After months of deliberation, tears and tribulations (and a lot of reading), eight books have been selected and the Shortlist for the
2012 Stan Lee Excelsior Award have now been revealed.
The titles include just one British title - the stunning
Wuthering Heights from Classical Comics, which was drawn by John M. Burns (read our review), but some British creators also get a nod as creators of some of the books.
Here's the full list, links are to the titles on amazon.co.uk
• Chimichanga
by Eric Powell
When Wrinkle's Travelling Circus' most adorable little bearded girl trades a lock of her magic beard hair for a witch's strange egg, she stumbles upon what could be the saving grace for her ailing freakshow - the savory-named beast: Chimichanga!
• Gate 7
by Clamp
Chikahito Takamoto has always read about the beauty and mystique of Japan's ancient capital city, Kyoto. Now, two years into high school, he's finally visiting there for real. But wandering the grounds of Kyoto's legendary Shinto shrine of Kita no Tenmangu, he chances upon a mystery that his guidebooks didn't prepare him for - two handsome men and an attractive woman, all strangely-garbed, wielding powers...and fighting monsters! The two men treat poor Chikahito with suspicion - but the girl seems to like him. They aren't worried about what Chikahito's just seen, because they have the power to erase his memory... except for some reason, that power doesn't work! And why does the girl kiss him before sending him away? One thing's for sure: Chikahito is going to be seeing a lot more of these three strangers...
• FF (Volume 1)
by Jonathan Hickman, Steve Epting and Barry Kitson
"FF" picks up Jonathan Hickman's run on Marvel's first family after the death of the Human Torch. The group is rebranded as the Future Foundation, and lots of newbies join the team, no longer restricted to just four members, including Spider-Man.
• Green Lantern: Secret Origin
by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis
Witness the beginning of the career of the bravest Green Lantern who's ever lived as the secret origin of Hal Jordan is revealed. This title helps you to discover how and why Hal received the power ring. It also helps you to uncover the mystery of Abin Sur's death. This title helps you to find out why Jordan's teacher and mentor, Sinestro, became obsessed with the prophecy of the apocalyptic end of the universe 'the Blackest Night'.
• Marineman: A Matter of Life and Death
by Ian Churchill
Follow the journey of Marineman from celebrated marine biologist and TV presenter to sea-breathing marine superhero as Ian (
Hulk,
Supergirl) Churchill's critically-acclaimed Marineman series is collected into one feature-filled volume packed with bonus material and a foreword by industry legend and
Watchmen co-creator, Dave Gibbons.
• Sita: Daughter of Earth
by Saraswati Nagpal and Manikandan
In an ancient age, when gods and goddesses walked with mortals... ...Sita is the kind-hearted and intelligent princess of the kingdom of Videha. Married to Rama, prince of Ayodhya, her journey in life takes her from exhilaration to anguish... Along the way, she has to leave behind the luxury of royal comforts and live the simple, harsh life of a forest dweller where lurking in every shadow is danger... Ensnared in the evil plans of the wicked demon-king Ravana, Sita is abducted and hidden away in Lanka. Will Rama muster up a strong army to rescue Sita from the demon’s clutches? Will Sita return to Ayodhya to become queen of the land... or is she destined to be mistrusted and live alone for the rest of her life? Adapted from the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana, this is a touching tale of love, honour, and sacrifice that reveals one woman’s shining strength in an unforgiving world.
• Star Wars: Blood Ties
by Tom Taylor and Chris Scalf
Shortly before the start of the Clone Wars, Count Dooku sends Jango Fett on a mission that will affect the course of Boba Fett's life some twenty years later. But for now, neither of them knows what the future holds in store, and besides, they have their schedule filled dodging monsters and fighting bad guys!
• Wuthering Heights
(Quick Text version)
by Emily Bronte, adapted by Sean M. Wilson and John M. Burns
This title presents the full story in quick modern English for a
fast-paced read! Emily Bronte's only novel is famous the world over -
not least because of Kate Bush's 1978 'tribute song' - but don't let
that trivialise this masterpiece of classical literature. Hardship,
insanity, cruelty, frustrated love, and ghosts; what more could you want
from a book?
To see the shortlist for yourself, please visit the
official website's 'Shortlist 2012' page - click the covers for more details from the publisher's web site.
Other new features on the Excelsior website include Russell Wall's and James Guy's terrific promotional trailer for the shortlist (
www.excelsioraward.co.uk) and the new 'Resources' section which currently features
a variety of award posters which can be downloaded as PDF files and printed out for use in libraries or bookstores.
