The 38th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards ceremony is happening the Friday night during San Diego Comic-Con, July 24, in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront,
Named for the pioneering comics creator and graphic novelist Will Eisner, the Eisner Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry, will be given out in 32 categories for works published in 2025. Hosting the ceremony this year are voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Samurai Jack, Justice League) and actor/writer Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Balls of Fury, Night at the Museum).
Among publishers, DC Comics has 16 nominations (plus 10 shared), led by Absolute Martian Manhunter with 6 (3 standalone and 3 shared) and Absolute Batman with 5 (2 standalone and 3 shared). Image Comics has 12 nominations plus 9 shared, including 5 for Deniz Camp and Eric Zawadski’s Assorted Crisis Events (3 standalone and 2 shared) and 4 for James Tynion IV and Martin Simmonds’ Department of Truth.
Fantagraphics’ 14 nominations include 3 for graphic memoirs, 3 for U.S. editions of international material, and 3 for archival collections. Abrams imprints account for 9 nominations, spanning eight different categories, while Drawn & Quarterly has 6 nominees, followed by Random House with 5.
The Eisner Awards evening will also include the presentation of several other special awards. Since 1984, Comic-Con has been bestowing the annual Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award (to be presented by Bob’s daughter Ruth). This year’s recipients are Richard and Wendy Pini. The nominees and winner of the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, which has been handed out since 1982, will be announced by past Russ Manning assistant Bill Stout. Also being presented is the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailing Award, presided over by Joe Ferrara.
This is the 22nd year for the presentation of the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing. The 2026 recipients are Jenny Blake Isabella (Black Lightning, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist, Hawkman) and the late Martin Pasko (Justice League of America, Star Trek, Dr. Fate). The Finger Awards will be presented by Mark Evanier and Bill Finger’s granddaughter Athena Finger. The major sponsors for the Finger Award are DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Supporting sponsors are Heritage Auctions and Maggie Thompson.
Also being announced will be the Will Eisner Hall of Fame inductees for 2026, given out in a special ceremony on Friday morning at 10:00 in Room 29CD.
On Friday night the doors of the ballroom will open at 7:45, and the ceremony will get underway at 8:00. Attendance at the event is free to all Comic-Con members with badges. Advance seating for VIPs (nominees, sponsors, presenters) will begin at 7:00. The ceremony is expected to run until about 10:30, to be followed by a VIP reception in the Indigo Ballroom foyer.
The major sponsor of the 2026 Eisner Awards is Lunar Distribution, with the pre-show sponsor being ComicsPro. The principal sponsors are Arsenal Comics & Games, Cape & Cowl Comics, Comic Shop Assistant, Comixology Originals, and Fantasy Books Inc. Supporting sponsors are Atlantis Fantasyworld (Santa Cruz, CA), DSTLRY/Neon Ichiban, and Midwest Tape/Hoopla Distribution. The afterparty is sponsored by HarperAlley/Morrow. The print sponsor is Tiny Onion.
