This year’s Baltimore Comic-Con was more than just me running amok in Artist’s Alley a good time.  The ‘Con is where the annual Harvey Awards are held, and this year it looks like Saga stole the show.  (Deservedly so; if you’re not reading Saga, you really need to get on that asap.)

I’m also excited to see the Web comic Battlepug get a Harvey, Because pugs are awesome, and a Battlepug doubly so.

Read on for the complete list of winners — and CONGRATS to all!

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – September 17, 2013 – Comic Professionals came together Saturday night, September 7, 2013 to honor their peers during the presentation of the 2013 Harvey Awards, sponsored by Presenting Sponsor Guinness; Platinum Sponsors Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles; Gold Sponsors Boom! Studios, DC Entertainment, Third Eye Comics; Silver Sponsors ComicMix, Comic WOW!, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, Insight Studios; Friend Sponsors Steve Conley’s Bloop, Fantastic Forum, Graphitti Designs, and Painted Visions Comics, Cards & Games; and Gift Bag Sponsors Abrams ComicArts, BOOM! Studios, Dark Horse, DC Entertainment, Dynamite Entertainment, Fantastic Forum, Honest Tea, IDW Publishing, Popfun Collectibles, Random House publishing, Scholastic, and Valiant. The banquette to honor those nominated and the winners in more than 20 categories was hosted by the Baltimore Comic-Con and Cards, Comics & Collectibles.

Named in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the field of comics, and is the only industry award both nominated and selected by comic professionals. First awarded in 1988, it is one the industries oldest and most respected awards.

Writer Bill Willingham, best know as the scribe of Vertigo’s Fables, acted as host and Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event.

Special thanks go to the sponsors who generously donated to the 2013 Harvey Gift Bags, including: Abrams ComicArts; BOOM! Studios; Dark Horse Comics; DC Entertainment; Dynamite Entertainment; Fantastic Forum; Honest Tea; IDW Publishing; Popfun Collectibles; Random House Publishing; Scholastic Books; and Valiant Entertainment.

This year’s winners include:

Best Letterer:  Todd Klein, FABLES, DC Comics

Best Colorist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Syndicated Strip or Panel:  DICK TRACY, Joe Staton and Mike Curtis, Tribune Media Services

Best Online Comics Work:  BATTLEPUG, Mike Norton, http://www.battlepug.com/

Best American Edition of Foreign Material:  BLACKSAD: A SILENT HELL, Dark Horse

Best Inker:  Klaus Janson, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics

Best New Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Most Promising New Talent:  Dennis Hopeless, AVENGERS ARENA, Marvel Comics

Special Award for Humor in Comics:  Ryan North, ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Original Graphic Publication for Younger Readers:  ADVENTURE TIME, KaBOOM! Studios

Best Graphic Album Previously Published:  ALIEN: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY, Titan Books

Best Anthology:  DARK HORSE PRESENTS, various, Dark Horse

Best Domestic Reprint Project:  DAVID MAZZUCHELLI’S DAREDEVIL BORN AGAIN: ARTIST’S EDITION, IDW

Best Cover Artist:  David Aja, HAWKEYE, Marvel Comics

Best Biographical, Historical or Journalistic Presentation:  ROBOT 6 WEBSITE, Comic Book Resources

Special Award for Excellence in Presentation:  BUILDING STORIES, Chris Ware, Pantheon Books

Best Original Graphic Album:  RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE SCORE, IDW

Best Continuing or Limited Series:  SAGA, Image Comics

Best Writer:  Brian K. Vaughan, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Artist:  Fiona Staples, SAGA, Image Comics

Best Cartoonist:  Jaime Hernandez, LOVE AND ROCKETS: NEW STORIES

Best Single Issue or Story:  SAGA # 1, Image Comics

Dick Giordano Humanitarian of the Year Award:  Paul Levitz

Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award: Sal Buscema

In addition, the Baltimore Comic-Con would like to thank those individuals who presented at this year’s award ceremony, including: Joe Staton, Roger Langridge, Mark Buckingham, Ron Frenz, Dinesh Shamdasani, Bob Chapman, Josh Adams, Ramona Fradon, Mark Waid, Steve Geppi, Joe Hill, Dean Haspiel, Terry Moore, Neal Adams, Dan Parent, and Stan Sakai.  We would also like to thank Mark Wheatley for his contributions to our voting ballots, program guide for the evening, and awards ceremony presentation, and Glenn Hauman for his “web mastery”.

The Baltimore Comic will host the Harvey Awards for the ninth year during the 15^th annual show, taking place September 5-7, 2014.

In the coming monthss, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.