The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the creativity, skill, and fun of comics. The awards return for their ninth year on Saturday, September 26, 2026 as part of the fan- and pro-favorite convention, Baltimore Comic-Con.
Unlike other professional industry awards, the Ringo Awards include fan participation in the nomination process along with an esteemed jury of comics professionals.
More than 20 categories will be celebrated with top honors being given at the awards ceremony in October.
Fan and Pro Nominations
Fan and pro-jury voting are tallied independently, and the combined nomination ballot is compiled by the Ringo Awards Committee. The top two fan choices become nominees, and the jury’s selections fill the remaining three slots for five total nominees per category. Ties may result in more than five nominees in a single category. Nominees will be listed on the ballot alphabetically. Nomination ballot voting is open to the public (fans and pros) between March 13, 2026 and May 28, 2026.
Final Ballot Voting
After processing by the Ringo Awards Committee and Jury, the Final Ballots are targeted to be available to comic creative professionals for voting on July 29, 2026 and will be due by August 26, 2026 for final tallying. Presentation of the winners will occur at the Baltimore Comic-Con on the evening of Saturday, September 26, 2026.
Nomination Eligibility
Eligibility for creators and creative works is determined by publication in the preceding calendar year (January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025) – print publication date takes precedence over electronic publication date. For electronic works, the date of publication is time-stamped with most publications and at least 3 episodes/installments of continuing works must have appeared during the eligibility period.
Updated Categories
New in 2026, we have mad a number of updates based on juror, publisher, and voter submissions:
- Best Single Issue or Story is renamed Best Short Story
- Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel is now divided into subcategories for Ages 11 and Under and Ages 12 and Up
- Added the Best Comics-Related Publication category, recognizing outstanding non-comic works that explore, analyze, or document the art, history, and/or culture of comics
These updates reflect clarity of category intent, rationalizes the dichotomy between early reader and young adult titles within the kids’ category, and supports publications found at your local comic shop or bookseller about comics but not presented as a comic.
Fan and Pro Nomination Categories
- Best Cartoonist (Writer/Artist)
- Best Writer
- Best Artist or Penciller/Inker Team
- Best Letterer
- Best Colorist
- Best Cover Artist
- Best Series
- Best Short Story
- Best Original Graphic Novel
- Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel — Ages 11 and Under
- Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel — Ages 12 and Up
- Best Anthology
- Best Humor Comic
- Best Webcomic
- Best Humor Webcomic
- Best Non-fiction Comic Work
- Best Comics-Related Publication
- Best Presentation in Design
Perennial Jury-Only Nomination
- The Mike Wieringo Spirit Award
Fan-Only Favorite Categories
- Favorite Hero
- Favorite Villain
- Favorite New Series
- Favorite New Talent
- Favorite Publisher
Hero Initiative Award (selected by the Hero Initiative)
- The Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award
- The Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award
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Source: Graphic Policy
