Ipp, Ipp Hooray for Classical Comics!

By John Freeman on May 26, 2008

Classical Comics all-British graphic novel Henry V has been awarded a Silver Medal at the 2008 Independent Publishers Awards (the “IPPYs”) in America.

This year’s contest attracted a total of 3,175 entries and saw the Original Text Henry V, which was released in November 2007, drawn by Neill Cameron, win runner-up in the Graphic Novel/Drawn Book- Drama/Documentary category. (Gold went to Shortcomings, by New Yorker magazine illustrator Adrian Tomine, published by Drawn & Quarterly.

“The quality of this year’s entries has been totally amazing and judging was difficult, as we saw better designed books, read higher quality writing,” commented Independent Publisher on announcing the awards. “We were also exposed to a more sophisticated concepts.”

“I’m absolutely delighted with the news!” artist Neill Cameron told downthetubes. “The only thing I can think of to add is that whilst it’s very gratifying to see oneself referred to as an award-winning illustrator, I think an equal if not greater share of the credit should go to Bambos Georgiou (inks), Jason Cardy and Kat Nicholson (colours) and Nigel Dobbyn (lettering), my enormously talented fellow artists on the book.”

Equally delighted to win an award with their first book is Clive Bryant, Chairman of Classical Comics. “To see this dream become a reality, and then to gain recognition for our books has been a truly emotional experience,” he says. “In fact, we’ve had such a positive response to both Henry V and Macbeth that we’ve increased the number of titles in production”.

Classical Comics’ pioneering multiple text versions of well-loved literature have proven to be a success around the globe, particularly with students and teachers, who welcome this vibrant, colourful way of introducing the classics. (You can read the downthetubes review of Henry V here)

Two further adaptations, Frankenstein (drawn by Declan Shalvey) and Jane Eyre (drawn by John M. Burns), are due to be published in September this year; with another five titles being released between October 2008 and January 2009.

Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Drama/Documentary – The Winners in Full
Gold: Shortcomings, by Adrian Tomine (Drawn & Quarterly)
Silver: Henry V – The Graphic Novel, by William Shakespeare (Classical Comics)
Bronze: Images from the Neocerebellum: The Wood Engravings of George A. Walker (The Porcupine’s Quill); Strangers in Paradise – Pocket Book 6, by Terry Moore (Abstract Studio); Lost Raven, by Darren G. Davis (Bluewater Comics)

Other “Ippys” of interest to downthetubes readers were:

For Fantasy/Science Fiction
Gold: Virtual Evil, by Jana G. Oliver (Dragon Moon Press) and The Oblivion Society, by Marcus Alexander Hart (Permuted Press)
Silver: The Starfish People, by Leann Marshall (Xlibris)
Bronze: Brian Froud’s World of Faerie by Brian Froud (Insight Editions); Sharlie, by Lynda Johnson (Swansea Music); The Key, by Pauline Baird Jones (L&L Dreamspell)

Graphic Novel/Drawn Book – Humor/Cartoon – The winners in full:
Gold: The Adventures of Jasper: Lost in Skookum Valley, by Glen Lovett (Lovett Pictures)
Silver: Kitty Nirvana: The First Ginger & Shadow Collection, by Barry Corbett (Corbett Features)
Bronze: The Opposite Sex, by Sam Grant Jr. (Sam Grant Design); Captured by Pirates (Twisted Journeys #1), by Justine & Ron Fontes, illustrated by David Witt (Graphic Universe/Lerner Publishing Group)

Horror
Gold: The Portrait, by Joseph Barron (iUniverse)
Silver: Something Bad, by Richard Satterlie (Medallion Press)
Bronze: Cluck: Murder Most Fowl, by Eric D. Knapp ( BookSurge); Heart of Scars, by Brian Easton (iUniverse); A Dark and Deadly Valley, edited by Mike Heffernan (Silverthought Press).

Web Links
• For more about Classical Comics visit the official web site
• Buy the Original Text edition of Henry V from amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Plain Text editin of Henry V from amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Quick Text edition of Henry V from amazon.co.uk

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.