Harvey Awards Announce 2026 Nominees For Top Comics And Related Projects

The prestigious Harvey Awards, named after visionary Harvey Kurtzman, have announced their 2026 nominees, celebrating top achievements in comic books and graphic novels. Presented annually at New York Comic Con, the awards recognize excellence across seven concise categories: Book of the Year, Digital Book, Best Children’s Book, Best Young Adult Book, Best Manga, Best International Book, and Best Adaptation. Nellie Kurtzman, co-chair, highlighted that the nominees embody her father's vision of comics as serious art that entertains and challenges. Industry professionals can cast their votes until August 28, 2026. Winners will be revealed on October 9, 2026, at the Javits Center, continuing the Harveys' nearly four-decade tradition of guiding readers to essential titles and showcasing the medium's global impact.

It’s awards season for the comic book industry, with the Eisner Awards due to be handed out in two weeks at San Diego Comic-Con. Another prestigious award, the Harveys, which are presented annually at New York Comic Con, just announced their 2026 nominees, featuring some of the top graphic novels, webcomics, international comics and media tie-ins of the past year.

While the Eisners are expansive in their range of categories, the Harveys are concise, recognizing 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, and Best Adaptation from Comic Book/Graphic Novel. The Harveys also name creators to their Hall of Fame, announced separately.

The Harvey Awards are named for the visionary writer/artist/editor Harvey Kurtzman (MAD!). Debuting in 1988, the annual Harvey Awards have helped guide readers, retailers, librarians, and educators to hundreds of essential comics and graphic novels for almost four decades.

“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,” said Nellie Kurtzman, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.

This category honors creators who are redefining publishing through digital-first storytelling and innovation. “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,” said Kurtzman.

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,” said Kurtzman.

“YA graphic novels continue to tackle life’s biggest questions with honesty, sophistication, and artistry. They’re among the most important books published today,” said Chip Mosher, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.

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,” said Chip Mosher, Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair.

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,” said Lind.

This category, sure to be a close contest this time around, 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,” said Nellie.

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.

“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,” said Lind.

The Harvey Awards nominations committee, which votes on the nomination ballot, comprises select creators, publishers, retailers, educators, and librarians. Industry professionals with Professional or Artist Alley badges from ReedPop comic conventions between 2016 and 2026 are eligible to vote on the final Harvey Awards ballot.

According to the Awards committee, selected professionals have already been registered to participate in the general voting and will receive a personalized voting link via email. Any industry professionals who would like to vote can apply via the Harvey Awards Apply to Vote page. Voting closes on August 28th, 2026.

The world will learn who won the Harveys at the Harvey Award Ceremony at ReedPop’s New York Comic Con, October 9, 2026 at the Javits Center.