The nominees have been announced for the 2019 Russ Manning Most Promising Newcomer Award, named for the creator of Magnus, Robot Fighter and illustrator of the Tarzan and Star Wars comic strips.
Presented annually since 1982, the award recognizes an artist who, early in his or her career, “shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics.” Previous winners include Dave Stevens, Eleanor Davis, Jeff Smith, Marion Churchland, David Petersen, Tyler Crook, Dan Mora and Anne Szabla.
Congratulations to this year’s nominees:
Lorena Alvarez,writer/artist of Hicotea and Nightlights (Nobrow)
Ellen T. Crenshaw, artist of Kiss Number 8 (First Second)
M. J. Kim, artist of Faith: Dreamside (Valiant)
Sumit Kumar, artist of These Savage Shores (Vault Comics) and Ruin of Thieves (Action Lab)
Kieran McKeown, artist of Halo: Lone Wolf (Dark Horse)
The nominees were chosen by a panel consisting of board and committee members of Comic-Con International and a San Diego comics retailer. The winner will be chosen by past Manning award winners and Russ Manning assistants. The recipient will be announced during the Eisner Awards ceremony on the evening of July 19 at Comic-Con International in San Diego.