2025 Eisner Award Winners: A Comprehensive Breakdown

The 2025 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, held on July 25, 2025, at the San Diego Comic-Con, celebrated the finest achievements in comics and graphic novels. Named after the legendary cartoonist Will Eisner, these awards—often dubbed the "Oscars of the comic book industry"—honor creators and works across 32 categories for publications released between January 1 and December 31, 2024. This year’s ceremony, hosted by Phil LaMarr and Bill Morrison at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, showcased a diverse range of talent, from indie gems to mainstream powerhouses. Below is a detailed breakdown of the 2025 Eisner Award winners, highlighting key victories and notable trends.

Major Winners and Highlights

The 2025 Eisners reflected the vibrant diversity of the comics industry, with no single title or publisher dominating the awards. Instead, the wins were spread across major publishers like DC Comics, Fantagraphics, First Second, and IDW Publishing, each securing four or more trophies. Standout titles included Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham (First Second), which clinched three awards, and Santos Sisters by Greg & Fake, Graham Smith, Dave Landsberger, and Marc Koprinarov (Floating World), which surprised many by winning Best Continuing Series. DC’s Absolute Wonder Woman and Zatanna: Bring Down the House also earned significant recognition, underscoring the strength of reimagined superhero narratives.

The ceremony also marked a poignant moment, as Jackie Estrada announced her retirement after 35 years as the Eisner Awards administrator, receiving a standing ovation for her contributions. Additionally, the awards highlighted the industry’s commitment to social impact, with Mad Cave Studios’ L.A. Strong charity anthology earning the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award for its support of LA wildfire victims.

Full List of 2025 Eisner Award Winners

Below is the complete list of winners across all categories, with brief insights into each winning work or creator:

Best Short Story

• Winner: “Spaces” by Phil Jimenez, in DC Pride 2024 #1 (DC)

• Overview: This poignant story from DC’s annual Pride anthology stood out for its emotional depth and Jimenez’s signature artistry, blending personal and superhero narratives. It beat out strong contenders like Chris Ware’s “Day 1703” and Ross Murray’s “Anything Sinister” from Fantagraphics’ NOW #13.

Best Single Issue/One-Shot

• Winner: Abortion Pill Zine: A Community Guide to Misoprostol and Mifepristone by Isabella Rotman, Marnie Galloway, and Sage Coffey (Silver Sprocket)

• Overview: This socially conscious zine, addressing reproductive healthcare access, won for its impactful storytelling and accessible format, highlighting the power of small-press comics.

Best Continuing Series

• Winner: Santos Sisters by Greg & Fake, Graham Smith, Dave Landsberger, and Marc Koprinarov (Floating World)

• Overview: A whimsical, indie darling, Santos Sisters pulled off a major upset, beating heavyweights like Fantastic Four (Marvel), Detective Comics (DC), and Ultimate Spider-Man (Marvel). Its quirky humor and vibrant art resonated with voters.

Best Limited Series

• Winner: Zatanna: Bring Down the House by Mariko Tamaki and Javier Rodriguez (DC)

• Overview: This magical reimagining of Zatanna’s story combined Tamaki’s sharp writing with Rodriguez’s dynamic visuals, earning praise for its fresh take on a classic DC character.

Best New Series

• Winner: Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman (DC)

• Overview: Part of DC’s bold Absolute line, this series redefines Wonder Woman with a modern, mythic edge. Its win reflects the industry’s appetite for innovative superhero reinventions.

Best Publication for Early Readers (up to age 8)

• Winner: Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol (First Second)

• Overview: Brosgol’s charming tale of adventure and self-discovery captivated young readers with its whimsical art and heartfelt storytelling.

Best Publication for Kids (ages 9–12)

• Winner: Bigfoot and Nessie: The Art of Getting Noticed by Chelsea M. Campbell and Laura Knetzger (Penguin Workshop)

• Overview: This humorous graphic novel about cryptid friendship won for its relatable themes and engaging art, appealing to both kids and adults.

Best Publication for Teens (ages 13–17)

• Winner: Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham (First Second)

• Overview: A standout winner, this romantic graphic novel exploring cultural identity and love earned three awards, including Best Graphic Album—New and Best Writer for Yang.

Best Humor Publication

• Winner: Santos Sisters by Greg & Fake, Graham Smith, Dave Landsberger, and Marc Koprinarov (Floating World)

• Overview: Doubling up on its Continuing Series win, Santos Sisters was celebrated for its irreverent humor and playful take on superhero tropes.

Best Anthology

• Winner: NOW #13, edited by Eric Reynolds (Fantagraphics)

• Overview: This anthology, featuring works like “Anything Sinister” and “Pig,” showcased Fantagraphics’ commitment to experimental, boundary-pushing comics.

Best Reality-Based Work

• Winner: Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls (MCD/Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

• Overview: Hulls’ deeply personal memoir about family trauma and heritage, also a Pulitzer Prize winner, was lauded for its emotional resonance and intricate art.

Best Graphic Memoir

• Winner: Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir by Tessa Hulls (MCD/Farrar, Straus & Giroux)

• Overview: Hulls’ second win of the night underscored the memoir’s critical acclaim for its raw storytelling and cultural depth.

Best Graphic Album—New

• Winner: Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham (First Second)

• Overview: This graphic novel’s blend of romance, cultural exploration, and vibrant art secured its second award, cementing Yang and Pham as industry powerhouses.

Best Graphic Album—Reprint

• Winner: David Mazzucchelli’s Batman Year One Artist’s Edition (IDW Publishing)

• Overview: This meticulously crafted reprint of a seminal Batman story won for its archival quality and Mazzucchelli’s iconic art. It also claimed Best Publication Design.

Best Adaptation from Another Medium

• Winner: The War on Gaza by Joe Sacco (Fantagraphics)

• Overview: Sacco’s unflinching journalistic comic tackling the Gaza conflict was recognized for its powerful narrative and meticulous research.

Best U.S. Edition of International Material

• Winner: The Jellyfish by Boum, translated by Robin Lang and Helge Dascher (Pow Pow Press)

• Overview: This introspective graphic novel from Canada stood out for its unique storytelling and emotional depth.

Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia

• Winner: Tokyo These Days, vols. 1–3 by Taiyo Matsumoto, translated by Michael Arias (VIZ Media)

• Overview: Matsumoto’s meditative exploration of life in modern Tokyo was celebrated for its lyrical art and nuanced characters.

Best Archival Collection/Project—Strips

• Winner: Thorn: The Complete Proto-BONE College Strips 1982–1986, and Other Early Drawings by Jeff Smith (Cartoon Books)

• Overview: This collection of Jeff Smith’s early work, including precursors to Bone, was praised for its historical significance and charm.

Best Archival Collection/Project—Comic Books

• Winner: David Mazzucchelli’s Batman Year One Artist’s Edition (IDW Publishing)

• Overview: A second win for this definitive edition, highlighting its importance in comic history.

Best Writer

• Winner: Gene Luen Yang, Lunar New Year Love Story (First Second)

• Overview: Yang’s third win of the night recognized his masterful storytelling across multiple titles, outshining nominees like Tom King and James Tynion IV.

Best Writer/Artist

• Winner: Charles Burns, Kommix (Fantagraphics); Final Cut (Pantheon); Unwholesome Love (co-published with Partners & Son)

• Overview: Burns’ haunting, surreal style across multiple 2024 works earned him this prestigious award.

Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team

• Winner: Bilquis Evely, Helen of Wyndhorn (Dark Horse)

• Overview: Evely’s intricate, evocative art for Helen of Wyndhorn stood out, contributing to the title’s three total wins.

Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art)

• Winner: Eduardo Risso, The Blood Brothers Mother (DSTLRY)

• Overview: Risso’s gritty, expressive visuals for this DSTLRY title earned him high praise.

Best Cover Artist

• Winner: Tula Lotay, Helen of Wyndhorn (Dark Horse)

• Overview: Lotay’s stunning covers, celebrated on her birthday, added to Helen of Wyndhorn’s trio of awards.

Best Coloring

• Winner: Jordie Bellaire, Absolute Wonder Woman (DC), among others

• Overview: Bellaire’s vibrant, nuanced coloring across multiple titles, including Absolute Wonder Woman, secured her second Eisner win.

Best Lettering

• Winner: Clayton Cowles, Helen of Wyndhorn (Dark Horse), Absolute Batman (DC), among others

• Overview: Cowles’ versatile lettering across numerous high-profile titles, including Helen of Wyndhorn, earned him this award.

Best Comics-Related Periodical/Journalism

• Winner: The Beat, edited by Heidi MacDonald

• Overview: Heidi MacDonald’s long-running outlet was finally recognized for its insightful coverage of the comics industry, a historic win after decades of work.

Best Comics-Related Book

• Winner: Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund by Caitlin McGurk (Fantagraphics)

• Overview: This biography of a trailblazing cartoonist was lauded for its scholarly depth and celebration of Shermund’s legacy.

Best Academic/Scholarly Work

• Winner: Suffrage Song: The Haunted History of Gender, Race, and Voting Rights in the U.S. by Caitlin Cass (Fantagraphics)

• Overview: Cass’ exploration of voting rights through a historical lens was praised for its rigorous research and engaging visuals.

Best Publication Design

• Winner: David Mazzucchelli’s Batman Year One Artist’s Edition (IDW Publishing)

• Overview: The third win for this edition, recognizing its impeccable design and presentation.

Best Digital Comic

• Winner: Friday, vols. 10–12 by Ed Brubaker and Marcos Martin (Panel Syndicate)

• Overview: This noir-inspired digital series was celebrated for its gripping narrative and innovative format.

Best Webcomic

• Winner: Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe (Webtoon)

• Overview: Smythe’s modern take on Greek mythology continued its winning streak, praised for its massive online readership and emotional storytelling.

Special Awards

• Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award: L.A. Strong by Mad Cave Studios

  • Recognized for raising funds for LA wildfire victims, this anthology exemplified comics’ potential for social good.

• Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing: Don Glut and Sheldon Mayer

  • Glut (The Invaders, Kull the Destroyer) and Mayer (Sugar & Spike, Scribbly) were honored for their influential contributions to comics writing.

• Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award: Richard Blake, Hexagon Bridge

  • Blake’s innovative work as both writer and artist on Hexagon Bridge marked him as a rising star.

• Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award: Akira Comics (Madrid, Spain)

  • This Madrid-based store was celebrated for its outstanding support of the comics community.

• Will Eisner Hall of Fame:

  • Judges’ Choices: Peter Arno, Gus Arriola, Wilhelm Busch, Richard “Grass” Green, Rea Irvin, Jack Kamen, Joe Maneely, Shigeru Mizuki, Bob Oksner, Bob Powell, Ira Schnapp, Phil Seuling, Steve Bissette, Lucy Shelton Caswell, Philippe Druillet, Phoebe Gloeckner, Joe Sacco, Bill Schanes, Steve Schanes, Frank Stack, Angelo Torres

  • Voters’ Choices: Kyle Baker, Eddie Campbell, Roz Chast, Dan Clowes, Junji Ito, Todd Klein, John Romita Jr.

  • This year’s inductees, spanning deceased and living creators, celebrated a wide range of contributions to comics history.

Publisher and Creator Trends

• Publishers: DC Comics led with five wins (three solo, two shared), followed by Fantagraphics, First Second, and IDW, each with four. Fantagraphics’ 24 nominations (plus one shared) underscored its indie dominance, while DC’s success highlighted its strong 2024 output, particularly in the Absolute line.

• Creators: Gene Luen Yang (three wins), Bilquis Evely, Clayton Cowles, and Jordie Bellaire (two each) were among the top individual winners. Notably, Tom King, despite four nominations, didn’t secure a win, sparking discussions about the Eisners’ preference for fresh voices over perennial nominees.

Notable Observations

• Indie vs. Mainstream: The 2025 winners balanced mainstream titles (Absolute Wonder Woman, Zatanna) with indie standouts (Santos Sisters, Abortion Pill Zine), reflecting the Eisners’ commitment to diversity across genres and publishers.

• Surprise Wins: Santos Sisters’ victory over juggernauts like Ultimate Spider-Man and Fantastic Four was a shock, highlighting the appeal of small-press creativity. Similarly, Abortion Pill Zine’s win in Best Single Issue underscored the impact of socially relevant works.

• Social Impact: Titles like The War on Gaza and Abortion Pill Zine emphasized comics’ role in addressing pressing social issues, while L.A. Strong’s humanitarian award reinforced the medium’s community-driven ethos.

• Marvel’s Presence: Marvel secured fewer wins than DC, with Ultimate Spider-Man and Fantastic Four losing out in major categories. Fans on X noted Marvel’s lighter push for Eisner submissions compared to DC, which may have impacted their haul.

Conclusion

The 2025 Eisner Awards celebrated a year of exceptional comics, from heartfelt graphic memoirs to bold superhero reinventions and socially conscious zines. Winners like Lunar New Year Love Story, Santos Sisters, and Absolute Wonder Woman showcased the medium’s range, while creators like Gene Luen Yang, Tessa Hulls, and Bilquis Evely solidified their places as industry leaders. As Heidi MacDonald of The Beat—itself a winner—suggested, this list is a “shopping list” for comics fans eager to explore the best of 2024. With Estrada’s departure marking the end of an era, the 2025 Eisners set a high bar for the future of comics excellence.

For the full list of nominees and more details, visit the official Comic-Con website.