Adam Withers and Comfort Love have a unique career and a unique relationship. This husband and wife team created “The Uniques,” a
comic book described as what the “Teen Titans” would be like should HBO ever do a show based on them.
The two met “and married while attending the Kendall College of Art and Design in beautiful Grand Rapids, Michigan.” Their deep friendship “immediately sparked over long discussions of comics and storytelling. Before long, they were sharing their ideas for their own books and characters, and after several attempts at ‘breaking in’ with the big name publishers, they decided to go into business for themselves. ‘The Uniques’ is the product of that decision.”
Currently, the two “live in an apartment in Grand Rapids with their two cats, Obi-Wan and Annie-kin.” Oh…and they “draw a lot.”
In 2009, I had the chance to interview these two for a couple of different web sites and what I found were the two most professional comic book creators in the independent comic community. Their series “Uniques” was amazing and fun, and their new series “Rainbow in the Dark” (which is taken from the Ronnie James Dio song), has garnered them acclaim.
The two were nominated for two Harvey Awards. The first is for “Most Promising New Talent” for “Rainbow in the Dark” and the second is the “Best Anthology” for “The Uniques.”
For those not in the world of comic books, the Harvey Awards are named for the former MAD magazine artist, Harvey Kurtzman. Since 1988, the Harveys have honored the best and the brightest in the field of comics. When the Harvey nominations were announced earlier this month, I found out that Adam and Comfort were nominated. And in order for them to win, any comic professional can fill out a form and vote for them.
I “Skyped” and spoke to them to talk about the nominations.
“When we heard about it we were incredibly touched and surprised,” said Adam. “We had heard rumors that some people were talking about nominating us, but we didn’t think much about it.”
Both were floored, admitted Comfort, who said that a “vast majority of the self-publishers spend so much time in obscurity we were surprised” when they heard the news from their friend Bryan J.L. Glass (writer for “The Mice Templar”).
“I am really trying to keep a level head about winning,” said Comfort. “But the fact [is] that we have been recognized and we are standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the most amazing creators out there.”
Adam said that each of the people the two are nominated “against” are described as “fine people.”
“It is nice to be up against such great group of people. We are happy and if we have to lose, it is to a good group of people,” Adam said
with a laugh. “However, we don’t want to lose.”
I for one want to see them win. That is why I, as a fan and comic reviewer and creator, are asking people to print this up, and vote for Adam and Comfort. All entries need to be sent in before Aug. 9, so time is running out.
If you want to see what makes them such amazing creators, download their first issue of “The Uniques” here and “Rainbow in the Dark” here.
Also a thanks for the help of writer Sabrina Steyling for her assistance.
