31 Days of Comic-Con: Eisner Nominees for Best Continuing Series

Day 3: 5 Continuing Series to Read

Every year, the Eisner awards are handed out at the San Diego Comic-Con, and this year is no different. Named for Will Eisner, a legend in the industry, the Eisner is basically the Oscar of the comic book industry and is handed out for a number of different categories that cover the art, story, and impact of comics from the previous year.

With that in mind, I always target comics nominated for the Eisners as ones to read – they’re usually really good. Last year winners – Southern Bastards, Paper Girls, and March were all great reads and I’m looking forward to seeing who picks up the trophies this year.

For Best Continuing Series, there are some real heavy hitters that I think will make for a great reading experience.

Jason Aaron is nominated in this category again this year but with a different title. He wrote The Mighty Thor this year with Russell Dauterman for Marvel and if it’s as good as Southern Bastards last year, it’s a leading contender. I think Brian K. Vaughn has the inside track though since he’s actually got 2 comics nominated for this category – Saga with Fiona Staples and Paper Girls with Cliff Chiang . Both titles have won many awards in the past and both are really well written and drawn. The other two comics are less known to me but I am familiar with Ed Brubaker who is nominated with Sean Phillips for Kill or Be Killed – he of course wrote Captain America: The Winter Soldier and is know to tell a pretty good story. I’ve also heard good things about Astro City, but haven’t read anything about it, though I have read Marvels by Kurt Busiek and loved it – he and Brent Anderson round out the nominees.

So, based on my limited knowledge of the comics nominated, I’d say there is a pretty good group of comic creators in the running for this award and I’m definitely putting these titles on my to read pile for future reference.