ELMER Nominated for "Best Graphic Album-New" at the Eisner Awards
I actually found out about it last week when my publisher (SLG) sent an email congratulating me about it. I was asked not to share it yet until it was announced but for an entire week I was just reeling from the news. I still am. To be honest, it wasn't something I really thought about. I was happy Elmer found an international distributor and that was it. Being able to share my story with people from around the world was a prize enough for me. But I have to admit that now it's here, I'm very happy. I know it's mercilessly cliché (I hate cliché) but being nominated is such an incredible honor in itself. I'm so ready to have a couple of pigs roasted for the neighborhood right now. But then again, poor pigs. The nomination is a win for me already. I don't think about actually winning it now as there are lots of really awesome nominees. I'm just ecstatic to be counted among them.
Thanks to all those who sent in messages here, at Twitter and at Facebook. I was actually kind of overwhelmed at how much messages I got from you guys. It means a lot.
But let me say congrats to all other Filipinos who had gotten nominations this same year: Mark Torres and Deng Coy Miel (for Liquid City), Noel Tuazon (for Tumors), and Lynda Barry (for Picture This: The Near Sighted Monkey Book)
Filipinos have had a long history of nominations and wins at the annual Eisner Awards. The Filipino who may well have been the first Eisner Award winner was Ronnie Del Carmen in the category "Best Single Issue" for Batman Adventures Holiday Special in 1995. Other winners include Abel Laxamana in 2002 (Radioactive Man) and Lan Medina in 2003 (Fables).
Before there were Eisner Awards, there was the Inkpot Awards, also given annually at the San Diego Comics Convention. Other Filipinos won that award as well including Nestor Redondo and Alex Niño.
Right now I'm concentrating on doing my Marvel work as well as drawing "The Marvelous Adventures of the Amazing Doctor Rizal". I'm currently on panic mode at the moment. I haven't done as much work on that as I liked. But I'm going to do everything it takes to launch at at this year's 7th Komikon.
