Ann Arbor, MI's Vault of Midnight Awarded 2010 Eisner Spirit Award
At a ceremony held Friday, July 23 at Comic-Con International: San Diego, owners Curtis Sullivan & Steve Fodale received the 2010 Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award for their Ann Arbor, MI store, Vault of Midnight, which keeps locals well stocked on "Comic Books & Stuff"!
Check out these photos of the award-winning store, submitted to Diamond Daily by Outside Sales Manager Dave Hawksworth! Plus, you can read more about the store at AnnArbor.com!
Please Note: This From the Road Photo Report was originally posted on January 25, 2004, and photos may not reflect the store's current size, product lines or appearance.
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VITAL STATS Owners: Curtis Sullivan & Steve Fodale Years in Business: 16+ Store Size: 4,000 sq. ft. Product Lines: Comics, Import Comics, Magazines, Graphic Novels & Trade Paperbacks, Books, Toys, DVD & Video, Apparel, Models & Statues, Trading Cards, Games, Posters & Prints, Supplies Special Events: Creator Signings, In-Store Gaming Comic Shop Locator Service Participant: Yes Free Comic Book Day Participant: Yes Website: www.vaultofmidnight.com What is your strength as a retailer?: Product knowledge. Our staff are experts, we read the books, we talk the books and we zero in on the talent creating the books. We stay connected with all forms of visual and audio entertainment. |
The Eisner Spirit Awards are part of, and underwritten by,Comic-Con International: San Diego, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of and appreciation for comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contributions of comics to art and culture.
Sponsored this year by Baby Tattoo, the "Spirit of Comics" Retailer Award has been given each year since 1993 to an individual retailer who has done an outstanding job of supporting the comic art medium, both in their community and within the industry at large. Any retailer established in business for at least two years is eligible for nomination, and retailers, professionals, or fans may place a name in nomination. A panel of industry judges select a group of finalists to be subjected to an in-depth examination based on award criteria, which were established by industry icon Will Eisner, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 87.
Criteria for judging include:
• 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/libraries; keeping active in social/business/arts community organizations.
• Quality of store image: innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.
• Adherence to standard ethical business practices.
Vault of Midnight’s fellow nominees this year were:
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A Comic Shop
Aaron Haaland & Jason Blanchard
Winter Park, FL -
Acme Comics
Jermaine Exum & Mark Austin
Greensboro, NC -
Astro-Zombies
Mike D’Elia
Albuquerque, NM -
Atomic Comics - Finalist
Mike Malve
Chandler, AZ -
Challengers Comics + Conversions - Finalist
Patrick Brower and W. Dal Bush
Chicago, IL -
Comic Book Ink
John & Sarah Munn
Tacoma, WA -
Comic Bug
Mike Wellman & Jun Goeku
Manhattan Beach, CA -
The Comic Vault
Matthew Sardo
Chicago, IL -
Comics & Vegetables - Finalist
Yuval Sharon, Danny Amitai
Tel-Aviv, Israel -
The Dragon - Finalist
Jennifer Stewart
Guelph, Ontario, Canada -
Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy - Finalist
David Wheeler
Austin, TX -
Green Brain Comics
Katie & Dan Merritt
Dearborn, MI -
Lightning Comics
Tim Boal
Coeur d'Alene, ID -
Not Just Comix
David Easter
Park Hills, MO -
Packrat Comics
Jamie and Teresa Colegrove
Hillard, OH -
R-Galaxy
Rick & Maritza Keefe
Tucson, AZ -
Travelling Man
Nabil Homsi
Manchester, England, UK -
Up, Up & Away
Kendall Swafford
Cincinnati, OH -
Warp 1 Comics and Games
Dave Bryenton & James Steer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Past winners (below) were not eligible for nomination. Below is a list of past winners of the Will Eisner “Spirit of Comics” Retailer Award. Click on the store name to read each recipient's From the Road Photo Report and profile (if available).
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2009
2008
2007
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
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1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
1993
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