Lots of end-of-year nods for the company's books:

Tom the Dog calls Scurvy Dogs "terrifically funny."

Mike Sterling has some awfully nice things to say over at Progressive Ruin, including naming Demo and the Scurv as two of his favorite comics of the year.

Comics journalist/interviewer extraordinaire Chris Arrant singles out Demo as one of his favorite miniseries, and Ursula and Hench as two of his favorite graphic novels. In the "Comics I Wish I Read" category, he mentions 1000 Steps to World Domination. Good thing I have an autographed and sketched-in copy of that kicking around the office so I can send it off and start Chris' 2005 off right.

Am I the only one who has trouble not referring to Dorian Wright of Postmodernbarney.com as "pal Dorian" because I read Mike Sterling's references to him such so often, I ask rhetorically? Dorian has a great wrap-up, which brings the funny and the meaty content. Reading his blog is like watching a beloved 50's Rat Pack Vegas act: a few jokes, some camaraderie, a little sentiment, and a jaunty wave as the lights dim. This time out, Dorian names Demo (along with the frankly excellent We3) as Best Non-Super-Hero comic.

Laura Gjovaag names us "Best Publisher." I have to say, I am really warmly touched by that; thanks very much, Laura. "'Best Publisher' goes to AiT/Planet Lar, which, in addition to publishing a huge stack of really good books also took the time and effort to introduce comic book bloggers to those books. The AiT/Planet Lar listings have now become a must-read in Previews every month, and a huge number of their books made the nominee list." Laura also gives the "Coolest Book I Almost Didn't Buy" award to Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá's Ursula.

New Worcesterite Tim O'Neil has some awfully kind words for our company and for me in particular. Future generations will debate whether I was a holy angel what done saved comics with our superior entertainments or a demon tree-killer sent to sully superheroes and unfairly tempt those who only want to be left alone with their slabbed copies of Green Lantern. The results from Google searches will no doubt yield inconclusive results.

Fanboy Rampager Graeme McMillan names Tales From Fish Camp as one of his favorite comics this year, despite it not being a comic. You have to admit that's pretty impressive.

Laura also helps me prove that graphic novel backlist is a vital and even important part of the scene by naming February, 2003's True Story Swear to God: Chances Are... as the Best Comic Book of 2004: "A touching love story with humor, romance, joy, pain, and simple human flaws along with amazing triumph. Even a basic spelling problem becomes a plot point as the book references itself. This is a book I wouldn't hesitate to give to anybody. It's a great story, and it's done in such a way that it enriches the whole comic book medium. Kudos to AiT/Planet Lar for putting this out as a collection, and kudos to Tom Beland for creating this wonderful book in the first place."

...and finally, contrarian that I am, I use my last Loose Cannon of the year to apply academic scrutiny to Georgia O'Keeffe and Frank Lloyd Wright to make a sledgehammer point about "Best of 2004" lists. Oh, I'm a scamp, I am.