Score one … for the GOOD GUYS!
As part of last year’s Skepticism Month on AIPT, caricature artist and co-host of the Squaring the Strange podcast, Celestia Ward, reviewed the first three issues of the uniquely positive comic Hocus Pocus, about finding the truth in a world of illusion. Check out her interview with one of the co-writers, psychologist and magician Richard Wiseman!
Now, the little self-published book has been nominated for an EISNER AWARD! Keep reading for the press release with all the details, and let’s help get Hocus Pocus into the hands of voters, before the deadline of June 8!
Voting in the Will Eisner Comics Industry Awards opens this week and Richard Wiseman’s series HOCUS POCUS: Magic, Mystery & The Mind has received a surprise nomination for Best Limited Series. The Eisners are considered the pinnacle of comic-book honors. Previous winners in this category include Watchmen, Kingdom Come, Concrete and dozens more classic series.
Wiseman is best known as a professor of psychology, a skeptical parapsychologist, and an advisor to some of the world’s greatest magicians. Together with Rik Worth (writer), Jordan Collver (artist), and Owen Watts (colors), he devised the comic series, which looks at the science and history of the paranormal through strange-but-true stories; with unique interactive elements thrown into the mix.
Although the nomination is great news for the team, they still face a big challenge. Writer Rik Worth explains, “We’re blown away by the nomination. It’s practically unheard of for self-published comics to get to the Eisners. It’s like a YouTube video making it to the Oscars.
“The issue we have is that our book was a limited print-run, sold almost exclusively in the U.K. So many of our peers and other voters, particularly in the U.S., haven’t had a chance to read the book yet.
“We really want to give it a fighting chance so we are encouraging voters to get in touch with us so we can get the series in front of them. We’re up against the likes of Marvel, DC, and Image, and a stable of amazing creators, with our little funny book about magic. We need all the help we can get! It’s a long shot, but, as we prove in the comic, stranger things have happened.”
Voters can request review copies through the HOCUS POCUS website or contact Worth and Collver directly on Twitter at @RikWorth and @JordanCollver,
The team are currently working on their fifth and final issue and a forthcoming collection to be published later this year. You can sign up to the HOCUS POCUS newsletter for more details.
The Eisners are voted on by comics industry professionals, including creators, retailers and reviewers, and 2022’s winners will be announced at a ceremony at Comic-Con International on July 22. Voting closes on June 8.
AIPT Science is co-presented by AIPT and the New York City Skeptics.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.