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Acme Novelty Library is a singular and artistically adventurous comic book created by Chicago cartoonist Chris Ware and published by Fantagraphics Books. It is considered a significant work in alternative comics.
Issues are printed in different sizes and formats, sometimes a small paperback, sometimes a standard comic book, and sometimes a large "poster book" measuring 17 inches on a side. Each issue is composed of multiple stories with their own style and recurring characters, suggesting a compilation of strips, although all the work is done by Ware. A meticulous attention to detail is evident in every issue, making each volume a unique artistic work, with virtually nothing in common with traditional comic books.
The defining characteristics of Ware's work include a pervasive sadness and nihilism, tales of disappointment, thwarted affection, and the dehumanization of the individual in a modern and mechanized world. The series defies artistic and publishing conventions while remaining accessible.
Ware's first major graphic novel, Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth, a saga of a lonely childlike man and his alienated ancestors, was serialized here. Partly inspired by Ware's hopeful but unhappy reunion with an absentee father, the novel was later reissued in hardcover and paperback editions, to much acclaim.
Acme has also showcased early Ware comics like Quimby the Mouse from The Daily Texan; more recent strips from New City, a Chicago weekly paper; plus original novelties such as cut-outs, flip-books, and prose parodies set in tiny fonts.
Ware's next graphic novel, Rusty Brown, will be serialized starting with issue 16. With this issue Ware will be self-publishing the title with Fantagraphics acting as a distributor. Given his obsessive control over all aspects of publication this is not seen as a major issue.
Ware is one of comics' most unpredictable and versatile artists, going from style to style with no conspicuous effort. Yet consistently evident is his love for the aesthetics of early 20th century America; many strips achieve an "old-fashioned", almost iconic look.
Acme Novelty Library Series
Published by Fantagraphics Books thru #15, distributed by Fantagraphics #16-on.
- Winter 1993-1994 (Jimmy Corrigan)
- Summer 1994 (Quimby the Mouse)
- Fall 1994 (Potato Guy)
- Winter 1994-1995 (Sparky)
- 1995 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 1)
- Winter 1995-1996 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 2)
- 1996 (Joke Book - Big Tex, Rocket Sam)
- 1997 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 3)
- 1998 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 4)
- 1998 (Jimmy Corrigan)
- 1998 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 5)
- 1999 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 6)
- 1999 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 7)
- 2000 (Jimmy Corrigan, pt 8)
- 2001 (Joke Book II- Rocket Sam, Tales From The Future, and Quimby the Mouse)
- 2005 (Rusty Brown, pt 1 & Building Stories, pt 1) *
- 2006 (Rusty Brown, pt 2 & Building Stories, pt 2) *
The title been collected into volumes published by Pantheon Books (US), Fantagraphics Books (US) and Jonathan Cape (UK):
- Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth (2000), Pantheon / Cape (collects issue 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11-14).
- Quimby the Mouse (2003), Fantagraphics / Cape (collects issues 2 and 4 with additional material).
- The Acme Novelty Library Final Report to Shareholders and Rainy Day Saturday Afternoon Fun Book (2005), Pantheon / Cape (collects issues 7 and 15 with additional material).
Issues 1, 3 and 10 remain uncollected at this time.
Awards
The series has been widely recognized in the industry. It has won the Harvey Award for Best New Series of 1995, Best Continuing or Limited Series of 2000, and Best Continuing Series of 2001. Issues #7 and #13 won the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story of 1997 and 2000, respectively. Furthermore, Acme Novelty Library won the Harvey Special Award for Excellence in Presentation every year from 1995 to 1999, followed by wins in the same category for issue #13 in 2000, Jimmy Corrigan in 2001, and the Acme Novelty Datebook in 2004.
Acme Novelty Library also won the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series of 1996 and 2000; Best New Graphic Album of 2000 (for issue #13); and Best Publication Design of 1995, 1996, 1997 (for issue #7), and 2002 (for issue #15). Also, an Acme Novelty Library display stand won the Eisner Award for Best Comics-Related Product of 1998.
The series also won Ignatz Awards for Outstanding Series of 1997, 1998; Outstanding Comic of 1998 (issue #9) and 2000 (issue #13); and Outstanding Story of 2000 (for "Jimmy Corrigan").
Other awards won by Acme Novelty Library include Good Taste Awards for Best New Series of 1994; Best Continuing Series of 1995, 1996 (for issue #7), 1997, 1999 (for issues #11 to #13), and 2000; Best Single Issue of 1996 (for issue #7), 1999 (for issue #13), and 2000; Best Ongoing Serialized Story of 1999 (for "Jimmy Corrigan"); and Best Production Design of 1998, 1999, and 2000.
References
"Acme Novelty Library"