Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award 2020 Nominees
Each year Comic-Con honors retailers from around the globe with the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, named after the visionary creator of The Spirit. When Will approached Comic-Con about initiating the award in the early 1990s, he wanted to do so as a way to acknowledge the important role that comics retailers play in the industry, nurturing the relationship between creators and their readers. The comic book retailer provides that vital link in getting the work from the creators and publishers to the public. Will recognized the importance of that link, and Comic-Con continues to recognize it over 25 years after Eisner’s original idea.
The Award is given out yearly to retailers who have done an outstanding job of supporting the comic art medium both in the industry at large and in their local community. Comics fans around the world have the opportunity to nominate their favorite stores here on the Comic-Con website. In this most difficult year, with all retail business being affected by the global pandemic, we’re pleased to once again acknowledge comic book retailers around the world. Here are the nominees for this year’s award; check back on Friday, July 17 for the finalists, and we will announce the 2020 winner the week of Comic-Con@Home, July 22-26.
Acme Comics
Marc Austin, Jermaine Exum, Greensboro, NC
Amazing Fantasy
Frank McGinn, San Francisco, CA
Blast From The Past
Larry & Kathy Ross, Burbank, CA
The Comic Bug
Jun Goeku, Manhattan Beach, CA
Comic Quest
Kelly & Don Allen, Lake Forest, CA
Empire's Comics Vault
Ben Schwartz, Sacramento, CA
Famous Faces & Funnies
Richard Shea, West Melbourne, FL
Fan-Quest Comics & Games
Diane Hillegass, Yuma, AZ
Farpoint Toys & Collectibles
Penelope & Justin Daniels, Mays Landing, NJ
Four Color Fantasies
Michael Kwolek, Winchester, VA
Jesse James Comics
Jesse James Criscione, Glendale, AZ
Kingpin Books
Mário Freitas, Lisbon, Portugal
MetaHumans
Ruben Najera, El Centro, CA
Mill Geek Comics
Russ Bright, Mill Creek, WA
Nostromo Sevilla
Sergio López, Seville, Spain
Pulp 716: Coffee & Comics
Amy & Jay Berent, Lockport, NY
Rogue City
Steve and Jami Ronda, Medford, OR
Southern California Comics
Jaime Newbold, San Diego, CA
Space Cadets Collection Collection
Jen King, Oak Ridge North, TX
Torpedo Comics
John Dolmayan, Las Vegas, NV
Zia Comics and Games
Troy Stegner, Las Cruces, NM
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK SHOP!
Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award
Each year Comic-Con International honors retailers from around the globe with the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, named after the visionary creator of The Spirit. When Will approached Comic-Con about initiating the award in the early 1990s, he wanted to do so as a way to acknowledge the important role that comics retailers play in the industry, nurturing the relationship between creators and their readers. The comic book retailer provides that vital link in getting the work from the creators and publishers to the public. Will recognized the importance of that link, and Comic-Con continues to recognize it over 25 years after Will’s original idea.
The Award is given out yearly to retailers who have done an outstanding job of supporting the comic art medium both in the industry at large and in their local community. Comics fans around the world have the opportunity to nominate their favorite stores here on the Comic-Con website. The 2020 Award will be given out as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.
GUIDELINES for nomination include:
- Any retail store established in business for at least two years is eligible to be nominated.
- Anyone—retailers, professionals, fans—may place a name in nomination.
- A panel of industry judges selects a group of finalists to be subjected to an in-depth examination based on the award criteria. Recipient will be announced as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards at Comic-Con International on Friday, July 24, 2020.
- Previous winners are not eligible for nomination.
CRITERIA for judging include:
- Supporting a wide variety of innovative material.
- Providing opportunities for creators’ material to reach buyers; stocking a diverse inventory.
- Knowledge: Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.
- Community activity: Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.
- Quality of store image: Using innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.
- Adhering to standard ethical business practices.