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Lucid Forge covers the 2009 Shuster Awards

Written by Rachel Rain Packota and Andrew Skinner Monday, 28 September 2009 11:02

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Lucid Forge covers the 2009 Shuster Awards
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Crème de le Comics at ’09 Shuster Awards
Written By Rachel Rain Packota

Comics, as an industry, do not depend solely on artists, writers, or inkers alone. As pointed out during the Awards ceremony, editors, publishers, colourists, and even the book retailers can contribute an equally important role in the success of any given title. Newly added this year was the category of Comics For Kids (Kean Soo, Jellaby Book 1), a reminder that those who focus on cultivating the love of paired art and story at a young age are gathering a new generation of fans and readers for the world of graphic novels. Winners of the Shusters in 2009 represented not only the best from a Canadian perspective, but also the best of a wide variety of genres and styles.

Considering that there were several big titles in the world of comics mentioned during the awards, the presence of smaller, independent books might otherwise have been overlooked, including those of a Québécoisorigin. Blue Winter, Shapes In The Snow was a tiny, self-published gem until Saturday night. It’s creator, Jesse Jacobs is the man responsible for Ruth Minnikin’s Depend On This album cover. Now he’s recognized for Blue Winter… a pensive, monochromatic look at the life of Jason, a shape-shifting blue jay, as he encounters the odd world of humans on a wintry day. Each copy of this book is hand copied, cut, and stapled by Jacobs himself (and sometimes with the dedicated help of his friends).

Jacobs is an independent artist of the purest degree. His books are not just stories or comics, but they are tiny works of art. Covers are screen-printed individually. Every aspect of the production – from paper and ink costs, to printing and marketing – is funded entirely from his own pocket. Good thing, then, that The Gene Day Award For Canadian Self-Publishing comes with a bursary of $500. “Thank you,” Jacobs smiled modestly at the podium upon accepting his Shuster plaque “I really, really need this money!”

Les 400 Coups/Mécanique Générale may be unknown to most of the Canadian public, but in their home-base of Quebec these publishers are recognized as superstars of the print world. The company is responsible for releasing such renowned titles as Les Cendres de Maman (Mother’s Ashes). Formed in 1994, Les 400 Coups publishes not only graphic novels, but also books of fiction for adults and for children.

Les Ravins, a recent release by Les 400 Coups/ Mécanique Générale, was also highlighted at the Awards ceremony for its cover art by writer/illustrator Phillipe Girard. Although not ultimately selected to take home the plaque for Outstanding Cover By A Canadian Comic Book Artist, it was recognized for its design, a simple but intense blue and orange template that immediately drew in readers. Niko Henrichson took home that particular honour for his work on Hostile Tome 1: Impact!

Working with a dark palate, the cover for Hostile… features a young woman sitting tensely, her face seemingly concentrated on a difficult decision or action she must face. This is Helen, a mercenary entrusted with the dangerous task in a near-future (2017) China. Now a society infuriated by the government lies, rebellion is imminent but seemingly futile if The Reverence, a fanatical religious group who perpetuate the oppression, continues to hold power. Impact! is but the first issue of a proposed four-instalment mini-series. Having established a strong start, Hostile Tome is aligned to make an impression on the industry with its forthcoming editions.

Geography and time zone separation bear no obstruction to true graphic novel fans, yet a realm of modern comics inconceivable in the time of Joe Shuster is that of the online version. This year, the Outstanding Canadian Web Comic Creator/Creative Team award went to Cameron Stewart for his work on Sin Titulo, a weekly creation via Transmission-X Comics that follows a young man, Alex McKay, as he investigates the secret-life of his late Grandfather, Robert McKay.

Stewart is primarily recognized for his illustration talents, but has been flexing his writing muscles with Sin Titulo since 2007. Besides penciling for such well-known titles as Catwoman (DC), Superman (DC), Spider-Man (Marvel), Hellboy (Dark Horse), and Transmetropolitan (Vertigo), he has also worked on the critically acclaimed The Apocalypstix from indie fav Oni Press, and done illustrations for The Toronto Star and Spin Magazine.

Most of the wild audience anticipation, interestingly enough, was saved for the nominees and winner of The Harry Kremer Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Retailer Award. With two of the past winners hailing from Ontario (Now & Then Books in Kitchener, and Big B Comics in Hamilton) many spectators seemed to anticipate Toronto’s The Beguiling to be favoured in 2009. However, Legends Comics & Books in Victoria, BC took home the prize. Uniquely known for its mascot (Perogy Cat) as much as its selection, Legends Comics & Books is a “7-Days-A-Week” passion for proprietor and owner/operator Llyod Chesley. It just so happened that Chesley was present for the ceremony on Saturday and was thereby able to beamingly accept his plaque.

Full List of Winners from the 2009

Artist / Dessinateur
*David Finch – Ultimatum #1-2 (Marvel Comics)

Cartoonist / Créateur
*Dave Sim – Glamourpuss #1-4, Judenhaas (Aardvark-Vanaheim)

Colourist / Dessinateur Couleur
*François Lapierre - “Gédéon et la bête du lac” Contes et légendes du Québec (Glénat Québec), Magasin général 4 (Casterman)

Writer / Écrivain
*Mariko Tamaki - Emiko Superstar (DC/Minx), Skim (Groundwood Books)

Cover / Couverture
*Niko Henrichon – Hostile Tome 1 (Dupuis)

Webcomics / Bandes Dessinées Web
*Cameron Stewart – Sin Titulo

Publisher / Éditeur
*Les 400 Coups/Mécanique Générale

Comics for Kids / Bandes Dessinées pour Enfants
*Kean Soo, Jellaby Book 1 (Hyperion)

Gene Day Award for Canadian Self-Publishers / Le Prix Gene Day pour Éditeurs Direct Canadian de Bandes Dessinées
*Jesse Jacobs for Blue Winter, Shapes in the Snow.

The Harry Kremer Award for Outstanding Canadian Comic Book Retailer /Le Prix Harry Kremer pour Détaillant Exceptionnel Canadien de Bandes Dessinées
*Legends Comics and Books (Victoria, British Columbia)

Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame / Temple de la renommée Créateur Canadien de Bandes Dessinées
*George Menendez Rae (1906-1992)
*Réal Godbout (1951-)
*Ken Steacy (1955-)
*Diana Schutz (1955-)