ftp.xmission.com/2014.06.ftp.xmission.com.tar/ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/comix-biz/archive/comix-biz.9708

Internet Message Format | 1997-08-21 | 16KB

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (cbiz) NEWS: Ignatz Nominees Announced
Date: 01 Aug 1997 07:01:10 -0400 (EDT)


August 1, 1997

PRESS RELEASE:    Ignatz Nominees Announced -- Comics Award Winners to be
        Determined at Small Press Expo in September

The 1997 Small Press Expo (SPX) will inaugurate a new award for
outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning.  The Ignatz, named
after George Herriman's brick-wielding mouse, recognizes outstanding
work that challenges popular notions of what comics can achieve, both as
an artform and as a means of personal expression.  The Ignatz is a
festival prize, the first such of the comic book industry.  Winners will
be determined by ballot at the Small Press Expo, a weekend convention
and tradeshow showcasing creator-owned comics.

The Small Press Expo will be held the weekend of September 19-21
in Silver Spring, MD, just outside Washington, DC.  The Ignatz Awards
voting will be open to all attendees of the Small Press Expo and Awards
will be presented at 9pm, Saturday, September 20 at the SPX.

All attendees of SPX will have an opportunity to cast their vote in
seven categories:
    Outstanding Artist
    Outstanding Story
    Outstanding Series
    Outstanding Comic
    Outstanding Minicomic
    Outstanding Graphic Novel/Collection
    Breakout Talent

The ballot consists of five nominees for each category.  A jury of five
artists worked independently to arrive at the Ignatz ballot.  Jury
members were precluded from nominating themselves and none knew who the
others were.  Each jury member provided three nominations, and a second
round of voting established the final ballot.

1997 Jury Members were: Jessica Abel (ARTBABE), Chester Brown
(UNDERWATER), Ed Brubaker (DETOUR), Mark Wheatley (RADICAL DREAMER), and
Joe Zabel (TRESSPASSERS).

1997 IGNATZ NOMINEES (in alphabetical order):

Outstanding Artist

- Gilbert Hernandez for NEW LOVE, published by Fantagraphics Books (7563
    Lake City Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
    http://www.fantagraphics.com)
- Dylan Horrocks for PICKLE, published by Black Eye Productions (5135
    Parc Ave, #5, Montreal, Quebec H2V 4G3,
    http://www.blackeye.com)
- C. S. Morse for SOULWIND, published by Image Comics (1400 N. Harbor
    Blvd., #305, Fullerton, CA 92635,
    http://www.fantasyideas.com/crazyfish)
- Gary Panter for JIMBO, published by Zongo Comics (1999 Avenue of the
    Stars, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067)
- Seth for PALOOKAVILLE, published by Drawn & Quarterly Publications
    (PO Box 48056, Montreal, Quebec, H2V 4S8,
    http://www.eggcite.com/quarterly/home.html)


Breakout Talent

- Debbie Dreschler for NOWHERE, published by Drawn & Quarterly
- Tom Hart for THE SANDS, published by Black Eye
- C. S. Morse for SOULWIND, published by Image
- Walt Holcombe for KING OF PERSIA, self published through Accordian
    Press (PO Box 49751, Austin, TX 78765)
- Steve Weissman for YIKES!, published by Alternative Press (611 NW
    34th Drive, Gainesville, FL 32607-2429,
    http://www.indyworld.com/ap)


Outstanding Story

- "A Death In the Family" in SILLY DADDY by Joe Chiappetta,
    self-published (2209 Northgate Avenue, N. Riverside, IL
    60546-1339, http://www.redweb.com/sillydaddy/)
- "Ghost World" in EIGHTBALL by Daniel Clowes, published by
    Fantagraphics
- "Hicksville" in PICKLE by Dylan Horrocks, published by Black Eye
- FROM HELL by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, published by Kitchen
    Sink Press (221 Pine Street, Florence, MA 01062)
- "It's a Good Life if You Don't Weaken" in PALOOKAVILLE by Seth,
    published by Drawn & Quarterly


Outstanding Series

- ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY by Chris Ware, published by Fantagraphics
- BERLIN by Jason Lutes, published by Black Eye
- EIGHTBALL by Daniel Clowes, published by Fantagraphics
- PALOOKAVILLE by Seth, published by Drawn & Quarterly
- STRANGEHAVEN by Gary Millidge, self-published through Abiogenesis
    Press (http://www.cix.co.uk/~recombo-dna-lab/retina/)


Outstanding Comic

- EIGHTBALL #17 by Daniel Clowes, published by Fantagraphics
- HEY MISTER #1 by Pete Sickman-Garner (PO Box 4085, Fayetteville,
    AR 72702)
- KEYHOLE #2 by Dean Haspiel and Josh Neufeld, published by
    Modern (105 Edgewater Road, Narragansett, RI 02882,
    http://www.suba.com/~keyhole/)
- KING OF PERSIA by Walt Holcombe, self-published through Accordian
    Press
- PALOOKAVILLE #10  by Seth, published by Drawn & Quarterly


Outstanding Minicomic

- HEY MISTER #4 by Pete Sickman-Garner  (PO Box 4085, Fayetteville,
    AR 72702)
- KING-CAT COMICS #52 by John Porcellino (PO Box 18510, Denver CO 80218)
- MAGIC WHISTLE #9 by Sam Henderson (14 Bayard Street #3, Brooklyn,
    NY 11211, http://www.grinmedia.com/~whistle)
- OUT THERE #5 by Alan Hunt (116 Garnet Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6G1V7)
- THE PERFECT PLANET by James Kochalka (PO Box 8321 Burlington, VT
    05402)


Outstanding Graphic Novel or Collection

- AT THE SEAMS by Ed Brubaker, published by Alternative Press
    (http://www.indyworld.com/ap)
- IT'S A GOOD LIFE IF YOU DON'T WEAKEN by Seth, published by Drawn &
    Quarterly
- JULIUS KNIPL, REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHER: STORIES by Ben Katchor,
    published by Little, Brown
- L'ASCENSION DU HAUT MAL by David B., published L'Association
    (100 rue de la Folie-Ericourt 75011 Paris France)
- LOST IN THE ALPS by Cosey, published by NBM (185 Madison Avenue,
    Ste. 1504, New York, NY 10016, http://www.nbmpub.com)

For more information about the Ignatz or Small Press Expo, contact Chris
Oarr at 301-565-8340 or [e-mail] or visit the Small Press Expo
Web site at: http://www.indyworld.com/spx97



Jeff Mason

--
Geoffrey R. Mason          |    Editor - indy Magazine
E-Mail: [e-mail]      |    611 NW 34th Drive
Phone: [phone]           |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
--
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm


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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Jim Drew / Ciao! Publications <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (cbiz) NEWS: Ignatz Nominees Announced
Date: 03 Aug 1997 22:00:47 -0800


"Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]> writes:

>The 1997 Small Press Expo (SPX) will inaugurate a new award for
>outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning.

(As though we need another award, but that's a secondary matter.  TV and
music and such certainly have too many as well.)

>All attendees of SPX will have an opportunity to cast their vote in
>seven categories:
>    Outstanding Artist

So where's the recognition of the full creative team, if one exists.
You can argue that "artist" isn't limited to the pictures, but I don't
believe the public can make that separation, so I don't believe it
exists.  If a writer and artist choose to work together, or if a creator
decides to have someone else ink his work (Wagner and Kieth on Mage I,
for example), why are they made apparently ineligible for the award?

Jim




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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (cbiz) Small Press Expo: An Extension of a Cultural Phenomenon
Date: 11 Aug 1997 08:17:14 -0400 (EDT)


Small Press Expo -- An Extension of a Cultural Phenomenon

In 1994 a group of colleagues and friends gathered just outside of the
nation's capital to discuss new ways to enhance the artistic vitality of
the American comic book.  The result of that meeting was the Small Press
Expo (SPX), dedicated to the support and development of emerging
creators of vision, and to the national and international exhibition of
new, independent comic books.

The Small Press Expo, now in its fourth year, serves as the preeminent
showcase for the exhibition of independent comic books and the discovery
of new creative talent.  This year's Expo has been expanded from a
one-day artists' exhibition to a weekend trade show, which will be held
in Silver Spring, Maryland the weekend of September 19-21.

Over 160 artists and publishers are coming to SPX to meet their readers,
as well as booksellers, distributors, and each other.  Why do so many
artists gather in one place from all across North America?   "Cartooning
is a really solitary occupation," explains Jessica Abel, who will be at
SPX to promote her award-winning comic Artbabe.  "You spend most of the
year alone working, and it's really good to get out and meet the people
reading your stuff.  Plus it's important to meet face-to-face with the
distributors and retailers who sell your book."

But maybe the most fun for participating artists is the chance to meet
with their peers, who themselves are working alone in studios across the
country.  "SPX is one of the only places you can go that has every good
alternative artist there with their stuff.  It's a living library,"
according to Joe Chiappetta, who self-publishes Silly Daddy, a
semi-autobiographical comic centered on the author's relationship with
his 6 year old daughter.  "SPX is like a Woodstock for comic artists,
without the music."

Just like independent film or music, "indy" comics don't fall into a set
genre or type.  If anything, the opposite is true.  Superheroes and evil
masterminds are the bread-and-butter of mainstream comics publishing,
but they inhabit only a portion of the small press.  Today's indy comic
is just as likely to feature a 20-something underachiever as a costumed
vigilante.  And if a superhero does show up it's a fair bet he won't
look or sound like the supermen you grew up reading.  The only thing
typical of indy comics is a willingness to experiment with established
convention in pursuit of a personal artistic vision.

Small press comics "aren't often escapist fare.  A lot of them are
confrontational, and if they're not confrontational they're thought
provoking,  just because you're getting a person's unfiltered
opinion---literally their vision of the world," according to Ivan
Brunetti, the creator of Schizo. "It's a very intimate medium between
the artist and the reader."

The impact of small press on the publishing scene has steadily grown
over the past decade, as more and more artists follow their muse into
indy comics.  According to Bill Schanes, the executive in charge of
purchasing for Diamond Distribution, the nation's top comics
distributor, "The small press publisher has been vitally important to
the diversity of material currently available to readers. Many produce
breakthrough projects and achieve critical acclaim.  In fact, small
publishers account for a good number of our nation's top award
nominations, including more than a few winners."

SPX showcases those artists who are breathing new life into the American
comic book.   "The Small Press Expo guest list is first class, with the
best collection of new talent I've seen in years," said Scott McCloud,
award-winning author of Understanding Comics.  "If it's new and it's
good, it'll be at SPX."

"With all the hype surrounding the release of comic book related movies
this summer, it is amazing how much attention this Expo is getting now,"
said Ed Brubaker, creator of the slacker classic Lowlife.  Jeff Mason,
editor-in-chief of indy Magazine, added "Unlike many mainstream comic
book shows, the Small Press Expo is the ultimate independent show.  I
was at the first SPX in 1994, and I'm absolutely blown away by how big
this thing is now but even more so by how well they've kept to their
original focus of presenting cutting edge work."

The Small Press Expo has grown from a one-day artists exhibition
featuring nearly two dozen artists to a weekend trade show including
hundreds of artists, publishers, retailers, distributors, and fans. 1997
will mark the debut of the Ignatz, a festival prize awarded at SPX for
outstanding achievement in comics and cartooning.  As always, proceeds
from the Expo go to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, a
non-profit organization protecting the First Amendment rights of comic
book readers and professionals.

For more information about the Small Press Expo, contact SPX Director
Chris Oarr at [phone] or by email at [e-mail].  A complete
itinerary of exhibitors and events, as well as registration information,
is available at the SPX website: http://www.indyworld.com/spx97.

--

Geoffrey R. Mason          |    Editor - indy Magazine
E-Mail: [e-mail]      |    611 NW 34th Drive
Phone: [phone]           |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
--
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm


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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: "Jeff Mason" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (cbiz) NEWS: Alternative Press Tour in September
Date: 22 Aug 1997 12:03:35 -0400 (EDT)


Alternative Press, Inc.

For immediate release: Contact: Jeff Mason - Phone: [phone] -
    E-Mail: [e-mail]

Alternative Press on Tour in September
New Comic Projects to be Debuted on Tour

Gainesville, FL, August 22, 1997: Every single creator under the
publishing umbrella of Alternative Press will be on tour this September.
Ed Brubaker, Jim Harrison, Jon Lewis, Jeff Mason, Dan Stepp, Chris
Waldron, and Steve Weissman will be getting out of their studios and
hitting the road for the Summer Alternative Press Tour.  A number of
projects have been timed so that they will be debuted on this tour.

September 7 is the Gator Con in Gainesville, Florida where readers can
meet Jim Harrison and Dan Stepp, where they will debut the first issue
of their new series Humongous Man.  Jon Lewis will be debuting the third
issue of his popular Spectacles series, and readers of indy Magazine,
the guide to alternative comics, will be able to meet editors Jeff Mason
and Chris Waldron.

September 17 will find Steve Weissman previewing his new Yikes series at
Big Planet Comics in Vienna, Virginia along with Jon Lewis and Jeff
Mason.

September 17 will also be the debut of Ed Brubaker's new Detour comic
book series at St. Mark's Comics in New York City.

September 19-21 is the Small Press Expo in Silver Spring, Maryland where
readers can meet every one of Alternative Press' creators.

September 23 is the Cambridge Comix Circus, a festival celebrating
great comix in a street party setting where readers can meet Jon Lewis,
Jeff Mason, and Steve Weissman.

"We see this as a way to get more direct interaction with our readers,"
said publisher Jeff Mason, "sure we get lots of mail about our comics
and magazines, but there is nothing like this personal contact."

Summer is the busiest season for the comic book industry and this season
is proving to be the biggest in a number of years, "I am tremendously
optimistic as we are just now seeing signs of an upturn in the comic
book industry, especially for independent comics," said Mason, "This
Summer is a time of revitalization for everyone and this Summer
acts a benchmark and springboard for the rest of the year."

The official Alternative Press Web site is:
    http://www.indyworld.com/altpress

Gator Con can be reached at:
    http://www.indyworld.com/gator
    or phone: [phone]

Big Planet Comics can be reached at:
    http://www.echomm.com/bigplanet/
    or phone: [phone]

St. Mark's Comics can be reached at:
    phone: [phone]

Small Press Expo can be reached at:
    http://www.indyworld.com/spx97
    or phone: [phone]

Cambridge Comix Circus can be reached at:
    http://www.world.std.com/~myp/index.html
    or phone: [phone]

If you are receiving this mail but are not the proper person to receive
press releases, please let me know.

If you need graphics, there are plenty available.  I'll be happy to mail
or e-mail graphics or send whatever review material you need.


Geoffrey R. Mason          |    Editor - indy Magazine
E-Mail: [e-mail]      |    611 NW 34th Drive
Phone: [phone]           |    Gainesville, Florida 32607-2429
--
URL = http://grove.ufl.edu/~jrm


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