MattBrady
02-29-2004, 09:32 AM
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/skyscrapers1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/skyscrapers1_t.jpg" width="175" height="274" border="0" hspace="1" align="right"></a>Minicomics got their props again this year as the Isotope Award went to Josh Cotter's Skyscrapers of the Midwest minicomic.
Isotope’ press release for the event reads:
At a grand ceremony this last weekend that coincided with the Alternative Press Expo retailer James Sime presented the 2004 Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics to Josh Cotter for his book SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST.
“Josh Cotter is amazing!" said Sime, “I read hundreds upon hundreds of comics from all corners of the industry every month and Skyscrapers of the Midwest definitely stands out from the pack. Josh's talent is undeniable, and frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't working for one of the major independent publishers already."
The competition for the award was fierce as SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST went head to head with some of the cream of the mini-comic crop from all over the world.
The committee of judges, including comic publisher Ed Irwin of Absence of Ink (http://www.onypsus.com/absenceofink/), a librarian, rising independent comic creator Ryan Yount of Scurvy Dogs (http://www.scurvy-dogs.com) fame, last year's Isotope Award winner Rob Osborne, and comic retailer James Sime selected Josh Cotter's mini-comic out of over a hundred different mini-comics submitted from as close to home as down the street to as far away as the Netherlands.
“The Isotope Award submissions reflect the international scope of the mini-comic artform, and the cutting edge creative greatness that's out there just waiting to be discovered," Sime said, "It's amazing to me that there's people like Cotter and Osborne out there, doing this terrific work and turning out these glorious comic books that only a few folks get to see. I love giving out the Isotope Award every year because shining the spotlight on these unsung heroes of the comic industry is something I couldn't be prouder to be a part of.”
Winners are presented with their very own stone and steel trophy engraved with their name and the name of their book that they can display on tables at conventions, place above their fireplaces with other heirlooms, or mount on the hood of their automobile to intimidate other motorists. This year the Isotope Award was presented to Josh Cotter in front of an enthusiastic crowd of comic aficionados in a formal ceremony by 2003's Isotope Award winner Rob Osborne.
"Clearly, this unknown from Kansas City is on his way to conquering the world of comics!" said Osborne, who took home the gold last year for his mini-comic 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION, "Josh Cotter's mini-comic SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST is stunning to look at, is quirky, funny and full of midwestern oddness. Josh exemplifies what the Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics is all about: Persistent hard work and faith pay off every time. If you make a great mini-comic, eventually the bright light of super-stardom will shine on thee!" Scurvy Dogs (http://www.scurvy-dogs.com) fame, last year."
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/skyscrapers2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/skyscrapers2_t.jpg" width="175" height="274" border="0" hspace="1" align="left"></a>Taking the stage in grandiose style to theme of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Josh Cotter worked the crowd into a frenzy with an inspirational speech "Winning this was such an honor, and completely unexpected," Josh later said, "I've never won anything in my whole life, so when I first heard from the Isotope judges I was certain that they had my email mixed up with someone else's. But when I realized they were serious, I couldn't believe the great opportunity I was given. I can't thank the Isotope enough for creating the Isotope Award and making the last weekend possible for me, and for mini-comic creators like myself."
The industry's passion for the mini-comic format has seen steady growth in the past year with a new distributor Absence of Ink's Black Label (http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4838), the recent announcement of Daniel Way's Bad Press (http://www.badpressprinting.com/), a cooperative mini-comic and zine printer, and increased attention from reviewers and publishers, who are taking a serious look at those who are working in the mini-comic field.
"Winning the Isotope award introduced me to some of the nicest people in the comics world, and it threw the door of opportunity wide open," Rob Osborne gushed with enthusiasm, "In October, 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION the graphic novel debuts from AiT/Planet Lar, and I am ecstatic! I fully expect Josh Cotter to carry on the tradition for the next generation of Isotope Award winners!"
Winning the Isotope Award, being showered with the praise of hundreds of comic readers, and getting treated like royalty at the Alternative Press Expo has only served to heighten Josh Cotter's commitment to creating new works. "I'm refueled, ready to create again and ready to get back into the game full-time!"
"This is the Heisman trophy of the mini-comics," reiterated Sime, "And when we can award it to such a talented newcomer as Josh Cotter it only makes winning an Isotope Award that much more desirable. I have no doubt that Josh Cotter's excellent work is going to attract some serious attention and recognition in the future. Pick up a copy of SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST to see what all the fuss is about!"
SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST is a mini-comic one-shot created and published by Josh Cotter. Issues are available for $2.00 at fine purveyors of comics, and directly from Josh by writing to jwcotter@micro.com .
1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION is a four issue mini-comic series created and published by Rob Osborne. Available for $2.00 at comic stores everywhere or directly from Rob by writing to rob@kaboomcomics.com .
A full size graphic novel containing these minis and many new pages is due from AIT-PlanetLar this October. For more information on Rob Osborne and his work visit www.kaboomcomics.com Isotope - the comic book lounge is the award winning home of the Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics in San Francisco, CA. Comic book impresario and retailer James Sime has been setting new standards for comic retailing since 2001 and continues his campaign of comic evangelism with his weekly column The Comic Pimp on ComicBookResources.com. Isotope – the comic book lounge is a purveyor of fine new and vintage comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, manga and other imported comics, as well as unique toys and memorabilia. For more information about Isotope – the comic book lounge, visit www.isotopecomics.com </press release</i>
Isotope’ press release for the event reads:
At a grand ceremony this last weekend that coincided with the Alternative Press Expo retailer James Sime presented the 2004 Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics to Josh Cotter for his book SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST.
“Josh Cotter is amazing!" said Sime, “I read hundreds upon hundreds of comics from all corners of the industry every month and Skyscrapers of the Midwest definitely stands out from the pack. Josh's talent is undeniable, and frankly, I'm surprised he wasn't working for one of the major independent publishers already."
The competition for the award was fierce as SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST went head to head with some of the cream of the mini-comic crop from all over the world.
The committee of judges, including comic publisher Ed Irwin of Absence of Ink (http://www.onypsus.com/absenceofink/), a librarian, rising independent comic creator Ryan Yount of Scurvy Dogs (http://www.scurvy-dogs.com) fame, last year's Isotope Award winner Rob Osborne, and comic retailer James Sime selected Josh Cotter's mini-comic out of over a hundred different mini-comics submitted from as close to home as down the street to as far away as the Netherlands.
“The Isotope Award submissions reflect the international scope of the mini-comic artform, and the cutting edge creative greatness that's out there just waiting to be discovered," Sime said, "It's amazing to me that there's people like Cotter and Osborne out there, doing this terrific work and turning out these glorious comic books that only a few folks get to see. I love giving out the Isotope Award every year because shining the spotlight on these unsung heroes of the comic industry is something I couldn't be prouder to be a part of.”
Winners are presented with their very own stone and steel trophy engraved with their name and the name of their book that they can display on tables at conventions, place above their fireplaces with other heirlooms, or mount on the hood of their automobile to intimidate other motorists. This year the Isotope Award was presented to Josh Cotter in front of an enthusiastic crowd of comic aficionados in a formal ceremony by 2003's Isotope Award winner Rob Osborne.
"Clearly, this unknown from Kansas City is on his way to conquering the world of comics!" said Osborne, who took home the gold last year for his mini-comic 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION, "Josh Cotter's mini-comic SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST is stunning to look at, is quirky, funny and full of midwestern oddness. Josh exemplifies what the Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics is all about: Persistent hard work and faith pay off every time. If you make a great mini-comic, eventually the bright light of super-stardom will shine on thee!" Scurvy Dogs (http://www.scurvy-dogs.com) fame, last year."
<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/skyscrapers2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Other_Publishers/skyscrapers2_t.jpg" width="175" height="274" border="0" hspace="1" align="left"></a>Taking the stage in grandiose style to theme of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Josh Cotter worked the crowd into a frenzy with an inspirational speech "Winning this was such an honor, and completely unexpected," Josh later said, "I've never won anything in my whole life, so when I first heard from the Isotope judges I was certain that they had my email mixed up with someone else's. But when I realized they were serious, I couldn't believe the great opportunity I was given. I can't thank the Isotope enough for creating the Isotope Award and making the last weekend possible for me, and for mini-comic creators like myself."
The industry's passion for the mini-comic format has seen steady growth in the past year with a new distributor Absence of Ink's Black Label (http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4838), the recent announcement of Daniel Way's Bad Press (http://www.badpressprinting.com/), a cooperative mini-comic and zine printer, and increased attention from reviewers and publishers, who are taking a serious look at those who are working in the mini-comic field.
"Winning the Isotope award introduced me to some of the nicest people in the comics world, and it threw the door of opportunity wide open," Rob Osborne gushed with enthusiasm, "In October, 1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION the graphic novel debuts from AiT/Planet Lar, and I am ecstatic! I fully expect Josh Cotter to carry on the tradition for the next generation of Isotope Award winners!"
Winning the Isotope Award, being showered with the praise of hundreds of comic readers, and getting treated like royalty at the Alternative Press Expo has only served to heighten Josh Cotter's commitment to creating new works. "I'm refueled, ready to create again and ready to get back into the game full-time!"
"This is the Heisman trophy of the mini-comics," reiterated Sime, "And when we can award it to such a talented newcomer as Josh Cotter it only makes winning an Isotope Award that much more desirable. I have no doubt that Josh Cotter's excellent work is going to attract some serious attention and recognition in the future. Pick up a copy of SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST to see what all the fuss is about!"
SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST is a mini-comic one-shot created and published by Josh Cotter. Issues are available for $2.00 at fine purveyors of comics, and directly from Josh by writing to jwcotter@micro.com .
1000 STEPS TO WORLD DOMINATION is a four issue mini-comic series created and published by Rob Osborne. Available for $2.00 at comic stores everywhere or directly from Rob by writing to rob@kaboomcomics.com .
A full size graphic novel containing these minis and many new pages is due from AIT-PlanetLar this October. For more information on Rob Osborne and his work visit www.kaboomcomics.com Isotope - the comic book lounge is the award winning home of the Isotope Award for Excellence in Mini-Comics in San Francisco, CA. Comic book impresario and retailer James Sime has been setting new standards for comic retailing since 2001 and continues his campaign of comic evangelism with his weekly column The Comic Pimp on ComicBookResources.com. Isotope – the comic book lounge is a purveyor of fine new and vintage comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, manga and other imported comics, as well as unique toys and memorabilia. For more information about Isotope – the comic book lounge, visit www.isotopecomics.com </press release</i>