ON CANADA READS...

Well, I was the first book voted off of the Canada Reads competition today, and I'll admit that it stings a bit more than I thought it would. But, in the end I am really proud of the accomplishment of making it to the final 5. It's a great sign for the future of graphic novels in this country, and their continued acceptance mainstream literary circles on a whole.

The truth is Essex County would never have been nominated if not for all the brilliant Canadian cartoonists who laid the ground work for such recognition over the last couple of decades. Dave Sim, Seth, Chester Brown, Julie Doucet and so many others not only inspired me, but a whole generation of cartoonist that will continue to push our beloved medium into the spotlight.

I'm proud to be part of such a great tradition of Canadian cartoonists, and continue to be inspired by the likes of Darwyn Cooke, Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, Kate Beaton and so many other great talents.

And, a big thanks to Sara Quin for her impassioned defense and promotion of not only EC but graphic novels in general. I know a lot of people have read EC, and other graphic novels, over the last couple of months who otherwise never would have.

And thanks to Chris, Brett and Leigh at Top Shelf for helping me run with the ball once I got it, you guys are the best!

j

JUMP ON BOARD SWEET TOOTH WITH ISSUE 18!

Sweet Tooth #18 which was released this week, is a great jumping on point for new fans, and even better MTV Geek has a "5 minute Recap" of the entire series so far right here http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/02/02/the-five-minute-recap-sweet-tooth/ So no more excuses, with

Vol. 1 and 2 of the collected editions out now, start reading!

" ONE OF THE BEST COMIC'S I'VE EVER READ" Damon Lindelof co-creator of LOST

Joe Shuster Nominations Announced!

The finalists for the 2011 Joe Shuster Awards, which recognize the best in Canadian comics, have been announced.

The list is (very) long, so click here to see a list of all the nominees.

Jeff Lemire is up for three awards (Outstanding Comic Book Cartoonist, Outstanding Comic Book Cover Artist, Outstanding Comic Book Writer) while other nominees include Scott Chantler (Comics for Kids, Outstanding Comic Book Cartoonist), Bryan Lee O’Malley (Outstanding Comic Book Cartoonist) and Kate Beaton (Outstanding Web Comics Creator).

Chester Brown and Todd McFarlane will also be inducted into the Canadian Comic Book Creator Hall of Fame.

The winners will be announced June 18, 2011, in Calgary.

The Joe Shuster Awards were established in 2004; they are named after Joe Shuster (duh!), the Toronto-born co-creator of Superman.

Read more: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2011/02/01/jeff-lemire-leads-nominees-for-joe-shuster-awards/#ixzz1CigloJJf

Preview: SWEET TOOTH #18 Out Wednesday, Feb.2!

Live Event in Montreal Tomorrow and Live Chat Online!

Canada Reads 2011 events

Montreal

Comic Scene
Drawn & Quarterly Bookstore

211 Bernard Street West

Montreal, QC

January 27, 7:00 p.m.

Come and meet graphic novelist/cartoonist Jeff Lemire, whose Essex County is in the running for this year's Canada Reads.

Meet the artist, ask him questions and see how he works. You could also win one of several sets of the Canada Reads books.

Homerun host Sue Smith and arts reporter Jeanette Kelly will also be hand, and joining us on stage will be Drawn & Quarterly's head publisher and chief, Chris Oliveros, as well as Montreal's own graphic novelist Sherwin Sullivan Tjia, author of The Hipless Boy, nominated for a Doug Wright Award and four Ignatz Awards, and Matt Forsythe, the award-winning illustrator and comic book artist whose book Ojingogo won the 2009 Doug Wright Award for Canadian cartooning.

The discussion will be recorded and segments will air on Homerun.

I will also be available for a live online Q&A tomorrow at 2 pm Easern.

Click here for more details.

Call For Letters!

It was recently announced that letter columns will return to the pages of all DC Comics agian! This includes both SWEET TOOTH and SUPERBOY. So, to see your name in print in an upcoming issue of either or both of these books please send your letters to:

www.dcletterspage.com

Or letters may be sent by regular mail to:

Letters to the Editor

DC Comics

1700 Broadway

New York, NY

10019 USA

Attn: Sweet Tooth or Superboy

Upcoming Appearances

Essex County, the Graphic Novel, and Montreal

Time	Thursday, January 27 · 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location	Drawn & Quarterly bookstore 211 Bernard Street West Montreal, QC
Created By	Homerun Show, CBC Radio One
More Info	Come and meet graphic novelist/cartoonist Jeff Lemire, who’s Essex County is in the running for this year’s Canada Reads. Meet the artist, ask him questions, and see how he works. You could also win one of several complete Canada Reads book packages! Homerun host Sue Smith and arts reporter Jeanette Kelly will also be hand, and joining us on stage will be Drawn & Quarterly’s head publisher and chief, Chris Oliveros, as well as Montreal’s own graphic novelist Sherwin Sullivan Tjia, author of The Hipless Boy, nominated for a Doug Wright Award and four Ignatz Awards. Essex County is the first graphic novel ever to be included in the running for the prestigious Canada Reads book prize. It is composed of three interconnected graphic novels: Tales from the Farm, Ghost Stories and The Country Nurse. Winner of several major awards in the world of comics, including a Joe Shuster Award, it was hailed by reviewers as "the comics medium at its best" (Booklist) and "a quiet, somber, haunting masterpiece" (The Oregonian). The discussion will be recorded and segments will air on Homerun.

Toronto Celebrates Canada Reads 2011

• Fri Feb 04, 2011
• 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• 120 mins:

• Toronto Reference Library
• Atrium

Celebrate the 10th anniversary edition of the Canada Reads battle of the books. Featuring some of this year's nominated writers and defenders. Hosted by Mary Ito. Presented with CBC Radio 99.1.

Featuring:
Terry Fallis (author of The Best laid Plans)
Angie Abdou (author of The Bone Cage)
Jeff Lemire (author of Essex County)

Check back for more names to be added to our line-up.