San Diego Comic-Con has announced the nominees for the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award.  The award is given to a comics artist, “who, early in his or her career, shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics.”  The winner will be announced at the Eisner Awards ceremony on July 25th at the show (the Eisner nominees were previously announced, see “Eisner Awards Share the Wealth”).

The nominees are:

Fred Chao of Johnny Hiro (Adhouse) 

Barry Deutsch of Hereville:  How Mirka Got Her Sword (self)

Cathy Malkasian of Percy Gloom (Fantagraphics)

Mukesh Singh of Shadow Hunter (Virgin)

Christian Slade of Corgi (Top Shelf)

Dave Stevens, who passed away this year, was the first recipient of the award in 1982.