2004 Recommended Anthropomorphics List - 2nd update

This is the 2nd update of the fourth annual Recommended Anthropomorphics List. It has two purposes. Firstly, it is open for all Furry fans to recommend the best anthropomorphic movies, TV series, novels, artwork, games, etc. that they find during 2004. It is for fans who want to know what Furry movies, TV series, novels, etc. are worth looking for. The List is open to anyone to add to, and it will be updated at least three times before the end of the year. If you find any 2004 Furry movies or comic books or comic strips, etc. that are worth recommending, please send your recommendations through the end of 2004 to:

Fred Patten
11863 West Jefferson Boulevard
Culver City, California 90230-6322
fredpatten[AT]earthlink[DOT]net

Secondly, this List is to be used as a guide for nominations to the 2004 Ursa Major Award, which will be presented at Anthrocon 2005 for the Best of the calendar year 2004 in the first ten categories. The List was actually started in 2001 as an aid to those fans who said, "The Award sounds like a good idea but I don't have the slightest idea what's eligible to be nominated." Read the List and find out what is eligible for the Best of 2004.

We have adopted a suggestion to change the title of the Recommended Dramatic Series category to Recommended Dramatic Short Work or Series. This allows the inclusion of individual dramatic works besides theatrical features.

A new category has been added this year: Recommended Anthropomorphic Miscellany. This is for items such as action figures and plush dolls, songs, and other items which do not fit into the existing categories but are still worth recommending. This category will not be included in the Ursa Major Award, due to the inappropriateness of comparing such diverse items for a "best" vote.

Continuing publications such as comic books, comic strips, and fanzines are not carried over from one year to the next. If a favorite comic or fanzine of yours was on last year's List, it must be resubmitted to appear on this year's List.

This Recommended List is posted at http://www.ursamajorawards.org/ This website includes links to as many as possible of the recommendated items that have their own entries on the Internet; so if you want to know more about any of them, you can go right to its site. It also includes the previous Lists, for the benefit of those looking for recommendations of good Furry art & literature since the 21st century started.

Recommended Anthropomorphic Motion Picture

1. Clifford's Really Big Movie (Warner Bros., released February 20, 2004)
2. Home on the Range (Disney, April 2, 2004)
3. The Lion King 1 1/2 (Disney, February 10, 2004)
4. Shrek 2 (DreamWorks, May 21, 2004)
5. The Three Musketeers (Disney, August 3, 2004)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Dramatic Short Work or Series

1. The Basil Brush Show (Entertainment Rights PLC and The Foundation TV Productions Ltd. for BBC1; 2004 episodes, Season 2 #2-9 (January 1) through #2-11 (January 14))
2. Dragon Drive [English-language release] (Madhouse for TV Tokyo; 2002-2003 episodes #1 (July 4, 2002) through #38 (September 24, 2003); [English-language release] Bandai Entertainment for direct-to-video release, 2004 episodes, v.1 (May 11, episodes 1-4) through ?)
3. Father of the Pride (DreamWorks SKG & Imagi International Holdings for NBC; 2004 episodes, #1 (August 31) through ?)
4. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (Cartoon Network Studios for The Cartoon Network; 2004 episodes, #1 (August 20) through ?)
5. Jagainu-kun (Egg, Inc. for Mainichi Broadcasting System & Tokyo Broadcasting System; 2004 episodes, #1 (April 4) to ?)
6. Kaiketsu Zorori (Zorori Entertainment for Nagoya Broadcasting Network; 2004 episodes, #1 (February 1) to ?)
7. Kaze, Ghost Warrior (Timothy Albee Animation for direct-to-DVD release, June 25, 2004)
8. Keroro Gunsou (Sunrise for TV Tokyo; 2004 episodes, #1 (April 3) through ?)
9. Nanami-chan (NHK BS-2 and BShi; 2004 episodes, #1 (May 17) to #12 (July 29))
10. Ocha-ken Inu - Chiyokoto Monogatari (Fasam for Kids Station; 2004 episodes, #14 (January 5) to #26 (March 29))
11. Robonimal Panda-Z: The Robonimation (Dynamic Production Co. and Bee Media for Kids Station; 2004 episodes, #0 (April 5) through ?)
12. Wolf's Rain [English-language release] (BONES, Inc. for Fuji Television; 2003 episodes, #1 (January 7) through #26 (July 28); [English-language release] (The Cartoon Network; 2004 episodes, #1 (April 24) through ?)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Novel

1. Blasingame, Ted R. Hoenix. Dennier Publishing/Lulu, August 2004.
2. Foster, Alan Dean. Lost and Found: A Novel. Ballantine Books, July 2004.
3. Funke, Cornelia. Dragon Rider; translated by Anthea Bell. [English translation] (Chicken House, September 2004)
4. Garcia, Eric. Hot and Sweaty Rex: A Dinosaur Mafia Mystery. (Villard Books, March 2004)
5. Hoeye, Michael. No Time Like Show Time: A Hermux Tantamoq Adventure. G. P. Putnam's Sons, September 2004.
6. Leonard, Elmore. A Coyote's in the House. (HarperEntertainment, May 2004)
7. Murphy, Shirley Rousseau. Cat Fear No Evil; a Joe Grey Mystery. (HarperCollins Publishers, March 2004)
8. Woodall, Clive. One for Sorrow, Two for Joy. (Ziji Publishing/Duckworth, March 2004)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Short Fiction

1. "In Tibor's Cardboard Castle", by Richard Chwedyk, in Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, October/November 2004.
2. "Sprinting", by Mick Collins, in Shadows in Snow: Stories from New Tibet, Volume 2, edited by Tim Susman. (Sofawolf Press, January 2004)
3. "Sergeant Chip", by Bradley Denton, in Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, September 2004.
4. "Serenade", by Alan Dean Foster, in Masters of Fantasy, edited by Bill Fawcett & Brian Thomsen. (Baen Books, July 2004)
5. "Finding Marcus", by Tanya Huff, in Sirius, the Dog Star, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Alexander Potter. (DAW Books, June 2004)
6. "St. Ailbe's Hall", by Naomi Kritzer, in Strange Horizons, January 19 (Part 1) and January 26 (Part 2), 2004. (http://www.strangehorizons.com/)
7. "Among the Pack Alone", by Stephen Leigh, in Sirius, the Dog Star, edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Alexander Potter. (DAW Books, June 2004)
8. Felicia and the Dreaded Book of Un, by Charles P. A. Melville. (CafePress, February 2004) [22,500 words]
9. Felicia and the Tailcutter's Curse, by Charles P. A. Melville. (CafePress, June 2004) [24,500 words]
10. "Cat 'n' Mouse", by Steven Millhauser, in The New Yorker, April 19 & 26, 2004.

Recommended Anthropomorphic Other Literary Work

1. Luna Incognita, by Alain Ayroles (story) & Jean-Luc Masbou (art). (De Cape et de Crocs, vol. 6) (Delcourt, April 2004; graphic art novel)
2. Arctic Nation, by Juan Diaz Canales (story) & Juanjo Guarnido (art) [English translation]. (Blacksad vol. 2) (iBooks, March 2004; graphic art novel)
3. Parables: An Anthology, by Michel Gagné. (GAGNE International Press, February 2004; collection of A Search for Meaning: The Story of Rex; The Mystery of He; The Great Shadow Migration; and The Bird, the Spider and the Octopus)
4. Code Name: Hunter - Beginnings: Gypsy, by Gyrfalcon (story) & Darc (art). (Dog-Star Studios, May 2004; graphic art novel)
5. The RHJunior 2004 Super CD, by Ralph Hayes, Jr. (RHJunior Productions, August 2004; CD collection of Internet comic strips)
6. Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales, by Gregory Maguire. (HarperCollins, August 2004; short story collection)
7. FREAKS!: How to Draw Fantastic Fantasy Creatures, by Steve Miller, with Arthur Adams, Brett Booth and Todd Nauck. (Watson-Guptill Publications, June 2004; art instruction book)
8. Swamp Fox: Birth of a Legend, by Jonathan & Lola Myers. (Ambition Studios, ©2003 [April 2004]; graphic art novel)
9. Associated Student Bodies Yearbook, by Lance Rund & Chris McKinley. (Rabbit Valley Comics, April 2004; graphic art novel)
10. Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer, by Andy Runton. (Owly, vol. 1) (Top Shelf Productions, September 2004; comic book collection)
11. Bone [One Volume Edition], by Jeff Smith. (Cartoon Books, July 2004; graphic art novel)
12. Shadows in Snow: Stories from New Tibet, Volume 2, edited by Tim Susman. (Sofawolf Press, January 2004; short fiction anthology)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Comic Book

1. The Adventures of Mia, by Enrico Casarosa. (Monkeysuit Press, irregular, 2004 issues include #2, published July)
2. Days of the Dragon, by Ron Fortier (writer) & Gary Kato (artist). (Rorschach Entertainment, single issue, dated August 2003 but published June 2004)
3. Furrlough, by various. (Radio Comix, monthly, 2004 issues from #132, December 2003 [January 2004] to ?)
4. Le Menagerie, by Bernyce W. Talley. (Nubian Queen Comics, irregular, 2004 issues include #2, February)
5. Prince of Fur, by Teri S. Wood & Jatina Challender. (MU Press, quarterly, 2004 issues include #11, February to #12, May [final])
6. Things To Do In a Retirement Home Trailer Park When You're 29 and Unemployed..., by Aneurin Wright. (Welsh El Dorado Press, irregular, 2004 issues include #2, July)
7. Usagi Yojimbo, by Stan Sakai. (Dark Horse, monthly, 2004 issues from v. III #72, January to ?)
8. WE3, by Grant Morrison (story) & Frank Quitely (art). (DC Comics/Vertigo, 3-issue monthly limited series, 2004 issues include #1/October - ?)
9. ZED, by Michel Gagné. (GAGNE International Press, irregular, 2004 issues include #5, published June)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Comic Strip

1. Badly Drawn Kitties, by Mat Sherer. (Internet, daily, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
2. Better Days, by Jay Naylor. (Internet, twice-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 [#76] to ?)
3. Black Tapestries, by Shana Pinkelton. (Internet, Tuesday through Friday, 2004 strips from January 1 through ?)
4. Blue Abyss, by Adam Byrne. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from July 7 [#1] to ?)
5. Carried by the Wind, by Brent Bowser. (Internet, approx. twice weekly, 2004 strips from January 5 [#141] to ?)
6. Catena, by Tracy Pierce. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from January 1 [#15] through ?)
7. Code Name: Hunter, by Gyrfalcon & Darc Klooster. (Internet, approx. twice weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 [#21] to ?)
8. The Cyantian Chronicles, by Tiffany Ross. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 to ?)
9. Dan and Mab's Furry Adventures, by Amber M. Pankyo. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 5 [#323] to ?)
10. Exodus - Furry Rebellion!, by Pepper. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from March 1 [#1] to ?)
11. Faux Pas, by Robert & Margaret Carspecken. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
12. Freefall, by Mark Stanley. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 to ?)
13. Goblin Hollow, by Ralph E. Hayes, Jr. (Internet, semi-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 to ?; formerly titled Under the Lemon Tree)
14. Jack, by David Hopkins. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 [#454] to ?)
15. Kevin & Kell, by Bill Holbrook. (Internet, daily, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
16. Modem Problems, by Matt McAndrews. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from January 1 [MPNY2004] to ?)
17. Mullein Fields, by Dennis William Hyer. (Internet, daily, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
18. Namir Deiter, by Isabel Marks. (Internet, daily, 2004 strips from January 1 [#595] to ?)
19. Newshounds, by Thomas K. Dye. (Internet, daily, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
20. Nip and Tuck, by Ralph E. Hayes, Jr. (Internet, semi-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 to ?)
21. Ozy and Millie, by David Craig Simpson. (Internet, semi-weekly, 2004 strips from January 2 to ?; reprints with extensive new commentary from January 2 to January 21; new strips from January 22 to ?)
22. A Roo'd Awakening, by Christopher D. Smith. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from January 10 [#98] to ?)
23. Sabrina Online, by Eric W. Schwartz. (Internet, approx. 4 strips posted once a month, 2004 strips from January [#291] to ?)
24. Seed of Judgment, by Ty Frederick. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from May 5 [#1] to ?)
25. The Suburban Jungle, starring Tiffany Tiger, by John Robey. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 5 to ?)
26. Tales of the Questor, by Ralph E. Hayes, Jr. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
27. 21st Century Fox, by Scott Kellogg. (Internet, tri-weekly, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
28. Unicornography, by Tanamin! (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from January 1 to ?)
29. VG Cats, by Scott Ramsoomair. (Internet, weekly, 2004 strips from January 4 [#86] to ?)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Fanzine

1. Fur Plus (2004 issues from #20, January, to ?)
2. Fur Visions (2004 issues from #30, January, to ?)
3. Heat (2004 issues from #1 [January], to ?)
4. South Fur Lands (2004 issues from #32, March, to ?)
5. Tales of the Tai-Pan Universe (2004 issues from #35, March, to ?)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Published Illustration

1. Kato, Gary. Cover painting for Days of the Dragon #1, August 2003 [published June 2004].
2. Maltzmen, Kacey. Cover painting ("Vienna's Jacuzzi") for South Fur Lands #33, June 2004.
3. Meyer, Susan. Cover painting for Furrlough #133, January 2004.
4. Witwer, Hala. Cover painting for Faragon Faringay, by Niel Hancock. Starscape/Tor Books, April 2004.

Recommended Anthropomorphic Game

1. Donky Konga (Developer: Namco Ltd.; Publisher: Nintendo, September 27, 2004)
2. Hamtaro: Ham-Ham Games (Developer: AlphaDream; Publisher: Nintendo, July 26, 2004)
3. Sly 2: Band of Thieves (Developer: Sucker Punch Productions; Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc., September 14, 2004)
4. Sonic Advance 3 (Developer: Dimps Corporation; Publisher: Sega Corporation, May 25, 2004)
5. Wanko De Kururin! Wankuru (Developer & Publisher: MTO, June 24, 2004)

Recommended Anthropomorphic Miscellany

(no recommendations yet)

Please remember that a title's appearance on the Recommended Anthropomorphics List is not an automatic nomination of that title for the Ursa Major Award. A single recommendation is enough to place a title on the Recommended List which may end up with twenty or more recommendations in a category, while only the top five nominees in each category will become the finalists on the voting ballot. If you wish to ensure that your favorite choices are nominated for the Award, please send in your nominations after the beginning of 2005. See the Ursa Major website (http://www.ursamajorawards.org/) for full instructions, and to request a ballot if you wish to vote.