August 24, 2024

We’re excited to announce members of the CCS community have been nominated for one of comics’ oldest and most prestigious awards—the Harvey Awards! 

The nominees are….

Book of the Year: WATERSHIP DOWN, THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by CCS co-founder James Sturm, art by Joe Sutphin, based on the novel by Richard Adams (Ten Speed Graphic)

Book of the Year: TENDER by Beth Hetland ’11 (Fantagraphics)

Best Young Adult Book: CLEMENTINE, BOOK 2 by Tille Walden ’16 (Image Comics)

• Book of the Year: WATERSHIP DOWN, THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by CCS co-founder James Sturm, art by Joe Sutphin, based on the novel by Richard Adams (Ten Speed Graphic)

“This classic story is faithfully adapted into a new medium with beautifully earthy illustrations that give each rabbit personality and new life . . . the underlying commentary on environmental impact provides a deeper, more complex tale that will appeal to older audiences, even on repeat readings.”—Booklist, starred review

Winner of two Eisner Awards, James is CCS co-founder and director of the Applied Cartooning Lab. His comics and graphic novels have been translated into several languages and have won numerous industry awards. His book, THE GOLEM’S MIGHTY SWING, was named the 2001 Comic of the Year by Time Magazine. Recent books include OFF SEASON, MARKET DAY, DENYS WORTMAN’S NEW YORK (co-edited with CCS alumni Brandon Elston ‘09), and ADVENTURES IN CARTOONING (with CCS alumni Andrew Arnold ‘07 and Alexis Frederick-Frost ‘07).

• Book of the Year: TENDER by Beth Hetland ’11 (Fantagraphics)

“Hetland gets under the skin in her nimble and unsettling graphic novel debut. … [Her] ability to maintain a sinister atmosphere in scenes both mundane and monstrous will keep horror fans turning the pages.” ―Publishers Weekly

Beth Hetland ‘11 is a full-time professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she teaches several comics and comics adjacent courses. Beth has illustrated several children’s books including BACKYARD BIOLOGY: INVESTIGATE HABITS OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR and MAPPING AND NAVIGATION: EXPLORE THE HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF FINDING YOUR WAY WITH 20 PROJECTS. She has a variety of solo projects as well as collaborative works with her best friend, Kyle O’Connell.

• Best Young Adult Book: CLEMENTINE, BOOK 2 by Tille Walden ’16 (Image Comics)

“Volume two capitalizes on its character growth to deliver an affecting graphic novel about growing up in the zombie apocalypse.” ―School Library Journal

In addition to being a graduate of CCS, Tillie is also a member of CCS faculty. In 2023, she was appointed Vermont’s fifth Cartoonist Laureate, its youngest. Tillie won the 2018 Eisner Award for “Best Reality-Based Work” for her graphic novel memoir SPINNING (First Second), which made her at 22 one of the youngest Eisner Award winners ever. She won another Eisner in 2020 for ARE YOU LISTENING? (First Second/Macmillan) in the “Best Graphic Album—New Material” category.

Selecting and honoring excellence in comic books, graphic novels, manga and more, the Harveys are industry awards selected by comic and publishing professionals. An institution of the comics industry since 1988, this year’s Harvey Awards return to New York Comic Con, October 17-20. To learn more about the awards and to see all the nominations, visit: harveyawards.com

Cartoonists, librarians, educators, and those working in the publishing field or at a book store can apply to vote. To apply to vote, visit: showclix.com/application/2024fgepo61qxmd72t

Congratulations everyone!