ComicsPRO.org

ComicsPRO is the only trade organization dedicated to the progress of direct market comic book retailers.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Congratulations, Brave New World Comics! An Eisner "Spirit" Sweep for ComicsPRO!

ComicsPRO member Brave New World Comics, owned by Atom and Portlyn Freeman, received the Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award last weekend at Comic Con International - San Diego.

Atom! and Portlyn are shown here with Eisner Spirit of Comics facilitator Joe Ferrara of Atlantis Fantasyworld (Santa Cruz CA). Great work, Atom and Portlyn!

We're also proud to congratulate the Eisner Spirit of Retailing finalists, all of whom are ComicsPRO members:

Casablanca Comics,
Chapel Hill Comics,
Happy Harbor Comics,
Rocketship,
and Tate's Comics

Having seen all the videos from the finalists' stores, any one of them would have been a great choice to receive the award.

From store design, to special outreach programs and promotions, to care for the art and commerce of the comics' medium, each retailer does many spectacular things to grow their businesses while also growing the public's awareness and appreciation for the art and fun of comics.

Another note: 2008 marks the 15th year of the Eisner Spirit of Retailing Award. Will Eisner instituted the award as a way to recognize the hard work retailers do on behalf of selling the work of comics' creators.

The award is judged on the following components:
* Support of a wide variety of innovative material, providing opportunities for creators' material to reach buyers, stocking a diverse inventory, Knowledge. Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.
* Community activity. Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools/libraries; keeping active in social/business/arts community organizations.
* Quality of store image. Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.
* Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

We're proud to report that ComicsPRO members have been recipients of the award in 11 of those 15 years! Now there's a testament to the strength of ComicsPRO and the progressive nature of our members!

Congratulaions on the ComicsPRO sweep!

Joe Field
ComicsPRO President