MORGER JOINS HARVEY AWARDS COMMITTEE

Northampton, MA, February 2, 2000 -- With less than three weeks to go before the Harvey Awards Nominating Ballots are due, the Harvey Awards Committee is pleased to announce the addition of Steve Morger. Morger helped spearhead the Harvey Awards during their tenure at Wondercon. He joins Harvey Awards administrator Paul McSpadden, who oversaw the awards during their nine years at the Dallas Fantasy Fair.

Morger, who works at the law firm of Wendel, Rosen, Black & Dean, LLP, in Oakland, CA, was the individual responsible for the administration and presentation of the Harvey Awards during their last year at Oakland's Wondercon. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco.

"It is an honor to continue my involvement with the Harvey Awards so that the creators in our field will continue to be recognized for creative excellence by their peers," said Morger. "I hope that the awards can continue to build on the foundation of previous years and remain the most coveted and respected awards in the industry."

"Now that Steve is joining our team," said McSpadden, "there's a real sense of continuity and cooperation here. We've also got a broader geographic base on the Committee, with representatives from both coasts and the Mid-West. We've already received hundreds of ballots back, and weÕre looking forward to an excellent turn-out from artists and other members of the creative community."

"With both Morger and McSpadden on board," said Committee chairman Denis Kitchen, "we've got a great deal of experience and expertise to go with the energy of the Committee's newcomers. Steve is particularly adept at fundraising and will be focusing on preserving and expanding the Harveys' relationship with the sponsors which help underwrite the annual awards. With his help, we're confident that the Harvey Awards will continue to improve."

Named after the late comics genius Harvey Kurtzman, the Harvey Awards honor outstanding work in comics and sequential art. One of the industry's two oldest and most respected awards, the Harveys recognize achievements in 24 categories, ranging from Best Artist to the Jack Kirby Hall of Fame. They are the only industry awards both nominated and selected by the full body of comics professionals.

The 13th Annual Harvey Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, April 28th at the Pittsburgh Comicon. Reservations for the banquet can be made by contacting Rene George at (814) 467-4116.

Nominating Ballots for the awards were mailed to creators and publishers in mid-January and are due by February 18. Qualified professionals who have not received ballots should contact the Committee by e-mail at HarveyAwards@hotmail.com or call Paul McSpadden at (972) 690-5491.

* * *

Put related things here