That's flattering, but it's at least in part (possibly totally; we'll never know) my own doing. More below.
Other readers have no idea what they are, because everything to do with web comics is like that. We're a bunch of little specks, and some other people in this scene--to the extent that this is a "scene," and I would argue it isn't, but that's another essay--would do well to remember that.
Anyway, for the benefit of those readers, the "Cartoonists Choice Awards" were arranged recently by a couple of guys who are cartoonists over on Keenspace, Keenspot's sister site where free comics space is available to pretty much anyone (apply now). Basically, cartoonists--mostly Keenspot and Keenspace, and by sheer numbers mostly Keenspace--voted on awards like best comic, best male character, best female character, best concept, best whatever.
I can't fault their motives--after all, there are some very talented people working for very little money, or sometimes no money, who deserve some recognition. But I was still one of a very small number of cartoonists nominated for awards who refused to accept the nomination.
I have no idea what anyone else's reasons were for saying no. I can only tell you my own reasoning, which had several components.
One is that I disapprove of the internal politics that consume, or at least distract, large numbers of internet cartoonists. It's like the worst parts of high school. Endorsing a popularity contest, therefore, is right out.
Another is that I felt like the nominations themselves were hard to take seriously. Pitting Millie against big-breasted anime chicks in a contest for "best female character" is ludicrous; it's like Jodie Foster having to beat Pamela Anderson for a "Best Actress" Oscar. The proper response to such a juxtaposition is to laugh derisively.
But the big reason is simply that recognition by other web cartoonists is really not particularly important to me.
Inevitably some of them are reading this, so I hope I don't sound too callous. I do recognize that being appreciated by other artists is a high compliment. It just doesn't have anything at all to do with why I do what I do.
I can tell you what does matter. The letter informing me that I'd been nominated arrived at about the same time as another e-mail; the two were next to each other in my inbox.
The non-nomination letter was from a high school student. "As I read through the entire O&M archives," said this person, "I took time to notice the one concerning the anti-gay rally and how Llewellyn outsmarts the protesters.
"Homophobia is a particularly large problem in my school, and for years, I've tried endlessly to end it. That storyline gave me a new argument against those who thought derogatory phrases were justified: If someone is different, but is not harming anyone, then let them live as they please. I quoted those words in debate and they proved effective in changing a few minds. So, one of the things I have to thank you for is that."
I can think of no higher compliment anyone has ever given me or my strip.
Like I said, I'm flattered if other artists like my work, because as other artists they're in a position to appreciate its finer academic points. But I'm not really aiming to impress other artists; I'm aiming to say what's on my mind. To represent the world as it might look through more innocent eyes. Ultimately, to say to people: look, some of us are not exactly like you, but if we're not hurting anyone, leave us alone.
As moral philosophies go you could do worse.
So if I'm communicating that to just a few people, and they communicate it to just a few others, and it grows that way...well, that's better than I, or any other artist, has any right to expect.
And that's the sort of victory that really leaves me feeling like I've won.
Peace love empathy,
Ozy & Millie™, and everything related, © 1997-2005 D.C. Simpson. Etc. etc. etc.