Review - League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Volume 1
Written by Alan Moore
Art by Kevin O'Neill , Ben Dimagmaliw, and Bill Oakley
2000, 2001 Eisner Award Winner for Best Writer

I hadn't planned on making this "Alan Moore week" but I did want the comics I was talking about to have a connected theme. I scanned the list of winners for anything Victorian, about serial killers, or public reaction to violence and the only thing that I could pull off my shelves was this.

In 1999 Alan Moore, who is British, started his own line of comics ironically called America's Best Comics. He wrote the majority of the line and consequently the quality suffered. While there is little of it I would consider bad, Moore wallowed in simplified stories and homages. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is where this comes to a head: it takes a rich texture from nineteenth century adventure stories but the story he tells with them initially doesn't match the strength of the premise.

When something threatens the stability of the British Empire her majesty's government recruits a team special operatives. When a Chinese criminal mastermind steals the anti-gravity material cavorite from a planned moon mission to mark the start of the twentieth century Campion Bond and M recruit Mina Murray nee Harker, Captain Nemo, Alan Quartermain, Dr. Henry Jekyll, and Hawley Griffin to get it back.

The best thing about The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is it's immersion in nineteenth century literature. From the first page's introduction of major characters with literary connections to the last page where a new threat straight from a turn of the century novel arrives the book is packed with references. Anyone with even a passing familiarity of the books from that period will pick up on a lot and there's definitely entertainment to be found in spotting them.

As part of this Moore does a great job in integrating his cast. He extends the cast's history logically. Murray becomes a scandalized Victorian woman due to the sexual connotations of Dracula. Quartermain has lost himself him opium. Nemo finds himself standing against the British treatment of India. As Jekyll's sins have grown Hyde has grown as well. And Griffin has abandoned any concept of morality along with visibility. It's a terrific set of characters with built in tensions.

The problem is that references are not a story and that's where League falls down. I couldn't bring myself to care about the conflict between the unnamed Fu Manchu (who is still protected by copyright and so can only be referenced) and other forces. It's a story straight out of the early days pulp fiction and I don't mean that in a good, entertainingly campy kind of way. The conflicts are anticlimactic because the focus was on the characters and their pitched battles aren't interesting. They're quick flashes of big moments rather than a smoothly told tale.

That sums up the plot nicely. It jumps from big moment to big moment with little in the way of bridge between them and that's a shame because the quieter moments are far more interesting than action. I'm more interested in Quartermain and Nemo's tense but polite conversation over the treatment of Africa than I am at Hyde tearing through an army of mooks. I find the contrast between Griffin's embracing amorality and Jekyll struggling to retain it more intriguing than an aerial battle over London. There's too little of those explorations in between the action sequences and literary references.

Kevin O'Neill does some interesting work in this series by using an impressionistic style that distorts many of the figures. The women in particular are twisted out of shape thanks to Victorian fashions and his rendition of Edward Hyde as an animalistic mockery of humanity is great.

I enjoyed The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen on the level of "Victorian literature filtered through superheroes" but beyond that there wasn't much there. If you like the works of Verne and Wells then you'll probably get a kick out this. I can't call it brilliant, though, since it never rises above the level of an homage.

Review - From Hell

From Hell
Written by Alan Moore
Art by Eddie Campbell
1993 Eisner winner for Best Serialized Story
1995, 1996, 1997 Eisner winner for Best Writer
2000 Eisner Award winner for Best Graphic Alblum (Reprint)

I wanted to lead off reviewing Eisner winners with one of the big winners and who better for that than twenty-five time Eisner winner Alan Moore. Moore's best known for writing Watchmen but in my view From Hell is far and away his best work.

It's hard to say exactly why a madman cutting up five prostitutes over a century ago has held people's attention for so long. Jack the Ripper wasn't the only celebrated killer of the time and he wasn't even the only person stabbing prostitutes in Whitechapel at that time. From Hell isn't a book about the killer; it's a book about the effect the killer had.

From Hell isn't even a mystery: it's quickly established that Dr. William Gull murders the prostitutes on behalf of Queen Victoria because they are attempting to blackmail the royal family over the sexual misadventures of a prince. The real story is in how Gull is using the slayings in a work of magic to change the course of the world and what happens to it. The book offers a reasonable explanation for the behavior (a recent stroke left Gull with some hallucinations of divine visitation) but the impact that he has over the course of the story cannot be denied. Once the killings begin the public becomes obsessed with them and myth overtakes facts.

The narrative jumps around quite a bit since the story is dedicated to capturing the atmosphere of London in 1888. As a result the daily lives of prostitutes is shared with the details of the police investigation. The schemes of journalists to manage the story (who says that's a modern invention?) are interwoven with panicked concern of those who know the truth. And behind them all Gull continues his work.

One of the things you'll find in the collected edition that brings into focus how different From Hell is from most works is forty-two pages worth of tightly printed historical annotations. The story is built on a mixture of conspiracy theory, historical facts, and outright fiction used to spackle over the spaces between the two. Moore explains his sources, the actual history, and what he had to fabricate. From Hell is in the running for the best researched peice of Ripper fiction ever written.

The weakest portion of From Hell is Eddie Campbell's art. It's not because the art is bad; most of the art is a scratchy pen and ink which gives the work a distinctive textured look using long, slashing strokes of the pen. Campbell also draws the vast cast of characters with distinct appearances and he integrates photographic references of locations long gone. In fact I'd say that Campbell does a terrific job with what he is given. The problem is that Moore tightly holds the reins on any artist he works with and Moore arranged for a standard nine panel layout on every page. It's extremely rare when the artwork splits from that format and in this case I think that's a flaw in the storytelling; Campbell's art is crying out for a more dynamic page layout.

From Hell is an impressively atmospheric story of Jack the Ripper in a perfect blend of history and fiction. By concentrating on the impact of the murders Moore gives himself more leeway to integrate all of the famous people who have been connected to the killings. In a final appendix Moore comments on how From Hell itself has just added to the muddy swirl that makes it impossible to ever know the truth but I can't complain when it is also the most compelling account of the story I have ever found.

Damn it

This copy is going back too...

Review - "Story of Your Life", "Mars is No Place for Children", and "The Cost of Doing Business"

I've had a really strange week with online retailers. The worst of it was an omnibus comic that I ordered from Amazon had an RFID tracking tag permanently affixed over the artwork in the middle of the book and set so that it was pushing against the spine. I don't know if Amazon or the original distributor did it but I've never seen a new book treated worse.

Another retailer that I ordered a used book from offered a "free gift" with every purchase. Since I'm not a complete fool I knew that "free gift" from a used bookstore actually meant "a copy of some piece of garbage that we can't get rid of". Still it was the cheapest copy I could find in decent condition so I ordered it. Here's my free book:

For those keeping score at home that's a novelization (-1 point) of Harmony Gold's (-1 point) worst show (-1 point). And that's without reading a single word. I suspect actually trying to read the novel might prove fatal.

So let's get to some good things:

"Story of Your Life"
by Ted Chiang
1999 Nebula Winner for Best Novella

I really enjoy Ted Chiang's stories and that's why I had been saving this one. I wanted there to be one last story of his that I had not read as I was working my way through these award winners. So with "Story of Your Life" done I have read everything that Chiang has published. It's not the best story that he ever wrote in my view but it's close. It demonstrates exactly what I love reading his stories so much: he took a used up SF concept and carefully constructed a beautiful story around it about how it affected the people involved.

Aliens have come to Earth and they don't speak any local language. So a team of linguists work to grasp their language while teaching them enough of ours so that communication is possible. At the same time physicists and mathematicians try to connect through universal concepts. The story is told by a woman on one of these linguists who spaces the discussions of the aliens with her daughter's life story from conception to early death. Her daughter's story, however, is told in the future tense.

Chiang is not the first person to tell a story about how language affects thinking. What he does is bring those concepts down to a personal level. This isn't a story about aliens, it's about the connection between parent and child and all of the triumphs and tragedies that accompany it. The aliens are there to lend perspective to the whole thing. Chiang draws the focus of his story to just three characters and they're all human. The aliens may talk but they're off stage for the most part so that they can act as mysterious plot devices.

The whole effect is an exceptional story about a family where tragedy is inevitable. It's terrific and not even overly sentimental. I highly recommend checking this story out.

"Mars is No Place for Children"
by Mary A. Turzillo
1999 Nebula Winner for Best Novella

Here is another story about parents losing children. The Nebula voters must have been pretty bitter that year.

Colonists on Mars have to deal with harsh conditions including a high amount of radiation exposure. While the adults who immigrate manage to survive the rate of leukemia in their children makes it nearly impossible for any to survive through their teen years. One smart child develops cancer as her brother did and her parents prepare to send her away for a treatment that is not likely to work. A far better treatment is available but it costs too much money so the child runs away from home hoping to find the Mars Pathfinder.

I found that the child in this story was a bit too smart and precocious to be reasonable; the adult sensibilities of the author resulted in a schizophrenic view of the character whose understanding of adult things depends on if it's convenient for that scene. Her awareness depends on what is necessary for the plot and her willingness to harm her family makes her unsympathetic.

Though I might not have been fond of the main character there is quite a bit to recommend in the story. Turzillo did a better job when the child didn't understand something since she used that as a device to slowly expand the scope of loss that Martian parents endure. The story that Turzillo was telling was far more interesting than her lead character and for that reason I think it's something worth reading.

"The Cost of Doing Business"
by Leslie What
1999 Nebula Winner for Best Novella

I have to say that What's story is the weakest of the three Nebula winners in 1999. It's also pretty good which makes this into an exceptional year for the awards.

A woman sells her services as a "professional victim": if someone is going to harm you then you call her up and she stands in for the treatment. "The Cost of Doing Business" is all about what kind of person could do this how people would react to someone selling themselves like that.

I can't say that I believe for a moment that a professional victim would work. It doesn't work for victims targetted for personal reasons since there's no motovation to take out their frustrations on a third party. And it doesn't work in situations like the carjacking that's in the story since if they're kidnapping the person then the criminals won't get as much for a substitute victim.

Still allowing for the story's premise it is about masochism and society's reaction to it. I liked the professional victim in the story since she dealt with the conflict between having to actively choose to be passive. In fact I'd say there was too little to this story; I want to see how What would handle a broader exploration of the premise. It might not hold together over the course of the novel but I think there's more that could be done.

Eisner Winners of the 2000's

2000 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Letitia Lerner, Superman's Baby Sitter" by Kyle Baker in Elseworlds 80-Page Giant
Best Single Issue - Tom Strong #1 by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, and Al Gordon
Best Serialized Story - Tom Strong #4-7 by Alan Moore, Chris Sprouse, Al Gordon, and guest artists
Best Continuing Series - Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware
Best Limited Series - Whiteout: Melt by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber
Best New Series - Top Ten by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Simpsons Comics by various
Best Humor Publication - Bart Simpson's Treehouse of Horror by Jill Thompson, Oscar González Loyo, Steve Steere Jr., Scott Shaw!, Sergio Aragonés, and Doug TenNapel
Best Anthology - Tomorrow Stories by Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Kevin Nowlan, Melinda Gebbie, and Jim Baikie
Best Graphic Album: New - Acme Novelty Library #13 by Chris Ware
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Best Archival Collection/Project - Peanuts: A Golden Celebration
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Blade of the Immortal by Hiroaki Samura
Best Writer - Alan Moore; League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Tom Strong, Tomorrow Stories, and Top Ten
Best Writer/Artist - Dan Clowes by Eightball
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Kyle Baker; I Die at Midnight and "Letitia Lerner, Superbaby's Babysitter" in Elseworlds 80-Page Giant
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Kevin Nowlan; "Jack B. Quick" in Tomorrow Stories
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist - Alex Ross; Batman: War on Crime
Best Coloring - Laura Dupuy; The Authority, Planetary
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Promethea, Tom Strong, Tomorrow Stories, Top Ten, The Dreaming, Gifts of the Night, The Invisibles, and Sandman Presents: Lucifer
Best Cover Artist - Alex Ross; Batman: No Man's Land, Batman: Harley Quinn, Batman: War on Crime, Kurt Busiek's Astro City, and ABC alternate #1 covers
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Tony Millionaire; Sock Monkey
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Publication - Comic Book Artist
Best Comics-Related Book - The Sandman: The Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman and Yoshitaka Amano
Best Comics-Related Product/Item - Lunch boxes: Milk & Cheese, Sin City, Bettie Page, Hellboy, and Groo
Best Publication Design - 300 designed by Mark Cox

2001 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "The Gorilla Suit" by Sergio Aragonés in Streetwise
Best Single Issue - Promethea #10 by Alan Moore, J. H. Williams III, and Mick Gray
Best Serialized Story - 100 Bullets #15-18: "Hang Up on the Hang Low" by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
Best Continuing Series - Top 10 by Alan Moore, Gene Ha, and Zander Cannon
Best Limited Series - The Ring of the Nibelung by P. Craig Russell with Patrick Mason
Best New Series - Powers by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Scary Godmother: The Boo Flu by Jill Thompson
Best Humor Publication - Sock Monkey, vol. 3 by Tony Millionaire
Best Anthology - Drawn & Quarterly, vol. 3, edited by Chris Oliveros
Best Graphic Album: New - Safe Area Gorazde by Joe Sacco
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Jimmy Corrigan by Chris Ware
Best Archival Collection/Project - The Spirit Archives, vols. 1 and 2 by Will Eisner
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Lone Wolf and Cub by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima
Best Writer - Alan Moore; The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Tom Strong, Top Ten, and Tomorrow Stories
Best Writer/Artist - Eric Shanower; Age of Bronze
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Tony Millionaire; Maakies and Sock Monkey
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - P. Craig Russell; Ring of the Nibelung
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist - Jill Thompson; Scary Godmother
Best Coloring - Chris Ware; Acme Novelty Library #14
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Promethea, Tom Strong, Tomorrow Stories, Top 10, The Invisibles, The Dreaming, and Castle Waiting
Best Cover Artist - Brian Bolland; Batman: Gotham Knights, The Flash, and The Invisibles
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Alex Robinson
Best Comics-Related Book - Wonder Woman: The Complete History by Les Daniels
Best Publication Design - Jimmy Corrigan designed by Chris Ware

2002 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "The Eltingville Club in 'The Intervention'" by Evan Dorkin in Dork #9
Best Single Issue - Eightball #22 by Dan Clowes
Best Serialized Story - Amazing Spider-Man #30-35: "Coming Home" by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr., and Scott Hanna
Best Continuing Series - 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
Best Limited Series - Hellboy: Conqueror Worm by Mike Mignola
Best New Series - Queen & Country by Greg Rucka and Steve Rolston
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Herobear and the Kid by Mike Kunkel
Best Humor Publication - Radioactive Man by Batton Lash, Abel Laxamana, Dan De Carlo, Mike DeCarlo, and Bob Smith
Best Anthology - Bizarro Comics edited by Joey Cavalieri
Best Graphic Album: New - The Name of the Game by Will Eisner
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Batman: Dark Victory by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Best Archival Collection/Project - Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
Best Writer - Brian Michael Bendis; Powers, Alias, Daredevil, and Ultimate Spider-Man
Best Writer/Artist - Dan Clowes; Eightball
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Evan Dorkin; Dork
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Eduardo Risso; 100 Bullets
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist - Charles Vess; Rose
Best Coloring - Laura DePuy; Ruse and Ministry of Space
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Promethea, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales, Tomorrow Stories, Top 10, Greyshirt, The Sandman Presents: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Dreams But Were Afraid to Ask, Detective Comics, The Dark Knight Strikes Again, Castle Waiting, and Universe X
Best Cover Artist - Dave Johnson; Detective Comics and 100 Bullets
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Dylan Horrocks; Hicksville and Atlas
Best Comics-Related Periodical - Comic Book Artist edited by Jon Cooke
Best Comics-Related Book - Peanuts: The Art of Charles M. Schulz edited by Chip Kidd
Best Comics-Related Item - Dark Horse classic comic characters statuettes sculpted by Yoe Studio
Best Publication Design - Acme Novelty Library #15 designed by Chris Ware

2003 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "The Magician and the Snake" by Katie Mignola and Mike Mignola in Dark Horse Maverick: Happy Endings
Best Single Issue or One-Shot - The Stuff of Dreams by Kim Deitch
Best Serialized Story - Fables #1-5: "Legends in Exile" by Bill Willingham, Lan Medina, and Steve Leialoha
Best Continuing Series - Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev
Best Limited Series - League of Extraordinary Gentleman, vol. 2 by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill
Best New Series - Fables by Bill Willingham, Lan Medina, Mark Buckingham, and Steve Leialoha
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Herobear and the Kid by Mike Kunkel
Best Humor Publication - The Amazing Screw-On Head by Mike Mignola
Best Anthology - SPX 2002
Best Graphic Album: New - One! Hundred! Demons! by Lynda Barry
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Batman: Black and White, vol. 2 edited by Mark Chiarello and Nick J. Napolitano
Best Archival Collection/Project - Krazy & Ignatz by George Herriman
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, adapted by Jerry Kramsky and Lorenzo Mattotti
Best Writer - Brian Michael Bendis; Powers, Alias, Daredevil, and Ultimate Spider-Man
Best Writer/Artist - Eric Shanower; Age of Bronze
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Tony Millionaire; House at Maakies Corner
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Kevin O'Neill; League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Interior Art - George Pratt; Wolverine: Netsuke
Best Coloring - Dave Stewart; Hellboy: Third Wish, The Amazing Screw-on Head, Star Wars: Empire, Human Target: Final Cut, Doom Patrol, Tom Strong, and Captain America
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Dark Knight Strikes Again, Detective Comics, Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia, Fables, Human Target: Final Cut, Promethea, Tom Strong, and Castle Waiting
Best Cover Artist - Adam Hughes; Wonder Woman
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Jason Shiga; Fleep
Best Comics-Related Publication - B. Krigstein, vol. 1 by Greg Sadowski
Best Publication Design - Batman: Nine Lives designed by Amie Brockway-Metcalf

2004 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Death" by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell in The Sandman: Endless Nights
Best Single Issue or One-Shot - Tie between Conan: The Legend #0 by Kurt Busiek and Cary Nord and The Goon #1 by Eric Powell
Best Serialized Story - Gotham Central #6-10: "Half a Life" by Greg Rucka and Michael Lark
Best Continuing Series - 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso
Best Limited Series - Unstable Molecules by James Sturm and Guy Davis
Best New Series - Plastic Man by Kyle Baker
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Walt Disney's Uncle Scrooge by various
Best Humor Publication - Formerly Known as the Justice League by Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, Kevin Maguire, and Joe Rubinstein
Best Anthology - 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
Best Graphic Album: New - Blankets by Craig Thompson
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Batman Adventures: Dangerous Dames and Demons by Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, and others
Best Archival Collection/Project - Krazy and Ignatz, 1929-1930 by George Herriman, edited by Bill Blackbeard
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Buddha, vols. 1 and 2 by Osamu Tezuka
Best Writer - Alan Moore; The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Promethea, Smax, Tom Strong, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales
Best Writer/Artist - Craig Thompson; Blankets
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Kyle Baker; Plastic Man, The New Baker
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - John Cassaday; Planetary, Planetary/Batman: Night on Earth, and Hellboy Weird Tales
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist - Jill Thompson; "Stray" in The Dark Horse Book of Hauntings
Best Coloring - Patricia Mulvihill; Batman, Wonder Woman, and 100 Bullets
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Detective Comics, Fables, The Sandman: Endless Nights, Tom Strong, Promethea, and 1602
Best Cover Artist - James Jean; Batgirl and Fables
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Derek Kirk Kim; Same Difference and Other Stories
Best Comics-Related Periodical - Comic Book Artist edited by Jon B. Cooke
Best Comics-Related Book - The Art of Hellboy by Mike Mignola
Best Publication Design - Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross designed by Chip Kidd

2005 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Unfamiliar" by Evan Dorkin and Jill Thompson in The Dark Horse Book of Witchcraft
Best Single Issue or One-Shot - Eightball #23 by Dan Clowes
Best Serialized Story - Fables #19-27: "March of the Wooden Soldiers" by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, and Steve Leialoha
Best Continuing Series - The Goon by Eric Powell
Best Limited Series - DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke
Best New Series - Ex Machina by Brian K. Vaughan, Tony Harris, and Tom Fesiter
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Plastic Man by Kyle Baker and Scott Morse
Best Humor Publication - The Goon by Eric Powell
Best Anthology - Michael Chabon Presents The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist edited by Diana Schutz and David Land
Best Digital Comic - Mom's Cancer by Brian Fies
Best Graphic Album: New - The Originals by Dave Gibbons
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Bone One Volume Edition by Jeff Smith
Best Archival Collection/Project - The Complete Peanuts edited by Gary Groth
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Buddha, vols. 3-4 by Osamu Tezuka
Best Writer - Brian K. Vaughan; Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina, and Runaways
Best Writer/Artist - Paul Chadwick; Concrete: The Human Dilemma
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Kyle Baker; Plastic Man, Kyle Baker, Cartoonist
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Tie between John Cassaday for Astonishing X-Men, Planetary, and I Am Legion: The Dancing Faun and Frank Quitely for WE3
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Interior Art - Teddy Kristiansen; It's a Bird...
Best Coloring - Dave Stewart; Daredevil, Ultimate X-Men, Ultimate Six, Captain America, Conan, BPRD, and The New Frontier
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Promethea, Tom Strong, Tom Strong's Terrific Tales, Wonder Woman, Books of Magick: Life During Wartime, Fables, WE3, and Creatures of the Night
Best Cover Artist - James Jean; Fables, Green Arrow, and Batgirl
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Sean McKeever; A Waiting Place, Mary Jane, Inhumans, and Sentinels
Best Comics-Related Periodical - Comic Book Artist edited by Jon B. Cooke
Best Comics-Related Book - Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones
Best Publication Design - The Complete Peanuts designed by Seth

2006 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Teenage Sidekick" by Paul Pope in Solo #3
Best Single Issue or One-Shot - Solo #5 by Darwyn Cooke
Best Serialized Story - Fables #36-38, 40-41: "Return to the Homelands" by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, and Steve Leialoha
Best Continuing Series - Astonishing X-Men by Joss Whedon and John Cassaday
Best Limited Series - Seven Soldiers by Grant Morrison and various artists
Best New Series - All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Owly: Flying Lessons by Andy Runton
Best Anthology - Solo edited by Mark Chiarello
Best Digital Comic - PVP by Scott Kurtz
Best Reality-Based Work - Nat Turner by Kyle Baker
Best Graphic Album: New - Top Ten: The Forty-Niners by Alan Moore and Gene Ha
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Black Hole by Charles Burns
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Strips - The Complete Calvin & Hobbes by Bill Watterson
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Books - Absolute Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - The Rabbi's Cat by Joann Sfar
Best Writer - Alan Moore; Promethea and Top Ten: The Forty-Niners
Best Writer/Artist - Geof Darrow; Shaolin Cowboy
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Kyle Baker; Plastic Man and The Bakers
Best Penciller/Inker - John Cassaday; Astonishing X-Men and Planetary
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist: Interior Art - Ladronn; Hip Flask: Mystery City
Best Coloring - Chris Ware; Acme Novelty Library #16
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Wonder Woman, Justice, Seven Soldiers #0, Desolation Jones, Promethea, Top Ten: The Forty-Niners, Tomorrow Stories Special, Fables, 1602: New World
Best Cover Artist - James Jean; Fables and Runaways
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Aaron Renier; Spiral-Bound
Best Comics-Related Periodical - Comic Book Artist edited by Jon B. Cooke
Best Comics-Related Book - Eisner/Miller edited by Charles Brownstein and Diana Schutz
Best Publication Design - Tie between Acme Novelty Library Annual Report to Shareholders designed by Chris Ware and Little Nemo in Slumberland designed by Philippe Ghuilemetti

2007 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "A Frog's Eye View" by Bill Willingham and James Jean in Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall
Best Single Issue or One-Shot - Batman/The Spirit #1 by Jeph Loeb and Darwyn Cooke
Best Continuing Series - All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Best Limited Series - Batman: Year 100 by Paul Pope
Best New Series - Criminal by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips
Best Publication for a Younger Audience - Gumby by Bob Burden and Rick Geary
Best Humor Publication - Flaming Carrot Comics by Bob Burden
Best Anthology - Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall by Bill Willingham and various
Best Digital Comic - Sam and Max by Steve Purcell
Best Reality-Based Work - Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Best Graphic Album: New - American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Absolute DC: The New Frontier by Darwyn Cooke
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Strips - The Complete Peanuts, 1959–1960 & 1961–1962 by Charles Schulz
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Books - Absolute Sandman, vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman and various
Best U.S. Edition of International Material - The Left Bank Gang by Jason
Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Japan - Old Boy by Garon Tsuchiya and Nobuaki Minegishi
Best Writer - Ed Brubaker; Captain America, Daredevil, and Criminal
Best Writer/Artist - Paul Pope; Batman: Year 100
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Tony Millionaire; Billy Hazelnuts and Sock Monkey: The Inches Incident
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Mark Buckingham/Steve Leialoha; Fables
Best Painter/Multimedia Artist - Jill Thompson; "A Dog and His Boy" in The Dark Horse Book of Monsters, "Love Triangle" in Sexy Chix, "Fair Division" in Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall
Best Coloring - Dave Stewart; BPRD, Conan, The Escapists, Hellboy, Action Comics, Batman/The Spirit, and Superman
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Fables, Jack of Fables, Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall, Pride of Baghdad, Testament, Fantastic Four: 1602, Eternals, and Lost Girls
Best Cover Artist - James Jean; Fables, Jack of Fables, and Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism - Alter Ego edited by Roy Thomas
Best Comics-Related Book - The Art of Brian Bolland edited by Joe Pruett
Best Publication Design - Absolute DC: The New Frontier designed by Darwyn Cooke

2008 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - “Mr. Wonderful” by Dan Clowes serialized in New York Times Sunday Magazine
Best Single Issue or One-Shot - Justice League of America #11 by Brad Meltzer and Gene Ha
Best Continuing Series - Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, and Jose Marzan, Jr.
Best Limited Series - The Umbrella Academy by Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá
Best New Series - Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 by Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan, Georges Jeanty, and Andy Owens
Best Publication for Kids - Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 and Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 by David Petersen
Best Publication for Teens - Laika by Nick Abadzis
Best Humor Publication - Perry Bible Fellowship: The Trial of Colonel Sweeto and Other Stories by Nicholas Gurewitch
Best Anthology - 5 by Gabriel Bá, Becky Cloonan, Fabio Moon, Vasilis Lolos, and Rafael Grampa
Best Digital Comic - Sugarshock! by Joss Whedon and Fabio Moon
Best Reality-Based Work - Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow by James Sturm and Rich Tommaso
Best Graphic Album: New - Exit Wounds by Rutu Modan
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Petersen
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Strips - Complete Terry and the Pirates, vol. 1 by Milton Caniff
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Books - I Shall Destroy All the Civilized Planets! by Fletcher Hanks
Best U.S. Edition of International Material - I Killed Adolf Hitler by Jason
Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Japan - Tekkonkinkreet: Black & White by Taiyo Matsumoto
Best Writer - Ed Brubaker; Captain America, Criminal, Daredevil, and Immortal Iron Fist
Best Writer/Artist - Chris Ware; Acme Novelty Library #18
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Eric Powell; The Goon
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Pia Guerra/Jose Marzan, Jr.; Y: The Last Man
Best Painter or Multimedia Artist - Eric Powell; The Goon: Chinatown
Best Cover Artist - James Jean; Fables, The Umbrella Academy, Process Recess 2, and Superior Showcase 2
Best Coloring - Dave Stewart; BPRD, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Cut, Hellboy, Lobster Johnson, The Umbrella Academy, and The Spirit
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Justice, Simon Dark, Fables, Jack of Fables, Crossing Midnight, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Black Dossier, and Nexus
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism - Newsarama; produced by Matt Brady and Michael Doran
Best Comics-Related Book - Reading Comics: How Graphic Novels Work and What They Mean by Douglas Wolk
Best Publication Design - Process Recess 2 designed by James Jean and Chris Pitzer

2009 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Murder He Wrote” by Ian Booth, Nina Matsumoto, and Andrew Pepoy in The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror #14
Best Continuing Series - All Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely
Best Limited Series - Hellboy: The Crooked Man by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben
Best New Series - Invincible Iron Man by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca
Best Publication for Kids - Tiny Titans by Art Baltazar and Franco
Best Publication for Teens - Coraline by Neil Gaiman and adapted by P. Craig Russell
Best Humor Publication - Herbie Archives by Sean O’Shea and Ogden Whitney
Best Anthology - Comic Book Tattoo: Narrative Art Inspired by the Lyrics and Music of Tori Amos edited by Rantz Hoseley
Best Digital Comic - Finder by Carla Speed McNeil
Best Reality-Based Work - What It Is by Lynda Barry
Best Graphic Album: New - Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Hellboy Library Editions by Mike Mignola
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Strips - Little Nemo in Slumberland: Many More Splendid Sundays by Winsor McCay
Best Archival Collection/Project: Comic Books - Creepy Archives
Best U.S. Edition of International Material - The Last Musketeer by Jason
Best U.S. Edition of International Material: Japan - Dororo by Osamu Tezuka
Best Writer - Bill Willingham; Fables and House of Mystery
Best Writer/Artist - Chris Ware; Acme Novelty Library
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Guy Davis; BPRD
Best Painter or Multimedia Artist - Jill Thompson; Magic Trixie, Magic Trixie Sleeps Over
Best Cover Artist - James Jean; Fables, The Umbrella Academy
Best Coloring - Dave Stewart; Abe Sapien: The Drowning, BPRD, The Goon, Hellboy, Solomon Kane, The Umbrella Academy, Body Bags, Captain America: White
Best Lettering - Chris Ware; Acme Novelty Library
Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism - Comic Book Resources; produced by Jonah Weiland
Best Comics-Related Book - Kirby: King of Comics by Mark Evanier
Best Publication Design - Hellboy Library Editions designed by Cary Grazzini and Mike Mignola

Eisner Winners of the 1990's

No awards were handed out in 1990.

1991 Eisner Award Winners
Best Story or Single Issue - Concrete Celebrates Earth Day by Paul Chadwick, Charles Vess, and Jean "Moebius" Giraud
Best Continuing Series - Sandman by Neil Gaiman and various artists
Best Black and White Series - Xenozoic Tales by Mark Schultz
Best Finite Series - Give Me Liberty by Frank Miller and Dave Gibbons
Best Graphic Album: New - Elektra Lives Again by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
Best Graphic Album: Reprint (Modern Material) - Sandman: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman and various artists
Best Writer - Neil Gaiman; Sandman
Best Writer/Artist or Writer/Artist Team - Frank Miller and Geof Darrow; Hard Boiled
Best Artist - Steve Rude
Best Inker - Al Williamson

1992 Eisner Award Winners
Best Single Issue or Story - Sandman #22-#28 by Neil Gaiman and various artists
Best Continuing Series - Sandman by Neil Gaiman and various artists
Best Finite Series - Concrete: Fragile Creature by Paul Chadwick
Best Anthology - Dark Horse Presents edited by Randy Stradley
Best Graphic Album: New/First US publication - To the Heart of the Storm by Will Eisner
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Maus II by Art Spiegelman
Best Humor Publication - Groo the Wanderer by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones
Best Comic Strip Collection - Calvin and Hobbes: The Revenge of the Baby-Sat by Bill Watterson
Best Writer - Neil Gaiman for Sandman, Books of Magic, and Miracleman
Best Writer/Artist or Writer/Artist Team - Peter David and Dale Keown for The Incredible Hulk
Best Artist - Simon Bisley for Batman: Judgement on Gotham
Best Inker - Adam Kubert for Batman Versus Predator
Best Colorist - Steve Oliff for Legends of the Dark Knight, 2112, and Akira
Best Cover Artist - Brian Bolland for Animal Man
Best Editor - Karen Berger for Sandman, Shade: the Changing Man, Kid Eternity, and Books of Magic
Best Comics-Related Periodical - Comics Buyer's Guide edited by Don Thompson and Maggie Thompson
Best Comics-Related Book - From "Aargh!" to "Zap!": Harvey Kurtzman's Visual History of the Comics by Harvey Kurtzman edited by Howard Zimmerman
Best Comics-Related Product - Sandman statue by Randy Bowen

1993 Eisner Award Winners
Best Single Issue - Nexus: The Origin by Mike Baron and Steve Rude
Best Short Story - "Two Cities" by Mark Schultz in Xenozoic Tales #12
Best Serialized Story - "From Hell" by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell in Taboo
Best Continuing Series - Sandman by Neil Gaiman and various artists
Best Finite Series - Grendel: War Child by Matt Wagner and Patrick McEown
Best Anthology - Taboo edited by Steve Bissette
Best Graphic Album: New - Signal to Noise by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean
Best Graphic Album: Reprint (Modern Material) - Sin City by Frank Miller
Best Archival Collection - Carl Barks Library album series
Best Humor Publication - Bone by Jeff Smith
Best Comic Strip Collection - Calvin and Hobbes: Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons by Bill Watterson
Best Writer - Neil Gaiman; Miracleman and Sandman
Best Painter (Interior) - Dave Dorman; Aliens: Tribes
Best Penciller - Steve Rude; Nexus: The Origin
Best Penciller/Inker, Black & White Publication - Frank Miller; "Sin City" in Dark Horse Presents
Best Penciller/Inker, Color Publication - P. Craig Russell; Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde, Robin 3000, and "Hothouse" in Legends of the Dark Knight
Best Inker - Kevin Nowlan, Batman: Sword of Azrael
Best Colorist - Steve Oliff/Olyoptics; Legends of the Dark Knight #28-#30, Martian Manhunter: American Secrets, James Bond 007: Serpent's Tooth, and Spawn
Best Letterer - Todd Klein; Sandman and The Demon
Best Writer/Artist - Frank Miller; "Sin City" in Dark Horse Presents
Best Writer/Artist Team - Mike Baron/Steve Rude; Nexus: The Origin
Best Cover Artist - Brian Bolland; Animal Man and Wonder Woman
Best Editor - Archie Goodwin; Legends of the Dark Knight, Batman: Sword of Azrael, and Deadman: Exorcism
Best Comics-Related Periodical - Comics Buyer's Guide
Best Publication Design - Sandman: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman and others, designed by Dave McKean

1994 Eisner Award Winners
Best Single Issue - Batman Adventures: Mad Love by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm
Best Short Story - "The Amazing Colossal Homer" in Simpsons Comics #1 by Steve Vance, Cindy Vance, and Bill Morrison
Best Serialized Story - Bone #8-10 "The Great Cow Race by Jeff Smith
Best Continuing Series - Bone by Jeff Smith
Best Finite/Limited Series - Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross
Best Anthology - Dark Horse Presents editted by Randy Stradley
Best Graphic Album: New - A Small Killing by Alan Moore and Oscar Zarate
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Cerebus: Flight by Dave Sim and Gerhard
Best Archival Collection - Complete Little Nemo in Slumberland vol. 6 by Winsor McCay
Best Humor Publication - Bone by Jeff Smith
Best Writer - Neil Gaiman for Sandman and Death: The High Cost of Living
Best Writer/Artist - Jeff Smith for Bone
Best Painter - Alex Ross for Marvels
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller-Inker Team - P. Craig Russel for Sandman #50
Best Colorist - Steve Oliff and Reuben Rude (Olyoptics) for Spawn
Best Letterer - Todd Klein for The Shadow, Sandman, The Demon, Jonah Hex: Two-Gun Mojo, Dark Joker: The Wild, and Hellblazer
Best Cover Artist - Brian Bolland for Animal Man, Wonder Woman, and Legends of the Dark Knight #50
Best Editor - Tie between Karen Berger for Sandman and Mike Carlin for Superman
Best Comics-Related Book - Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
Best Comics-Related Product/Item - Death statue by Randy Bowen
Best Publication Design - Marvels by Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross, designed by Comicraft

1995 Eisner Award Winners
Best Single Issue - Batman Adventures Holiday Special by Paul Dini, Bruce Timm, Ronnie Del Carmen, and others
Best Short Story - "The Babe Wore Red" by Frank Miller in Sin City: The Babe Wore Red and Other Stories
Best Serialized Story - "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" by Don Rosa, Uncle Scrooge #285-296
Best Continuing Series - Bone by Jeff Smith
Best Limited Series - Sin City: A Dame to Kill For by Frank Miller
Best New Series - Too Much Coffee Man by Shannon Wheeler
Best Anthology - Big Book of Urban Legends edited by Andy Helfer
Best Graphic Novel: New - Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde vol. 2 by P. Craig Russell
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Hellboy: Seeds of Destruction by Mike Mignola
Best Archival Collection - The Christmas Spirit by Will Eisner
Best Humor Publications - Bone by Jeff Smith
Best Writer - Alan Moore; From Hell
Best Writer/Artist - Mike Mignola; Hellboy: Seeds of Destruction
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Jeff Smith; Bone
Best Painter - Jon J. Muth; Mystery Play
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Dave Gibbons; Martha Washington Goes to War
Best Coloring - Angus McKie; Martha Washington Goes to War
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Batman vs. Predator II, The Demon, The Sandman, and Uncle Scrooge
Best Cover Artist - Glenn Fabry; Hellblazer
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Evan Dorkin; Milk and Cheese, Hectic Planet, Dork, and Instant Piano
Best Editor - Karen Berger; The Sandman and Sandman Mystery Theatre
Best Comics-Related Publication - Hero Illustrated
Best Comics-Related Item - Sandman Arabian Nights statue; designed by P. Craig Russell and sculpted by Randy Bowen
Best Publication Design - The Acme Novely Library; designed by Chris Ware

1996 Eisner Award Winners
Best Single Issue - Kurt Busiek's Astro City #4 by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson
Best Short Story - "The Eltingville Comic-Book, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, and Role-Playing Club in Bring Me the Head of Boba Fett" by Evan Dorkin in Instant Piano #3
Best Serialized Story - Strangers in Paradise #1-8 by Terry Moore
Best Continuing Series - Acme Novelty Library by Chris Ware
Best Title for Younger Readers - Batman & Robin Adventures by Paul Dini, Ty Templeton, and Rick Burchett
Best Limited Series - Sin City: The Big Fat Kill by Frank Miller
Best New Series - Kurt Busiek's Astro City by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson
Best Anthology - The Big Book of Conspiracies edited by Bronwyn Taggart
Best Graphic Album: New - Stuck Rubber Baby by Howard Cruse
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot
Best Archival Collection - The Complete Crumb Comics, vol. 11 by R. Crumb
Best Humor Publication - Milk & Cheese #666 by Evan Dorkin
Best Writer - Alan Moore; From Hell
Best Writer/Artist: Drama - David Lapham; Stray Bullets
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Sergio Aragones; Groo
Best Painter - John Bolton; Batman: Manbat
Best Penciller/Inker - Geof Darrow; The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot
Best Cover Artist - Alex Ross; Kurt Busiek's Astro City
Best Coloring - Chris Ware; The Acme Novelty Library
Best Lettering - Stan Sakai; Groo, Usagi Yojimbo
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Stan Sakai
Best Editor - Tie between Stuart Moore for Swamp Thing, The Invisibles, and Preacher and Bronwyn Taggart for The Big Book of Weirdos, The Big Book of Conspiracies, Brooklyn Dreams, and Stuck Rubber Baby
Best Comics-Related Publication: Periodical - The Comics Journal
Best Comics-Related Publication: Book - Alex Toth edited by Manuel Auad
Best Comics-Related Item - Comic strip stamps
Best Publication Design - The Acme Novelty Library designed by Chris Ware

1997 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Heroes" by Archie Goodwin and Gary Gianni in Batman: Black & White #4
Best Single Issue - Kurt Busiek's Astro City, vol. 2, #1 by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg
Best Serialized Story - Starman #20-23: "Sand and Stars" by James Robinson, Tony Harris, Guy Davis, and Wade von Grawbadger
Best Continuing Series - Kurt Busiek's Astro City by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg
Best Limited Series - Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross
Best New Series - Leave It to Chance by James Robinson and Paul Smith
Best Comics Publication for a Younger Audience - Leave It to Chance by James Robinson and Paul Smith
Best Humor Publication - Sergio Aragones Destroys DC and Sergio Aragones Massacres Marvel by Mark Evanier and Sergio Aragones
Best Anthology - Batman: Black and White by Mark Chiarello and Scott Peterson, editors
Best Graphic Album: New - Fax from Sarajevo by Joe Kubert
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Stray Bullets: Innocence of Nihilism by David Lapham
Best Archival Collection - Tarzan: The Land That Time Forgot and The Pool of Time by Russ Manning
Best Writer - Alan Moore; From Hell and Supreme
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Don Rosa; Walt Disney's Comics & Stories and Uncle Scrooge
Best Writer/Artist: Drama - Mike Mignola; Hellboy: Wake the Devil
Best Penciller - Steve Rude; Nexus: Executioner's Song
Best Inker - Al Williamson; Spider-Man and Untold Tales of Spider-Man #17-18
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Charles Vess; Book of Ballads and Sagas and Sandman #75
Best Painter - Alex Ross; Kingdom Come
Best Coloring - Matt Hollingsworth; Preacher, Death: The Time of Your Life, Bloody Mary, and Challengers of the Unknown
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; The Sandman, Death: The Time of Your Life, House of Secrets, The Dreaming, Batman, The Spectre, and Kingdom Come
Best Cover Artist - Alex Ross; Kingdom Come and Kurt Busiek's Astro City
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Ricardo Delgado; Age of Reptiles
Best Editor - Dan Raspler; Kingdom Come, Hitman, The Spectre, and Sergio Aragones Destroys the DC Universe
Best Comics-Related Periodical - The Comics Journal
Best Comics-Related Book - Graphic Storytelling by Will Eisner
Best Comics-Related Product - Hellboy bust by Randy Bowen
Best Publication Design - Acme Novelty Library #7 designed by Chris Ware

1998 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "The Eltingville Comic Book, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Horror and Role-Playing Club In: The Marathon Men" by Evan Dorkin in Dork! #4
Best Single Issue - Kurt Busiek's Astro City vol. 2 #10 by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg
Best Serialized Story - Kurt Busiek's Astro City vol. 2 #4-9: "Confession" by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg
Best Continuing Series - Kurt Busiek's Astro City by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Will Blyberg
Best Limited Series - Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Best New Series - Castle Waiting by Linda Medley
Best Comics Publication for a Younger Audience - Batman & Robin Adventures by Ty Templeton, Brandon Kruse, Rick Burchett, and others
Best Humor Publication - Gon Swimmin' by Masahi Tanaka
Best Anthology - Hellboy Christmas Special edited by Scott Allie
Best Graphic Album: New - Batman & Superman Adventures: World's Finest by Paul Dini, Joe Staton, and Terry Beatty
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Sin City: That Yellow Bastard by Frank Miller
Best Archival Collection - Jack Kirby's New Gods by Jack Kirby
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Gon Swimmin' by Masahi Tanaka
Best Writer - Garth Ennis; Hitman, Preacher, Unknown Soldier, and Blood Mary: Lady Liberty
Best Writer/Artist - Mike Mignola; Hellboy: Almost Colossus, Hellboy Christmas Special, and Hellboy Jr. Halloween Special
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Bone by Jeff Smith
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - P. Craig Russell; Elric: Stormbringer and Dr. Strange: What Is It That Disturbs You, Stephen?
Best Painter - Alex Ross; Uncle Sam
Best Coloring - Chris Ware; The Acme Novelty Library
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Batman, Batman: Poison Ivy, The Dreaming, House of Secrets, The Invisibles, Uncle Sam, Uncle Scrooge Adventures, and Castle Waiting
Best Cover Artist - Alex Ross; Kurt Busiek's Astro City and Uncle Sam
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Linda Medley; Castle Waiting
Best Comics-Related Periodical - The Comics Journal
Best Comics-Related Book - The R. Crumb Coffee Table Art Book edited by Pete Poplaski
Best Comics-Related Product - Acme Novelty Library display stand designed by Chris Ware
Best Publication Design - Kingdom Come deluxe slipcover edition; art director Bob Chapman, DC design director Georg Brewer

1999 Eisner Award Winners
Best Short Story - "Devil's Advocate" by Matt Wagner and Tim Sale in Grendel: Black, White, and Red #1
Best Single Issue - Hitman #34 by Garth Ennis, John McCrea, and Garry Leach
Best Serialized Story - Usagi Yojimbo #13-22: "Grasscutter" by Stan Sakai
Best Continuing Series - Preacher by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon
Best Limited Series - 300 by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
Best New Series - Inhumans by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee
Best Title for a Younger Audience - Batman: The Gotham Adventures by Ty Templeton, Rick Burchett, and Terry Beatty
Best Humor Publication - Sergio Aragones's Groo by Sergio Aragones and Mark Evanier
Best Anthology - Grendel: Black, White, and Red by Matt Wagner, edited by Diana Schutz
Best Graphic Album: New - Superman: Peace on Earth by Paul Dini and Alex Ross
Best Graphic Album: Reprint - Batman: The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale
Best Archival Collection - Plastic Man Archives vol. 1 by Jack Cole
Best U.S. Edition of Foreign Material - Star Wars: A New Hope by Hisao Tamaki
Best Writer - Kurt Busiek; Kurt Busiek's Astro City and Avengers
Best Writer/Artist - Frank Miller; 300
Best Writer/Artist: Humor - Kyle Baker; You Are Here
Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team - Tim Sale; Superman for All Seasons and Grendel Black, White, and Red #1
Best Painter: Interior Art - Alex Ross; Superman: Peace on Earth
Best Coloring - Lynn Varley; 300
Best Lettering - Todd Klein; Castle Waiting, House of Secrets, The Invisibles, and The Dreaming
Best Cover Artist - Brian Bolland; The Invisibles
Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition - Brian Michael Bendis; Jinx, Goldfish, Torso
Best Comics-Related Periodical - The Comics Journal
Best Comics-Related Book - Batman: Animated by Paul Dini and Chip Kidd
Best Comics-Related Product/Item - Sandman Pocketwatch designed by Kris Ruotolo
Best Comics-Related Sculpted Figures - Hellboy statue sculpted by Randy Bowen
Best Publication Design - Batman: Animated designed by Chip Kidd