Phantom of the Attic, Oakland, among finalists for Eisner Retailer Award

My friend Barry Fisher, a comic-book aficionado from way back, called last night to ask if I'd heard that Phantom of the Attic on Craig Street in Oakland was a finalist for the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, given to an individual retailer considered outstanding in its support of the genre in the community and within the industry. He'd been talking to manager Wayne Wise, who passed along the info, and owner Jeff Yandora chatted with me today for a story in tomorrow's print editions.

What I didn't get in the story were the names of the other 11 Eisner finalists, which come from throughout the comics universe: This years nominees are: Acme Comics, Greensboro, NC; Big B Comics, Ontario, Canada; Comic Book Ink, Tacoma, WA; Comic Oasis, Las Vegas, NV; Comics & Vegetables, Tel Aviv, Israel; Comicopia, Boston, MA; Cosmic Monkey Comics, Portland, OR; Dragon's Lair Comics & Fantasy, Austin, TX; Drawn To Comics, Glendale, AZ; Happy Harbor Comics, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Krypton Comics, Omaha, NE; Legends Comics, Victoria, BC Canada; OK Comics, Leeds England; Tate's Comics, Fort Lauderdale, FL; The Comic Vault, Chicago, IL; and Up, Up & Away, Cincinnati, OH.

Tried to look up Comics & Vegetables Web site, but it's in Hebrew only. Sigh.

Anyone could nominate a favorite shop, but a panel of judges chose Phantom and the other finalists based on these criteria:

• Support of a wide variety of innovative material: Providing opportunities for creators' material to reach buyers; stocking a diverse inventory.
• Knowledge: Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.
• Community activity: Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.
• Quality of store image: Innovative display approaches; using store design creatively. Adherence to standard ethical business practices.

The awards will be announced during the Eisner Awards ceremony at Comic-Con International in San Diego on Friday, July 24.

*   *   *

On another comic books note, this came in the e-mail today:

Not sure what this is all about, but in case you'd like to check it out, too, the e-mail came with the subject line: Big Announcement from Marvel TONIGHT on Attack of the Show at 7PM on G4.

On tonight's edition of FRESH INK, Blair Butler delivers a big announcement from Marvel Comics. Two iconic characters will be re-imagined, as a critically acclaimed new artist and writer take over one of the Marvel Universe's edgiest comics and most recognizable heroes ...