The American Library Association’s (ALA) Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) has announced the winners of the “Outstanding Comics Award” for 2025. The award was established in 2024 and given to exceptional graphic novels that appeal to adults, teens, and children in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and series.

Congrats to everyone recognized!

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Outstanding Comics Award for Children

Fiction

Winner

Froggy: A Pond Full of Pals! Written by Paige Walshe. Art by Paige Walshe. 2025. Flying Eye Books, $12.99 (9781838742195).

Young Froggy sets off from his home swamp to explore the great, wide world in this beautifully illustrated, witty story full of humor and heart. Around the bend, he encounters adventures, challenges, and new friends.

Honors

Fresh Start. Written by Gale Galligan. Art by Gale Galligan. Colors by K Czap. 2025. Graphix, $24.99 (9781338045864).

Thai American Ollie is used to moving for her dad’s diplomat job. After moving to Virginia she learns that they’ll be staying permanently. What does it mean for her to build real friendships and put down roots? Wide-ranging art styles highlight both Ollie’s complex emotions and her creativity. 

The Snips: A Bad Buzz Day. Written by Raúl the Third. Art by Raúl the Third. Colors by Elaine Bay. Coloring by Eleonora Bruni. Lettering by Rob Leigh. 2025. LB Ink, $14.99 (9780316528689).

Scissor City’s superhero barber team, The Snips, battle the rampaging Unruly Hairthing and solve a mysterious plague of terrible haircuts featuring the letters BBB. Spanish is seamlessly included throughout. Raúl the Third creates a vibrant universe using a unique blend of classic comic, Pop Art, and vintage cartoon styles.

Nonfiction

Winner

How to Draw a Secret. Written by Cindy Chang. Art by Cindy Chang. Colors by Cristina Rose Chua. 2025. Allida Books, $15.99 (9780358659655). 

In this autobiographical story, tween Cindy Chang travels to Taiwan with her mom and sisters for a funeral and to see her father for the first time in four years. During the trip Cindy must reimagine her definition of family when long held secrets are uncovered.  

Honors

How to say Goodbye in Cuban. Written by Daniel Miyares. Art by Daniel Miyares. 2025. Anne Schwartz Books, $21.99 (9780593568293).

In 1960s Cuba, young Carlos recounts an idyllic childhood until the tumult of Fidel Castro’s rise to power. Based on the artist/writer’s grandfather’s recollections of his childhood in Cuba and his family’s perilous migration to the United States. This book is an emotional tale about the power of family and a germane meditation on what it means to be free.

I’m a Dumbo Octopus!: A Graphic Guide to Cephalopods. Written by Anne Lambelet. Art by Anne Lambelet. 2025. Graphic Universe, $31.99 (9798765603055).

Striking, atmospheric illustrations take readers on a deep-sea tour of cephalopod life. Grimpy (Grimpoteuthis) serves as a guide as we learn what makes cephalopods so extraordinary. A standout pick for curious young readers, educators, and anyone eager to dive into the wonders of ocean science.

Series

Winner

Witches of Brooklyn v.1. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. 2020. RH Graphic, $13.99 (9780593119273).

Witches of Brooklyn v.2: What the Hex?! . Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. 2021. RH Graphic, $13.99 (9780593119303).

Witches of Brooklyn v.3: S’More Magic. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. 2022. RH Graphic, $13.99 (9780593119334).

Witches of Brooklyn v.4: Spell of a Time. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. 2023. RH Graphic, $14.99 (9780593565933).

Witches of Brooklyn v.5: Curse & Reverse. Written by Sophie Escabasse. Art by Sophie Escabasse. 2025. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593813447).

When preteen Effie moves to Brooklyn to live with her aunts after the death of her mother, she discovers her beloved aunts are actually witches. So is she! Effie quickly adapts to a new life in which magic, mayhem, and merriment rule the day. 

Honors

Are You Afraid of the Dark? v.1: The Witch’s Wings and Other Terrifying Tales. Written by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Illustrated by Junyi Wu, Justin & Alexis Hernandez, Kaylee Rowena. Letters by Bernardo Brice. 2023. Abrams Fanfare, $24.99 (9781419763564).

Are You Afraid of the Dark? v.2: The Sinister Sisters and Other Terrifying Tales. Written by Roseanne A. Brown. Art by Shazleen Khan, Bill Masuku and Gigi Murakami. Letters by Lor Prescott with Sara Linsley. 2025. Abrams Fanfare, $24.99 (9781419763588). 

In this series spinoff of the television show Are You Afraid of the Dark?, the Midnight Society is back and inducting new members! Each volume pulls from urban legends and lore (the first book from Hispanic cultures and the second Ghanaian folktales) to craft spine-tingling tales that are both horrifying and cautionary.

Peapod Farm v.1: Stepping Stones. Written by Lucy Knisley. Art by Lucy Knisley. Colors by Whitney Cogar. 2020. RH Graphic, $12.99 (9781984896841).

Peapod Farm v.2: Apple Crush. Written by Lucy Knisley. Art by Lucy Knisley. Colors by Whitney Cogar. 2022. RH Graphic, $13.99 (9781984896889).

Peapod Farm v.3: Sugar Shack. Written by Lucy Knisley. Art by Lucy Knisley. Colors by Whitney Cogar. 2025. RH Graphic, $21.99 (9780593125502).

In this heartfelt story that arcs across three volumes, Jen must relearn what family means now that she and her mother have moved from her beloved city life to Peapod Farm with her mother’s partner Walter and his daughters, Andy and Reese. 

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Outstanding Comics Award for Young Adults

Fiction

Winner

The Boy Wonder. Written by Juni Ba. Art by Juni Ba. Color by Chris O’Halloran. Lettering by Aditya Bidikar. 2025. DC Comics, $29.99 (9781799500322).

Raised as the heir to the League of Assassins, Damian Wayne struggles to fit in as one of many Robins in Gotham. When Batman leaves and a demon surfaces, Damian must join his adoptive brothers to protect the city and discover the true meaning of being a hero.

Honors

Hunger’s Bite. Written by Taylor Robin. Art by Taylor Robin. 2025. Union Square and Co., $24.99 (9781454950240).

Neeta and Emery’s futures on the SS Lark are threatened when new owner Mr. Honeycutt begins transforming the elite into monsters. Teaming up with vampire investigator Wick Farley, the friends must expose the ship’s supernatural horrors and stop a hunger for power before it consumes them all.

Hello Sunshine. Written by Keezy Young. Art by Keezy Young. 2025. Little, Brown Ink, $18.99 (9780316509473).

Heartbroken Noah, determined Sky, and guilt-ridden Izzy search for the missing Alex. Meanwhile, Alex’s twin, Jamie, is haunted by his mother’s ghost. To find his brother, Jamie must confront his family’s dark past and the supernatural secrets surrounding Alex’s disappearance before it’s too late.

Nonfiction

Winner

Raised by Ghosts. Written by Briana Loewinsohn. Art by Briana Loewinsohn. 2025. Fantagraphics, $18.99 (9798875000508).

Set in the 1990’s, Raised By Ghosts follows Briana through school isolation and neglectful parenting. Using diary entries, the story captures her search for self-worth. It is an understated tale about finding authentic connection and belonging within the quiet moments of a fraught adolescence.

Honors

Bloody Mary. Written by Kristina Gehrmann. Art by Kristina Gehrmann. Translated by I.T. Hahnenberger. Translated by E. Castle. 2025. Andrews McMeel, $22.99 (9798881600266).

This watercolor graphic novel retells Mary Tudor’s life from rejected child to England’s first queen. Using historical documents, Gehrmann portrays Mary’s religious zealotry and the profound loneliness of the crown, capturing her tragic transformation into the infamous “Bloody Mary” as she loses her grip on power.

My Perfectly Imperfect Body. Written by Debbie Tung. Art by Debbie Tung. 2025. Andrews McMeel, $18.99 (9781524890025).

Debbie Tung’s memoir chronicles her battle with disordered eating and the societal pressure to be thin. Through her signature illustrations, she details her journey toward healing and self-acceptance, reminding readers that every body is worthy of love and kindness at any size.

Series

Winner

Teen Titans: Raven. Written by Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Jon Sommariva. Art by Emma Kubert. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Tom Napolitano. 2019. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781401286231). 

Teen Titans: Beast Boy. Written by Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Gabriela Downie. 2020. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781401287191).

Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven. Written by Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Gabriela Downie. 2021. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779503862).

Teen Titans: Robin. Written by Kami Garcia. Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Wes Abbott. 2023. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779512246).

Teen Titans: Starfire. Written by Kami Garcia. Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Wes Abbott. 2024. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779517999).

Raven, Gar, Kori, and Damian navigate life-changing transformations and forgotten pasts while targeted by H.I.V.E. and Slade Wilson. These young heroes must unite, mastering their superpowers and trusting their newfound bonds to confront internal darkness and fight for their identities and freedom.

Honors

Feral Volume 1: Indoor Cats. Written by Tony Fleecs. Art by Trish Forstner. Art by Tone Rodriguez. Art by Sara Richard. Color by Brad Simpson. 2024. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534372962).

Feral Volume 2: Cat Lady. Written by Tony Fleecs. Art by Trish Forstner. Art by Tone Rodriguez. Art by Sara Richard. Color by Brad Simpson. 2025. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534328280).

Stranded in a wilderness plagued by a horrific rabies outbreak, indoor cats Elsie, Lord Fluffy Britches, and Patch must survive infected beasts and deadly traps. To return home, they must navigate terrifying settings and stay uninfected, fighting to avoid the feral madness consuming the world around them.

Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol 1. Written by Miyu Morishita. Art by Miyu Morishita. Touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt. Translation by Mei Amaki. 2025. Viz Media, $11.99 (9781974756025).

Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol 2. Written by Miyu Morishita. Art by Miyu Morishita. Touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt. Translation by Mei Amaki. 2025. Viz Media, $11.99 (9781974759132).

Timid Yutaka joins a supernatural high school, seeking confidence through his bond with popular werewolf Tsumiki. As he embraces her wild world and finds his footing, a figure from his past resurfaces, threatening to shatter his hard-won self-assurance.

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Outstanding Comics Award for Adults

Fiction

Winner

Tongues. Written by Anders Brekhus Nilsen. Art by Anders Brekhus Nilsen. 2025. Pantheon, $35 (9781524747206).

In this multi-layered reinterpretation of the myth of Prometheus, a prisoner watches from above as the humans he so loves fight against a seemingly all-powerful being and his cult of warriors. Meanwhile a small girl follows a talking chicken in hopes of being the chosen one to save the world.

Honors

Drome. Written by Jesse Lonergan. Art by Jesse Lonergan. 2025. 23rd St., $29.99 (9781259386939).

At the birth of humanity, only violence prevailed. When the greater powers create an unbeatable demigoddess to teach peace and harmony, civilization truly begins. But in a world where chaos and order are constantly at battle, who will truly prevail in leading humanity?

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. Written by Anaïs Flogny. Art by Anaïs Flogny. Translated by Dan Christensen. 2025. Abrams ComicArts, $25.99 (9781419785696).

A young immigrant’s life is changed after meeting a kingpin in the Chicago criminal underworld.

Nonfiction

Winner

Insectopolis. Written by Peter Kuper. Art by Peter Kuper. 2025. W.W. Norton & Company, $35 (9781324035718).

A swarm of different Insects enter the New York Public Library to learn about their history and the effects they have on the human world.

Honors

Black Arms to Hold You Up. Written by Ben Passmore. Art by Ben Passmore. 2025. Pantheon, $22 (9780593316122).

A conversational exploration of violence in Black liberation movements across the US.

Series

Winner

The Night Eaters: She Eats the Night. Written by Marjorie Liu. Art by Sana Takeda. 2022. Abrams ComicArts, $24.99 (9781419758706).

The Night Eaters: Her Little Reapers. Written by Marjorie Liu. Art by Sana Takeda. 2023. Abrams ComicArts, $29.99 (9781419758720).

The Night Eaters: Their Kingdom Come. Written by Marjorie Liu. Art by Sana Takeda. 2025. Abrams ComicArts, $34.99 (9781419758744).

When their mother forces them to clean up the creepy house next door, twins Billy and Milly discover an entire new world of haunts and mysteries that has shaped their entire lives.

Honors

The Department of Truth volume 1: The End of the World. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Martin Simmonds. Letters by Aditya Bidikar. Designed by Dylan Todd. Edited by Steve Foxe. 2021. Image Comics, $9.99 (9781534318335).

The Department of Truth volume 2: The City Upon a Hill. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Martin Simmonds. Letters by Aditya Bidikar. Designed by Dylan Todd. Edited by Steve Foxe. 2021. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534319219).

The Department of Truth volume 3: Free Country. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Elsa Charretier, Tyler Boss, John J. Pearson, David Romero, Alison Sampson, and Jorge Fornes. Cover art by Martin Simmonds. Colors by Matt Hollingsworth, Roman Titov, and Jordie Bellaire. Letters by Aditya Bidikar. Designed by Dylan Todd. Edited by Steve Foxe. 2022. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534321199).

The Department of Truth volume 4: The Ministry of Lies. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Martin Simmonds. Letters by Aditya Bidikar. Designed by Dylan Todd. Edited by Steve Foxe. 2022. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534323414).

The Department of Truth volume 5: What Your Country Can Do for You. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Martin Simmonds, Elsa Charretier, Tyler Boss, John J. Pearson, David Romero, Alison Sampson, and Jorge Fornes. Colors by Jordie Bellaire. Letters by Aditya Bidikar. Designed by Dylan Todd. Edited by Steve Foxe. 2025. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534369498).

The Department of Truth volume 6: Twilight’s Last Gleaming. Written by James Tynion IV. Art by Martin Simmonds and Letizia Cadonici. Colors by Jordie Bellaire. Letters by Aditya Bidikar. Designed by Dylan Todd. Edited by Steve Foxe. 2025. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534330153).

While exploring the mentality of flat earth conspiracy believers, Cole Turner gets recruited by a secretive government agency that battles an ideological war against supernatural ideas.

Search & Destroy volume 1. Written by Atsushi Kaneko. Based on work by Osamu Tezuka. Art by Atsushi Kaneko. Lettering by Phil Christie. Translation by Ben Applegate. 2024. Fantagraphics, $14.99 (9781683969327).

Search & Destroy volume 2. Written by Atsushi Kaneko. Based on work by Osamu Tezuka. Art by Atsushi Kaneko. Lettering by Phil Christie. Translation by Ben Applegate. 2025. Fantagraphics, $14.99 (9798875000522).

Search & Destroy volume 3. Written by Atsushi Kaneko. Based on work by Osamu Tezuka. Art by Atsushi Kaneko. Lettering by Phil Christie. Translation by Ben Applegate. 2025. Fantagraphics, $14.99 (9781683969662).

A feral cyborg tears through a robot underworld to reclaim the body parts that were stolen from her.