Chris Ware

Chris Ware

Eisner Award, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008
Harvey Award, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006
National Cartoonists Society Award, 1999
Guardian First Book Award, 2001

Franklin Christenson Ware (born December 28, 1967), known professionally as Chris Ware, is an American comic book artist and cartoonist, notable for his Acme Novelty Library series and the graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan, the Smartest Kid on Earth. His works explore themes of social isolation, emotional torment and depression. His works tend to use a vivid colour palette and are full of realistic, meticulous detail. His lettering and images are often elaborate and sometimes evoke the ragtime era or another early 20th-century American design style. Ware often refers to himself in the publicity for his work in self-effacing, even withering tones. He is considered by some critics and fellow notable illustrators and writers, such as Dave Eggers, to be among the best currently working in the medium; Canadian graphic-novelist Seth has said, "Chris really changed the playing field. After him, a lot of really started to scramble and go, 'Holy, I think I have to try harder.'"