WCCA Reactions, Part 2

In keeping with the WCCAs' approach to announcing the nominees, I'm going to dribble out my responses to the awards over the week.

1. Strong batch for Outstanding Comic, if a bit predictable (with the exception of last year's Outstanding Newcomer, Gunnerkrigg Court). Naturally, I want this to be Narbonic's year, and I think it has a shot, if only because it won't get another one.

2. If I had to delete every category in the awards but one, I wouldn't keep Outstanding Comic. I'd keep Outstanding Newcomer. Six great strips I hadn't read before, and four I hadn't even heard of! The discovery of new, exciting work is one of the best things the WCCAs have to offer the world.

3. My own favorite discoveries via the WCCAs: Lackadaisy by Tracey J. Butler and Dresden Codak by Aaron Diaz.

Tracey, here's your pull quote: a well-researched, jaw-droppingly drawn, side-splitting romp through a Prohibition-era St. Louis populated by talking cats. Talking cats. And Tracey Butler makes it look easy.

And Aaron, here's yours: I took one look at the latest Dresden Codak, and... I think I'm in love.

Tomorrow: But can these crazy kids make it work?