The most prominent annual industry awards specific for comic books and graphic novels are the Eisner, Harvey, and Ringo Awards. Very few titles can claim to have garnered universal recognition, however the following four titles have completed the trifecta (aka “hat tick”) for winning awards from all three:
- 2012 – Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples (Image)
- 2020 – Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiro (DC)
- 2021 – Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe (Random House)
- 2022 – Ducks by Kate Beaton (Drawn & Quarterly)
CAP-Stone Awards
The Comics Appreciation Project (CAP) is an official 501c3 registered non-profit corporation inspired to foster an appreciation for the breadth, quality, and legitimacy of comic books and graphic-storytelling to both the public at large and specifically to the next generation of would-be consumers and creators. The CAP-Stone Awards honor the projects that best reflect the breadth and quality of graphic story-telling while also meaningfully expanding the medium’s legitimacy.
(Awarded in December for work completed the previous calendar year)
Eisner Awards
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry, are handed out each year in a gala ceremony at Comic-Con International: San Diego. Named for renowned cartoonist Will Eisner (creator of “The Spirit” and pioneer of the graphic novels), the Awards are given out in more than two-dozen categories covering the best publications and creators of the previous year.
The Eisner Awards were not always the Eisner Awards. At one point they were the Kirby Awards—sort of. Back in 1984, Fantagraphics Books instituted the Jack Kirby Awards to honor the best works and creators in comics. The administrator of the awards was Dave Olbrich, a Fantagraphics employee. The awards were given out beginning in 1985 in programs at Comic-Con, with Jack Kirby himself on hand to congratulate the winners. When Olbrich left Fantagraphics for other pursuits in 1987, the Kirby Awards came to an end, and two new awards programs were born: Fantagraphics started the Harvey Awards (named after Harvey Kurtzman), and Olbrich started the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Set up as a nonprofit organization, the Eisners were given out at Comic-Con like the Kirbys had been, only now with Will Eisner on stage to hand out the awards.
The first Eisners were conferred in 1988, for works published in 1987. Olbrich administered the awards for two years, but there were no awards in 1990. At that time it was proposed that Comic-Con take over the awards, as the responsibilities involved had grown and Olbrich had other commitments. Thus, the first Will Eisner Awards given out under Comic-Con auspices occurred at the 1991 show, with Jackie Estrada as the new administrator. Jackie has continued in that role ever since. The main focus of the ceremony is on the works and creators being honored by the event. The list of nominees is treated as a shopping list by fans of comics and graphic novels who are looking for the best material being published. In addition, publishers proudly display the Eisner Award logo on their nominated and winning books.
(Awarded in July for work completed the previous calendar year)
Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic industry’s oldest and most prestigious awards. Recognizing outstanding achievement in multiple categories, the Harvey’s have been a fixture of the comic industry since 1988. This year, the Harvey Awards returns to New York Comic Con – the largest pop culture gathering in the United States.
Spotlighting comic books, graphic novels, manga and more, the Harvey’s are industry awards selected by a full body of comic and publishing professionals.
The Harvey Awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the best & brightest, helping new readers, current fans, booksellers, retailers and librarians distinguish the best comics of the year as voted on by their peers. This year’s nominees will be selected by a handpicked contingent of industry voices and voted on by qualifying professionals.
(Awarded in October for work completed the previous calendar year)
Ringo Awards
The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the creativity, skill and fun of comics. It is named after the fan favorite artist who died in 2007 of an aortic dissection in his home in Durham, NC. Nominations are determined by fans and pros alike. Winners are then selected by industry professionals.
Each year, the awards are presented as part of the Baltimore Comic-Con. The Ringo Awards were first presented in 2017 for comics created in 2016.
(Awarded in October for work completed the previous calendar year)
Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards
Pop Culture Classroom is a Denver-based arts and education non-profit with a mission to inspire a love of learning, increase literacy, celebrate diversity, and build community through the tools of popular culture and the power of self-expression. Beginning in 2017, Pop Culture Classroom established their Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards. The goal of the awards is to highlight and promote the best fiction and nonfiction graphic novels, comic collections, and manga released the previous year—particularly titles with academic or social-emotional learning opportunities. We do this to advance graphic literature as a learning and literacy tool, help publishers promote awareness and sales of finalists and winning titles, and to help parents and readers of all ages find their new favorite books!