Comics
The Eisner Award, formally the Will Eisner Comic Industry Award, is one of the most prestigious honors in American comics, presented annually at San Diego Comic-Con. Named for cartoonist Will Eisner, the awards recognize creative achievement in comic books, graphic novels, webcomics, and related media. Established in 1988, they are often considered the comics industry's equivalent of the Academy Awards.
The Eisner Awards were founded in 1988 by comic-book retailer Joe Field and publisher Dave Olbrich, who sought to create a peer-juried award to replace the Kirby Awards. The awards are named after Will Eisner, creator of The Spirit, who was actively involved in the early years. Administered by Comic-Con International, the awards are overseen by a volunteer committee. Nominees are chosen by a five-member jury of comics professionals, and winners are voted on by industry creators and publishers. The awards have been presented at San Diego Comic-Con every year since their inception, except for 2020 when the ceremony was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Eisner Awards currently include over 30 categories covering writing, art, lettering, coloring, and publishing, as well as genre-specific awards for humor, crime, and memoir. Notable categories include Best Short Story, Best Graphic Album, and Best Digital Comic. The selection process begins with a jury of five comics professionals who review submissions and create a preliminary ballot of five nominees per category. The final winners are chosen by a vote of comics professionals, including creators, publishers, and retailers. The awards have a reputation for recognizing both mainstream and alternative comics, with a strong emphasis on artistic merit and innovation.
Winners have included seminal works such as Maus by Art Spiegelman, Sandman by Neil Gaiman, and Bone by Jeff Smith. The awards have helped elevate graphic novels into literary respectability, with winners frequently appearing on bestseller lists and in academic curricula. The Eisner Award has also been a launching pad for emerging talent, with early recognition for creators like Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. The award's influence extends beyond the US, with international creators such as Moebius and Osamu Tezuka receiving recognition. The trophy itself is a small statuette of Will Eisner, designed by artist Mark Crilley.
Beyond the main awards, the Eisners include the Hall of Fame, which inducts pioneers and influential figures, and the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, presented separately. The awards have also faced criticism for a lack of diversity in early years, leading to the addition of the Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism award to recognize critical writing. In 2018, the awards introduced a category for Best Publication for Kids, reflecting the growing all-ages market. The Eisner Award has also been given to non-English works, such as the French comic Blacksad, and to webcomics like Girl Genius, which won in 2006. The award's name has been used in the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, but it is not affiliated with the Will Eisner Foundation, which supports graphic novel libraries.
The Eisner Award is a trademark of Comic-Con International.
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