Stumptown Comics Fest 2011Media Release -- The Stumptown Comic Arts Awards have finally revealed the highly-anticipated roster for their award's inaugural jury, consisting of celebrated cartoonists, local retail visionaries and comics journalists.

This year's judges are:

Michael "Doc" Allred's critically acclaimed character Madman has been published by Tundra and Dark Horse Comics before moving to his current home at Image Comics, where he'll celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2012. Allred's other popular work includes a 38-issue run on X-Force (later X-Statix) with writer Peter Milligan, and his creator-owned The Atomics and the mini-series, Red Rocket 7. His latest series I, Zombie launched with Vertigo in 2010.

Brandon Graham was a Northwest native before moving to New York and later Vancouver BC. In New York, he became a founding member of the comic arts collective MeatHaus and found inspiration for his Eisner-nominated series King City, which is now being published by Image Comics and TokyoPop. Brandon's other published works include Escalator (2005) and Multiple Warheads (ongoing, Oni Press).

Laura Hudson is the Editor-In-Chief at ComicsAlliance.com, which was nominated in 2010 for an Eisner award for "Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism". She also served as Senior Editor at the now-defunct magazine Comics Foundry, as well as being an Associate Editor at Publishers Weekly Comics Week.

Michael Ring is the proprietor of Portland's own Bridge City Comics. Launched in 2005, Bridge City grew from Michael's rediscovered love of the medium and was built on the knowledge he gained while working for the previous several years in the marketing department at Dark Horse Comics. Bridge City is recommended and supported by many in the local comics industry thanks to Michael's extensive knowledge and expertise.

Jason Leivian started Floating World Comics as a store with the artist and the reader in mind. With the largest selection of small press and
indie books in town, Jason keeps a steady balance with all the latest titles from the major publishers as well. His support of the local art comics scene shows through his own publication Diamond Comics, and the monthly art shows he presents in his in-store gallery space. His unique view to curating a comic store has earned him critical nods from The Oregonian, the Portland Mercury, Wired, and Flavorwire among others.

Artists, writers, publishers, cartoonists: To be considered for a Stumptown Comic Arts Awards please remember to fill out the form at http://www.stumptowncomics.com/awards and send it in. Entries must be postmarked no later than the submission deadline of February 25, 2011 to be considered, and should be mailed to this address:

Stumptown Comics Foundation
Comic Arts Awards 2011 Submission
P.O. Box 40343
Portland, OR 97240-0343

The Stumptown Comics Fest is the largest creator-focused comics convention in the Pacific Northwest. The Fest will be held on April 16-17, 2011 at the Oregon Convention Center, and the Comic Arts Awards will be presented at a ceremony on April 16th.

Check http://www.stumptowncomics.com, or follow us on twitter at @stumptowncomics for the latest news and announcements about the schedule and exhibitor lists. Questions about the Fest can be directed to Indigo Kelleigh at Director@stumptowncomics.com