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Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse has been nominated for a Peabody Award. Watch it for Free for a Limited Time

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Art Spiegelman: Disaster Is My Muse has been nominated for a Peabody. To celebrate, the documentary has been released for a limited time to be streamed.

The documentary explores the work of cartoonist Art Spiegelman and the impact of his Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel Maus, about his parents’ survival of the Holocaust. A defender of free speech, Spiegelman has spoken out as book bans spread across the country.

This documentary originally aired on April 15th, 2025.

The 86th annual Peabody Awards will be held on May 31 in Los Angeles.

The Inkwell Awards: Voting Open until April 3

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Inkwell Awards

The Inkwell Awards is now open for fans and professionals to choose their industry favorites. The official public ballot will be available on the Inkwells’ homepage for two weeks, through Friday, April 3.

Voting is open in five categories: Favorite Inker, Most Adaptable, Props (inkers deserving more attention), The S.P.A.M.I. (Small Press And Mainstream/Independent for non-Marvel/DC work) and All-In-One (artists who ink their own pencils). The awards cover all printed comic books released in 2025.

Bob Almond, founder and director of The Inkwell Awards, the only non-profit organization devoted to public education and promotion of the art of comic book inking,  added:

Our nomination procedure continues to include inkers who submitted their work, in addition to those chosen by our internal nomination committee. Too many ink artists are passed over and go unnoticed by most awards events. Ours caters specifically to inkers so they can be recognized and appreciated for their best work. We encourage all who appreciate quality artwork to participate and share on social media; the more voters, the better.

The internally-chosen lifetime achievement accolades, the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award and the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA) will be announced along with the ballot categories at the Saturday, July 11, live awards ceremony at their host-show, Hershey Comic Con.

Nebula Awards Expands into Comics and Ignores Everyone Involved But Writers

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The Nebula Awards has announced the nominations for the 61st annual event which honors the best sci-fi and fantasy writing. This year’s awards expanded with “Best Poem” and “Best Comic” with the latter causing some issues.

The awards are organized by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association and in their announcement, they only listed the “writers” and publishers in the “Best Comic” category.

The announcement was met with negativity with numerous individuals pointing out the “writing” of comics is far more than the script and can be a team that involves pencillers, colorists, letterers, editors, and more, all of whom work together to tell the story.

In their announcement the organization states:

Like the Ray Bradbury Nebula Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation and the Nebula Award for Best Game Writing, these new awards celebrate the writers at the heart of productions that also involve editors, artists, publishers, producers, and a wealth of other team members who make the magic happen.

Some pointed out the award is for “Best Comic” which would indicate the entire comic, not just the script. The organization did engage with individuals, though the response was more “speak up for next year’s awards” and that further promotion would include all of those involved in the comic.

Congratulations to our Nebula Finalists for the FIRST EVER Nebula Award for Best Comic!#SFWA #Nebulas #61stNebulaAwards 🥳

— Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (@sfwa.org) 2026-03-16T00:10:53.965Z

The finalists for Best Comic as listed by the SWFA are:

  • Second Shift, by Kit Anderson (Avery Hill)
  • Carmilla Volume 3: The Eternal, by Amy Chu (Berger Books)
  • Helen of Wyndhorn, by Tom King (Dark Horse)
  • Fishflies, by Jeff Lemire (Image)
  • Mary Shelley’s School for Monsters: The Killing Stone, by Jessica Maison (Wicked Tree)
  • Strange Bedfellows, by Ariel Slamet Ries (HarperAlley)
  • The Flip Side, by Jason Walz (Rocky Pond)
  • The Stoneshore Register, by G. Willow Wilson (Berger)

The Nebula Award winners will be announced the first week of June. 

The Ringo Awards 2026 Nominations Now Open

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Ringo Awards

The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the creativity, skill, and fun of comics. The awards return for their ninth year on Saturday, September 26, 2026 as part of the fan- and pro-favorite convention, Baltimore Comic-Con.

Unlike other professional industry awards, the Ringo Awards include fan participation in the nomination process along with an esteemed jury of comics professionals.

More than 20 categories will be celebrated with top honors being given at the awards ceremony in October.

Fan and Pro Nominations

Fan and pro-jury voting are tallied independently, and the combined nomination ballot is compiled by the Ringo Awards Committee. The top two fan choices become nominees, and the jury’s selections fill the remaining three slots for five total nominees per category. Ties may result in more than five nominees in a single category. Nominees will be listed on the ballot alphabetically. Nomination ballot voting is open to the public (fans and pros) between March 13, 2026 and May 28, 2026.

Final Ballot Voting

After processing by the Ringo Awards Committee and Jury, the Final Ballots are targeted to be available to comic creative professionals for voting on July 29, 2026 and will be due by August 26, 2026 for final tallying. Presentation of the winners will occur at the Baltimore Comic-Con on the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Nomination Eligibility

Eligibility for creators and creative works is determined by publication in the preceding calendar year (January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025) – print publication date takes precedence over electronic publication date. For electronic works, the date of publication is time-stamped with most publications and at least 3 episodes/installments of continuing works must have appeared during the eligibility period.

Updated Categories

New in 2026, we have mad a number of updates based on juror, publisher, and voter submissions:

  • Best Single Issue or Story is renamed Best Short Story
  • Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel is now divided into subcategories for Ages 11 and Under and Ages 12 and Up
  • Added the Best Comics-Related Publication category, recognizing outstanding non-comic works that explore, analyze, or document the art, history, and/or culture of comics

These updates reflect clarity of category intent, rationalizes the dichotomy between early reader and young adult titles within the kids’ category, and supports publications found at your local comic shop or bookseller about comics but not presented as a comic.

Fan and Pro Nomination Categories

  • Best Cartoonist (Writer/Artist)
  • Best Writer
  • Best Artist or Penciller/Inker Team
  • Best Letterer
  • Best Colorist
  • Best Cover Artist
  • Best Series
  • Best Short Story
  • Best Original Graphic Novel
  • Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel — Ages 11 and Under
  • Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel — Ages 12 and Up
  • Best Anthology
  • Best Humor Comic
  • Best Webcomic
  • Best Humor Webcomic
  • Best Non-fiction Comic Work
  • Best Comics-Related Publication
  • Best Presentation in Design

Perennial Jury-Only Nomination

  • The Mike Wieringo Spirit Award

Fan-Only Favorite Categories

  • Favorite Hero
  • Favorite Villain
  • Favorite New Series
  • Favorite New Talent
  • Favorite Publisher

Hero Initiative Award (selected by the Hero Initiative)

  • The Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award
  • The Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award

The First Jack & Roz Kirby Award Recipients Revealed

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Jack & Roz Kirby Awards logo

The seven recipients of the inaugural Jack & Roz Kirby Awards (the Kirbys) have been announced. The award ceremony was held at the Original Art Expo (OAX) in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, February 21. The Kirbys are an annual award recognizing innovation, excellence, and humanity in narrative communication.

The Kirbys were announced on October 8, 2025 under a partnership between CAF, The Estate of Jack Kirby (Kirby Estate) as represented by The Rosalind Kirby Family Trust, and The Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center (Kirby Museum). The award process was conducted by an Oversight Council, Advisory Board, and Voting Committee, who selectively have responsibilities to nominate candidates and vote on the award winners. The Founding Sponsors of the Kirbys were Marvel Comics, GalaxyCon, Cosmic Lion Productions, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

For its first year, the Kirbys consisted of seven total award categories that celebrate the artist’s journey. The awards categories have no time restrictions, aside from the Newcomer Award; no geographic limits; and are English only (original/translated). Nominees must be alive at the time of nomination and, after winning a Kirby Award, are ineligible to be nominated for another five years.

CORE AWARDS

The five Core Awards reflect attributes of Jack Kirby and of dedicated, lifelong creators. Voting Committee members have the exclusive responsibility to provide up to two nominations per category and are the sole voters for these categories.

NATE POWELL
INDEPENDENCE
“one who remains steadfast and fierce”

The nominee has demonstrated the ability to operate outside the confines of established systems and control structures to freely create works that express deeply personal beliefs, themes, and values without censorship and commercial pressure.

BILL SIENKIEWICZ
INNOVATOR
“one distinguished by new methods, approaches, and ideas”

The nominee has demonstrated clear innovation in methods, techniques, styles, storytelling, solutions, and/or packaging, and in so doing, has challenged the status quo and expanded the possibilities for all.

KEVIN NOWLAN
VISIONARY
“one distinguished by vital originality”

The nominee has demonstrated the ability to display and communicate worlds, characters, ideas, symbols, and realities beyond our current norms and understanding in contributing to our general comprehension and evolution.

ZOE THOROGOOD
NEWCOMER
“one to support in all ways”

The nominee has demonstrated early in their artistic life unique capabilities, viewpoints, perspectives, dedication, and perseverance that invites the possibility of consistently unique and impactful works being created.

JOHN ROMITA, JR.
STORYTELLER
“one adept at shared human connection”

The nominee has demonstrated the ability to synthesize the complex and varied components of storytelling to powerfully connect with, engage, and impact others.

LEGACY AWARDS

The two Legacy Awards are a type of career achievement award, one of which is rooted in a fundamental character trait of a distinguished creator, and the other recognizing the underlying quality, innovation, importance, and distinction of a creator’s body of work. Nominations are electively provided by all Oversight Council, Advisory Board, and Voting Committee members and then voted on by the Oversight Council and Voting Committee.

JOHN BYRNE
CREATOR
“one whose life’s work is exemplar for those to come”

The nominee has demonstrated the desire, ability, and commitment to time and again reenter the creative process and engage the often unpredictable and arduous creative journey towards conveying to us new stories, characters, themes, symbols, and possibilities.

WALTER SIMONSON
TEACHER
“one who suspends self and readily bestows experience and guidance”

The nominee has demonstrated the rare and critical ability to take that which they’ve experienced and learned and in a natural and discerning manner communicate their knowledge to others in a way that’s timely, uplifting, and impactful.

The Kirby Award statue was designed by Kasra Ghanbari and sculpted by Carlos Soca. A representative example of the statue was unveiled at the ceremony. The statue is a stark depiction of what it takes to create: a working space, the basic tools you’ve mastered, and your internal drive to create. The statue combines iconic imagery from Jack Kirby’s work space, along with ideas and symbols from two of Albrecht Dürer’s engravings, Melencolia I and Saint Jerome In His Study, and presents it to the recipient as the ultimate invitation and challenge, with the empty chair having the award winner’s name laser engraved on the seat back. The statue has been designed and constructed as a handmade work of art that we hope will take its place in a creator’s studio space or home.

Kirby Awards

16 Nominated for the 2026 Eisner Hall of Fame

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Eisner Awards

The Eisner Awards Hall of Fame judges have chosen 16 individuals to nominate for the 2026 induction. Four will be chosen and join the 19 individuals already chosen for the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame judging panel consists of Michael T. Gilbert, Karen Green, Alonso Nuñez, Diana Schutz, Jim Thompson, and Maggie Thompson.

Voting is held online with a two-step voting process to enhance security. Those that want to vote can apply here. Eligible voters are then invited to participate.

Comic book/graphic novel/webcomic creators (writers, artists, cartoonists, pencillers, inkers, letterers, colorists); comic book/graphic novel publishers and editors; comics historians and educators; graphic novel librarians; and owners and managers of comic book specialty retail stores are all eligible to vote.

Voting ends on March 6.

The full list of nominees is below and congrats to all!

Kate Carew (1869–1961)

Mary Williams, who used the pseudonym Kate Carew, studied at the San Francisco School of Design and started her career in illustrating in 1889, when she was employed by the San Francisco Examiner. A year later, she moved to New York to work for The New York Globe, where she created several comics, including “The Angel Child.” Her caricatures and interviews became so popular that she was sent to Europe to make the series “Kate Carew Abroad.” In 1911, she settled in London and did work for The Patrician and Tatler. At the start of World War I she moved back to the States and continued working for newspapers such as The New York Tribune. 

Colleen Doran (1964– )

Award-winning writer/artist Colleen Doran came on to the comics scene in the early 1980s with her creator-owned series A Distant Soil. Her published works now number in the hundreds, with clients such as The Walt Disney Company, Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, Image Comics, Lucasfilm, Dark Horse, Harper Collins, Houghton Mifflin, Sony, and Scholastic. Her credits include Amazing Spiderman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Sandman, Wonder Woman, The Legion of Superheroes, Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Clive Barker’s Hellraiser, A Distant Soil, The Silver Surfer, Neil Gaimon’s Chivalry, and Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible Stan Lee, among many others.



George Evans (1920–2001)

After working for Fiction House and Fawcett in the late 1940s, artist George Evans joined EC Comics in 1953, working for Harvey Kurtzman on Two Fisted Tales and Frontline Combat and with Al Feldstein on The Haunt of Fear and Weird Science. When EC collapsed in 1956, he went to Gilberton’s Classics Illustrated line and did “Space Conquerors” for Boy’s Life magazine. In the early 1960s he worked for DC (Blackhawk) and Gold Key (Twilight Zone, Hercules Unchained), and then Warren’s Eerie and Creepy. In 1980, he succeeded Archie Goodwin and Al Williamson on Secret Agent Corrigan, a syndicated comic strip he continued until 1996. During the 1980s and 1990s, he also drew for such publishers as Pacific (Vanguard Illustrated), Eclipse (Airboy), Marvel (The Nam) and Dark Horse (Classic Star Wars).

Crockett Johnson (1906–1975) 

Crockett Johnson achieved lasting comic strip industry fame when he created the enormously popular syndicated strip “Barnaby” in 1941. It lasted 21 years and was adapted for a book, a play, television, and radio. In 1940 Johnson married children’s author Ruth Krauss, with whom he would collaborate on four children’s books. He wrote and illustrated Harold and the Purple Crayon, a critically acclaimed story of an imaginative boy who draws fantastic landscapes with his crayon, in 1955. Harold enjoyed further adventures in six sequels between 1956 and 1963, as well as being adapted for animated films and television. 

Peter Kuper (1958– )

Peter Kuper has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker, The Nation, and MAD magazine, where he wrote and drew “SPY vs. SPY” every issue from 1997 to 2022. His “Eye of the Beholder” was the first comic strip to ever regularly appear in the New York Times. He is the co-founder and editor of World War 3 Illustrated, a political graphics magazine that has given a forum to political artists for over 40 years. He has produced over two dozen books, including The System, Diario de Oaxaca, Ruins, and adaptations of many of Franz Kafka’s works into comics. His latest graphic novel is Insectopolis, a graphic novel on the history of insects.

George McManus (1884–1954)

George McManus dropped out of school at age 15 and started working at the St. Louis Republic. This newspaper published his first comic, “Alma and Oliver.” In 1904, he moved to New York and was employed by the New York World, where he worked on several strips, including “The Newlyweds,” about an elegant young couple and their baby, Snookums. This series, the first family strip in an American newspaper, became quite popular and caused rival newspaper The New York American to invite McManus to work for them, which he did from 1912 on. He continued “The Newlyweds” and started up several other daily comics, most notably “Bringing Up Father.” This comic about an Irish immigrant worker, Jiggs, and his wife Maggie, inspired several movies—in four of them, McManus himself played the role of Jiggs. McManus influenced a great number of artists, including Herge and Joost Swarte. 

Kevin Nowlan (1958– ) 

Artist Kevin Nowlan has worked for both Marvel (Doctor Strange, Moon Knight, and others) and DC (Superman vs Aliens and others), as well as Dark Horse (Aliens Salvation with writer Dave Gibbons and penciller Mike Mignola) and other publishers. Perhaps his most prominent contribution to the comic book world is the creation of Jack B. Quick with writer Alan Moore. This character appeared several times in Alan Moore’s Tomorrow Stories under Moore’s America’s Best Comics imprint. 

Mimi Pond (1956– )

Mimi Pond sold her first comics to National Lampoon while working as a waitress. In 1982, her book The Valley Girls Guide to Life (Dell) became a bestseller and launched her career. From that moment on, she published several other humor books, including Secrets of the Powder Room (Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1983), Shoes Never Lie (Berkley Books, 1985), A Groom of One’s Own (Dutton, 1991) and Splitting Hairs (Simon and Schuster, 1998). Her more recent graphic novels include the memoirs Over Easy, The Customer Is Always Wrong, and Do Admit: the Mitford Sisters and Me. Pond also wrote scripts for several TV series, including Designing Women (1986–1993), Pee-wee’s Playhouse (1986–1990), and the pilot episode of The Simpsons: “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” (1989). 

Posy Simmonds (1945– )

British cartoonist Rosemary Elizabeth “Posy” Simmonds has managed to make her mark in the graphic novel publishing world by reinventing classic literature into illustrated novels for adults. She is best known for her long association with London’s The Guardian, where she serialized Gemma Bovery (2000; made into a film in 2014) and Tamara Drewe (2005–2006; made into a film in 2010) before their publication in book form. In 1987, she began to write and illustrate children’s books, creating such works as Lulu and the Flying Babies (1988) and Fred (1987), the film version of which was nominated for an Oscar. She was made a Member of the British Empire in 2002 for her services to the newspaper industry, and she received the Grand Prix de la ville d’Angoulême in 2024.

Jeff Smith (1960– )

Jeff Smith is the creator of the award-winning comic book series Bone. He and his wife Vijaya Iyer established Cartoon Books in 1991 to self-publish the series. Jeff was a pioneer in comics publishing for kids when Bone launched Scholastic’s graphic novel imprint Graphix Books in 2005. Smith’s other award-winning and acclaimed comics include SHAZAM! The Monster Society of Evil, RASL, Little Mouse Gets Ready!, ROSE, and Bone: Tall Tales. His most recent project, TUKI, ran as a webcomic series from 2013 to 2016, followed by two graphic novels. In 2015 Jeff helped found the annual Cartoon Crossroads Columbus festival.

Paul Smith (1953– ) 

Paul Smith’s comics career began at Marvel in the early 1980s, with runs as the artist on Uncanny X-Men and Doctor Strange. Often described as having a “smooth” and elegant, animation-influenced style, Smith is considered a fan-favorite artist who helped define the look of iconic characters during his relatively short but impactful run. He famously designed the iconic “punk” look for Storm (black leather, mohawk), which debuted in Uncanny X-Men #173. Smith subsequently worked on a range of comics titles, including The Golden Age (DC) and Leave It to Chance (Marvel), both collaborations with writer James Robinson. Smith also contributed art to a number of First Comics titles, including American Flagg!, Nexus, and GrimJack, and Marvel’s Kitty Pryde: Shadow and Flame limited series.

Leonard Starr (1925–2015)

Leonard Starr began his career in the early 1940s Golden Age of comic books, drawing Sub-Mariner and Human Torch stories for Timely and Don Winslow stories for Fawcett. He also worked for a variety of other publishers, including Better Publications, Consolidated Book, Croyden Publications, E. R. Ross Publishing, Hillman Periodicals, and Crestwood. His first work for newspapers was ghosting the Flash Gordon strip for King Features in the mid-1950s. His own strip, Mary Perkins On Stage, began via the Chicago Tribune–New York News Syndicate in 1957; he drew it until 1979. He was then hired by the same syndicate to revive the Little Orphan Annie strip, which he wrote and drew until his retirement in 2000. He also, in tandem with fellow strip artist Stan Drake, created a series of popular graphic novels named for their title character, Kelly Green.

Akira Toriyama (1955–2024)

Akira Toriyama became well known for creating the popular manga series Dr. Slump and Dragon Ball. In 1981, he won the Shogakukan Manga Award for Dr. Slump, which sold over 35 million copies in Japan and was also made into a successful anime TV show. Dragon Ball has become one of the most popular manga worldwide. It sold 260 million copies, making it one of the bestselling manga series ever. The Dragon Ball anime shows helped make anime popular in Western countries. Toriyama also designed characters for many popular video games.

Mark Waid (1962– )

Over the course of his four decades in the comic book industry, Mark Waid has developed characters and written stories for Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, The Avengers, X-Men, Archie, Star Wars, The Incredibles, Fantastic Four, Wonder Woman, Daredevil, Captain America and almost every other franchise currently enjoying success across all media platforms. Kingdom Come, which he co-created for DC Comics, has become one of the best-selling graphic novels in history. Many of the storylines and characters he wrote and created in his eight-year run on The Flash comic were featured on the hit television series. Outside the realm of superheroes, Mark has created and written the detective procedural Potter’s Field and the horror mystery The Unknown, among others. 

Chris Ware (1967– )

Known for his New Yorker magazine covers, award-winning cartoonist Chris Ware is hailed as a master of the comics artform. His complex graphic novels tell stories about people in suburban Midwestern neighborhoods, poignantly reflecting on the role memory plays in constructing identity. Stories featuring many of Ware’s protagonists—Quimby the Mouse, Rusty Brown, and Jimmy Corrigan—often first appeared in serialized form, in publications such as The New York Times, the Guardian, or Ware’s own ongoing comic book series Acme Novelty Library, before being organized into their own stand-alone books. His work has appeared in many national and international art exhibits, including solo exhibitions at the Gavle Kunstcentrum in Sweden, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, and as part of the Masters of American Comics traveling exhibit.

S. Clay Wilson (1941–2021)

Perhaps the most outrageous of the underground comix artists, S. Clay Wilson created wild illustrations full of violent and sexual imagery that crossed every boundary of taste. His signature series was “The Checkered Demon” (1968–1994), which debuted in the second issue of ZAP Comix. Wilson was an influence on many comics creators, among them Alan Moore as well as his own colleagues in the underground comix scene. Wilson’s work appeared in Arcade, The Realist, Playboy, Hustler, Weirdo, and LA Weekly, among other publications. In the 1990s he also illustrated the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm, collected as Wilson’s Andersen: Seven Stories by Andersen (1994) and Wilson’s Grimm (1999). In 2008 Wilson suffered a traumatic brain injury and was severely disabled until his death in 2021.

The American Library Association’s 2025 Outstanding Comics Awards Announced

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American Library Association's Outstanding Comics Awards

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!

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. 

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.

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.

Atsushi Kaneko and Briana Loewinsohn receive the inaugural ALA Outstanding Comics Awards

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Atsushi Kaneko and Briana Loewinsohn

Fantagraphics has announced that Atsushi Kaneko and Briana Loewinsohn are recipients of  inaugural Outstanding Comics Awards from the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels & Comics Round Table.

Briana Loewinsohn received the Outstanding Comics Award – Young Adult in the Category of Nonfiction Winner for Raised By Ghosts. Set in the author’s own teenage years, Raised By Ghosts follows a semi-autobiographical Briana through middle school and high school in the 1990’s. It’s a love letter to friends and family and all of the messy complexities they come with that reads like “slightly-grungy Wes Anderson” (Comics Beat). Briana had this to say about the announcement!

Atsushi Kaneko received the Outstanding Comics Award – Adult in the Category of Series Honor Books for Search and Destroy Vol. 1, 2, and 3. Translated by Ben Applegate, the series—”a blast of pure cyberpunk energy” (Publishers Weekly Starred Review)—is a contemporary reimagining of the timeless, Eisner Award–winning Dororo, by “God of Manga” Osamu Tezuka.

These aren’t the first awards for these titles either! Search and Destroy already has a fancy American Manga Awards seal on its catalog page, and Raised by Ghosts has been packing the trophy case full since its 2025 release, with a Harvey Award, a spot on both the Missouri Association of School Librarians Denny O’Neil Graphic Novel List AND the New York Public Library’s Best Comics For Adults List.

The nominees for the 37th Annual GLAAD Media Awards announced including “Outstanding Comic Book” and “Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology”

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Glaad

The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community and the issues that affect their lives.

The awards recognize television, movies, comics, and more!

Comics are recognized in two categories, “Outstanding Comic Book” and “Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology.”

Winners will be announced March 2026. Check out the two comic categories below and check out the full list of nominees here. Congrats to everyone.

Outstanding Comic Book

  • Absolute Green Lantern, by Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay, Jason Howard, Riley Rossmo, Sid Kotian, Iñaki Azpiazu, Pressy, Lucas Gattoni (DC Comics)
  • Avengers Academy: Marvel’s Voices, by Anthony Oliveira, Elsa Sjunneson, Carola Borelli, Bailie Rosenlund, Pablo Collar, Charles Stewart III, Alti Firmansyah, Minkyu Jung, KJ Díaz, Ruth Redmond, Dono Sánchez-Almara, Ariana Maher, Joe Caramagna (Marvel Infinity Comics)
  • The Department of Truth, by James Tynion IV, Martin Simmonds, Letizia Cadonici, Aditya Bidikar, Jordie Bellaire, Dylan Todd (Image Comics)
  • Exceptional X-Men, by Eve L. Ewing, Carmen Carnero, Federica Mancin, Nolan Woodard, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics)
  • Minor Arcana, by Jeff Lemire, Patricio Delpeche, Letizia Cadonici, Steve Wands (BOOM! Studios)
  • The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos: Children of the Night, by Tate Brombal based on an idea by James Tynion IV, Isaac Goodhart, Priscilla Petraites, Miquel Muerto, Aditya Bidikar (Dark Horse Comics)
  • Poison Ivy, by G. Willow Wilson, Marcio Takara, Brian Level, Atagun Ilhan, Mark Buckingham
  • Arif Prianto, Lee Loughridge, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Tom Napolitano (DC Comics)
  • Runaways, by Rainbow Rowell, Elena Casagrande, Roberta Ingranata, Lee Ferguson, Dee Cunniffe, Travis Lanham (Marvel Comics)
  • Secret Six, by Nicole Maines, Stephen Segovia, Cian Tormey, Roger Cruz, Rain Beredo, Steve Wands (DC Comics)
  • Wynd: The Power of the Blood, by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, Andworld Design, Nancy Mojica, Madison Goyette (BOOM! Studios)

Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology

  • Cannon, by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • Dan in Green Gables, by Rey Terciero, Claudia Aguirre (Penguin Workshop)
  • First Kiss with Fangs, by Marker Snyder (Holiday House)
  • Gaysians, by Mike Curato (Algonquin Books)
  • Hey, Mary!, by Andrew Wheeler, Rye Hickman, Hank Jones, Frank Cvetkovic (Oni Press)
  • It Rhymes with Takei, by George Takei, Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger (Top Shelf Productions)
  • Low Orbit, by Kazimir Lee (Top Shelf Productions)
  • A Song for You and I, by K. O’Neill (Random House Graphic)
  • Spent, by Alison Bechdel, Holly Rae Taylor, Jon Chad (Mariner Books)
  • Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, by Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett, Tif Bucknor (Candlewick Press)

The Jack & Roz Kirby Awards announces its Categories, Advisory Board, and Voting Committee

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Jack & Roz Kirby Awards

Collectors Network Holdings has announced major updates today for the upcoming Jack & Roz Kirby Awards (the Kirbys), an annual award recognizing innovation, excellence, and humanity in narrative communication that will have its first award ceremony at the upcoming Original Art Expo (OAX) in Orlando, Florida from February 20-22, 2026.

The Kirbys were announced on October 8, 2025, under a partnership between CAF, The Estate of Jack Kirby (Kirby Estate) as represented by The Rosalind Kirby Family Trust, and The Jack Kirby Museum & Research Center (Kirby Museum). The award process will be conducted by an Oversight Council, Advisory Board, and Voting Committee, who selectively have responsibilities to nominate candidates and vote on the award winners. CAF is actively seeking Founding Sponsors and Partners to support the launch of the Kirbys at OAX.

For its first year, the Kirbys will now consist of seven total award categories that celebrate the artist’s journey. The awards categories have no time restrictions, aside from the Newcomer Award; no geographic limits; and are English only (original/translated). Nominees must be alive at the time of nomination and, after winning a Kirby Award, are ineligible to be nominated for another five years.

CORE AWARDS

The five Core Awards reflect attributes of Jack Kirby and of dedicated, lifelong creators. Voting Committee members have the exclusive responsibility to provide up to two nominations per category and are the sole voters for these categories.

INDEPENDENCE
“one who remains steadfast and fierce”

The nominee has demonstrated the ability to operate outside the confines of established systems and control structures to freely create works that express deeply personal beliefs, themes, and values without censorship and commercial pressure.

INNOVATOR
“one distinguished by new methods, approaches, and ideas”

The nominee has demonstrated clear innovation in methods, techniques, styles, storytelling, solutions, and/or packaging, and in so doing, has challenged the status quo and expanded the possibilities for all.

VISIONARY
“one distinguished by vital originality”

The nominee has demonstrated the ability to display and communicate worlds, characters, ideas, symbols, and realities beyond our current norms and understanding in contributing to our general comprehension and evolution.

NEWCOMER
“one to support in all ways”

The nominee has demonstrated early in their artistic life unique capabilities, viewpoints, perspectives, dedication, and perseverance that invites the possibility of consistently unique and impactful works being created.

STORYTELLER
“one adept at shared human connection”

The nominee has demonstrated the ability to synthesize the complex and varied components of storytelling to powerfully connect with, engage, and impact others.

LEGACY AWARDS

The two Legacy Awards are a type of career achievement award, one of which is rooted in a fundamental character trait of a distinguished creator, and the other recognizing the underlying quality, innovation, importance, and distinction of a creator’s body of work. Nominations are electively provided by all Oversight Council, Advisory Board, and Voting Committee members and then voted on by the Oversight Council and Voting Committee.

TEACHER
“one who suspends self and readily bestows experience and guidance”

The nominee has demonstrated the rare and critical ability to take that which they’ve experienced and learned and in a natural and discerning manner communicate their knowledge to others in a way that’s timely, uplifting, and impactful.

CREATOR
“one whose life’s work is exemplar for those to come”

The nominee has demonstrated the desire, ability, and commitment to time and again reenter the creative process and engage the often unpredictable and arduous creative journey towards conveying to us new stories, characters, themes, symbols, and possibilities.

The Kirbys are governed and organized as follows:

OVERSIGHT COUNCIL

Responsible for overseeing entire awards process and award ceremony. May nominate and vote for each of the two Legacy Awards.

  • KASRA GHANBARI – CAF CEO, creator of the Kirby Awards
  • TRACY KIRBY – Representative, The Rosalind Kirby Trust
  • TOM KRAFT – President and Trustee, The Kirby Museum

VOTING COMMITTEE

The committee is composed exclusively by creators with deep experience and circles of knowledge who will be strong advocates for their nominees. Members will provide up to two nominations for each of the Core Awards, as well as one nomination for each of the Legacy Awards. Members vote on all seven awards. Voting Committee positions are performed on a volunteer basis.

DEAN HASPIEL – Dean is an Emmy and Ringo Award-winning cartoonist who is best known for creating Billy Dogma and The Red Hook and collaborating with Harvey Pekar and Jonathan Ames. He has worked for Marvel, DC/Vertigo, Archie, Image, and Webtoon, and is an accomplished playwright and Yaddo fellow.

JIMMY PALMIOTTI – Jimmy is a multi-award-winning creator with a wide range of experience in publishing, screenwriting, advertising, production, editorial, film, media presentation, and video game development.

ELI SCHWAB – Eli is a writer and artist, as well as Founder/Publisher of Cosmic Lion Productions. The cornerstone of CLP is “Comix of every kind for every mind,” with CLP serving as a supportive and creative publisher presenting stories and creators from across the globe.

TOM SCIOLI – Tom is an experienced cartoonist who writes, draws, colors, and hand-letters his comic books and graphic novels. He’s worked on his own creator-owned action-adventure projects like Space Opera Xanadax Across the Unknown Dimensions of the Galaxy and American Barbarian, biographies like I Am Stan and Jack Kirby: The Epic Life of the King of Comics, and iconic properties like The Twilight Zone, Fantastic Four, and Godzilla. He is known for his pop-infused drawing style, kinetic page layouts, and imaginative writing.

ALLISON SOHN – Allison has worked as an illustrator primarily in the trading card industry and has a handful of comic book cover credits to her name. She has contributed visually to such recognizable licenses as Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Archie Comics, and Red Sonja, to name but a few. When not drawing or painting, Allison raises and competes with her Old English Sheepdogs. She spends much of her time traveling to comic book conventions and dog shows, and if you look closely enough, you’ll likely find her husband and fellow artist extraordinaire, Adam Hughes, by her side.

ADVISORY BOARD

The Advisory Board provides unique perspectives and counsel on awards direction, guiding principles, new awards, produced ceremony, marketing, press coverage, and Voting Committee candidates, along with assessing nominations and selections. Members may electively provide one nomination for each of the two Legacy Awards. Advisory Board positions are performed on a volunteer basis.

RODNEY BARNES – Rodney is a Peabody Award-winning writer and producer for film, TV, animation, and comics whose work includes being Executive Producer of Winning Time for HBO, Marvel’s Runaways for Hulu, and The Boondocks for Cartoon Network.

JULIE BELL – Julie is a world-renowned and award-winning fine artist and illustrator who is a two-time winner of Chesley Awards and a ARC Living Master.

SARAHJANE BLUM – Sarahjane is Director of Illustration at Heritage Auctions and a recognized expert in the field, writing and speaking extensively about 20th century narrative art and popular culture.

JIM DEMONAKOS – Jim is the founder of LightBox Expo and Emerald City Con, a NYT best-selling graphic novelist, and the producer/director of the award-winning documentary Mike Mignola: Drawing Monsters.

ANDREW FARAGO – Andrew is Curator of San Francisco’s Cartoon Art Museum and author of more than a dozen books on comics, cartoons, movies, and popular culture.

GAMAL HENNESSY, ESQ – Gamal is an attorney, author, and business consultant with more than 25 years of experience in the comic book and independent entertainment industry.

TAMSIN ISLES – Tamsin is an artists’ representative working with some of the most renowned names in comics, concept art, and illustration today: Lee Bermejo, Crisse, Geof Darrow, Adi Granov, and Esad Ribic.

JANN JONES – Jann is the former Senior Coordinating Editor at DC Comics, has worked at several video game publishers, and is a frequent juror at Film Festivals.

ADAM KUBERT – Adam is an award-winning comic book artist with a distinctive style and skill that have made him a long-time fan favorite, as well as a teacher of comic storytelling and art to both students and professionals.

CHRIS RYALL – Chris has enjoyed a prolific career as a comic-industry writer, editor, publisher, CCO, and historian, as well as executive producer of Netflix’s Locke & Key. In 2025, he assumed the District 5 seat on San Diego’s Board of Library Commissioners.

ROB SALKOWITZ – Rob writes about comics, media, and entertainment at Forbes, ICv2, Publishers Weekly, and elsewhere, and teaches comics storytelling at the University of Washington. He is the author of several books, including Comic-Con and the Business of Pop Culture.

ROY SCHWARTZ – Roy is a pop culture historian, author, exhibit curator, and documentary producer. He is a board member of the American Jewish Historical Society.

JEFF SINGH, MD – Jeff is a distinguished art collector and comic book historian who is a long-time active member and contributor to Comics & Fantasy Art Amateur Press Association (CFA-APA).

JIM STERANKO – Jim is an iconic figure and innovator in comics and illustration, as well as author, publisher, comics historian, and conceptual artist for film whose work has been widely exhibited at major institutions such as the Smithsonian in Washington, DC, as well as the Louvre in Paris.

JEFF TREXLER, ESQ – Jeff is Interim Director of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and a First Amendment advocate for creators and the comic book industry with extensive background in the fashion industry including serving as Associate Director of Fashion Law Institute.

SEAN WATKINS, PHD – Sean is the owner of Athenaeum Comic Art, championing original comic art, indie creators, and collectors through exhibitions, collaborations, and community driven initiatives that celebrate visual storytelling.

JOE WOS – Joe is a six-time Emmy Award-winning cartoonist, author, and educator, and host of Cartoon Academy broadcast to PBS affiliates nationally, as well as founder of the ToonSeum, a museum dedicated exclusively to cartoon arts, and creator of Mazetoons, a syndicated cartoon and related series of books.

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