The “Franco Fossati” Award was born in 1997. At that time, the internet was barely beginning its long and incredible journey, and the Award staff had to rely on traditional ways, sometimes a bit slow and tiring, in order to organize the whole thing. Nowadays, things are different. Emails, websites and social networks allow us all to find information in the fastest possible way, and to collect all the possible knowledge about our subject of interest. All the jury members regularly use emails, chats, Facebook messages, and this year have also “virtually gathered” through a multiple Skype conversation, thus being able to discuss all together the books in competition, exchanging comments and opinions. But there are also a couple of things that have NOT changed, in time: the passion and the professionalism that all the people involved in the Award have in common. Most of the essays have been written with attention and competence, many publishers have put a huge care in their products about comics, and all the jurors have always worked with the uttermost integrity and diligence. This year’s edition is no exception, and it is right and proper to thank all the people that have contributed to this Award in these years.
