Category Archives: SDCC

SDCC 2026: Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees Expands with its Halloween Special featuring James Tynion IV, Tony Fleecs, Tyler Boss, Dave Wachter, Che Grayson, Matt Emmons, and Jared Cullum

The award-winning Patrick Horvath has been the definitive voice behind Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, a cuddly yet shocking story which took the comic industry by storm and sold over 400k comics and collections as a franchise. The recently concluded sequel, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring, is in the running for the “Best Limited Series” Eisner Award, and now, Horvath’s inviting other acclaimed creators to take a stab at Samantha Strong’s bloody and beloved world in Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Halloween Special.

Arriving this October, the Harvey Award-winning Horvath joins forces with superstar creators James Tynion IV and Tyler Boss, Tony Fleecs and Dave Wachter, Che Grayson and Matt Emmons, and Jared Cullum to craft a must-read original one-shot featuring the adorable citizens of Woodbrook gathering around a campfire to share terrifying stories.

It features covers by Patrick Horvath, Tony Fleecs, Peach Momoko, and J. Gonzo and there’ll be more news about the future of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees will be revealed at San Diego Comic-Con.

SDCC 2026: Jem and the Holograms x Cold Slither Drop an Electric New Theme Song

Two iconic worlds. One epic collaboration. The Jem and the Holograms theme tune collides with the legendary Cold Slither for a high-energy crossover that’s truly outrageous. Get ready for electrifying vocals, unforgettable riffs, and a clash of rock royalty like you’ve never heard before.

The unmistakable sparkle of Jem and the Holograms collides with the legendary Cold Slither in a high-powered crossover that’s as nostalgic as it is explosive. This reimagined take on the classic Jem and the Holograms “Theme Song” delivers electrifying vocals, unforgettable riffs, and a clash of rock royalty fans never knew they needed – until now!

Hasbro had previously announced The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Celebration of Life Concert, which will feature special performances by Cold Slither and Britta Phillips (original singing voice of Jem from Jem and the Holograms), plus more. The special live event takes place July 23 at House of Blues San Diego. Tickets and VIP packages are available now here.

SDCC 2026: Hasbro And Reigning Phoenix Music Bring The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Concert

The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Celebration of Life Concert

Hasbro and Reigning Phoenix Music have announced The Transformers: The Movie 40th Anniversary Celebration of Life Concert, a special live event taking place Thursday, July 23, at House of Blues San Diego during Comic-Con week. The concert is part of Hasbro’s “Apology Tour,” a playful, year-long campaign celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Transformers: The Movie and acknowledging the moment fans still haven’t quite recovered from.
 
Featuring music from The Transformers: The Movie: The Soundtrack: The Reformatted Edition performed live by Knights of Unicron, along with a special performance of “The Touch” by Stan Bush, the concert pays tribute to the soundtrack that helped turn an animated movie into a cultural touchstone for generations of fans.
 
The concert also features a powerhouse lineup of fan-favorite performers, including Vince DiCola, whose legendary score helped define the sound and spirit of The Transformers: The MovieCold Slither, who returns to the stage after last year’s live debut at Comic-Con, bringing their loud and rebellious sound straight from the world of G.I. JOE; and Britta Phillips, the original singing voice of Jem from Jem and the Holograms, whose glitter, glam and truly outrageous pop flair makes every performance unforgettable. Together, these performers will turn the evening into a full-scale celebration of iconic Hasbro music and entertainment fandom that is… More Than Meets the Eye!
 
Additional special guests and performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
Event Details – THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE 40th Anniversary Concert

SDCC 2026: The Ghostbuster Exclusive Escapes Containment

KENNER CLASSICS THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS ECTO-GLOW GLOW COPTER VEHICLE

(HASBRO \ Nintendo | Ages 4 & Up | Approx. Retail Price: $67.99 | Available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con. Limited quantities will be available to order on HasbroPulse.com after the convention. While supplies last.) 

Thirty-five years later, the unreleased Glow Copter is finally cleared for takeoff! Better late than never, right? A coveted Kenner deep cut, this long-lost vehicle arrives to complete The Real Ghostbusters Ecto-Glow lineup in a gloriously ghostly style. The Real Ghostbusters’ eye in the sky lands as a standout collector piece. With vintage-inspired Kenner styling, glow-in-the-dark deco, a spinning rotor, and a ghost bomb, the Ecto-Glow Glow Copter Vehicle set brings lost toy history straight to the shelf.

  • Authentic Kenner Heritage: Design inspired by the 1980s Kenner The Real Ghostbusters line.
  • Collector-Ready Lineup: Includes Ecto-Glow Hero Louis Tully and Meanie Weenie Ghost figures.
  • Signature Glow Deco: Vehicle, action figures, and select accessories glow in the dark.

SDCC 2026: Symbiote Studios Brings its Largest Ever Lineup of Exclusives

Symbiote Studios will be returning to San Diego Comic-Con July 22-26, bringing with them their largest ever assortment of Transformers plush toys, pins and apparel that fans won’t want to miss! Officially licensed by Hasbro, Symbiote Studios’ Transformers plush toys bring to life the iconic characters that fans have loved for decades in bold and colorful designs. 

These all-new Transformers plush toys will be available in the Symbiote Studios booth (#5629) while supplies last.

  • Grimlock G2 plush (show exclusive): Building upon Symbiote Studios’ fan-favorite lineup of Transformers Dinobots plush toys, a show exclusive version of Grimlock with his blue-forward G2 color scheme will be available in limited quantities. [$29.99]
  • Soundwave X Catnip Bravo t-shirt (show exclusive): Soundwave is indeed supreme, and he’s teaming up with Symbiote Studios own mascot Catnip Bravo in this show exclusive t-shirt featuring original artwork. [$24.99]
  • Ravage magnetic plush (premiere): Symbiote Studios’ first-ever Ravage plush is sure to be a popular sight at the Con, as it includes a magnetic attachment on its base that allows it to securely on your shoulder or hat. The magnetic plush will make its premiere at Comic-Con and will also be available from the Symbiote Studios online store starting July 22 at 5:30pm PT. [$24.99]
  • Transformers Dinobots pins (premiere): A new assortment of pins featuring the Transformers Dinobots will premiere at the show. The pins are approximately two inches wide and showcase the Dinobots in their G1 designs. [$14.99 each or three for $30]

Those who have visited the Symbiote Studios booth in previous years know that a highlight of the show is the Catnip Bravo Rock-Paper-Scissors fan competition, which will return again this year. Beat Catnip Bravo in this ultimate game of skill to win a free pin! Competitions will take place each day of Comic-Con, with specific times to be announced in the coming weeks. Catnip Bravo fans will also have a new way to take him home with them this year with Symbiote Studios first-ever blind box bag charms [$19.99]. Each box will contain one of three unique Catnip Bravo designs, with one rarer than the others. 

In addition to the many plush toys available for purchase, the Symbiote Studios booth will be the only place to get a first look at never before seen plush toys that will debut later this year, featuring new Transformers and My Little Pony plush toys. 

SDCC 2026: Hasbro unveils its G.I. JOE Exclusives including Shipwreck vs. Cadet Deming and Fatal Fluffies!

Hasbro has revealed two new G.I. JOE action figure exclusives heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2026G.I. JOE Classified Series #204 Fatal Fluffies action figure and #205 Shipwreck vs. Cadet Deming (There’s No Place Like Springfield) action figure set!

Fatal Fluffies and Shipwreck Vs. Cadet Deming figures will be available for purchase exclusively at the Hasbro booth during San Diego Comic-Con (while supplies last). Following the convention, limited quantities will be available to order on HasbroPulse.com.

G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES #205, SHIPWRECK VS. CADET DEMING (THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE SPRINGFIELD)

(HASBRO | Ages 4 years & up | Approx. Retail Price: $64.99 | Available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con. Limited quantities will be available to order on HasbroPulse.com after the convention. While supplies last.) 

G.I. JOE is a highly skilled, on-demand, special operations force of men and women from around the globe tasked with defending the world from Cobra, a ruthless criminal organization bent on total domination. Recreate Shipwreck facing off against Cadet Deming in a battle of wills as the G.I. JOE sailor takes on the Crimson Guard interrogator inspired by “There’s No Place Like Springfield” from G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero. This highly articulated 6-inch-scale action figure set lets fans recreate the episode in which Cadet Deming subjects Shipwreck to an elaborate fabricated reality to extract secret intelligence. With premium deco and detailing, the set includes 13 cartoon-inspired accessory pieces, including Shipwreck’s swappable hair piece, glass of dosed milk, and parrot companion Polly accessory wielding a device to blast the evil Synthoids impersonating Shipwreck’s loved ones and G.I. JOE allies. The classic window packaging showcases the accessory loadout, figure-specific File Card Icons, original character artwork, and dynamic digital renders. 

Look for other G.I. JOE figures and toys to build your roster of heroic G.I. JOE’s and Cobra villains (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.). 

G.I. JOE CLASSIFIED SERIES #204, FATAL FLUFFIES

(HASBRO | Ages 4 years & up | Approx. Retail Price: $54.99 | Available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con. Limited quantities will be available to order on HasbroPulse.com after the convention. While supplies last.)

G.I. JOE is a highly skilled, on-demand, special operations force of men and women from around the globe tasked with defending the world from Cobra, a ruthless criminal organization bent on total domination. Bring home one of the strangest threats in G.I. Joe history with Fatal Fluffies, inspired by the classic G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero cartoon miniseries “The Pyramid of Darkness”! This highly articulated 6-inch scale G.I. Joe Classified Series set features premium deco, detailed design, and accessories inspired by the episode, including Cobra Commander’s greeting, a swappable facial expression, whip, laser blaster, 2 small flame effects, and a large fireball effect that plugs into the transformed Fatal Fluffy’s open mouth. The outer sleeve design nods to the nostalgia of Saturday Morning Cartoon-viewing with a faux cereal box loaded with Easter Eggs referencing the classic “Pyramid of Darkness” miniseries, while featuring the classic window-box display showcasing the figures along with accessory loadout, File Card Icons, original character artwork, and dynamic digital renders. 

Look for other G.I. JOE figures and toys to build your roster of heroic G.I. JOE’s and Cobra villains (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.). 

SDCC 2026: IDW Dark’s Fatal Fest blends Survival Horror with Hollywood Satire from Hannah Rose May and Andrea Scalmazzi

How far would you go to achieve your dream? Would you kill for it? Creator and writer Hannah Rose May and IDW Dark ready to unleash a first tease at Fatal Fest, her next nail-biting and bold original terror with IDW Publishing‘s horror imprint.

When six emerging horror filmmakers are invited to compete at Fatal Fest, the mysterious festival run by reclusive horror maestro Frank Finch and his legendary production empire, Fatal Films, they discover this is no ordinary film festival. Frank has one simple rule: to create true fear, you must experience it. If they want to win the Fatal Fest, they need to be willing to kill for it

Featuring artwork by Andrea Scalmazzi, Fatal Fest is a harrowing and twisted exploration of obsession with IP, the thirst for fame and Hollywood’s ruthless commodification of art. Survival horror collides with culturally relevant satire and readers won’t be able to look away from the brutal ride.

IDW Dark and May will unveil more details about Fatal Fest at San Diego Comic Con in July.

Fatal Fest

Stardust’s Eisner Nomination Removed from Ballot while Comic-Con takes a look at its Submission Policy

Eisner Awards Nominee

Last week, we broke the news that a nominee for the 2026 Eisners featuring some AI work. Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology was nominated this year under “Best Anthology.” Managed by Van Jensen, the anthology featured an impressive amount of talent and raised over $39,000 from 614 supporters on the Zoop crowdfunding platform.

One of those who contributed was Michael Todasco using his “AI persona,” Alex Irons for an included page. Irons has an author page on Amazon showing numerous releases over the years and the bio admits it being an AI “author.” Todasco boasted on LinkedIn about the page inclusion in the anthology. You can see Todasco’s post as well as the page from the anthology on our original article. Below is the author bio from Amazon.

Alex Irons is not a real person. Books under his name are written by AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and other large language models. The real-life person guiding those queries is a writer, entrepreneur, and technology enthusiast currently pursuing an MFA in writing at Johns Hopkins University.

All proceeds from Alex’s books go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley.

Numerous contributors have come out publicly stating that they had no idea about the use of AI until after it was decided and the inclusion was not disclosed on the crowdfunding page.

As you can imagine, the nomination ignited a firestorm with petitions launched to not just rescind the nomination but also ask Comic-Con and the Eisners to create a policy regarding AI and its use in works submitted for nomination in future awards.

Comic-Con has released a statement that Stardust‘s nomination has been rescinded by its editor and that the convention will look at drafting a policy that will impact future awards.

In light of the recent disclosure that Artificial Intelligence was included in a work submitted for Eisner Award consideration, the judges have indicated that had they been aware of this information, they would not have voted for its inclusion. The editor of the anthology in question has also rescinded this submission for inclusion. Therefore, the submission has been removed from the list of nominees and will not appear on the ballot.

It is clear that the ever evolving landscape of technology, as it relates to art, will  benefit from further review and discussion. For this reason, San Diego Comic Convention will undertake that effort and will produce a policy that better reflects its long standing efforts in the protection of artists and creators alike.

-Comic-Con International

The 2026 Eisner Awards Nominees Have Been Revealed

Eisner Awards Nominee

Comic-Con has announced the nominees for the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. The nominations cover works published between January 1 and December 31, 2025 and was chosen by a panel of judges.

This year’s nominees cover 32 categories, with over 170 print and online titles, from around 75 publishers.

DC was the most decorated publisher with 16 nominations plus 10 shared, Image Comics received 12 nominations and 9 shared, and Fantagraphics received 14 nominations.

Deniz Camp was the most nominated creator with 5 nominations. James Tynion IV received 4 nominations.

The Eisner Award trophies will be presented in an awards ceremony to be held at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel during Comic-Con on the evening of July 24.

Below is the full list of this year’s nominees:

Best Short Story

  • “Blood Harvest,” in Brain Damage, by Shintaro Kago, translated by Zack Davisson (Fantagraphics)
  • “The Curse Room,” in Brain Damage, by Shintaro Kago, translated by Zack Davisson (Fantagraphics)
  • “Football Is Not War,” by R. K. Russell and Wilfred Santiago, in Come Out and Play: The Queer Sports Project (Stacked Deck Press)
  • “Red Snapper in the Rea,” by Michael D. Kennedy, in Milk White Steed (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • “trAPPed” by Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson (Bloomberg News)

Best One-Shot/Single Issue

  • Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1, by Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren (DC)
  • Absolute Martian Manhunter #1, by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez (DC)
  • Assorted Crisis Events #4, by Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski (Image)
  • Coin-Op no. 10: Wet Cementby Peter and Maria Hoey (Coin-Op Books)
  • Ice Cream Man #43: “One Page Horror Stories,” by W. Maxwell Prince and others (Image)
  • Something Is Killing the Children: A Monster Hunter Walks into a Bar #1, by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera (BOOM! Studios)

Best Continuing Series

  • Absolute Batman, by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and others (DC)
  • Absolute Wonder Woman, by Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and Mattia De Iulis (DC)
  • The Department of Truthby James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds (Image)
  • FMLby Kelly Sue DeConnick and David Lopez (Dark Horse)
  • The Power Fantasy, by Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard (Image)
  • Storm, by Murewa Ayodele, Lucas Werneck, and others (Marvel)

Best Limited Series

  • Absolute Martian Manhunter, by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez (DC)
  • Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring, by Patrick Horvath (IDW)
  • Bronze Faces, by Shobo, Shof, and Alexandre Tefenkgi (BOOM! Studios)
  • Crownsville, by Rodney Barnes and Elia Bonetti (Oni Press)
  • Everything Dead and Dying, by Tate Brombal and Jacob Phillips (Image)
  • Out of Alcatraz, by Christopher Cantwell & Tyler Crook (Oni Press)

Best New Series

  • Assorted Crisis Events, by Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski (Image)
  • Batman Vol. 4by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez (DC)
  • Black Catby G. Willow Wilson and Gleb Melnikov (Marvel)
  • Exquisite Corpses, by James Tynion IV, Michael Walsh, Pornsak Pichetshote, and others (Image)
  • Ghost Pepperby Ludo Lullabi (Image)
  • Temporal, by Stephanie Williams and Asiah Fulmore (Mad Cave)

Best Publication for Early Readers

  • All the Hulk Feels, by Dan Santat (Abrams Fanfare/Marvel)
  • The Faraway Forest: Wally’s Route, by Debbie Fong (Chronicle Books)
  • The Fire-Breathing Duckling, by Frank Cammuso (TOON Books)
  • Night Lightby Michael Emberley (Holiday House)
  • Steve, A Rare Egg, by Kelly Collier (Kids Can Press)

Best Publication for Kids

  • The Cartoonists Club, by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud (Scholastic Graphix)
  • Chickenpox, by Remy Lai (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)
  • Creature Clinic, by Gavin Aung Than (First Second)
  • Night Chef: An Epic Tale of Friendship with a Side of Deliciousness! By Mika Song (Random House Graphic)
  • Oasis, by Guojing (Godwin Books/Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)
  • A Song for You and I, by K. O’Neill (Random House Graphic)

Best Publication for Teens

  • Angelica and the Bear Prince, by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House Graphic)
  • Clementine: Book Three, by Tillie Walden (Image Skybound)
  • Everyone Sux But You, by K. Wroten (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)
  • Hello Sunshine, by Keezy Young (Little, Brown Ink)
  • This Place Kills Me, by Mariko Tamaki and Nicole Goux (Abrams Fanfare)
  • Trumpets of Death, by Simon Bournel-Bosson, translated by Edward Gauvin (Graphic Universe/Lerner)

Best Humor Publication

  • And to Think We Started as a Book Clubby Tom Toro (Andrews McMeel Universal)
  • Ew, It’s Beautiful: A False Knees Comics Collection, by Joshua Barkman (Andrews McMeel Universal)
  • The Great British Bump-Off: Kill or Be Quilt, by John Allison and Max Sarin (Dark Horse)
  • Jeff the Land Shark, by Kelly Thompson and Tokitokoro (Marvel)
  • Physics for Cats, by Tom Gauld (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Spent: A Comic Novel, by Alison Bechdel (Mariner Books)

Best Anthology

  • Come Out and Play: The Queer Sports Project, edited by Meghan Kemp-Gee and Megan Praz (Stacked Deck Press)
  • DC Pride 2025, edited by Andrea Shea and Jillian Grant (DC)
  • Noir Is the New Black Season 2 (FairSquare Graphics)
  • Stardust the Super Wizard Anthologyedited by Van Jensen (Blue Creek Creative)
  • 2000AD 2026 Annual Featuring Judge Dreddedited by Oliver Pickles (Rebellion)

Best Reality-Based Work

  • Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance, by Ben Passmore (Pantheon)
  • Do Admit: The Mitford Sisters and Me, by Mimi Pond (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Fela: Music Is the Weapon, by Jibola Fagbamiye and Conor McCreery (Amistad)
  • Globetrotters: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s World Tourby Julian Voloj and Julie Rocheleau (Abrams ComicArts)
  • Muybridge, by Guy Delisle, translated by Helge Daschert and Rob Aspinal (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Surrounded: America’s First School for Black Girls, 1832, by Wilfrid Lupano and Stéphane Fert (ABLAZE)

Best Graphic Memoir

  • The Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief, by Carol Tyler (Fantagraphics)
  • My Life in 24 Frames Per Second, by Rintaro (Kana Manga US)
  • It Rhymes with Takei, by George Takei, Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger (Top Shelf)
  • Precious Rubbish, by Kayla E. (Fantagraphics)
  • Raised by Ghosts, by Briana Loewinsohn (Fantagraphics)
  • Talking to My Father’s Ghost: An Almost True Story, by Alex Krokus (Chronicle)

Best Graphic Album–New

  • Cannon, by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Drome, by Jesse Lonergan (23rd St. Books)
  • The Fable of Erkling Woods, by Juni Ba (Goats Flying Press)
  • A Garden of Spheres, by Linnea Sterte (Peow2)
  • More Weight: A Salem Story, by Ben Wickey (Top Shelf)
  • Shadows of the Sea, by Cathy Malkasian (Fantagraphics)

Best Graphic Album–Reprint

  • Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Storybook Edition, by Patrick Horvath (IDW)
  • Ginseng Roots: A Memoir, by Craig Thompson (Pantheon)
  • Goes Like Thisby Jordan Crane (Fantagraphics)
  • Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen: The Deluxe Editionby Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber (DC)
  • Tongues, by Anders Nilsen (Pantheon)

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

  • Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness, Book 1), by Tamora Pierce, adapted by Vita Ayala and Sama Beck (Abrams Fanfare)
  • The Compleat Angler: A Graphic Adaptation, by Izaak Walton, adapted by Gareth Brookes (SelfMadeHero)
  • Dead Man Walking: Graphic Edition, by Sister Helen Prejean, adapted by Rose Vines and Catherine Anyango Grünewald (Random House)
  • Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel, by Jewell Parker Rhodes and Setor Fiadzigbey (Little, Brown Ink)
  • Lord of the Flies: The Graphic Novel, by William Golding, adapted by Aimée De Jongh (Penguin Classics)
  • A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel, by Ursula K. Le Guin, adapted by Fred Fordham (Clarion Books)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

  • Buff Soul, by Moa Romanova, translated by Melissa Bowers (Fantagraphics)
  • Cornelius: The Merry Life of a Wretched Dog, by Marc Torices, translated by Andrea Rosenberg (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • In the End We All Dieby Tobias Aeschbacher, translated by Andrew Shields (Helvetiq)
  • Nocturnos, by Laura Perez, translated by Andrea Rosenberg (Fantagraphics)
  • Raging Cloudsby Yudori (Fantagraphics)
  • Smoke Gets in Your Eyesby Anaïs Flogny, translated by Dan Christensen (Abrams ComicArts)

Best U.S. Edition of International Material–Asia

  • Hirayasumi, vols. 4–7, by Keigo Shinzo, translated by Jan Mitsuko Cash (VIZ Media)
  • Land, vol. 1, by Kazumi Yamashita, translated by Kevin Gifford (Yen Press)
  • Purgatory Funeral Cakes, by Sanho, translated by Danny Lim (Dark Horse)
  • Tokyo Alien Bros., vols. 1–3, by Keigo Shinzo, translated by Casey Loe (VIZ Media)
  • Yan, vols. 1–2, by Chang Sheng, translated by Vanessa Liu (Titan Manga)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips

  • Arthur Ferrier’s Pin-Up Parade Box Set, edited by Rian Hughes (Korero Press)
  • Barnaby, vol. 5: 1950–1952, by Crockett Johnson, edited by Eric Reynolds and Philip Nel (Fantagraphics)
  • The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1928–1930, edited by J. Michael Catron and Bill Blackbeard (Fantagraphics)
  • Rea Irvin’s The Smythes, edited by R. Kikuo Johnson and Dash Shaw (NYRC)
  • Terminal Exposure: Comics, Sculpture, and Risky Behaviorby Michael McMillan, edited by Lucas Adams (NYRC)

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books

  • AKIRA Volumes 1–5 Hardcover Collection, by Katsuhiro Otomo, edited by Haruko Hashimoto, Ajani Oloye, and Lauren Scanlan (Kodansha USA Publishing)
  • The Atlas Comics Library No. 7: Girl Comicsedited by Dr. Michael J. Vassallo (Fantagraphics)
  • Comics of the Movement #1by Courtland Cox, Jennifer Lawson, Alfred Hassler, and Benton Resnik (Good Trouble Comics)
  • Hothead Paisan, by Diane DiMassa, organized by Anika Banister (NYRC)
  • Scream! The Specials 1985–2024, edited by Chiara Mestieri (Rebellion)
  • Weird Science Vol. 1 XXLedited by Grant Geissman (TASCHEN)

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

  • Comic Art in Korea, by John A. Lent (University Press of Mississippi)
  • Comics of the Anthropocene: Graphic Narrative at the End of Nature, by José Alaniz (University Press of Mississippi)
  • Graphic Narratives of Resistanceby Jennifer Boum Make and Charly Verstraet (Edinburgh University Press)
  • Latinx Comics Studies: Critical and Creative Crossings, edited by Fernanda Díaz-Basteris and Maite Urcaregui (Rutgers University Press)
  • Manga’s First Century: How Creators and Fans Made Japanese Comics, 1905–1989, by Andrea Horbinski (University of California Press)

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

  • CANONby Colin Blanchette and Alex Eklund
  • Comic Book Creator, edited by Jon B. Cooke (TwoMorrows)
  • Dummy, edited by John Kelly (The Dummy Corporation)
  • Shelfdust, edited by Steve Morris, http://www.shelfdust.com
  • SKTCHD, by David Harper, http://www.sktchd.com
  • SOLRAD: The Online Literary Magazine for Comics, edited by Daniel Elkin, http://www.solrad.co (Fieldmouse Press)

Best Comics-Related Book

  • Crumb: A Cartoonist’s Life, by Dan Nadel (Scribner)
  • Facing Feelings: Inside the World of Raina Telgemeierby Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic)
  • How Comics Are Madeby Glenn Fleishman (Andrews McMeel)
  • Making Nonfiction Comics: A Guide to Graphic Narrative, by Eleri Harris and Shay Mirk (Abrams ComicArts)
  • Only What’s Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts, by Chip Kidd (Abrams ComicArts)
  • Ooops…I Just Catharted!: Fifty Years of Cathartic Comics, by Rupert Kinnard, edited by William O. Tyler (Stacked Deck Press)

Best Publication Design

  • The Art of Manga, designed by Tessa Lee (Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco/VIZ Media)
  • The Essential Peanutsdesigned by Shawn Dahl with Chip Kidd (Abrams ComicArts)
  • Fruits Basket: The Complete Box Set (Collector’s Edition #13), designed by Wendy Chan (Yen Press)
  • Red Light Properties: Unfinished Business, designed by Dan Goldman (Kinjin Storylab)
  • The Marvel Art of Michael Allred Slipcase Edition, designed by Kurtis Findlay (Clover Press)
  • Weird Science Vol. 1 XXLdesigned by Anna-Tina Kessler (TASCHEN)

Best Webcomic

  • The Accidental Undergrad by Christian Giroux (Fieldmouse Press)  
  • Keeping Time by Kody Okamoto (keepingtimecomic.com) 
  • The Legend of Parvaterra by Raúl Arnáiz (WEBTOON)
  • Sable: A Ghost Story, by Ethan M. Aldridge (sablecomic.com) 
  • Superfish, by Peglo (WEBTOON) 
  • Terran Omega: The Ghosts of War, by PJ Holden (pauljholden.com) 
  • Tiger, Tiger by Petra Erika Nordlund (tigertigercomic.com) 

Best Digital Comic

  • DeadAssby hakei (VIZ Media)
  • In the Real Dark Night, by Jimmy Gownley (G-Ville Comics)
  • The Lycan, by Mike Carey, Thomas Jane, David James Kelly, and Diego Yapur (Comixology Originals)
  • Overwatch 2: Against the Tideby Brandon Chen and Velinxi (Blizzard Entertainment)
  • Practical Defense Against Piracy, by Tony Cliff (delilahdirk.com)
  • The World of Lublu, by Charbak Dipta (The Charbax Store)

Best Writer

  • Deniz CampAbsolute Martian Manhunter (DC); Assorted Crisis Events (Image); The Ultimates (Marvel)
  • Scott SnyderAbsolute Batman, Batman/Deadpool (DC); By a Thread: Book 2 (Comixology Originals), You Won’t Feel a Thing (DSTLRY)
  • Mariko TamakiThis Place Kills Me (Abrams Fanfare)
  • Kelly ThompsonAbsolute Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey (DC); Jeff the Land Shark (Marvel)
  • James Tynion IVSomething Is Killing the Children, Wynd: The Power of the Blood (BOOM! Studios); Let This One Be a Devil, Red Book (Dark Horse); The City Beneath Her Feet (DSTLRY); The Department of Truth, Exquisite Corpses, W0RLDTR33 (Image); Universal Monsters: The Invisible Man (Image Skybound)
  • Stephanie WilliamsStreet Sharks (IDW); Roots of Madness (Ignition Press); Temporal (Mad Cave)

Best Writer/Artist

  • Juni Ba, The Boy Wonder (DC); The Fable of Erkling Woods (Goats Flying Press); Monkey Meat Summer Batch (Image)
  • Jamal CampbellZatanna (DC)
  • Jesse LonerganDrome (23rd St. Books)
  • Chang ShengYan, vols. 1–2 (Titan Manga)
  • Linnea Sterte, A Garden of Spheres (Peow2)
  • Kazumi YamashitaLand, vol. 1 (Yen Press)

Best Penciller/Inker

  • Elsa CharetierThe City Beneath Her Feet (DSTLRY)
  • Sean PhillipsGiant Size Criminal #1, The Knives: A Criminal Book (Image)
  • Javier RodriguezAbsolute Martian Manhunter (DC)
  • Chris SamneeBatman and Robin: Year One (DC)
  • Hayden ShermanAbsolute Wonder Woman, Batman: Dark Patterns (DC)
  • Eric ZawadzkiAssorted Crisis Events (Image)

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist

  • Teddy KristiansenBlack Hammer: Spiral City (Dark Horse)
  • Cathy Malkasian, Shadows of the Sea (Fantagraphics)
  • QuSlices of Life: A Comic Montage (Bulgilhan Press)
  • Martin SimmondsThe Department of Truth (Image)
  • Mika SongNight Chef: An Epic Tale of Friendship with a Side of Deliciousness! (Random House Graphic)
  • Linnea Sterte, A Garden of Spheres (Peow)

Best Cover Artist

  • Juni BaThe Boy Wonder (DC); The Fable of Erkling Woods (Goats Flying Press); TMNT Nightwatcher, TMNT Godzilla (IDW); Monkey Meat Summer Batch (Image)
  • Nick DragottaAbsolute Batman, Absolute Batman 2025 Annual, Batman #1, Batman/Deadpool (DC)
  • Francesco FrancavillaCyberpunk 2077, Star Wars: Tales from the Nightlands (Dark Horse); Absolute Batman, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Batman: Full Moon, Nightwing variants (DC); Green Hornet/Miss Fury (Dynamite); Star Trek: The Last Starship, Twilight Zone (IDW); Dick Tracy (Mad Cave)
  • Mateus ManhaniniAbsolute SupermanAbsolute Wonder Woman, Mr. Terrific: Year One variants (DC); Doctor Strange, Ironheart: Bad Chemistry, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, Phases of the Moon Knight, Star Wars: The High Republic, Storm, The Ultimates (Marvel)
  • Javier RodriguezAbsolute Martian Manhunter, Batman & Robin: Year One #7, The New Gods #8 (DC)
  • Hayden ShermanAbsolute Wonder Woman, Batman: Dark Patterns #3-12 (DC)

Best Coloring

  • Jordie BellaireAbsolute Wonder Woman, The Nice House by the Sea (DC); The Exorcism at 1600 Penn (IDW); Assorted Crisis Events, The Department of Truth, Exquisite Corpses, W0RLDTR33 (Image); GI Joe (Image/Skybound); EC Catacomb of Torment, EC Epitaphs from the Abyss (Oni Press)
  • Ninakupenda GaillardChickenpox (Henry Holt Books for Young Readers)
  • Jesse LonerganDrome (23rd St. Books)
  • Matheus LopesBatman and Robin Year One (DC); The Seasons (Image)
  • Javier RodriguezAbsolute Martian Manhunter (DC)
  • José VillarrubiaThis Ink Runs Cold (Alan Spiegel Fine Arts); Ghostbox (Comixology Originals); Dracula Book 2: The Brides, The Witcher: The Bear and the Butterfly (Dark Horse); Hunger (The Lab Press); It Rhymes with Takei (Top Shelf)

Best Lettering

  • Janice ChiangAcro and the Cat, All Upon a Time, Beyond the Aural Vault, Republica, Solarblader (Sandstorm); John Carpenter’s Blood of the Taken: Next of Kin, Pause, Tales of Science Fiction (Storm King)
  • Clayton Cowles, Absolute Batman, Batman, Batman & Robin: Year One, Birds of Prey, Black Canary: Best of the Best, Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman, (DC); Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1-3 (Marvel)
  • Hassan Otsmane-ElhaouIll Vacation, Stillman (Comixology Originals); Absolute Martian Manhunter, Challengers of the Unknown, DC K.O., The Flash, Green Arrow, Poison Ivy (DC); Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees, The Exorcism at 1600 Penn, Starship Godzilla, (IDW); Author Immortal (Image); Our-Soot-Stained Heart (Mad Cave)
  • Nate PiekosAmerican Caper #1, Archie Vs. Minor Threats, Black Hammer: Spiral City, The Brood, Minor Threats: The Last Devil Left Alive, Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons, The Umbrella Academy Plan B, Welcome to Twilight (Dark Horse); I Hate Fairyland (Image)
  • Ben WickeyMore Weight: A Salem Story (Top Shelf)

The 2026 Eisner Nominations Includes the First Work Featuring AI?

The nominees for the 2026 Eisner awards were announced today and with it some controversy. We’re not talking the usual frustration with who was chosen and who was omitted. This year’s nominees includes what might be the first inclusion of work featuring AI.

Stardust the Super Wizard Anthology was nominated this year under “Best Anthology.” Managed by Van Jensen, the anthology was backed with an impressive amount of talent and raised over $39,000 from 614 supporters on the Zoop crowdfunding platform.

One of those who contributed was Michael Todasco using his “AI persona,” Alex Irons for an included page. Todasco seemed to have boasted of the inclusion on LinkedIn and you can see his page further below.

My AI persona, Alex Irons, is being published in a new comic book compilation starring the 1940s, public domain superhero, Stardust the Super Wizard. I trained a model on the original Fletcher Hanks artwork and story structure, and the AI generated the published tale. However, don't buy it for that reason. There are 139 pages of insanely talented human creators who fill the rest of the book, including legends like Mike Allred. A couple of days remain to pre-order a copy.

The inclusion of the AI generated story wasn’t disclosed in the original campaign and Todasco nor “Alex Irons” are mentioned on the campaign page but are in the table of content in a story unironically called, “Artificial.”

When it comes to the use of AI in Eisner submissions, we can’t find anything that prohibits it. The FAQ and “call for entries” don’t mention the topic. We’ve reached out to the team for any clarification and will update this article when/if we hear back. The eligibility is rather simple:

Eligibility: Any comic, graphic novel/album, or comics-related periodical/book shipped to retailers or bookstores or first made available online in the U.S. between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025 is eligible. Publications must not be more than 50 percent reprint material (except in the graphic album– reprint and archival categories); international material published for the first time in English the United States in 2025 is eligible.

So, congrats to whatever system that was trained on the hard work of Fletcher Hanks and your Eisner nomination!

Below is the page in question.

Stardust AI page
« Older Entries