It can be a bit tricky to navigate, however, and there's more there than an initial search might reveal. With patience, however, you can scroll back in time to see what folks were talking about way back when. In some ways, it doesn't seem long ago at all. In other ways, it does seem like a long time ago.
Below is a post by Ryan D. Mathews that was posted on the newsgroup rec.arts.comics on February 14, 1990, presenting the results of his fellow posters' choices for the best comics (and creators) of the previous year, 1989. (Around 50 people voted.) Reading something like this makes me wish that I had been online myself back in those early days.
This 1989 poll, and other newsgroup polls from both before and after 1989, can be found here. That website posts just the results, while I have retained the complete text of the original post below. This poll also contains (at the end) a survey for fan choices for the best comics of the entire decade of the 1980s.
Who knows, I may decide to unearth more old internet postings and share them here on this blog.
______________________________________________________________________________
Results of the 1989 R.A.C Comics Awards Poll
Path: gmdzi! unido!mcsun! uunet!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!
sunybcs!kitalpha.cs.buffalo.edu!mathews
From: mat...@kitalpha.cs.buffalo.edu (Ryan D Mathews)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics
Subject: Results of the 1989 R.A.C Comics Awards Poll
Message-ID: <17709@eerie.acsu.Buffalo.EDU>
Date: 14 Feb 90 05:41:07 GMT
Sender: nob...@acsu.Buffalo.EDU
Reply-To: mat...@kitalpha.cs.buffalo.edu (Ryan D Mathews)
Organization: State University of New York at Buffalo/Comp Sci
Lines: 474
Posted: Wed Feb 14 06:41:07 1990
THE POLLS ARE CLOSED...
Well, it's been almost two months, but here it is. The official word
on what us r.a.c'ers liked the most about comics in 1989. I've had fun
compiling this poll, but I've also found out why some people called me
a masochist when I announced that I was doing the poll this year.
There are some surprises to be found in this year's results:
- For the first time, a single entry was a contender for both Favorite
Character and Favorite R.A.C'er
- Possibly the biggest blowout ever in poll history occurred, due to the addition of a new catagory.
- The two gods of the R.A.C Poll both faced stiff competition, and one
of them had to settle for a tie.
Since it could in some way have altered the accuarcy of the poll, I
feel you deserve to know the biggest problems I had in running this
thing. Those of you who would rather read the results than listen to
me whine, feel free to page ahead.
** When the poll is run next year (assuming I'm still doing it, and,
unless something weird happens, that will be the case) I will
explicitly state NO TIE VOTES! I got a few this time. I thought about
various courses of action, including writing these people and telling
them to redo what was in some cases the entire poll, but eventually I
caved in, based mostly on the fact that I had never actually said "no
ties", and gave multiple votes. Now, this shouldn't affect the
accuracy too much, since such votes were only about 5 of the about 50
people who voted, and also since the tie votes tended to consist of
votes for obscure creators, characters, or books that weren't going to
get more than one vote anyway. (BTW, fractional votes are out of the
question. I HATE fractions.)
** There's a hole in the catagories that I hadn't seen. I guess I
figured, the catagories had been used before, the bugs must have been
worked out, right? [BUZZ!] Wrong! Look at the following catagories.
Favorite limited series, 12 or fewer issues
Favorite book, more than 12 issues
Favorite new continuing series
I was sure that this covered everything. Then I realized that some
comics don't put out 12 issues a year. All comics that did not have
their #1 issue published in 1989, yet still hadn't made it to #12 fell
through this hole. This in no way affects accuracy, it just means that
certain comics (usually independents) didn't get a catagory. I will
fix this next year by replacing "more than 12 issues" with
"established" simply meaning that the title is more than a year old.
I believe the cancelled Stinz was one of these comics. Some voters got
around this by voting for it as a limited series. Which brings me to
my next gripe.
** This was an honor poll. By that I meant that I hoped everyone would
hold themselves to the restrictions on what qualified and what didn't.
As far as I know, everyone did so, but there were a few mistakes. I
have a long way to go before I am a certified expert on comics. Still,
I did catch some (I hope most) of the mistakes. When multiple people
made the same "mistake", however, I had to assume that they knew what
they were talking about. So if you see some things in the results that
you know didn't qualify, please don't flame me. I did my best.
** By a strange quirk, Sandman qualified for both new series and
series with more than 12 issues, since I didn't explicitly say
anything about when those 12 issues had to be published. Oh, well,
another one for experience.
Despite those few minor problems, I still think this is an accurate
view of the tastes of r.a.c'ers, due mainly to the size of the
sampling. This poll was successful beyond my wildest dreams, netting
nearly 50 voters (I had initially hoped for 20, based on the response
to a trivia contest last year). This should drown out any anomalies.
The make-your-own-catagory bit was successful as well. I've compiled
those and am sending them out as a separate post.
Anyway, here they are...
The results of The Official 1989 R.A.C Comic Awards Poll!
---------------
Favorite artist:
This was a tossup between McFarlane and Sienkiewicz for most of the
two-month polling period, with McKean coming from behind.
Dave McKean.............9
Todd McFarlane..........5
Bill Sienkiewicz........5
Alan Davis..............3
Gerhard.................3
Norm Breyfogle..........2
Paul Chadwick...........2
Adam Hughes.............2
Scott McCloud...........2
Angel Medina............2
Walter Simonson.........2
Reed Waller.............2
Tied with one: Art Adams, Kyle Baker, Donna Barr, Brian Bolland, John
Byrne, Keith Giffen, Jaime Hernandez, Jamie Hewlett, Brendan McCarthy,
John J. Muth, Tim Sale, Mark Schultz, Matashume Shiro, Dave Sim, Bryan
Talbot, John Totleben, Michael Zulli
---------------
Favorite writer:
Well, the result is what we expected, but look at the margin of
victory! Moore needed some late votes to put Morrison away; Gaiman
came on late.
Alan Moore..............9
Neil Gaiman.............8
Grant Morrison..........8
Dave Sim................7
Peter David.............3
Ben Edlund..............3
Keith Giffen............3
Chester Brown...........2
Scott McCloud...........2
Tied with one: Donna Barr, Jim Bricker, Paul Chadwick, Alan Grant,
Gilbert Hernandez, Larry Marder, Hiyado Miyazaki, Ann Nocenti, Mark
Schultz, Dave Sim, Roy Thomas, Mark Verheiden, Kate Worley
----------------------
Favorite creative team:
Another stiff competition. The only reason CC and team one is because
they got the last vote.
Chris Claremont/Alan Davis/Paul Neary......12
Dave Sim/Gerhard...........................11
Neil Gaiman/Sam Keith.......................3
Neil Gaiman/Dave McKean.....................2
Keith Giffen/Tom and Mary Bierbaum..........2
Ann Nocenti/John Romita, Jr/Al Williamson...2
Tied with one: Donna Barr/Hughes/Magyar, Mike Baron/Steve Rude, Jaime
Delano/Richard Piers Rayner, Steve Gerber/ Bryan Hitch, Alan
Grant/Norm Breyfogle, Mark Gruenwald/Paul Ryan, The Brothers
Hernandez, Pat Mills/Kevin O'Neill, Todd McFarlane/Rick Parker, Alan
Moore/David Lloyd, Alan Moore/John Totleben, Grant Morrison/Richard
Case, Grant Morrison/Dave McKean, Roy Thomas/Jackson Guice, Matt
Wagner/Tim Sale/Bernie Mirault, Reed Waller/Kate Worley
-------------------------------------------
Favorite limited series, 12 or fewer issues:
Well, this doesn't really need saying, does it? V would have won by
more, but I think some people didn't realize it qualified.
V for Vendetta.........13
Stinz...................5
Aliens..................3
Nausicaa................3
Black Orchid............3
Black Kiss..............2
Electric Undertow.......2
Hawkworld...............2
Kings in Disguise.......2
Skreemer................2
Stray Toasters..........2
Tied with one: Adv. of Luther Arkwright, Grey, Justice Inc., Plastic
Man, Predator, Relentless Pursuit, Marshall Law, Meltdown, Moonshadow
----------------------------------
Favorite book, more than 12 issues:
Another predictable result. The aardvark had a lead by the end of
January, and he never let go.
Cerebus................13
Sandman.................6
Zot!....................6
Excalibur...............5
Love and Rockets........3
Grendel.................2
Tied with one: Animal Man, Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers West Coast,
Concrete, Daredevil, Deadline, Doom Patrol, Dr. Fate, Dreamery,
Elementals, Hellblazer, Incredible Hulk, Question, Justice League
America, Legion of Super-Heroes, Miracleman, Nexus, The Spirit,
Starman, Suicide Squad, Usagi Yojimbo, Xenozoic Tales
------------------------------
Favorite new continuing series:
Nooooo doubt about it!
Sandman................14
L.E.G.I.O.N. '89........5
Animal Man..............3
Appleseed...............2
El Diablo...............2
Legion of Super-Heroes..2
MAZE Agency.............2
The Tick................2
Tied with one: Baker Street, Blackhawks, Crying Freeman, Fission
Chicken, Hepcats, Hero Alliance, The Jam, Legends of the Dark Knight,
Mr. Miracle, Moon Knight, Quasar, Star Trek, Taboo, Unsupervised
Existence
-----------------------------------
Favorite single issue of any series:
People wondered why Ellen Eades didn't hold this catagory last year.
Now I know why. Look at this! Can't you guys agree on anything? One
thing seems certain: Sandman is one damn good comic!
Animal Man #5...........2
Animal Man #19..........2
Excalibur #14...........2
Excalibur #16...........2
Grendel #24.............2
Sandman #3..............2
Sandman #4..............2
Sandman #6..............2
Sandman #8..............2
Sandman #9..............2
Sandman #13.............2
V for Vendetta #6.......2
Zot #27.................2
Tied with one: A1 #1, Action Comics Annual #2, Animal Man #15,
Avengers West Coast # , Daredevil #273, Desert Peach #2, Dr.Fate #13,
Doom Patrol #22, Love and Rockets #31, Maze Agency #8, Power Pack #48,
Sam & Max Special, Sandman #2, Silver Surfer #33, Stick Boy #2, V for
Vendetta #7, X-Men #257, Yummy Fur #18
-------------------------------------
Comeback Award for most improved book:
Another category that was decided early. The most exciting thing about
this race was the number two spot. Grendel went from no votes to tied
for second in two days near the beginning of February! It has since
taken over the spot entirely. I guess you Grendel fans are
procrastinators, huh?
Doom Patrol............14
Grendel.................5
Fantastic Four..........4
X-Men...................4
Action Comics...........2
Elementals..............2
Tied with one: Avengers West Coast, Alpha Flight, Animal Man, Cerebus,
Dr. Strange, Dragonlance, Dreadstar, Flash, Hup, Legion of
Super-Heroes, New Titans, Silver Surfer
------------------
Favorite character:
Well, well, well! It seems The Cat Who Walks Through Walls has become
a lot more popular since joining Excalibur. Her appearances on the net
haven't hurt, either! But beat Morpheus? Who'da thunk it?
Kitty Pryde.............6
Sandman.................5
Animal Man..............4
Jenny (from Zot!).......4
Batman..................2
Concrete................2
John Constantine........2
Hulk....................2
Josie
("Ed the Happy Clown").2
Nightcrawler............2
Spider-Man..............2
Stinz...................2
Tied with one: Beanish, Cerebus, Pellon Cross, Daigoro (Lone Wolf &
Cub), Daredevil, Dr. Strange, Vanth Dreadstar, Vril Dox, Eppy
(Grendel), Firestorm, G'nort, Hopey (Love and Rockets), Jaka, Joker,
Luba (Love and Rockets), Mr. Fantastic, Oscar (Cerebus), Rachel
Summers, The Tick, V, Wimpy (Popeye), Wolverine, Woody (Zot!), Zot
-------------------
Favorite comic team:
Fairly tight race between the top 2, with Excalibur pulling away late.
Excalibur..............12
Doom Patrol.............8
Legion of Super-Heroes..4
Avengers................3
Elementals..............3
Fantastic Four..........3
JL(A|E|I)...............3
X-Men...................2
Tied with one: The Bradleys, Brotherhood of Dada (Doom Patrol), Danny
and Suzy (Unsupervised Existence), Gregory and Herman Vermin
(Gregory), Griffy and Zippy, Groo & Rufferto, "Jesus and disciples"
(Yummy Fur), L.E.G.I.O.N, MAZE Agency, "Mezz and the Band" (Nexus),
Power Pack, Sam & Max
----------------------
Favorite graphic novel:
Well, there wasn't much worth voting on in this catagory, so this race
was over almost before it began.
Arkham Asylum..........13
Epicurus the Sage.......3
Return to Big Nothing...2
Squadron Supreme........2
Tied with one: Beauty and the Beast : Portrait of Love, Brought to
Light, Daredevil: Love and War, Demon Knight, Dr. Strange/Dr. Doom,
Gregory, Neuromancer, The Shadow Strikes, Wolverine (the Jungle
Adventure)
-------------------------------
Favorite comic strip or cartoon
Was there the slightest question in anyone's mind who would win this
one? Hell, no! The margin was the only mystery, and BOY, what a
margin!
Calvin and Hobbes......34
Doonebury...............4
Far Side................3
Ernie Pook's Comeek.....2
Tied with one: BC, Cathy, If... (from UK Guardian), For Better or For
Worse, Krazy Kat, Life in Hell, Mr. Boffo, Mother Goose and Grimm, On
the Fasttrack, Tom Toles (Buffalo News' editorial cartoonist)
-----------------
Favorite R.A.C'er:
Read it and weep, guys. Moriarty, the man they considered naming this
award after, has to share it. Jayembee had a one vote lead, with the
champ tying it up on the 11th. I'd also like to point out the proud
co-winner of the favorite character catagory, Kitty Pryde, keeping
Peter and Milo company at number 5, making her the first Marvel
character ever to make it to the top 10 in the r.a.c'er poll. You
know, to look at the results, it seems the key to popularity is a
nickname. So from now on, don't call me Ryan Mathews, call me Megaguy!
Naaaaaah!
Jayembee...............14
Moriarity..............14
The Rev. Mom............6
Jim Drew................5
Peter David.............4
Kitty Pryde.............4
Tim Maroney.............4
Milo....................4
Tom Galloway............3
Connie "Fuzzy" Hirsch...3
Chris Jarocha-Ernst.....2
Dan'l Daheny-Oakes......2
Tied with one: Ellen Eades, Eric Sadoyama, Col. G.L. Sicherman, Jim
Van Verth
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rec.arts.comics Eighties Awards!!
...were quite interesting. A lot of recent characters and creators
did well, which I didn't expect. Some people simply re-iterated their
choices from the annual poll.
---------------
Favorite writer:
Well, what do you expect? The voting was merely a formality here.
Alan Moore.............22
Frank Miller............8
Dave Sim................7
Chris Claremont.........4
Gilbert Hernandez.......2
Tied with one: Mark Gruenwald, Phil Foglio, Scott McCloud, Walt
Simonson, Roy Thomas, Matt Wagner
---------------
Favorite artist:
For the longest time, Sienkiewicz was the *only* artist with more than
one vote. Then Perez started to heat up, but it was too little, too
late.
Bill Sienkiewicz.......12
George Perez............4
Dave McKean.............3
John Byrne..............2
Alan Davis..............2
Jaime Hernandez.........2
Kevin Maguire...........2
Steve Rude..............2
John Totleben...........2
Tied with one: Sergio Aragones, Stephen Bissette, Brian Bolland,
Gerhard, Steve Lightle, Scott McCloud, Todd McFarlane, Frank Miller,
Kevin O'Neill, Dave Sim, Walter Simonson, Jim Starlin, Bryan Talbot
------------------------------
Favorite new character or team:
This surprised me, but maybe it shouldn't have. After all, there were
a lot of characters to choose from.
Excalibur...............4
Sandman.................4
Concrete................3
Elementals..............3
Jenny (from Zot!).......3
Nexus...................3
Miracleman..............3
Kitty Pryde.............3
Rorschach...............2
Tied with one: Animal Man, John Constantine, Maggie Chascarillo,
Cutey Bunney, Damage Control, Dreadstar & Co., Dynamo Joe, Elektra,
Grendel (Hunter Rose), The Judge (Cerebus), Justice League
International, Marshall Law, Kevin Matchstick, Chester Monroe, Billy
Nguyen, Omaha, Torquemada, Stinz, The Tick, Venom, Watchmen, Zot
--------------------------
Favorite continuing series:
This was predictable as well. The order as you see it was pretty much
the way it was from a few weeks into the race.
Cerebus................11
Swamp Thing.............4
Love and Rockets........3
X-Men...................3
Daredevil...............2
Zot!....................2
Tied with one: Amazing Spider-Man, Akira, Avengers, Concrete,
Detective Comics, Dreadstar, Excalibur, Grimjack, Hulk, Legion of
Super-Heroes, Lone Wolf and Cub, Miracleman, (Claremont's) New
Mutants, Nexus, Omaha the Cat Dancer, Sandman, (Simonson's) Thor, The
Tick
-----------------------
Favorite limited series:
This was another predictable result, though I expected the margin to
be a little closer. For awhile, it looked like it would be an even
bigger blowout, but DK came on late.
Watchmen....................20
Dark Knight..................7
V for Vendetta...............5
Crisis on Infinite Earths....4
Tied with one: The Adv. of Luther Arkwright, Black Orchid, Dr. Fate,
Elektra: Assassin, Elfquest, Fantastic Four vs. X-Men, Kings in
Disguise, Kitty Pryde and Wolverine, The Longbow Hunters, Mage : The
Hero Discovered, Nausicaa, Stinz, X-Men vs. Avengers, Villains and
Vigilantes
--------------------------------
Favorite storyline of any series:
Another catagory no-one could agree on. It wasn't until late January
that any storyline other than American Gothic received more than a
single vote.
American Gothic, from Swamp Thing....4
Born Again, from Daredevil...........4
Church and State, from Cerebus.......4
The Elektra Saga, from Daredevil.....3
High Society, from Cerebus...........3
The Asgardian Wars,
from X-Men and New Mutants........2
Crisis on Infinite Earths............2
Quest for the Key, from Zot!.........2
Tied with one:
The Armor Wars, from Iron Man
Batman: Year One, from Batman
The first Brood story, from X-Men
Devil's Legacy, from Grendel
A Dream of Flying, from Miracleman
Gothic Empire, from Nemesis the Warlock
The Fear, from Detective Comics
The Great Darkness Saga, from Legion of Super-Heroes
Kings in Disguise
Nightcrawler limited series
Miracleman Book 3
Planet Earth, from Zot!
The Sin-Eater, from Spectacular Spider-Man
The Spider War, from Omega Men
Spider-Woman vs. the Viper, from Spider-Woman
The Surtur Saga, from Thor
The Trial of Henry Pym, from Avengers
The second Trigon story, from the New Teen Titans
Vida Loca, from Love and Rockets
Watchmen
Well there you have it! The Official R.A.C "Favorites" of 1989. Until
next year, this is your pollster saying:
THANK GOD IT'S OVER! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!
---------- Ryan Mathews
Internet : mat...@cs.buffalo.edu
Bitnet : mathews%cs.buffalo.edu@ubvm
UUCP :{apple,cornell,decwrl,harvard,rutgers,talcott,ucbvax,uunet}!
cs.buffalo.edu!mathews
