The Boston Comic Arts Foundation recently announced long-time comics publisher, agent, and champion Denis Kitchen as the recipient of the first ever annual Underground Visionary Award, which will be given each year at the Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo.
The Award seeks to honour the work of an individual, publisher, or community-builder whose dedication has brought opportunity, attention, and change to the comics medium.
With this award, the Boston Comic Arts Foundation recognises people and organisations for their active engagement with the comics format, fostering creativity and community in the world of comics.
Boston Comic Arts Foundation Executive Director Shelli Paroline says, “For years I’ve witnessed the hard work that is put in behind the scenes to uplift comics and their creators. With the Underground Visionary Award, our whole community can let them know: ‘we see you!'”
The first annual award recognises long-time comics publisher, agent, and champion Denis Kitchen, and was presented at MICE on 8th December 2024.
“I was surprised, honoured, and humbled to receive the first annual Underground Visionary award at MICE, ” says Denis Kitchen, “and amused to see that, in my honour, the award will consist each year of a different kitchen utensil. What a unique idea. The only challenge for me is how to display this year’s spatula on our mantelpiece!”
“Denis Kitchen has been, quietly and modestly, one of the most important individuals in independent comics for as long as there have been independent comics, having done so much to help and promote other artists and defend their rights,” says Dan Mazur, Co-Founder and Co-Director, MICE. “and, he lives in Massachusetts! So it’s very fitting, and a real privilege, for MICE to be able to give out an award in Denis’ name that will both honour Denis, and continue the practice of cartoonists helping cartoonists.”
Boston Comic Arts Foundation Board Member and Boston University MFA Visual Narrative Chair Joel Christian Gill says, “The new Underground Visionary Award given in Denis Kitchen’s honour based on his decades of work in the comics community is in and of itself rewarding, but this continuing award will help to recognise those folks who build up the comics community through their work and activism on behalf of all cartoonists.”
The Boston Comic Arts Foundation champions the comics art form, increasing excitement about and engagement with the comics medium to create opportunities for more comics, more comics readers, and more support for comics creators. BCAF celebrates comics, graphic novels, and independent creators through art festivals, artist grants, and educational programming. Partnering with local libraries, schools, and organisations, BCAF increases access to comics by providing high-quality events and educational opportunities, which are free and open to all.
BCAF supports the work of local comics creators, and is committed to fostering equity in a community of authors and readers that includes all voices.
• Check out the work of the Boston Comic Arts Foundation at bostoncomicarts.org
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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.
Categories: Comics, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, US Comics
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