O equivalente quadrínistico do Oscar acaba de anunciar os seus indicados – sim, logo abaixo você confere a lista de concorrentes a 16ª edição do Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards 2004, entregue todo ano numa cerimônia solene dentro da San Diego International Comic Convention. Os vencedores, que receberão seus prêmios no dia 23 de julho (dois dias antes do meu aniversário), são escolhidos por alguns dos nomes mais importantes e influentes do mercado de quadrinhos americano e mundial.

Este ano, três publicações lideram as apostas com quatro indicações cada: a graphic novel The Sandman: Endless Nights, de Neil Gaiman, a antologia Little Lit, editada por Art Spiegelman e Francoise Mouly, e The Goon, criado por Eric Powell. Confira os indicados:

::Melhor História Curta
Death by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell, in The Sandman: Endless Nights (Vertigo/DC)
It Was a Dark and Silly Night . . . by Lemony Snicket and Richard Sala, in Little Lit: It Was a Dark and Silly Night (HarperCollins)
It Was a Dark and Silly Night by Carlos Nine, in Little Lit: It Was a Dark and Silly Night (HarperCollins)
Monsieur Jean by Philippe Dupuy and Charles Berberian, in Drawn & Quarterly 5 (Drawn & Quarterly)
Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim, in Same Difference and Other Stories (Small Stories)
There Are No Flowers in the Real World by David Lapham, in The Matrix Comics (Burlyman Entertainment)

::Melhor Single Story ou Edição Especial (One Shot)
Conan The Legend #0 by Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord (Dark Horse)
Finder #30: “Beware of Dog,” by Carla Speed McNeil (Lightspeed Press)
Giant THB 1.v.2 by Paul Pope (Horse Press)
Global Frequency #5: “Big Sky,” by Warren Ellis and Jon J. Muth (WildStorm/DC)
The Goon #1 by Eric Powell (Dark Horse)
Usagi Yojimbo #65: “Usagi and the Tengu,” by Stan Sakai (Dark Horse)
PS.: Pelo jeito o personagem Conan voltou com tudo, sua revista esta no Top 100 entre as mais vendidas e a edição inicial (#0) esta concorrendo ao Prêmio Eisner, quem tiver interessado, Conan #0 versão nacional já esta nas bancas.

::Melhor Saga ou Minissérie dentro de um Título
Alias #22-28: “The Secret Origin of Jessica Jones” & “Purple,” by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos (Marvel)
Daredevil #46-50: “Hardcore,” by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev (Marvel)
Forlorn Funnies #3-5: “Mother Come Home,” by Paul Hornschemeier (Absence of Ink)
Gotham Central #6-10: “Half a Life,” by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark (DC)
Queen and Country #13-15: “Operation Blackwall,” by Greg Rucka and Jason Alexander (Oni)
PS.: Brian Michael Bendis é uma das melhores contratações da Marvel da atualidade, além de ser um dos cabeças do Universo Ultimate, seus títulos são sucesso de vendas e critica, e para nossa alegria, seus personagens mais premiados estão sendo publicados por aqui. Outro que se confirma é Greg Rucka, o cara enfim teve seu reconhecimento, basta saber quando o material dele chega por aqui…

::Melhot Título Mensal
Alias by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos (Marvel)
Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis/Alex Maleev and David Mack (Marvel)
The Goon by Eric Powell (Dark Horse)
Gotham Central by Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka, Michael Lark, Brian Hurtt, and Stefano Gaudiano (DC)
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso (Vertigo/DC)
Queen & Country by Greg Rucka, Jason Alexander, Carla Speed McNeil, and Mike Hawthorne (Oni)
PS.: Três dos concorrentes já estão saindo por aqui, Alias, Daredevil (Demolidor) e 100 Bullets (100 Balas), basta saber quando a Panini vai trazer Gotham Central e quando alguém vai se interessar pelo excelente The Goon.

::Melhor Minissérie
Arrowsmith by Kurt Busiek, Carlos Pacheco, and Jesús Meriño (WildStorm/DC)
Empire by Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, and James Pascoe (DC)
Global Frequency by Warren Ellis and various artists (WildStorm/DC)
JSA: The Unholy Three by Dan Jolley, Tony Harris, and Ray Snyder (DC)
Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar, Dave Johnson/Andrew Robinson, and Kilian Plunkett/Walden Wong (DC)
Unstable Molecules by James Sturm and Guy Davis (Marvel)
PS.: Global Frequency (Freqüência Global) já esta saindo por aqui, Superman Red Son chega este mês nas bancas pela Panini, JSA: The Unholy Three esta nos planos da Mythos e os outros só Deus sabe…

::Melhor Título Novo
El Cazador by Chuck Dixon and Steve Epting (CrossGen)
Invincible by Robert Kirkman and Cory Walker (Image)
The Losers by Andy Diggle and Jock (Vertigo/DC)
Plastic Man by Kyle Baker (DC)
Sleeper by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (WildStorm/DC)
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore (Image)
PS.: Nenhum dos títulos estão em andamento de publicação por aqui…

::Melhor Título Adolescente
Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka (Dark Horse)
Happy Halloween, Li’l Santa by Thierry Robin and Lewis Trondheim (NBM)
Little Lit: It Was a Dark and Silly Night edited by art spiegelman and Francoise Mouly (HarperCollins)
Little Vampire Does Kung Fu! by Joann Sfar (Simon & Shuster)
Peanutbutter and Jeremy’s Best Book Ever! by James Kochalka (Alternative)
Walt Disney’s Uncle Scrooge by various (Gemstone)

::Melhor Publicação de Humor
Circling the Drain (The Collected Dork, vol. 2) by Evan Dorkin (SLG)
Formerly Known as the Justice League by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire, and Joe Rubinstein (DC)
The Goon by Eric Powell (Dark Horse)
The New Baker by Kyle Baker (Kyle Baker Publishing)
What’s Michael vols. 7 and 8 by Makoto Kobayashi (Dark Horse)
PS.: Este tipo de historias ainda não tem publico aqui no Brasil e nem previsão de publicação, com exceção de Formerly Known as the Justice League (Já Fomos a Liga da Justiça) que já esta nas bancas pela Panini.

::Melhor Edição Especial com Histórias Curtas
AutobioGraphix edited by Diana Schutz (Dark Horse)
The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings edited by Scott Allie (Dark Horse)
Drawn & Quarterly 5 edited by Chris Oliveros (Drawn & Quarterly)
Little Lit: It Was a Dark and Silly Night edited by art spiegelman and Francoise Mouly (HarperCollins)
Project: Telstar edited by Chris Pitzer (AdHouse)
The Sandman: Endless Nights by Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean, P. Craig Russell, Miguelanxo Prado, Barron Storey, Frank Quitely, Glenn Fabry, Milo Manara, and Bill Sienkiewicz; co-edited by Karen Berger and Shelly Bond (Vertigo/DC)

::Melhor Graphic Album
Blacksad by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido (ibooks)
Blankets by Craig Thompson (Top Shelf)
The Fixer: A Story from Sarajevo by Joe Sacco (Drawn & Quarterly)
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Pantheon)
Yossel, April 19, 1943 by Joe Kubert (ibooks)

::Melhor Republicação em Graphic Album
Batman Adventures: Dangerous Dames and Demons by Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and others (DC)
The Frank Book by Jim Woodring (Fantagraphics)
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography by Chester Brown (Drawn & Quarterly)
The P. Craig Russell Library of Opera Adaptations, vols. 1 and 2 by P. Craig Russell (NBM)
Palomar: The Heartbreak Soup Stories by Gilbert Hernandez (Fantagraphics)
Quimby the Mouse by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics)

::Melhor Republicação de Clássicos
Al Capp’s L’il Abner: The Frazetta Years, by Al Capp, edited by Denis Kitchen (Dark Horse)
Buddha, vols. 1 and 2 by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical)
Challengers of the Unknown Archives, vol. 1 by Dave Wood and Jack Kirby, edited by Dale Crain (DC)
The Chronicles of Conan, vols. 1 and 2 by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith, edited by Jeremy Barlow (Dark Horse)
Krazy and Ignatz, 1929-1930 by George Herriman, edited by Bill Blackbeard (Fantagraphics)
The Spirit Archives, vol. 12 by Will Eisner, edited by Dale Crain (DC)

::Melhor Título Estrangeiro
Blacksad by Juan Diaz Canales and Juanjo Guarnido (ibooks)
Buddha, vols. 1 and 2 by Osamu Tezuka (Vertical)
Chaland Anthology: Freddy Lombard, vols. 1 and 2 by Yves Chaland (Humanoids)
Little Vampire Does Kung Fu! by Joann Sfar (Simon & Shuster)
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (Pantheon)

::Melhor Argumentista
Brian Azzarello por 100 Bullets, Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and Hard Place (Vertigo/DC); Batman (DC)
Brian Michael Bendis por Alias, Daredevil, Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men (Marvel); Powers (Image)
Ed Brubaker por Catwoman, Detective Comics, Gotham Central (DC); Sleeper (WildStorm/DC)
Warren Ellis por Orbiter (Vertigo/DC); Global Frequency, Red, Planetary, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth (WildStorm/DC)
Alan Moore por The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Smax, Tom Strong, Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales (ABC)
Greg Rucka por Queen & Country (Oni); Gotham Central, Wonder Woman (DC); Wolverine (Marvel)
PS.: dos títulos acima, já estão sendo publicados com os autores indicados 100 Bullets (100 Balas), Alias, Daredevil (Demolidor), Ultimate Spiderman (Homem Aranha), Detective Comics, Global Frequency (Freqüência Global) e Tom Strong. Já esta sendo cotados a ser publicados Batman, Ultimate X-Men, Gotham Central, Wonder Woman (Mulher Maravilha) e Wolverine. Mas espero, que apareça mais coisas de Warren Ellis.

::Melhor Argumentista & Desenhista
Jaime Hernandez por Love and Rockets (Fantagraphics)
Paul Hornschemeier por Forlorn Funnies (Absence of Ink)
Takehiko Inoue por Vagabond (Viz)
Paul Pope por Giant THB 1.v.2 (Horse Press)
Craig Thompson Blankets (Top Shelf)

Melhor Argumentista & Desenhista de Título de Humor
Kyle Baker por Plastic Man (DC); The New Baker (Kyle Baker Publishing)
Tony Millionaire por Sock Monkey (Dark Horse)
Eric Powell por The Goon (Dark Horse)
Joann Sfar por Little Vampire Does Kung Fu!, Little Vampire Goes to School (Simon & Shuster)
Jeff Smith por Bone (Cartoon Books)

::Melhor Desenhista & Arte-Finalista ou Melhor Time de Artistas
John Cassaday por Planetary, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth (WildStorm/DC); Hellboy Weird Tales (Dark Horse)
Tan Eng Huat por Doom Patrol, JLA #91 (DC)
Alex Maleev por Daredevil (Marvel)
Jim Lee & Scott Williams por Batman (DC)
Eduardo Risso por 100 Bullets (Vertigo/DC); Batman (DC); Boy Vampire: The Resurrection (SAF)

::Melhor Arte Pintada ou Arte por Computador
Juanjo Guarnido por Blacksad (ibooks)
José Ladronn por Hip Flask: Elephantmen (Comicraft)
Miguelanxo Prado por “Dream,” in The Sandman: Endless Nights (Vertigo/DC)
Frank Quitely por “Destiny,” in The Sandman: Endless Nights (Vertigo/DC)
Jill Thompson por “Stray,” in The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings (Dark Horse)

::Melhor Colorista
Steven Griffin por Hawaiian Dick (Image)
Matt Hollingsworth por Catwoman (DC)
Paul Hornschemeierpor Forlorn Funnies (Absence of Ink)
Jason Keith por El Cazador (CrossGen)
Patricia Mulvihill por Batman, Wonder Woman (DC), 100 Bullets (Vertigo/DC)

::Melhor Artista de Capas
James Jean por Fables (Vertigo/DC); Batgirl (DC)
Dave Johnson por Batman #620 á 622 (DC); 100 Bullets (Vertigo/DC)
Scott McKowen por 1602 (Marvel)
Joshua Middleton por NYX, X-Men Unlimited, New Mutants (Marvel)
Sean Phillips por Sleeper (WildStorm/DC)
Brian Wood por Global Frequency (WildStorm/DC)

::Melhor Letrista
Todd Klein por Fables, Tom Strong, 1602 (Marvel)
Bill Oakley por Gavião Negro, Liga Extraordinária Vol.2
Dave Sim por Cerebrus
Richard Starkings por Batman, Planetary

::Talento Merecendo Maior Reconhecimento
Derek Kirk Kim, por Same Difference and Other Stories
Chrstine Norrie por Cheat
Jeff Parker por The Interman
Ben Towele por Farewell Georgia
Brian Wood por The Couriers

::Melhor Periódico Relacionado a HQs
Alter Ego (TwoMorrows)
Comic Art (Comic Art)
Comic Book Artist (Top Shelf)
The Comics Journal (Fantagraphics)

::Melhor Livro Sobre Quadrinhos
The Acme Novelty Library Datebook, 1986-1995 (Chris Ware)
The Art of Hellboy (Mike Mignola)
Black Images in The Comics (Fredrik Strömberg)
Mythology: The DC Art of Alex Ross (Chip Kidd)
Stan Lee and The Rise and Fall of The American Comic Book (Jordan Raphael and Tom Spurgeon)

::Melhor Design de Publicação
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Absolute Edition – vol.1 (Todd Klein, Alex Sinclair e Larry Berry)
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography (Chester Brown)
Mythology: The DC Art of Alex Ross (Chip Kidd)
Project: Telstar (Chris Pitzer)
Qumby: The Mouse (Chris Ware)
Top Shelf Asks The Big Questions (Brett Warnock)

HALL DA FAMA:
Escolha dos juízes: Otto Binder, John Stanley

Os votantes vão selecionar mais quatro da lista abaixo:
Bill Blackbeard, Wayne Boring, Al Capp, Jules Feiffer, Lou Fine, René Goscinny e Albert Uderzo, Floyd Gottfredson, Graham Ingels, Kasuo Koike e Goseki Kojima, Don Martin, Jerry Robinson, Gilbert Shelton.