2018 Groundbreaking Graphic Novel Claims Nominations in Eisners, Harveys, Ringos and Ignatz Awards
ST LOUIS, MO–Ezra Claytan Daniels’ Upgrade Soul, one of the most talked about graphic novels of 2018, was named as one of the nominees in the “Graphic Reprints” category of the Eisner Awards earlier this year. Since then, the book was nominated in the Harvey Awards “Book of the Year” category, alongside Daniels’ other work, BTM FDRS (Fantagraphics).
This week, it was also announced that Upgrade Soul was nominated for “Best Graphic Novel” in the Ringo Awards, with Ezra Claytan Daniels nominated for “Best Artist or Penciler.”
The book rounded out the industry’s top honors with yesterday’s announcement of an Ignatz nomination for “Outstanding Graphic Novel.”
Upgrade Soul had previously won the 2017 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics with an unproofed PDF. The book was immediately picked up by Lion Forge, and announced for publication in September 2018 to universal acclaim, including starred reviews and multiple recommendations and year-end list mentions from influential critics and publications alike.
Writer/illustrator Ezra Claytan Daniels says “I can't even express how much of an honor it is to have my first published book so enthusiastically embraced by the comics industry. It only galvanizes for me the importance of sticking by your vision and not taking any platform you're lucky enough to have for granted.”
Upgrade Soul is the story of an elderly couple who become the guinea pigs of a visionary procedure that aims to revivify them by filtering toxins from their bodies on a molecular level. When the procedure experiences a fatal complication, the couple is faced with severely deformed, though intellectually superior, duplicates of themselves. Soon, it becomes clear that only one version of each individual can survive, and the psychological battle for dominance begins.
Upgrade Soul was originally released as a digital graphic novel (relaunching for iOS in October) featuring an original score by celebrated experimental musician/composer Alexis Gideon, to be released by Chicago’s “For Practically Everyone” Records in a deluxe vinyl edition later this year.
The soundtrack available for preorder now through the FPE website, and Bandcamp.
About the Author: Ezra Claytan Daniels is a writer and illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. His critically acclaimed graphic novel series, The Changers, began a unique career peppered with a number of collaborative multimedia projects ranging from video games to animation to feature documentaries. Ezra is the creator of the popular live art spectacle, the Comic Art Battle, which was a staple of the Stumptown Comics Festival and the template for countless iterations at comics and art events throughout the country, as well as Loaded Blanks Greeting Cards, a line of fill-in-the-blank comic-art greeting cards featuring both established as well as up-and-coming comics artists. Ezra collaborated with Chicago-based chamber group Fifth House Ensemble on the narrative concert series Black Violet. He also contributed animation to experimental hip-hop luminary Alexis Gideon’s Video Musicsseries of animated rap operas and has worked on several interactive projects with esteemed interactive artist Erik Loyer. His most recent collaboration, The Golden Chain, an animated short film co-directed with experimental video artist Adebukola Bodunrin, has screened at the Whitney Museum of American Art, the British Film Institute, the International Film Festival Rotterdam, MFA Boston, REDCAT Theater, ATA San Francisco, and at Art Basel, Switzerland. In 2017, The Golden Chainwas acquired by the Whitney for their permanent collection. Ezra’s latest graphic novel, Upgrade Soul, began life as a pioneering immersive serialized graphic novel for iOS in 2012. Upgrade Soulhas been frequently featured on the Apple App Store, was named a 2013 IndieCade Finalist, and has exhibited at the Hyde Park Art Center, the Wexner Center for the Arts, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Upgrade Soul was a featured project at the Fantoche International Animation Festival in Baden, Switzerland, Haarlem Stripdagen in Amsterdam, and the Fumetto International Comics Festival in Lucerne.
Daniels is repped by Paradigm on behalf of Chad Luibl of Janklow & Nesbit.
About Lion Forge Comics: Lion Forge strives to publish comics for everyone to enjoy, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, or cultural background. The original graphic novel Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven was nominated for three Glyph Awards, as well as the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity, and Lighter Than My Shadow was voted the 2017 Graphic Novel of the Year by Amazon. In 2018, the Dwayne McDuffie Award-winning Upgrade Soul was selected as one of the year’s best books by Publisher’s Weekly. Lion Forge Comics includes the Roar imprint for young adults, the Caracal imprint for middle-grade aged children, the CubHouse imprint for early readers, and the Quillion imprint, bringing together comics and tabletop gaming. It is also home to the Magnetic Collection of premium and critically acclaimed comics and graphic novels, boasting multiple Eisner Award nominees. Across multiple imprints and formats that include licensed properties like DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender, original works from top independent creators, and the original and all-inclusive Catalyst Prime superhero universe, Lion Forge publishes something for every level of comic book fan, young and old.
About Oni Press
Established in 1997, Oni Press’s curated line includes a variety of award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels, including: Adult Swim’s Rick and Morty™, Nickelodeon’s Invader ZIM, Scott Pilgrim,Queen & Country, Courtney Crumrin, Wasteland, The Sixth Gun, Stumptown, Wet Moon, Letter 44, The Bunker, The Tea Dragon Society, The Coldest City, and Kaijumax.
About Polarity
Polarity is a diversified global media company founded in 2018, with a mission to bring authentic content to a diverse global audience. The name Polarity conveys opposing forces and a global perspective to build a captivating range of assets. To create a richer content experience and offering, we believe in the value of embracing diversity and highlighting opposing views and voices.
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