Norwegian comic artist Jason has been nominated has been nominated for two Eisner awards, the comic book equal to the Oscars, for his "The Left Bank Gang."
4/26/2007 :: Jason often communicates completely without words in his graphic novels, and generally in Jason's work, there is really very little need for linguistics. Jason is conscious of reaching a broad audience trancending language barriers, and also because his style requires very few words. He is nominated in the category "Best US Edition of International Material."
In The Left Bank Gang, however, Jason has left room for talk, as the premise of the novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, and James Joyce walking into a Parisian bar, requires some conversation. In Jason's world, these literary greats are graphic novelists, fitting, as cartooning is the dominant form of fiction. Not only do these four literary giants work in the comics medium but they get together to discuss pen vs. brush, chat about the latest graphic novels from Dostoevsky (“I can’t tell any of his characters apart!”) to Faulkner (“Hasn’t he heard of white space? His panels are too crowded!”), and bemoan their erratic careers.
"The Eisner award is the most important American award in the graphic genre" says Jason to Dagsavisen, adding "I'm very gratful for the nomination, and perhaps this could help my work reach a wider audience in the US. That's the most important part of a nomination like this for me, anyway"
The Left Bank Gang is also nominated in the category for best coloring, by Jason's colleague Hubert, as this novel is presented in full spectacular color. That is, Jason style, of course. Jason has previously won a Harvey Award in the US for the graphic novel Hey, Wait, and has been awarded the Norwegian Sproing-award. This is the second time he is nominated for an Eisner Award, the first time in 2003 with Hey, Wait.
Jason's newest novel will be published in Norway in less than a week, and is entitled Jeg drepte Hitler (I killed Hitler). The novel tells the tale of a hitman that travels back in time to kill Hitler, wich of course has its consequences.
The Will Eisner Award ceremony, named after the famed creator of the legendary Spirit series, will take place during the 38th Comic-Con in San Diego, July 25 through July 29, 2007.
Before that, however, both Jason's US publisher, Fantagraphics, and Jippi, his Norwegian publisher will be a part of this year's ArtFest in New York, presented by the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art). The Festival, which takes place on the weekend of June 23-24, will also feature for the first time a solid nordic presence, as Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark team up to present some of the most cutting edge work coming out of Northern Europe today.