About the award:

The direct market remains the way most comic-book stories get from creator to fan. ComicsPRO wants to honor those people who stand in that gap and help smooth the process. From publishers, distributors, marketers, creators and more, a lot of people are involved in bringing the stories we all love to market. ComicsPRO would like to stand up and recognize those who have been simply the best at what they do, making the comic-book direct market more successful for all of us. ComicsPRO has created The ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award to honor these individuals.

There are two categories for the Industry Appreciation Award, one for professionals who are still active in the business of comics and a Memorial Award one for those who have passed away and left an indelible mark on the profession of comic book specialty retailing. After a period of accepting nominations from members, the ComicsPRO Board of Directors presents the final ballot. Members will vote for one Award recipient from each category.

The nominees for the 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award are, in alphabetical order:
 
Cindy Fournier
David Gabriel
Robert Kirkman
Eric Stephenson
Bob Wayne
 
The nominees for the 2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award are Julius Schwartz and Phil Seuling.
 

We would like to thank all of the nominees for the work they do (and have done) to improve the comics specialty market!

2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award Nominees
 
Cindy Fournier
Fournier is the VP of Operations for Diamond Comic Distributors. In the comics field since 1987, Cindy did work for the mail order division of  Mile High Comics. She then went on to work for Alternate Realities distribution company, which was then acquired by Bud Plant Distribution.  After Bud Plant sold to Diamond, Cindy was transferred to Hayward, CA, to run Diamond’s distribution center there. Since 1989, Cindy has been working for Diamond in its home office of Timonium, MD, where she oversees the myriad of duties related to transportation, warehouse management and operations.  In a very critical role for the industry, Cindy is responsible for pulling together all the various aspects of making sure retailers get their shipments in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
 
David Gabriel
A native of Massachusetts, a graduate of Boston College and life long comic book fan, David Gabriel has never been too far from comics. While working for Bernstein Investment Management & Research, Gabriel dreamed of creating a mecca for comics, a dream that came to life in 1999 as he started the New York City Comic Book Museum. Then in 2003, Gabriel joined Marvel and revolutionized their trade paperback program, quickly ascending to the position of SVP, Sales & Circulation, in 2007. From that position, Gabriel works with retailers to craft programs and incentives for the Direct Market.
 
Robert Kirkman
Robert Kirkman is one of the most public faces of comics since “The Walking Dead” has become a cable TV ratings sensation.  He broke into comics in 2000, and in 2003, Kirkman and Cory Walker created “Invincible” for Image's new superhero line. Shortly after the debut of “Invincible,” Kirkman along with artist Tony Moore launched “The Walking Dead,” a series highly influenced by George Romero’s zombie movies. In July 2008, Kirkman was made a partner at Image Comics. As an Image partner, Kirkman was involved with reaching out to specialty retailers to find ways to improve Image's presence in Direct Market stores.  Upon forming the Skybound imprint at Image Comics in 2010, Kirkman continues to focus on the best ways for publishers and creators to partner with specialty shops.
 
Eric Stephenson
A 20-year veteran of the comic book field, Eric Stephenson started in 1992 as Jim Valentino’s assistant during the early days of Image Comics, before becoming editor at Rob Liefeld’s Extreme Studios. While at Extreme, Stephenson also scripted numerous comics, including “Youngblood” and “New Men.” After a brief stint as a freelance comics writer, he returned to Image in 2001 as Director of Marketing. In 2004, he became Executive Director, championing diversity in content and spearheading the development of “Put the Book Back on the Shelf,” an anthology inspired by the songs of Belle and Sebastian. He succeeded Erik Larsen as Publisher in 2008, and has furthered Image’s efforts to partner with the Direct Market.
 
 
Bob Wayne
Wayne, a former comic book retailer in the Dallas/Fort Worth TX area, joined DC Comics in the mid ‘80s as a Direct Sales manager and has been on the forefront of the changes in the comics business ever since. Currently serving as DC’s Senior Vice President—Sales, Wayne has always maintained his loyalty to the field of comics specialty retailing and has been responsible for many of DC’s retailer-friendly best practices. Wayne is a recipient of the Inkpot Award, commemorating his years of service to the comics industry and his work with Comic-Con International.

2012 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Memorial Award Nominees
 
Julius Schwartz
Schwartz started his career in 1932 as the co-publisher of “Time Traveller,” among the first science fiction fanzines. Schwartz, along with Mort Weisinger, founded the Solar Sales Service literary agency in 1934, where Schwartz represented such noted authors as Alfred Bester, Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, and H. P. Lovecraft. Schwartz also helped organize the first World Science Fiction Convention in 1939. In 1944 he went to work as an editor for All-American Comics, which soon merged with National Periodical Publications to form DC Comics. Schwartz was best-known for his work at DC Comics, which reinvigorated the superhero genre in the comics industry. His updating of 1940s characters for the modern era revolutionized DC Comics. He died in February 2004 at the age of 88.
 
 
Phil Seuling
The organizer and founder of the New York Comic Art Conventions of the ‘70s, Seuling was a founder of the direct-market form of comic-book distribution. Seuling, a school teacher with a passion for comics, arranged distribution deals to buy DC and Marvel Comics direct from the publishers. In 1974, Seuling founded Seagate Distribution, which sold comics non-returnably, and the Direct Market was born. In an age when comic shops were merely second-hand collectors’ stores, Seuling saw the potential for making a direct connection between comic publishers and their most rabid fans. Comic specialty shops are possible in part because of Seuling’s foresight more than 35 years ago. Phil Seuling passed away in 1984 at the age of 50.

Previous Awards

For more information, visit our Industry Appreciation Award Archive.

The 2011 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award winner is Stan Lee, the Memorial Award winner is Jack Kirby.

The 2011 nominees are Steve Geppi, Denis Kitchen, Stan Lee, Bill Schanes and Bob Wayne.

The 2011 memorial nominees are Will Eisner, Jack Kirby, Julius Schwartz and Phil Seuling.

The 2010 ComicsPRO Industry Appreciation Award winner is Paul Levitz, the Memorial Award winner is Carol Kalish.

The 2010 nominees are Neil Gaiman, Steve Geppi, Paul Levitz, Dave Sim and Bob Wayne.

The 2010 memorial nominees are Will Eisner, Carol Kalish, Julius Schwartz and Phil Seuling.