2000AD received their first Eisner nomination yesterday for Best Anthology. It seems odd that such a long standing, critically acclaimed and well regarded anthology had never even been nominated before.
Why now? Why not in the eighties, the nineties or the noughties? or any of the many strips and runs considered classic. Why was the work in 2012 considered finally worthy for a nomination?
I asked Rebellion’s Mike Molcher who was praising Matt Smith’s run as editor as reason for the nomination, as why now as before?
He told me;
We’ve not sent them books before, and they’ve never asked for them.
But this year, Rebellion did send them in. And got a well deserved nomination. I’ve spoken to a number of publishers who have bemoaned not getting Eisner nominations and asked them “did you send it in?” Many hadn’t. As the National Lottery slogan used to go “you’ve got to be in it to win it.” It’s the law, creeps.
And then if you still don’t get a nomination, then you can start complaining!