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Tripwire magazine 2021 Awards launched, downthetubes among the nominees, alongside Al Ewing, Liam Sharp and Time Bomb Comics

By John Freeman on May 2, 2021

Comics and genre magazine Tripwire, available in print and as a digital title, has brought back its Tripwire Awards for a third year, and there are plenty of great British comic creators and publishers among the nominees.

2021 will be the third year of this awards ceremony, which aims to celebrate the cream of UK and US comic talent. In previous years, Tripwire has tried to reflect the very best of this year’s comics and the talent who make them possible – the events of the last 12 months have demonstrated that comics and comic art remain incredibly important and vital to the fabric and well-being of pop culture and to culture as a whole.

With these awards, open to voting now, the team have strived “to showcase those that have literally saved us this past year”.

Nominees in the “Best Comics Writer” category include Al Ewing and Ram V: while Liam Sharp and Martin Simmonds are nominated in the “Best Artist” Category. There are categories, too, fir Best Colourist, Letterer, Publisher and best new talent, which includes a nomination for Sayra Begum, creator of the stunning graphic novel Mongrel.

It’s great to see independent publisher Time Bomb Comics gain a nomination in the “Best Small Press / Independent – UK category,”, alongside BHP Comics, Self Made Hero, Soaring Penguin Press and Titan Comics,

Needless to say, I’m incredibly surprised, and suffice to say, very honoured, that not only has downthetubes, now in its 22nd year of online publication, has been nominated alongside some brilliant news sites in the “Comics-Related Website / Publications” category; but also to I’m rather overwhelmed to find that along with Marie Javins, Kevin Smith, Ross Richie and Eric Stephenson, in the “Person of the Year” comics category.

Quite what I have done to even be considered for that accolade alongside such incredible movers and shakers in our industry is beyond me, but thank you for the nomination.

Of the Awards, Tripwire editor-in-chief Joel Meadows says, “Tripwire has been promoting comics for almost thirty years now and, in 2018, we felt it was time for us to launch our own awards which would take our support to another level.

“We feel we are building on the success of the previous two years’ ceremonies, as well as reflecting the changing landscape of comics with some new exciting categories.”

Nominations have been carefully collated by Joel, Comicon.com’s senior editor Olly Macnamee, Mass Movement’s Tim Cundle, Heavy Metal Magazine Exec. Editor Joseph P. Illidge, Cosplay Scientist’/Freelance Writer Louise Saul and The Convention Collective’s Leonard Sultana.

Nominations for the eighteen categories are open for people to vote on from 8.00pm 1st May 2021 through until Midnight 1st August 2021, and the results of the awards will be announced at a special ceremony online later in the year (date and details to be confirmed).

A long-standing part of the fabric of both the British and international comics community, Tripwire recently launched its debut digital edition. Costing just £5.99, this first edition includes a look at the history of Captain America in the character’s 80th anniversary year, an interview with writer Grant Morrison, talking about the new series, Proctor Valley Road, plus many other features, reviews and more.

• Voting is open now and closes on 1st August 2021. Visit here to cast your vote

• Tripwire digital edition is available directly from Tripwire at editorial@tripwiremagazine.co.uk or from Readly, or on Issuu

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.