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The National Comics Awards was a series of awards for comic book titles and creators given out on an annual basis from 1997 to 2003 (with the exception of the year 2000) for comics published in the United Kingdom the previous year. The votes were by the U.K. comics fan community, and were open to anyone.
National Comics Award | |
---|---|
Location | Bristol |
Country | United Kingdom |
Presented by | Jonathan Ross and Paul Gambaccini (1997) |
Hosted by | United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (1997–1998) Comic Festival (1999, 2001–2003) |
First awarded | 1997 |
Last awarded | 2003 |
The Awards were founded in 1997 by comic creators Kev F Sutherland and Mark Buckingham.[1] They took over for the UK Comic Art Awards, which were presented from 1990 to 1997 (which had themselves replaced the Eagle Awards, which were the dominant British comics awards from 1977 to 1990). The National Comics Awards were distinguished by the distinctive "Jimmy" statue designed by Buckingham.
Structure and categories
editThe National Comics Awards were awarded by UK comics fans voting for work produced during the previous year. Financial supporters of the awards could have their companies' names added to an individual award, as well as having a representative of the business present the award at the ceremony.[2]
The National Comics Awards were presented to individual creators as well as for publications and characters. There was also a section of the awards devoted to all-time lists. From 1997 to 1999, voters were required to pay to vote for the "Best Comic Ever" category, with all proceeds going to charity:[2] in 1997 the category was "Best British Comic Ever," in 1998 it was "Best Comic in the World Ever," and in 1999 it was "Best Comic of the 20th Century" (with all proceeds going to the ChildLine Charity).
History
editThe first National Comics Awards presentation took place 15 March 1997 at United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (UKCAC) in London, presented by Jonathan Ross and Paul Gambaccini.[3]
In 1998 the Awards took place at the Manchester UKCAC.
The Awards were held at the Bristol Comic Festival in 1999, and from 2001 to 2003. There were no National Comics Awards presented in 2000, as the Eagle Awards were revived that year.[4]
The 2002 Awards were hosted by Kev F Sutherland. Presenters included Mike Conroy and Dez Skinn of Comics International, Martin Averre of Ace Comics, Dave Finn of Incognito Comics, Mark Buckingham, Nick Parry-Jones of Red Route Distribution, The Comedian from Watchmen and Alice in Wonderland (a.k.a. character costume models Doug Oliver and Andrea Sanders), Dave Gibbons, Karen Berger, Jonathan Bryans and Bryan Liddiard of Naturesguard, Carol Bennett of Knockabout Comics, Rich Johnston, Alex Summersby of MacUnlimited, and Jim Valentino.[5]
The 2003 awards, presented in London at that year's Comic Festival, were sponsored by Red Route Distribution, Ace Comics, Incognito Comics, Tripwire, Knockabout Comics, SFX magazine, Bulletproof Comics, Comics International, Borders Books, and Diamond Previews.[6]
After 2003 the major UK comics awards again became the Eagle Awards, until 2012 (2014) when they were discontinued.
Awards
editIndividual awards
editBest Writer / Best Writer in Comics Today/Now
edit- 1997: Garth Ennis
- 1998: Grant Morrison
- 1999: John Wagner
- 2001: John Wagner, for Button Man and Judge Dredd (both in 2000 AD)
- 2002: Grant Morrison
- Alan Moore
- Warren Ellis
- John Wagner
- Brian Michael Bendis
- Garth Ennis
- Frank Miller
- Anonymous (The Beano)
- Robbie Morrison
- Neil Gaiman
- 2003: Dan Abnett
Best Artist / Best Artist in Comics Today/Now
edit- 1997: Alex Ross
- 1998: Steve Dillon
- 1999: Alex Ross
- 2001: Carlos Ezquerra for Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog (2000 AD), and Just a Pilgrim (Black Bull Comics)
- 2002: Frank Quitely
- Frazer Irving
- Bryan Hitch
- Carlos Ezquerra
- John Cassaday
- John Romita, Jr.
- Frank Miller
- Alan Davis
- Steve Dillon
- Alex Ross
- 2003 (sponsored by Ace Comics): Bryan Hitch
Best New Talent
edit- 2001 (tie):
- Frazer Irving, for Necronauts in 2000 AD
- Jock, for Judge Dredd in 2000 AD
- 2002: Frazer Irving
- John Watson
- Mike Carey
- Tan Eng Huat
- Simon Spurrier
- Nick Locking
- Ed Brubaker
- Geoff Johns
- Jock
- Judd Winick
- 2003 (sponsored by Tripwire): Andy Diggle (writer, Lady Constantine (DC), Snow Tiger (2000 AD))
Publication awards
editBest Comic (British)
edit- 1997: 2000 AD
- 1998: 2000 AD
- 1999: 2000 AD
Best Comic Now
edit- 2002: The Beano
Best Comic in the World Today
edit- 2001: 2000 AD, edited by Andy Diggle (Rebellion Developments)
- 2002: The Beano
- 2003 (Comics International Award for Comic of the Year): 2000 AD
Best New Comic
edit- 1997:
- British: Octobriana
- Int'l: Hitman (DC Comics)
- 1998:
- British: Gyre
- Int'l: Transmetropolitan (DC)
- 1999:
- British: Warhammer (Games Workshop)
- Kane
- Sleaze Castle
- Strangehaven
- The Beano
- Int'l: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (DC/ABC)
- British: Warhammer (Games Workshop)
- 2001: Green Arrow, by Kevin Smith and Phil Hester (DC Comics)
- 2002: Ultimates
- 2003: Y: The Last Man (Vertigo Comics)
Best Self-Published/Independent
edit- 1997: Strangehaven, by Gary Spencer Millidge
- 1998: Kane, by Paul Grist
- 1999: Class of '79[7]
- 2001: Petra Etcetera, by Terry Wiley, Dave McKinnon and Ady Kermode
- 2002: Zarjaz
- Jack Staff
- Strangehaven
- Cerebus
- Bone
- Petra Etcetera
- Hardly The Hog
- Finder
- Arsenic Lullaby
- Diesel Sweeties
- 2003 (sponsored by Knockabout Comics): Jack Staff by Paul Grist
Best Comic (International)
editBest Cover
edit- 1997: Kingdom Come #1, by Alex Ross (DC Comics)
Best Individual Story
edit- 1997: Kingdom Come #1, by Mark Waid and Alex Ross (DC Comics)
Best Collected Series or Graphic Novel
edit- 1999: Superman For All Seasons
- 2003 (sponsored by Borders Books): Daemonifuge (Kev Walker and Jim Campbell) — Black Library Press
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
- Rosemary's Backpack (Drew Gilbert and Antony Johnston)
- 30 Days of Night (Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith)
- The Ultimates vol. one
- The Dark Knight Strikes Again
- Catwoman: Selina's Big Score
- Fables: Legends In Exile
- The Redeemer (Pat Mills, Debbie Gallagher, Wayne Reynolds)
- After the Snooter (Eddie Campbell)
Best Newspaper Strip / Best Online Strip
edit- 1997: Calvin & Hobbes
- 1998: Calvin & Hobbes
- 1999: Calvin & Hobbes
- 2002: The Atrocity
- Bobbins
- Marshal Law
- Super Idol
- Dilbert
- Sluggy Freelance
- Nowhere Girl
- Bullpen Bits (Marvel)
- Squidbitz
- Astounding Space Thrills
- 2003 (sponsored by Bulletproof Comics): Fred the Clown (Roger Langridge)
Best Comic-based Multimedia
editBest Comic-based Film/TV
edit- 1997: The Adventures of Lois & Clark
- 1998: Men in Black
- 1999: Blade
- 2001: X-Men, directed by Bryan Singer (20th Century Fox)
- 2002: Ghost World
- 2003 (Sponsored by SFX magazine): Spider-Man
Best Specialist Comics Publication / Best Specialist Magazine or Website
edit- 1997: Comics International
- 1998: Tripwire
- 1999: Comics International
- 2001: Comics International magazine (and website) published by Dez Skinn
- 2002: Borderline
- 2000adonline.com
- Comics International
- Beanotown
- Wizard
- Komixworld
- Comic Book Resources
- Ninth Art
- DC Comics.com
- Tripwire
- 2003 (sponsored by Diamond Previews): Comics International
Character awards
editBest Character
edit- 1997: Batman (DC Comics)
- 1998: Batman (DC)
- 1999 (tie):
- Batman
- Judge Dredd
- 2001: Judge Dredd, Created by John Wagner & Carlos Ezquerra, published in 2000 AD
- 2002: Judge Dredd (2000 AD)
- Dennis the Menace
- Batman
- Spider-Man
- Spider Jerusalem (Transmetropolitan)
- Nikolai Dante
- Roger The Dodger
- John Constantine (Hellblazer)
- Daredevil
- Superman
- 2003: Judge Dredd
Best Supporting Character
edit- 1997: Cassidy (Preacher)
- 1998: Cassidy (Preacher)
- 1999: Judge Galen DeMarco
- 2001: Natt The Hat, from Hitman comic by John McCrea and Garth Ennis
- 2002: Gnasher
- Wulf Sternhammer
- Barbara Gordon/Oracle (Birds of Prey, Batman)
- Alfred (Batman)
- Cassidy (Preacher)
- Lex Luthor (Superman, Batman)
- Nightwing (Nightwing, Batman)
- Sinister Dexter
- Deena Pilgrim (Powers)
- Doop (X-Force)
- 2003: Big Yellow Dog (from Blinky, in The Dandy, by Nick Brennan)
Most Missed Character, Strip, or Comic
edit- 1997: Dan Dare
- 1998: Dan Dare
- 1999: Johnny Alpha (Strontium Dog)
All-time awards
editBest Comics Writer Ever
edit- 2001: Alan Moore, for Watchmen, Swamp Thing (DC Comics), V for Vendetta, Miracleman (Quality Communications), Halo Jones (2000 AD)
- 2002: Alan Moore
- John Wagner
- Stan Lee
- Neil Gaiman
- Grant Morrison
- Frank Miller
- Alan Grant
- Pat Mills
- Anonymous (The Beano)
- Garth Ennis
- 2003 (sponsored by Red Route Distribution): Alan Moore
Best Comics Artist Ever
edit- 2001: Carlos Ezquerra, for Judge Dredd
- 2002: Jack Kirby
- Brian Bolland
- Carlos Ezquerra
- Mike McMahon
- Alex Ross
- Neal Adams
- Alan Davis
- Frank Miller
- Simon Bisley
- Will Eisner
- 2003 (sponsored by Incognito Comics): Jack Kirby
Best British Comic Ever
editBest Comic in the World Ever
edit- 1998: The Eagle
Best Comic of the 20th Century
edit- 1999: The Eagle
Roll of Honor/Lifetime Achievement
edit- 1997: Dez Skinn
- 1998: Archie Goodwin
- 1999: Bob Kane
- 2002: Alan Moore
- 2003: John Wagner
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Johnston, Rich. "Bananaman – Or Miracleman?", Bleeding Cool (March 19, 2014).
- ^ a b "National Comics Awards Results 1998-2002". Comic Book Awards Almanac. Retrieved April 15, 2002..
- ^ Chris Wilson (March 16, 1997). "Dennis the Menace zaps Dan Dare". Sunday Telegraph London.[dead link]
- ^ "Eagle Awards 2000: Sequential Tart Wins!", Sequential Tart. Accessed Jan. 15, 2020.
- ^ Sutherland, Kev F. "NATIONAL COMICS AWARDS 2002: THE 5TH NATIONAL COMICS AWARDS RESULTS," 2000ADonline.org. Archived at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved Nov. 30, 2020.
- ^ "National Comics Awards Results 2003". Down The Tubes. Archived from the original on 2006-06-15. Retrieved April 15, 2003.
- ^ Sims, Chris. "2000 AD Immortalizes Harry Heston, Gorilla Judge, After Creator's Untimely Death," Comics Alliance (September 19, 2016).