Evil Eyes Sea Wins The Cartoonists Studio Prize
For Immediate Release:
We’re excited to announce that Özge Samancı’s Evil Eyes Sea has been selected as the winner of the CCS’s Cartoonist Studio Prize for long-form work.
The judges had this to say: “Set against the backdrop of Istanbul during the 1995 elections, Özge Samancı’s Evil Eyes Sea follows a group of university students whose lives unfold in the shadow of political unrest. While the narrative touches on weighty themes—class, religion, feminism, and the uneasy pulse of Turkish politics—it does so with a light hand, keeping its focus on the intimate dramas of friendship, dorm life, and a lingering mystery sparked by a death the protagonists witness while scuba diving.
The book’s greatest strengths lie in its originality and voice. The tone balances wit and melancholy with remarkable ease. The artwork is expressive, and the cartooning is inventive. At times, the story flirts with familiar tropes but always on its own terms—eschewing highbrow convention for something more emotionally direct. Samancı has created a heartfelt, captivating work that deserves wider attention.”
Congratulations to Özge and all who were nominated!
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