The Harvey Awards has revealed this year’s inductees into the Hall of Fame, ahead of the ceremony to be held Friday, October 18, during this year’s New York Comic Con. They are: Akira Toriyama, Arthur Adams, Larry Hama, Sergio Aragonés, and John Buscema.
“This year’s induction class includes legendary manga creator Akira Toriyama, and we gratefully honor his genius by inducting him into our Hall of Fame,” said John Lind, co-chair of the Harvey Awards, via a press release provided to Comic Book Club. “We at the Harvey Awards are also thrilled to finally induct Sergio Aragonés, a cartoonist whose work defined MAD magazine for a legion of die-hard fans. Additionally, we’re inducting Arthur Adams, one of the most influential artists of his generation—he is your favorite artist’s favorite artist—and Larry Hama, who made long-lasting contributions to comics and pop culture and helped build a world around G.I. Joe that still resonates with fans.
“Finally, we’ll posthumously induct the esteemed John Buscema, a prolific artist whose work helped shape the look of Marvel Comics throughout the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.”
Toriyama passed away earlier this year in March, at age 68. On the honor, Bird Studio Co., Ltd. and Capsule Corporation Tokyo released the following statement: “We are very honored to receive the news that Akira Toriyama has been selected for the prestigious Harvey Award Hall of Fame. As a creator, he had always said that his work says it all. We are especially grateful to the American fans for their long-standing enthusiasm and dedicated support. We hope you will continue to support his work for many years to come as we continue to develop and expand upon his masterpieces.”
This year’s 36th annual awards ceremony will also honor winners in the categories Best Manga, Best Digital, and Book of the Year, and will be hosted by Brad and Lisa Gullickson, hosts of the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast.
Read the rest of the statements from the honorees, below:
“I am deeply honored to be inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame,” said Larry Hama. “I first met Harvey Kurtzman in 1966, when as a student at the High School of Art and Design, I would visit the office of HELP! magazine. He and art director Terry Gilliam were extremely kind to this nerdy fanboy cartoonist wannabe, and opened flat-file drawers to show me original art by R. Crumb, Willy Elder, John Severin, Jack Davis, and many others. His open, welcoming nature made me feel that my goals were not as unreachable as I feared them to be.”
“What an honor it is to be inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame,” said Sergio Aragonés. “Harvey was a great inspiration to me and so many other cartoonists.”
John Buscema’s daughter, Dianne Buscema Gerogianis, shared the following: “We are honored on behalf of my father and wish to thank all who have selected him for the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame. Thank you for keeping his legacy alive.”
Upon learning of his induction, Arthur Adams said, “Wow! What an unexpected honor! And to be inducted with these four giants of the comics industry! Amazing! Thank you so much Harvey Awards! I’m shocked!”
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