The National Comics Awards was a series of awards for comic book titles and creators given out on an annual basis from 1997 to 2003 (with the exception of the year 2000) for comics published in the United Kingdom the previous year. The votes were by the U.K. comics fan community, and were open to anyone.

The Awards were founded in 1997 by comic creators Kev F Sutherland and Mark Buckingham.Johnston, Rich. "Bananaman – Or Miracleman?", Bleeding Cool (March 19, 2014). They took over for the UK Comic Art Awards, which were presented from 1990 to 1997 (which had themselves replaced the Eagle Awards, which were the dominant British comics awards from 1977 to 1990). The National Comics Awards were distinguished by the distinctive "Jimmy" statue designed by Buckingham.

Structure and categories The National Comics Awards were awarded by UK comics fans voting for work produced during the previous year. Financial supporters of the awards could have their companies' names added to an individual award, as well as having a representative of the business present the award at the ceremony..

The National Comics Awards were presented to individual creators as well as for publications and characters. There was also a section of the awards devoted to all-time lists. From 1997 to 1999, voters were required to pay to vote for the "Best Comic Ever" category, with all proceeds going to charity: in 1997 the category was "Best British Comic Ever," in 1998 it was "Best Comic in the World Ever," and in 1999 it was "Best Comic of the 20th Century" (with all proceeds going to the ChildLine Charity).

History The first National Comics Awards presentation took place 15 March 1997 at United Kingdom Comic Art Convention (UKCAC) in London, presented by Jonathan Ross and Paul Gambaccini.

In 1998 the Awards took place at the Manchester UKCAC.

The Awards were held at the Bristol Comic Festival in 1999, and from 2001 to 2003. There were no National Comics Awards presented in 2000, as the Eagle Awards were revived that year."Eagle Awards 2000: Sequential Tart Wins!", Sequential Tart. Accessed Jan. 15, 2020.

The 2002 Awards were hosted by Kev F Sutherland. Presenters included Mike Conroy and Dez Skinn of Comics International, Martin Averre of Ace Comics, Dave Finn of Incognito Comics, Mark Buckingham, Nick Parry-Jones of Red Route Distribution, The Comedian from Watchmen and Alice in Wonderland (a.k.a. character costume models Doug Oliver and Andrea Sanders), Dave Gibbons, Karen Berger, Jonathan Bryans and Bryan Liddiard of Naturesguard, Carol Bennett of Knockabout Comics, Rich Johnston, Alex Summersby of MacUnlimited, and Jim Valentino.Sutherland, Kev F. "NATIONAL COMICS AWARDS 2002: THE 5TH NATIONAL COMICS AWARDS RESULTS," 2000ADonline.org. Archived at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved Nov. 30, 2020.

The 2003 awards, presented in London at that year's Comic Festival, were sponsored by Red Route Distribution, Ace Comics, Incognito Comics, Tripwire, Knockabout Comics, SFX magazine, Bulletproof Comics, Comics International, Borders Books, and Diamond Previews.

After 2003 the major UK comics awards again became the Eagle Awards, until 2012 (2014) when they were discontinued.

Awards Individual awards Best Writer / Best Writer in Comics Today/Now 1997: Garth Ennis 1998: Grant Morrison 1999: John Wagner 2001: John Wagner, for Button Man and Judge Dredd (both in 2000 AD) 2002: Grant Morrison Alan Moore Warren Ellis John Wagner Brian Michael Bendis Garth Ennis Frank Miller Anonymous (The Beano) Robbie Morrison Neil Gaiman 2003: Dan Abnett John Wagner Grant Morrison Alan Moore Brian Michael Bendis Mark Millar Garth Ennis Mike Carey Gordon Rennie Andy Diggle

Best Artist / Best Artist in Comics Today/Now 1997: Alex Ross 1998: Steve Dillon 1999: Alex Ross 2001: Carlos Ezquerra for Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog (2000 AD), and Just a Pilgrim (Black Bull Comics) 2002: Frank Quitely Frazer Irving Bryan Hitch Carlos Ezquerra John Cassaday John Romita, Jr. Frank Miller Alan Davis Steve Dillon Alex Ross 2003 (sponsored by Ace Comics): Bryan Hitch Henry Flint Jock Nick Brennan Frazer Irving Frank Quitely Jim Lee Karl Richardson Steve Dillon Carlos Ezquerra

Best New Talent 2001 (tie): Frazer Irving, for Necronauts in 2000 AD Jock, for Judge Dredd in 2000 AD 2002: Frazer Irving John Watson Mike Carey Tan Eng Huat Simon Spurrier Nick Locking Ed Brubaker Geoff Johns Jock Judd Winick 2003 (sponsored by Tripwire): Andy Diggle (writer, Lady Constantine (DC), Snow Tiger (2000 AD)) Karl Richardson Simon Spurrier Andy Clarke Antony Johnston Frazer Irving Brian K. Vaughan Jai Sen Dom Reardon Bruce Jones

Publication awards Best Comic (British) 1997: 2000 AD 1998: 2000 AD 1999: 2000 AD

Best Comic Now 2002: The Beano 2000 AD Transmetropolitan New X-Men Planetary Lucifer Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again 100 Bullets X-Force Ultimate Spider-Man

Best Comic in the World Today 2001: 2000 AD, edited by Andy Diggle (Rebellion Developments) 2002: The Beano 2000 AD Watchmen The Sandman Preacher X-Men Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Spider-Man Batman V for Vendetta 2003 (Comics International Award for Comic of the Year): 2000 AD The Dandy Warhammer Monthly The Ultimates The Beano Judge Dredd Megazine The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Fables New X-Men Daredevil 100 Bullets Batman Hellblazer Alias Lucifer Three Days in Europe Y: The Last Man The Amazing Spider-Man The Filth Ultimate X-Men

Best New Comic 1997: British: Octobriana Int'l: Hitman (DC Comics) 1998: British: Gyre Int'l: Transmetropolitan (DC) 1999: British: Warhammer (Games Workshop) Kane Sleaze Castle Strangehaven The Beano Int'l: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (DC/ABC) 2001: Green Arrow, by Kevin Smith and Phil Hester (DC Comics) 2002: Ultimates The Establishment New X-Men Alias Doom Patrol Origin Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again Batgirl Catwoman Muties 2003: Y: The Last Man (Vertigo Comics) Fables Jack Staff Three Days in Europe The Filth Lady Constantine Courtney Crumrin Pop London The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. 2 Judge Dredd vs. Aliens

Best Self-Published/Independent 1997: Strangehaven, by Gary Spencer Millidge 1998: Kane, by Paul Grist 1999: Class of '79Sims, Chris. "2000 AD Immortalizes Harry Heston, Gorilla Judge, After Creator's Untimely Death," Comics Alliance (September 19, 2016). 2001: Petra Etcetera, by Terry Wiley, Dave McKinnon and Ady Kermode 2002: Zarjaz Jack Staff Strangehaven Cerebus Bone Petra Etcetera Hardly The Hog Finder Arsenic Lullaby Diesel Sweeties 2003 (sponsored by Knockabout Comics): Jack Staff by Paul Grist Zarjaz Fred the Clown The Girly Comic Miranda Oddcases Strangehaven 30 Days of Night Bone Devilchild

Best Comic (International) 1997: Preacher (DC Comics) 1998: Preacher (DC) 1999: Preacher

Best Cover 1997: Kingdom Come #1, by Alex Ross (DC Comics)

Best Individual Story 1997: Kingdom Come #1, by Mark Waid and Alex Ross (DC Comics)

Best Collected Series or Graphic Novel 1999: Superman For All Seasons 2003 (sponsored by Borders Books): Daemonifuge (Kev Walker and Jim Campbell) — Black Library Press The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Rosemary's Backpack (Drew Gilbert and Antony Johnston) 30 Days of Night (Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith) The Ultimates vol. one The Dark Knight Strikes Again Catwoman: Selina's Big Score Fables: Legends In Exile The Redeemer (Pat Mills, Debbie Gallagher, Wayne Reynolds) After the Snooter (Eddie Campbell)

Best Newspaper Strip / Best Online Strip 1997: Calvin & Hobbes 1998: Calvin & Hobbes 1999: Calvin & Hobbes 2002: The Atrocity Bobbins Marshal Law Super Idol Dilbert Sluggy Freelance Nowhere Girl Bullpen Bits (Marvel) Squidbitz Astounding Space Thrills 2003 (sponsored by Bulletproof Comics): Fred the Clown (Roger Langridge) Oddcases Nowhere Girl Red Meat Bash Street Kids Capers Juniper Crescent PvP Astounding Space Thrills Death Takes a Holiday Miffy (Borderline)

Best Comic-based Multimedia 1997: Spawn figures, produced by Todd Toys

Best Comic-based Film/TV 1997: The Adventures of Lois & Clark 1998: Men in Black 1999: Blade 2001: X-Men, directed by Bryan Singer (20th Century Fox) 2002: Ghost World X-Men Smallville Spider-Man Blade II Dennis The Menace From Hell Batman (animated) Justice League (animation) X-Men: Evolution 2003 (Sponsored by SFX magazine): Spider-Man Daredevil X2 Smallville Road to Perdition Blade II Justice League American Splendor Birds of Prey Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future

Best Specialist Comics Publication / Best Specialist Magazine or Website 1997: Comics International 1998: Tripwire 1999: Comics International 2001: Comics International magazine (and website) published by Dez Skinn 2002: Borderline 2000adonline.com Comics International Beanotown Wizard Komixworld Comic Book Resources Ninth Art DC Comics.com Tripwire 2003 (sponsored by Diamond Previews): Comics International 2000adonline.com Borderline Ninth Art Tripwire Black Library Beanotown Newsarama Silver Bullet Comics Sequential Tart

Character awards Best Character 1997: Batman (DC Comics) 1998: Batman (DC) 1999 (tie): Batman Judge Dredd 2001: Judge Dredd, Created by John Wagner & Carlos Ezquerra, published in 2000 AD 2002: Judge Dredd (2000 AD) Dennis the Menace Batman Spider-Man Spider Jerusalem (Transmetropolitan) Nikolai Dante Roger The Dodger John Constantine (Hellblazer) Daredevil Superman 2003: Judge Dredd Blinky (The Dandy) John Constantine Batman Kal Jerico Nikolai Dante Spider-Man Wolverine Desperate Dan Sláine

Best Supporting Character 1997: Cassidy (Preacher) 1998: Cassidy (Preacher) 1999: Judge Galen DeMarco 2001: Natt The Hat, from Hitman comic by John McCrea and Garth Ennis 2002: Gnasher Wulf Sternhammer Barbara Gordon/Oracle (Birds of Prey, Batman) Alfred (Batman) Cassidy (Preacher) Lex Luthor (Superman, Batman) Nightwing (Nightwing, Batman) Sinister Dexter Deena Pilgrim (Powers) Doop (X-Force) 2003: Big Yellow Dog (from Blinky, in The Dandy, by Nick Brennan) Gnasher Ukko the Dwarf Wulf Sternhammer Scabbs (Kal Jerico) Judge Hershey Chesters Aliens Jekyll/Hyde (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) Joe Pineapples Beryl the Peril's Dad

Most Missed Character, Strip, or Comic 1997: Dan Dare 1998: Dan Dare 1999: Johnny Alpha (Strontium Dog)

All-time awards Best Comics Writer Ever 2001: Alan Moore, for Watchmen, Swamp Thing (DC Comics), V for Vendetta, Miracleman (Quality Communications), Halo Jones (2000 AD) 2002: Alan Moore John Wagner Stan Lee Neil Gaiman Grant Morrison Frank Miller Alan Grant Pat Mills Anonymous (The Beano) Garth Ennis 2003 (sponsored by Red Route Distribution): Alan Moore John Wagner Grant Morrison Stan Lee Dan Abnett Neil Gaiman Alan Grant Frank Miller Gordon Rennie Pat Mills

Best Comics Artist Ever 2001: Carlos Ezquerra, for Judge Dredd 2002: Jack Kirby Brian Bolland Carlos Ezquerra Mike McMahon Alex Ross Neal Adams Alan Davis Frank Miller Simon Bisley Will Eisner 2003 (sponsored by Incognito Comics): Jack Kirby Carlos Ezquerra Brian Bolland Dave Gibbons Colin MacNeil Will Eisner Mike McMahon Simon Bisley Bryan Talbot John Buscema

Best British Comic Ever 1997: The Beano The Eagle Viz Comic 2000 AD

Best Comic in the World Ever 1998: The Eagle

Best Comic of the 20th Century 1999: The Eagle

Roll of Honor/Lifetime Achievement 1997: Dez Skinn 1998: Archie Goodwin 1999: Bob Kane 2002: Alan Moore John Wagner The Beano Stan Lee Frank Miller Phil Hall Mike McMahon Pat Mills Alan Grant Will Eisner 2003: John Wagner Stan Lee Alan Moore Will Eisner Pat Mills Rich Johnston Carlos Ezquerra Frank Miller John Buscema Alan Grant

See also Eagle Award Ally Sloper Award

References