get a situation where, if you are reading the line, you might start piecing some stuff together before like bigger reveals happen. You might be like, ‘Oh this weird thing’s happening over here, I wonder if that’s connected to the story here,’ and that’s cause, yeah. It is.”

Marquez, no stranger to event series like Civil War II, told THR:

“In terms of the characters involved and the role it plays in broader DCU and its evolving narrative, working with Josh who’s one of the biggest writers there — these reasons sold me on the idea of doing this book. If it wasn’t all of those unique characteristics altogether for one project, I probably wouldn’t be doing work-for-hire stuff right now.”

You can read DC’s press release here and THR‘s interview with the creators here. The Batman Who Laughs #7 hits stores shelves July 31. Batman/Superman #1 arrives August 14.

Does the team of Williamson and Marquez make you excited for a new Batman/Superman series? Does the book’s premise sound interesting? Let us know in the comments!

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Alex Ross and Kurt Busiek Set to Celebrate 25 years of MARVELS

Michael Stagno

April 28, 2019

The Marvels made its debut in 1994, when Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross surprised fans with a new perspective on the Marvel Universe, one that has spanned decades, and now the story continues.

The book will be a standalone story from original creators, Busiek and Ross. Lead character, Phil Sheldon, a photojournalist, who is retired with two daughters, find themselves in the middle of a battle between Mutants and Sentinels, while on vacation in New York. It will take place in the 1970s and feature a new ‘Marvels’ look at the ‘All-New, All-Different X-Men’ from the decade.

Look for Marvels Epilogue #1 to release in July and click HERE for the official release from Marvel. The debut issue will also include a behind-the-scenes view of the story and some production notes and facts from the creators.

What do you think, should this dynamic duo work together more? What other titles would you like to see the two creators take on next? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Dynamite Reveals Major Crossover Event in CHARLIE’S ANGELS/THE BIONIC WOMAN

Michael Stagno

April 28, 2019

In a beautiful mashup of 1980s goodness, for the first time ever in comics, Charlie’s Angels is set to meet the The Bionic Woman, at Dynamite Entertainment.

That’s right, the Angels, of the Charlie variety, are set to accept an assignment to steal a patent from a mysterious inventor. Though there remains one obstacle, Jaime Sommers, aka The Bionic Woman. Can the highly trained team of investigators come out on top versus the cyborg or will an even greater threat cause the two camps to combine forces?

The series will seek to captivate audiences as the shows did in the 1980s and the new series will take place shortly after each of their respective series finales. Cameron DeOrdio will pen the series, while the art will be provided by Soo Lee.

“Charlie’s Angels/The Bionic Woman is a story about good people trying to do good things who end up at cross purposes,” said DeOrdio. “We’ve made a spy comic, with sneaking around, exotic ‘80s tech and tense undercover infiltration, but it’s also about questioning the track you find yourself on and defining for yourself what’s right, even if it means turning your whole life upside down.”

Charlie’s Angels/The Bionic Woman #1 will release in July, while the new cinematic adaptation of Charlie’s Angels, from Elizabeth Banks, is due in theaters on November 15.

Click HERE for the official release from Dynamite, including a look at some interior pages, character sketches and two exclusive variant covers.

What do you think, what other 80s pop culture teamups would you like to see in comicbook form? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Mutant July: Marvel and Hickman to Ring in Two New X-MEN Series

Michael Stagno

April 28, 2019

A major mutant overhaul is imminent at Marvel as two new series are en route in House of X and Powers of X, both to be written by Jonathan Hickman, are due out this July.

House of X | Hickman and Pepe Larraz

The series will follow what Marvel has dubbed the ‘four seminal moments in the history of the X-Men’, in Uncanny X-Men, Giant-Size X-Men, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse and New X-Men. A new era for ‘Marvel’s Mutants’ will again revolutionize the X-Men as Charles Xavier will unveil his master plan for mutantkind, which will be one that will ultimately bring all mutants out of the shadows and into the light again.

Powers of X | Hickman and R.B. Silva

In conjunction with the House of X series, the new direction of the X-Men will reveal the secret past, present and future for all mutantkind! This series promises to ultimately change the way you look at the overall story of the X-Men, both before and after reading it.

Both first issues, House of X #1 and Powers of X #1, are set for summer releases. Keep an eye out for both to hit shelves in July and click HERE for the exclusive first look at the two upcoming series, among others, via Marvel.

What do you think, is the new X-Men shakeup a welcome one in your eyes? What other mutants do you want to see make a comeback in a series? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Jane Foster to Emerge out of the War of the Realms as VALKYRIE

Michael Stagno

April 28, 2019

After being revealed at the Marvel panel that Jason Aaron and Al Ewing were set to combine forces on a new Valkyrie series at Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, more has now been revealed about the upcoming series.

The series will star none other than Jane Foster and sprout up out of the second issue out of the War of the Realms series. In the issue, Foster, after witnessing the complete massacre of the Valkyries, the former Thor decides she will assume the role as the Valkyrie, while readers wait in limbo as to what has become of the most-recent Valkyrie, Brunhilde.

“There’s a line in Valkyrie #1: ‘Thor is a god, Valkyrie is a job.’ Jane knows how to be Thor, but the role of Valkyrie — the warrior who fights for the living and the dead, and stands between both — is a very different beast,” said Ewing. “It’s a sacred task, and brings additional abilities — and responsibilities — of its own. As the first of a new generation of Valkyries, Jane has to decide for herself what that task involves, and that’s a big part of what we’ll be exploring in this series. If you’re reading this, you know who Valkyrie is, but what she is is one of the big philosophical underpinnings of the book.”

Look for Valkyrie #1 to land on shelves in July. For more information on Marvel releases in July, click HERE.

Click HERE for the official release via Marvel, including a sneak peek at some interiors and exclusive art and an interview with Ewing.

What do you think, is the world ready for another Asgardian shakeup? Who would you like to see rise from the ashes in a new role following the War of the Realms? Let us know in the comments section below.

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And The 2019 Eisner Award Nominees Are…

Kevin Sharp

April 26, 2019

Comic-Con International has announced the 2019 Eisner Award nominees, with two publishers emerging as the big winners so far. DC received a total of 24 nominations, while Image received a whopping 30 — including a sweep of the “Best New Series” category. IDW and Lion Forge round out the top four most-nominated publishers.

The entire nominee list is below:

Best Short Story

“Get Naked in Barcelona,” by Steven T. Seagle and Emei Olivia Burrell, in Get Naked (Image)
“The Ghastlygun Tinies,” by Matt Cohen and Marc Palm, in MAD magazine #4 (DC)
“Here I Am,” by Shaun Tan, in I Feel Machine (SelfMadeHero)
“Life During Interesting Times,” by Mike Dawson (The Nib), https://thenib.com/greatest-generation-interesting-times
“Supply Chains,” by Peter and Maria Hoey, in Coin-Op #7 (Coin-Op Books)
“The Talk of the Saints,” by Tom King and Jason Fabok, in Swamp Thing Winter Special (DC)

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Beneath the Dead Oak Tree, by Emily Carroll (ShortBox)
Black Hammer: Cthu-Louise, by Jeff Lemire and Emi Lenox (Dark Horse)
No Better Words, by Carolyn Nowak (Silver Sprocket)
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #310, by Chip Zdarsky (Marvel)
The Terrible Elisabeth Dumn Against the Devils In Suits, by Arabson, translated by James Robinson (IHQ Studio/ Image)

Best Continuing Series

Batman, by Tom King et al. (DC)
Black Hammer: Age of Doom, by Jeff Lemire, Dean Ormston, and Rich Tommaso (Dark Horse)
Gasolina, by Sean Mackiewicz and Niko Walter (Skybound/Image)
Giant Days, by John Allison, Max Sarin, and Julaa Madrigal (BOOM! Box)
The Immortal Hulk, by Al Ewing, Joe Bennett, and Ruy José (Marvel)
Runaways, by Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka (Marvel)

Best Limited Series

Batman: White Knight, by Sean Murphy (DC)
Eternity Girl, by Magdalene Visaggio and Sonny Liew (Vertigo/DC)
Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, by Mark Russell, Mike Feehan, and Mark Morales (DC)
Mister Miracle, by Tom King and Mitch Gerads (DC)
X-Men: Grand Design: Second Genesis, by Ed Piskor (Marvel)

Best New Series

Bitter Root, by David Walker, Chuck Brown, and Sanford Green (Image)
Crowded, by Christopher Sebela, Ro Stein, and Ted Brandt (Image)
Gideon Falls, by Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino (Image)
Isola, by Brenden Fletcher and Karl Kerschl (Image)
Man-Eaters, by Chelsea Cain and Kate Niemczyk (Image)
Skyward, by Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett (Image)

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

Johnny Boo and the Ice Cream Computer, by James Kochalka (Top Shelf/IDW)
Petals, by Gustavo Borges (KaBOOM!)
Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths, by Graham Annable (First Second)
This Is a Taco! By Andrew Cangelose and Josh Shipley (CubHouse/Lion Forge)
Tiger Vs. Nightmare, by Emily Tetri (First Second)

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12)

Aquicorn Cove, by Katie O’Neill (Oni)
Be Prepared, by Vera Brosgol (First Second)
The Cardboard Kingdom, by Chad Sell (Knopf/Random House Children’s Books)
Crush, by Svetlana Chmakova (JY/Yen Press)
The Divided Earth, by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second)

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17)

All Summer Long, by Hope Larson (Farrar Straus Giroux)
Gumballs, by Erin Nations (Top Shelf/IDW)
Middlewest, by Skottie Young and Jorge Corona (Image)
Norroway, Book 1: The Black Bull of Norroway, by Cat Seaton and Kit Seaton (Image)
The Prince and the Dressmaker, by Jen Wang (First Second)
Watersnakes, by Tony Sandoval, translated by Lucas Marangon (Magnetic/Lion Forge)

Best Humor Publication

Get Naked, by Steven T. Seagle et al. (Image)
Giant Days, by John Allison, Max Sarin, and Julia Madrigal (BOOM! Box)
MAD magazine, edited by Bill Morrison (DC)
A Perfect Failure: Fanta Bukowski 3, by Noah Van Sciver (Fantagraphics)
Woman World, by Aminder Dhaliwal (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Anthology

Femme Magnifique: 50 Magnificent Women Who Changed the World, edited by Shelly Bond (Black Crown/IDW)
Puerto Rico Strong, edited by Marco Lopez, Desiree Rodriguez, Hazel Newlevant, Derek Ruiz, and Neil Schwartz (Lion Forge)
Twisted Romance, edited by Alex de Campi (Image)
Where We Live: A Benefit for the Survivors in Las Vegas, edited by Will Dennis, curated by J. H. Williams III and Wendy Wright-Williams (Image)

Best Reality-Based Work

All the Answers: A Graphic Memoir, by Michael Kupperman (Gallery 13)
All the Sad Songs, by Summer Pierre (Retrofit/Big Planet)
Is This Guy For Real? The Unbelievable Andy Kaufman, by Box Brown (First Second)
Monk! by Youssef Daoudi (First Second)
One Dirty Tree, by Noah Van Sciver (Uncivilized Books)

Best Graphic Album—New

Bad Girls, by Alex de Campi and Victor Santos (Gallery 13)
Come Again, by Nate Powell (Top Shelf/IDW)
Green Lantern: Earth One Vol. 1, by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman (DC)
Homunculus, by Joe Sparrow (ShortBox)
My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies, by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (Image)
Sabrina, by Nick Drnaso (Drawn & Quarterly)

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

Berlin, by Jason Lutes (Drawn & Quarterly)
Girl Town, by Carolyn Nowak (Top Shelf/IDW)
Upgrade Soul, by Ezra Claytan Daniels (Lion Forge)
The Vision hardcover, by Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, and Michael Walsh (Marvel)
Young Frances, by Hartley Lin (AdHouse Books)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

Anne Frank’s Diary: The Graphic Adaptation, adapted by Ari Folman and David Polonsky (Pantheon)
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, in Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection, adapted by Junji Ito, translated by Jocelyne Allen (VIZ Media)
Out in the Open by Jesús Carraso, adapted by Javi Rey, translated by Lawrence Schimel (SelfMadeHero)
Speak: The Graphic Novel, by Laurie Halse Anderson and Emily Carroll (Farrar Straus Giroux)
To Build a Fire: Based on Jack London’s Classic Story, by Chabouté (Gallery 13)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

About Betty’s Boob, by Vero Cazot and Julie Rocheleau, translated by Edward Gauvin (Archaia/BOOM!)
Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World, by Pénélope Bagieu (First Second)
Herakles Book 1, by Edouard Cour, translated by Jeremy Melloul (Magnetic/Lion Forge)
Niourk, by Stefan Wul and Olivier Vatine, translated by Brandon Kander and Diana Schutz (Dark Horse)
A Sea of Love, by Wilfrid Lupano and Grégory Panaccione (Magnetic/Lion Forge)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

Abara: Complete Deluxe Edition, by Tsutomu Nihei, translated by Sheldon Drzka (VIZ Media)
Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction, by Inio Asano, translated by John Werry (VIZ Media)
Laid-Back Camp, by Afro, translated by Amber Tamosaitis (Yen Press)
My Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder, by Nie Jun, translated by Edward Gauvin (Graphic Universe/Lerner)
Tokyo Tarareba Girls, by Akiko Higashimura (Kodansha)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips

Pogo, vol. 5: Out of This World At Home, by Walt Kelly, edited by Mark Evanier and Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)
Sky Masters of the Space Force: The Complete Sunday Strips in Color (1959–1960), by Jack Kirby, Wally Wood et al., edited by Ferran Delgado (Amigo Comics)
Star Wars: Classic Newspaper Strips, vol. 3, by Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson, edited by Dean Mullaney (Library of American Comics/IDW)
The Temple of Silence: Forgotten Words and Worlds of Herbert Crowley, by Justin Duerr (Beehive Books
Thimble Theatre and the Pre-Popeye Comics of E. C. Segar, edited by Peter Maresca (Sunday Press)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books

Action Comics: 80 Years of Superman Deluxe Edition, edited by Paul Levitz (DC)
Bill Sienkiewicz’s Mutants and Moon Knights… And Assassins… Artifact Edition, edited by Scott Dunbier (IDW)
Dirty Plotte: The Complete Julie Doucet (Drawn & Quarterly)
Madman Quarter Century Shindig, by Mike Allred, edited by Chris Ryall (IDW)
Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise Gallery Edition, edited by Joseph Melchior and Bob Chapman (Abstract Studio/Graphitti Designs)
Will Eisner’s A Contract with God: Curator’s Collection, edited by John Lind (Kitchen Sink/Dark Horse)

Best Writer

Alex de Campi, Bad Girls (Gallery 13); Twisted Romance (Image)
Tom King, Batman, Mister Miracle, Heroes in Crisis, Swamp Thing Winter Special (DC)
Jeff Lemire, Black Hammer: Age of Doom, Doctor Star & the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows, Quantum Age (Dark Horse); Descender, Gideon Falls, Royal City (Image)
Mark Russell, Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles, Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound, Lex Luthor/Porky Pig (DC); Lone Ranger (Dynamite)
Kelly Thompson, Nancy Drew (Dynamite); Hawkeye, Jessica Jones, Mr. & Mrs. X, Rogue & Gambit, Uncanny X-Men, West Coast Avengers (Marvel)
Chip Zdarsky, Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man, Marvel Two-in-One (Marvel)

Best Writer/Artist

Sophie Campbell, Wet Moon (Oni)
Nick Drnaso, Sabrina (Drawn & Quarterly)
David Lapham, Lodger (Black Crown/IDW); Stray Bullets (Image)
Nate Powell, Come Again (Top Shelf/IDW)
Tony Sandoval, Watersnakes (Magnetic/Lion Forge)
Jen Wang, The Prince and the Dressmaker (First Second)

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

Matías Bergara, Coda (BOOM!)
Mitch Gerads, Mister Miracle (DC)
Karl Kerschl, Isola (Image)
Sonny Liew, Eternity Girl (Vertigo/DC)
Sean Phillips, Kill or Be Killed, My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies (Image)
Yanick Paquette, Wonder Woman Earth One, vol. 2 (DC)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

Lee Bermejo, Batman: Damned (DC)
Carita Lupatelli, Izuna Book 2 (Humanoids)
Dustin Nguyen, Descender (Image)
Gregory Panaccione, A Sea of Love (Magnetic/Lion Forge)
Tony Sandoval, Watersnakes (Magnetic/Lion Forge)

Best Cover Artist (for multiple covers)

Jen Bartel, Blackbird (Image); Submerged (Vault)
Nick Derington, Mister Miracle (DC)
Karl Kerschl, Isola (Image)
Joshua Middleton, Batgirl and Aquaman variants (DC)
Julian Tedesco, Hawkeye, Life of Captain Marvel (Marvel)

Best Coloring

Jordie Bellaire, Batgirl, Batman (DC); The Divided Earth (First Second); Days of Hate, Dead Hand, Head Lopper, Redlands (Image); Shuri, Doctor Strange (Marvel)
Tamra Bonvillain, Alien 3 (Dark Horse); Batman, Doom Patrol (DC); Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Multiple Man (Marvel)
Nathan Fairbairn, Batman, Batgirl, Birds of Prey, Wonder Woman Earth One, vol. 2 (DC); Die!Die!Die! (Image)
Matt Hollingsworth, Batman: White Knight (DC): Seven to Eternity, Wytches (Image)
Matt Wilson, Black Cloud, Paper Girls, The Wicked + The Divine (Image); The Mighty Thor, Runaways (Marvel)

Best Lettering

David Aja, Seeds (Berger Books/Dark Horse)
Jim Campbell, Breathless, Calexit, Gravetrancers, Snap Flash Hustle, Survival Fetish, The Wilds (Black Mask); Abbott, Alice: Dream to Dream, Black Badge, Clueless, Coda, Fence, Firefly, Giant Days, Grass Kings, Lumberjanes: The Infernal Compass, Low Road West, Sparrowhawk (BOOM); Angelic (Image); Wasted Space (Vault)
Alex de Campi, Bad Girls (Gallery 13); Twisted Romance (Image)
Jared Fletcher, Batman: Damned (DC); The Gravediggers Union, Moonshine, Paper Girls, Southern Bastards (Image)
Todd Klein— Black Hammer: Age of Doom, Neil Gaiman’s A Study in Emerald (Dark Horse); Batman: White Night (DC); Eternity Girl, Books of Magic (Vertigo/DC); The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest (Top Shelf/IDW)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

Back Issue, edited by Michael Eury (TwoMorrows)
The Columbus Scribbler, edited by Brian Canini, columbusscribbler.com
Comicosity, edited by Aaron Long and Matt Santori, www.comicosity.com
LAAB Magazine #0: Dark Matter, edited by Ronald Wimberley and Josh O’Neill (Beehive Books)
PanelxPanel magazine, edited by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, panelxpanel.com

Best Comics-Related Book

Comic Book Implosion: An Oral History of DC Comics Circa 1978, by Keith Dallas and John Wells (TwoMorrows)
Drawn to Purpose: American Women Illustrators and Cartoonists, by Martha H. Kennedy (University Press of Mississippi)
The League of Regrettable Sidekicks, by Jon Morris (Quirk Books)
Mike Grell: Life Is Drawing Without an Eraser, by Dewey Cassell with Jeff Messer (TwoMorrows)
Yoshitaka Amano: The Illustrated Biography—Beyond the Fantasy, by Florent Gorges, translated by Laure Dupont and Annie Gullion (Dark Horse)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

Between Pen and Pixel: Comics, Materiality, and the Book of the Future, by Aaron Kashtan (Ohio State University Press)
Breaking the Frames: Populism and Prestige in Comics Studies, by Marc Singer (University of Texas Press)
The Goat-Getters: Jack Johnson, the Fight of the Century, and How a Bunch of Raucous Cartoonists Reinvented Comics, by Eddie Campbell (Library of American Comics/IDW/Ohio State University Press)
Incorrigibles and Innocents, by Lara Saguisag (Rutgers Univeristy Press)
Sweet Little C*nt: The Graphic Work of Julie Doucet, by Anne Elizabeth Moore (Uncivilized Books)

Best Publication Design

A Sea of Love, designed by Wilfrid Lupano, Grégory Panaccione, and Mike Kennedy (Magnetic/Lion Forge)
The Stan Lee Story Collector’s Edition, designed by Josh Baker (Taschen)
The Temple of Silence: Forgotten Worlds of Herbert Crowley, designed by Paul Kepple and Max Vandenberg (Beehive Books)
Terry Moore’s Strangers in Paradise Gallery Edition, designed by Josh Beatman/Brainchild Studios/NYC (Abstract Studio/Graphitti Designs)
Will Eisner’s A Contract with God: Curator’s Collection, designed by John Lind (Kitchen Sink/Dark Horse)

Best Digital Comic

Aztec Empire, by Paul Guinan, Anina Bennett, and David Hahn, www.bigredhair.com/books/Aztec-empire/
The Führer and the Tramp, by Sean McArdle, Jon Judy, and Dexter Wee, http://thefuhrerandthetramp.com/
The Journey, by Pablo Leon (Rewire), https://rewire.news/article/2018/01/08/rewire-exclusive-comic-journey/
The Stone King, by Kel McDonald and Tyler Crook (comiXology Originals) https://cmxl.gy/Stone-King
Umami, by Ken Niimura (Panel Syndicate), http://panelsyndicate.com/comics/umami

Best Webcomic

The Contradictions, by Sophie Yanow, www.thecontradictions.com
Lavender Jack, by Dan Schkade (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/thriller/lavender-jack/list?title_no=1410&page=1
Let’s Play, by Mongie (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/letsplay/list?title_no=1218&page=1
Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe, (WEBTOON), https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=1
Tiger, Tiger, by Petra Erika Nordlund, (Hiveworks) http://www.tigertigercomic.com/

The awards ballot will be available at www.eisnervote.com, with all comic industry professionals eligible to vote. This year’s Eisner Awards ceremony will be Friday, July 19 at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel.

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