How I won the Eisner award
Also... BONK!
The Eisner awards just passed, and I send my congrats to everyone who was nominated and everyone that won.
But you’ve all been short changed.
Many years ago I was nominated, my one and only time. I’d worked on a little book called Queen & Country, an extraordinary book written by the brilliant Greg Rucka.
Going into the award show I suspected two things. One was that we‘d have a tough time beating the immensely popular 100 Bullets, a book I’d been reading and loving since issue one. (Don’t worry, Greg won for another amazing book he was writing at the time.)
Two was that I likely didn’t belong there.
That year I’d followed up the absolutely amazing duo of Jason Shawn Alexander and Carla Speed McNeil on Queen & Country. I loved Jason’s work immensely, he’s a virtuoso talent, though I didn’t know him personally. Carla was equally as brilliant, and brought an edge to the characters that I found intimidating to have to follow. But I knew Carla a little better, she’d give me art advice online, which was like gold to me.
I knew they, along with Greg, where the reason we were there. I’d just brought up the rear and got tag along. I think they know it too. Greg for sure knew.
Anyway, I knew this was likely a one-and-done opportunity for me so my ghetto-ass was going to make the best of it. Eat as much of their free food as I could (though, to my disappointment, it turned out to just be pizza), drink their drinks (which I found out they were charging for, and I was broke, so no-drinks). Things were not looking good for your boy at this point. Lucky, I snuck my college-buddy in with me, lying at the door saying he was my “assistant”. The door people knew I was lying but you’d be surprise what you can pull off if you lie with conviction. And if you look like goons. Which we did.
As we’re sitting there, laughing at the craziness of being at the actual Eisner awards, my buddy and I spot a crowd following a guy around. It was Will Eisner.
THE Will Eisner!
He was my biggest art hero. I wanted to do exactly what he did. So, being in the same room with him, it was surreal.
At this point I didn’t go to many cons, didn’t know any comic people. I never felt like I fit in, so I kept to myself. As a college kid I’d tried introducing myself to some comic folk at a con in Philly that went terribly, so I decided I’d not do that again.
But this was MISTER Will Eisner. I had to introduce myself.
I noticed that people were running up to introduce themselves to Will as people with news cameras were following him around. I figured once the cameras were gone the crowd would be too. I was right. As the show was about to begin the cameras stopped rolling, and the crowds rolled out too, so I made my move. I ran up to Will and introduced myself. He looked me in the eye like I wasn’t some bum-street kid, like we were old friends, and listened to me. I told him I was up for an award, leaving out the part about riding on coat-tails. I told him “You’re the reason I want to make comics.”
Then Will’s face dropped a little, looking a bit sad. He put his hand on my shoulder, comforting me and said, “I’m sorry”.
I chuckled, he chuckled, then we both laughed.
I shook his hand, walked off, and gave zero-shits about winning at trophy.
I got to share a joke with Will Eisner.
That was the last year he attended the, as he passed later that year.
So, yeah. Congratulations to all the Eisner winners. Sorry you didn’t get the real prize.
Speaking of San Diego, remind me to tell you about how I was on a plane that almost crashed on my way in next time we talk…
When it comes to comic-related awards I've enjoyed a historic, years long not-getting-nominated streak.
But, I've drawn a panel that puts that streak in danger!
See you at the 2026 Eisners, you scrubs!
Some of you may know that in addition to Hysteria I have a series at Image I’m building. It’s been a hard-road with the story, but I’m finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m keeping it close to the vest as I don’t wan to ruin any part of it for readers, but I have been sharing peeks over on my Patreon.
That, and the new Sticker Club stickers that came in!
Oh, and my kid just dropped a great new Substack for you to read! This time she talks about Misery, the film adapted from Stephen King's novel.
Hysteria: One Man Gang 2 is slowly inching towards our funding goal. I confess, this campaign is the slowest I’ve ever run. Normally we fund without a day or two, but I made the mistake of dropping the campaign the same day at the San Diego Comic Con, which is eating up much of the comic world’s attention.
My bad.
So, on this last day of the con, I’ve got BIG SDCC news!
That’s right, it and I are not at SDCC. So what, that place can kick-rocks.
BUT,
So, hit the link and help us get this thing made!
How else are you gonna find out if this kid survives this fall!?
Thanks, everyone!
Your boy,
Mike