THE FORCEYS (Town and Country Resort and Convention Center) This year's 9th Annual Forcey Awards took place on the last night of the 2014 Comic Con. The new venue was more relaxed and the crew was enthusiastic. We gathered with four other Strikeforce members represented and the return of Grace's friend who was impressed enough in 2013 to bring a boyfriend to the occasion this year. We missed Cantankerous Chris this year and hope for his quick return to the fold. The results were live tweeted to dozens of followers. For those who somehow missed the overage - without further ado - your 2014 Forcey Award Winners . . .
BEST MOVIE - Lego Movie. This was a bit of an upset winner. Previous years have leaned towards Superhero films (Iron Man, The Dark Knight, The Avengers) and more adult fare (Pan's Labyrinth, Let The Right One In). For the first time, a truly all ages film won out over Captain America 2 and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
BEST COMIC - Sandman: Overture. Previous winner Hawkeye made a solid run at a two year run. But the return of Sandman claimed the top spot over up and comer, Saga. The old comic reader vote wins out.
BEST MUSIC - St. Vincent - St. Vincent. Last year, Daft Punk was the runaway winner. This year there was almost a dead heat. Beck and Jack White and Queens of the Stone Age split many of the votes. But the best music of the year came out of the Dallas, Texas and the Polyphonic Spree. Annie Clark has been around for years but really broke out with this album and was rewarded with a Forcey.
BEST OF TV - True Detective. With multiple past winners returning including The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, this category was taken by the only newcomer. HBO brought a nontraditional story to air that really caught on. Harrelson and McConaughey kicked ass as flawed cops. A repeat of this magic seems unlikely.
BEST OF THE WEB - Netflix. Only YouTube has won more than second time winner Netflix. With the addition of quality direct-to-Netflix originals and a steady supply of binge worthy shows, this could be the start of a long run of victories for this voting block.
COOLEST ITEM OF THE YEAR - Legal Weed. Beating out World Cup soccer, Marvel comics movies and even Pop Dolls it was the growing trend of legalized weed. Keep the dream alive, fellas.
STRIKEFORCE HALL OF DOOM - the highest honor is also known as "The Kirby". Last year we inducted a record six new honorees. This year was a solid crop of 5 inductees. Each very deserving of the honor.
John Williams. Composer.
Monty Python. Comic troop.
Prince. Musician.
Saturday Night Live. TV show.
Star Trek. Mega franchise.
Just missing the vote this year and hoping for further consideration - Bill Waterson, Clint Eastwood, Steve Ditko and Thelonious Monk.
THE KINNEY - Edgar Wright Off of Ant Man. The film didn't make it out in the wave of Marvel films that it should have and the man that could have balanced the humor and action was sent packing and/or quit. Either way we wait another year and fear that the potentially fun character might be ruined.
BLAST FROM THE PAST - BEST REISSUE - Bone Artists Edition. There is no arguing that this Mat Smith book is a modern classic. Having read it in original issues it's funny to see it already winning as a Best Reissue but deserving.
The Forceys took place late in the drinking evening but there was still plenty of post-awards fun to be had. Steve provided a nice mix of music to background some great conversation with old friends.
"And if the elevator tries to bring you down / Go crazy. Punch a higher floor." Stay hard.
sb
