Chad Burdette
The Harvey Awards have unveiled the nominees and open voting for the 2026 Harvey Awards to be held at New York Comic Con this October.
‘he Harvey Awards are honored to unveil the nominees and open voting for the 2026 Harvey Awards at New York Comic Con. Voting is open to industry professionals from July 7th, 2026 through August 28th, 2026.
The Harveys recognize the year’s top achievements in comic book and graphic novel publishing across seven categories:
- Book of the Year
- Digital Book of the Year
- Best Children’s Book
- Best Young Adult Book
- Best Manga
- Best International Book
- Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel
Founded in 1988 and named for the visionary writer/artist/editor Harvey Kurtzman, the annual Harvey Awards have helped guide readers, retailers, librarians, and educators to hundreds of essential comics and graphic novels for almost four decades.
Nellie Kurtzman, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair, said in the press release with the nominations:
“My father believed early on that comics deserved to be taken seriously as art—art that could change how people see the world.
Every one of these nominees carries that forward. They’re books that entertain you, challenge you, surprise you, and stick with you long after the last page.”
Harvey Kurtzman (1924–1993) was one of the most influential creators in comics history. Best known as the creator of MAD, he revolutionized American satire while proving comics could shape popular culture in profound and lasting ways.
Presented annually since 1988, the Harvey Awards honor his enduring legacy by recognizing the year’s finest achievements in comics and graphic storytelling and celebrating the books that define the medium at its very best.
Since 2017, the Harvey Awards Steering Committee has been co-chaired by Nellie Kurtzman, John Lind, and Chip Mosher.
The Harvey Awards nominations committee, which votes on the nomination ballot, comprises select creators, publishers, retailers, educators, and librarians.
The annual Harvey Awards ceremony will take place on October 9, 2026, at the Javits Center during New York Comic Con, and the live event will be hosted by Brad and Lisa Gullickson, of the Comic Book Couples Counseling podcast.
Book of the Year Nominees
The Harvey Awards’ highest honor recognizes the year’s best work, in an effort to help guide readers, retailers, librarians, and educators to essential titles.
John Lind, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair said:
“Book of the Year makes the Harvey Awards unique. If someone asks which comics they absolutely have to read this year—these nominees are the answer.”
- Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta (DC)
- Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1: Martian Vision by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez (DC)
- Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance by Ben Passmore (Pantheon)
- Cannon by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Drome by Jesse Lonergan (23rd Street Books/Macmillan)
- The Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief by Carol Tyler (Fantagraphics)
- A Garden of Spheres by Linnea Sterte (Peow2)
- More Weight: A Salem Story by Ben Wickey (Top Shelf/IDW)
- The Once and Future Riot by Joe Sacco (Metropolitan/Holt)
- The Weight by Melissa Mendes (Drawn & Quarterly)
Digital Book of the Year Nominees
This category honors creators who are redefining publishing through digital-first storytelling and innovation.
Nellie Kurtzman, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair:
“Digital comics continue to establish where and how great stories can be told. This category recognizes those pushing the medium into exciting new territory while reaching readers across the globe.”
- In the Real Dark Night by Jimmy Gownley (Webcomic)
- The Keluarga Cable Ship Company by Mereida Fajardo (UK Digital)
- The Lycan by Mike Carey, Thomas Jane, David James Kelly, and Diego Yapur (Comixology Originals)
- Nap Comix by Rachael Smith (WEBTOON)
- Practical Defense Against Piracy by Tony Cliff (Webcomic)
- Terran Omega: The Ghosts of War by PJ Holden (Webcomic)
- The World of Lublu by Charbak Dipta (The Charbax Store)
Best Children’s Book Nominees
This category honors outstanding comics and graphic novels that inspire young readers through imaginative storytelling, memorable characters, and accessible adventures.
“Kids who grow up with comics become readers for life. There’s something about seeing a story unfold in pictures that pulls a kid in differently than text alone—and these books do exactly that,” – Nellie Kurtzman, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.
- A Fishboy Named . . . Sashimi by Dan Santat (Roaring Brook Press)
- Inbetweens by Faith Erin Hicks (First Second)
- The New Girl: First Crush by Cassandra Calin (Scholastic)
- Night Chef by Mika Song (Random House Graphic)
- Young Shadow & the Watchdogs by Ben Sears (Fantagraphics)
Best Young Adult Book Nominees
This category recognizes exceptional graphic novels and comics that engage YA readers through compelling storytelling, unforgettable characters, and powerful themes.
“YA graphic novels continue to tackle life’s biggest questions with honesty, sophistication, and artistry. They’re among the most important books published today,” – Chip Mosher, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.
- Angelica and the Bear Prince by Trung Le Nguyen (Random House Graphic)
- Flip by Ngozi Ukazu (First Second)
- Good Old-Fashioned Korean Spirit: A Graphic Novel by Kim Hyun Sook & Ryan Estrada (Penguin Workshop)
- Hello Sunshine by Keezy Young (Little, Brown Ink)
- This Place Kills Me by Mariko Tamaki & Nicole Goux (Abrams Fanfare)
Best Manga Nominees
This category celebrates the artistry and storytelling of manga, honoring the works and creators carrying one of the world’s most influential comics traditions to readers everywhere.
“Manga continues to influence creators, readers, and storytellers around the world. These nominees represent extraordinary craftsmanship and show why manga remains one of the most dynamic forces in global publishing,” – Chip Mosher, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.
- Billy Bat by Naoki Urasawa & Takashi Nagasaki (Kana/Abrams)
- He Rolled Me Up Like a Grilled Squid by Yoshiharu Tsuge (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Land by Kazumi Yamashita (Yen Press)
- Miss Ruki by Fumiko Takano (NYR Comics)
- My Gorilla Family by Iijima Ichiro (Living the Line)
- My Life in 24 Frames Per Second by Rintaro (Kana/Abrams ComicArts)
Best International Book Nominees
This category recognizes outstanding comics and graphic novels from around the world, spotlighting the creators and stories expanding the medium beyond borders and languages.
“The five nominees for Best International Book showcase the power of sequential art and its ability to communicate across geography and culture in a way few other art forms can,” – John Lind, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.
- Animan by Anouk Ricard (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Buff Soul by Moa Romanova (Fantagraphics)
- Mary Pain by Lola Lorente (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Nocturnos by Laura Perez (Fantagraphics)
- Tiodora’s Letters: An Enslaved Woman’s Fight for Family and Freedom by Marcelo D’Salete (Fantagraphics)
- Witchcraft by Sole Otero (Fantagraphics)
Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel Nominees
This category recognizes comics’ ongoing influence on television, film, streaming, and interactive entertainment.
“My father’s work on MAD challenged and changed pop culture, proving comics could shape and influence television, film, and comedy.
Today’s Best Adaptation category celebrates the remarkable fact that, for decades, comic books have continued to have an outsized influence on mainstream popular culture, because this medium continuously produces extraordinary and unforgettable characters and stories,” – Nellie Kurtzman, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.
- The Boys — Season 5 (Prime Video). Based on The Boys by Garth Ennis & Darick Robertson (Dynamite)
- Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc (Theatrical — Crunchyroll/Sony). Based on Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto (VIZ Media)
- Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (Theatrical — Crunchyroll/Sony). Based on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge (VIZ Media)
- Invincible — Season 4 (Prime Video). Based on Invincible by Robert Kirkman, Cory Walker & Ryan Ottley (Image/Skybound)
- LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight (Warner Bros. Games — PS5/Xbox/Switch/PC). Based on Batman (DC Comics), created by Bob Kane & Bill Finger
- My Hero Academia — Final Season (Crunchyroll). Based on My Hero Academia by K?hei Horikoshi (VIZ Media)
- One Piece — Season 2 (Netflix). Based on One Piece by Eiichiro Oda (VIZ Media)
- Peacemaker — Season 2 (HBO Max). Based on Peacemaker (DC Comics, orig. Charlton), created by Joe Gill & Pat Boyette
- Spider-Noir (Prime Video/MGM+). Based on Spider-Man Noir (Marvel Comics) by David Hine, Fabrice Sapolsky & Carmine Di Giandomenico
- Your Letter (Netflix). Based on Your Letter by Hyeon A. Cho (WEBTOON/Naver)
Additional announcements regarding this year’s Harvey Awards Hall of Fame class to follow.
