The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book is an annual award that honors comic books for excellence in the depiction of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) characters and themes. It is one of several categories of the annual GLAAD Media Awards, presented by GLAAD—an American non-governmental media monitoring organization—at ceremonies in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco between March and June.[1]
GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book | |
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Awarded for | Excellence in depiction of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community in comics |
Country | United States |
Presented by | GLAAD |
First awarded | April 1992 |
2024 winner(s) | Star Wars: Doctor Aphra |
The award was introduced in 1992 as a non-competitive category at the 3rd GLAAD Media Awards. The first honoree was the second volume of The Flash, an ongoing comic book series published by DC Comics and written by William Messner-Loebs. No award was given from 1993 through 1995, but one comic has been recognized every year since 1996. Outstanding Comic Book became a competitive category in 1997.[2] While the award initially encompassed all types of comics—such as comic books, comic strips, and graphic novels—GLAAD split the category into two starting with the 33rd ceremony in 2022; Outstanding Comic Book and Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology.[3]
For a comic to be eligible, it must be targeted at a general audience and be sold nationwide in comic retail stores.[4] Furthermore, it must be published by one of the United States' four mainstream comic book publishers—Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics, or Marvel Comics—or their subsidiaries.[5] A title from another publisher is eligible at GLAAD's discretion if it manages to attain a degree of visibility and impact similar to that of one of the four mainstream publishers.[5]
Comic books selected by GLAAD are evaluated based on four criteria: "Fair, Accurate, and Inclusive Representations" of the LGBT community, "Boldness and Originality" of the project, significant "Impact" on mainstream culture, and "Overall Quality" of the project.[6] GLAAD monitors mainstream media to identify which comic books will be nominated, while also issuing a Call for Entries that encourages media outlets to submit titles for consideration. Comics created by and for an LGBT audience must be submitted in order to be considered for nomination, as GLAAD does not monitor such works for defamation.[6] Winners are determined by a plurality vote by GLAAD staff and board, Shareholders Circle members,[a] as well as volunteers and allies.[6]
Since its inception, the award has been given to 27 comics. Green Lantern, Young Avengers, Strangers in Paradise, and Star Wars: Doctor Aphra are the only comics to have received the award twice, with only Green Lantern achieving consecutive wins; in 2002 and 2003. Judd Winick is the writer with the most wins, having been nominated four times and winning three; two for Green Lantern. Strangers in Paradise also has the distinction of being the most-nominated comic, having been nominated 7 times. With nine nominations and one win, James Tynion IV has been nominated more often than any other writer. With four nominations, The Authority is the comic that has been nominated the most often without a win; with six nominations, Brian K. Vaughan is the most-nominated writer without a win.
Since the mid-2000s the award has received some criticism for its emphasis on mainstream comics—including its exclusion of non-mainstream comics, webcomics, and manga—as well as failing to recognize comic book artists alongside writers in nominations, though artists were eventually honored alonsdige writers as of the 34th GLAAD Media Awards. At the 35th GLAAD Media Awards in 2024, the award was given to the ongoing series Star Wars: Doctor Aphra; published by Marvel Comics, and written by Alyssa Wong.
Winners and nominees
edit‡ | Indicates the winner |
1990s
editAward year | Comic | Writer(s) | Publisher | Ref(s). |
---|---|---|---|---|
1992 (3rd) |
The Flash ‡ | William Messner-Loebs | DC Comics | [8] [9] [10] |
1996 (7th) |
Maggie Sawyer, Metropolis S.C.U. ‡ | Cindy Goff | DC Comics | [10] [11] |
1997 (8th) |
Death: The Time of Your Life ‡ | Neil Gaiman | Vertigo (DC Comics) | [2] [10] |
Love and Rockets | Hernandez brothers | Fantagraphics Books | ||
Prime | Gerard Jones and Len Strazewski | Marvel Comics | ||
The Spectre | John Ostrander | DC Comics | ||
1998 (9th) |
For Better or For Worse ‡ | Lynn Johnston | Andrews McMeel Publishing | [12] [13] [10] |
The Flash | Mark Waid and Brian Augustyn | DC Comics | ||
The Invisibles | Grant Morrison | |||
Superboy and the Ravers | Karl Kesel | |||
1999 (10th) |
Supergirl ‡ | Peter David | DC Comics | [14] [10] |
The Books of Magic | Neil Gaiman | Vertigo (DC Comics) | ||
Starman | James Robinson | DC Comics | ||
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy | Christian Cooper | Marvel Comics | ||
Young Heroes in Love | Dan Raspler and Dev Madan | DC Comics |
2000s
edit2010s
edit2020s
editMultiple wins and nominations
editTitles
edit
The following titles received two or more Outstanding Comic Book awards:
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The following titles received four or more Outstanding Comic Book nominations:
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Writers
edit
The following writers received two or more Outstanding Comic Book awards:
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The following writers received four or more Outstanding Comic Book nominations:
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Publishers
edit
The following publishers received two or more Outstanding Comic Book awards:
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The following publishers received four or more Outstanding Comic Book nominations:
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Criticism
editRich Thigpen, a member of the advisory board of Prism Comics, has described a debate existing regarding GLAAD's award for Outstanding Comic Book and whether the comics the organization nominates "were deserving because of their LGBT content or because of the press coverage they generated".[70][71] Thigpen stated that, given GLAAD's "very mission statement", it is expected that most Outstanding Comic Book nominees will be mainstream works that have "made the biggest media impact", and that he personally sees nothing wrong with this.[70]
Andrew Wheeler of ComicsAlliance has also criticed the focus on mainstream comics, as it results in the award having a "somewhat narrow focus".[72] He points out how, despite Alison Bechdel's Fun Home winning the Outstanding Comic Book award in 2007, Are You My Mother? wasn't even nominated during the 2013 ceremony. Wheeler also criticized the exclusion of webcomics, arguing that the most "progressive and inclusive LGBT content in comics today" is to be found in digital comics.[72] The omission of manga has also been criticized,[73] with Yuricon founder Erica Friedman stating that she has often written to GLAAD about including manga in this category.[74]
The category has also been criticized for recognizing only the writers of individual comics, but not the artists. Wheeler has described this as "frustrating" and argued that it "undermines the award's credibility".[72] Writing for Paste, Steve Foxe described GLAAD's unacknowledgement of artists as "painful".[75] GLAAD's failure to recognize artists was criticized in 2019 by both comics journalist Oliver Sava[76] and frequent Marvel Comics artist Mark Brooks.[77] By 2022, GLAAD continued to not recognize comic book artists in nominations, which Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool lamented.[78]
Notes
editReferences
editFootnotes
edit- ^ "GLAAD Media Awards Selection Process". GLAAD. September 10, 2011. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "GLAAD Announces Nominees of 1997 Media Awards". GLAAD. February 4, 1997. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (January 19, 2022). "Comics Outstanding Nominations Announced For GLAAD Awards 2022". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ "Award Category Definitions and Eligibility Rules". GLAAD. Archived from the original on March 20, 2003. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ a b "20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Award Category Definitions and Eligibility Rules". GLAAD. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on March 2, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c "GLAAD Media Awards Selection Process". GLAAD. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
- ^ "Become a Member. Donate Today. Help us make a difference". GLAAD. 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ Baron, Reuben (September 18, 2017). "Born This Way: 15 Superheroes Who Came Out". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Battis 2011, p. 10.
- ^ a b c d e "Past Winners of the GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. Archived from the original on June 28, 2001. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ Beirne 2008, p. 57.
- ^ "GLAAD Announces Nominees of 1998 Media Awards". GLAAD. January 14, 1998. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ "GLAAD Announces Nominees of 1998 Media Awards - "As Good As it Gets", "In & Out", "Oprah", Janet Jackson, "Time" and "ER" Among Nominees". GLAAD. 1998. Archived from the original on October 1, 1999. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "GLAAD Announces Nominees of 10th Media Awards". GLAAD. January 20, 1999. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ Speelman, Tom (March 6, 2018). "Neil Gaiman's New Sandman Universe Isn't A First for Vertigo". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on March 25, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Winners of the 11th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. Archived from the original on July 11, 2001. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (June 6, 2000). "GLAAD bows in S.F. with media awards". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^ "GLAAD Announces Nominees for 12th Annual Media Awards". GLAAD. January 16, 2001. Archived from the original on April 9, 2001. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Syma & Weiner 2013, p. 53.
- ^ "GLAAD announces media awards nominations (2143)". The Advocate. Pride Media. December 18, 2001. ISSN 0001-8996. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ Gustines, George Gene (August 13, 2002). "A Comic Book Gets Serious On Gay Issues; A Major Character Becomes A Victim of a Hate Crime". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (April 8, 2003). "14th Annual GLAAD Media Award Winners Include The Goat and Zanna, Don't!". Playbill. TotalTheater. ISSN 0551-0678. Archived from the original on May 4, 2003. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
- ^ Horwitch, Lauren (December 17, 2002). "GLAAD unveils Media Awards noms". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
- ^ "14th Annual GLAAD Media Awards: Complete List of Honorees & Winners". GLAAD. May 31, 2003. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (December 8, 2003). "15th Annual GLAAD Media Award Nominees Include Avenue Q, Taboo and "Angels in America"; Cherry Jones a Special Honoree". Playbill. TotalTheater. ISSN 0551-0678. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Miller, Julie (February 26, 2015). "Catwoman Writer Confirms Selina Kyle Is Bisexual". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. ISSN 0733-8899. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Harn, Darby (February 26, 2022). "10 Comics You Didn't Know Won GLAAD Awards". Screen Rant. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ Adams, Nick (January 19, 2005). "GLAAD: Nominees for the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
- ^ "List of Winners:16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by Absolut Vodka Marriot Marquis in New York, March 28, 2005". GLAAD. March 28, 2005. Archived from the original on October 2, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Marcus, Lawrence (January 24, 2006). "GLAAD hands out noms". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (June 25, 2009). "Comic Book Legends Revealed #213". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Adams, Nick (January 21, 2007). "GLAAD: 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees". GLAAD. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Brown, Eric (February 20, 2014). "South Carolina Legislators Punish Colleges For Assigning LGBT Books". International Business Times. IBT Media. Archived from the original on February 8, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ "Ugly Betty & Desperate Housewives Among GLAAD Awards Nominees". Access Hollywood. January 21, 2008. Archived from the original on June 30, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ Lo, Malinda (April 29, 2008). "2008 GLAAD Awards Photos". AfterEllen. Lesbian Nation, LLC. Archived from the original on September 22, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ^ "20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Nominees". GLAAD. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ "Media Release: Tyra Banks, Suze Orman Honored at 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Presented by IBM". GLAAD. March 29, 2009. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ "21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards (2010) - English Language Nominees". GLAAD. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Finke, Nikki (January 12, 2010). "21st GLAAD Media Awards Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ Gustine, George Gene (April 16, 2010). "Out of the Closet and Up, Up and Away". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards (2011) - English Language Nominees". GLAAD. 9 September 2011. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Ciminelli, David (January 19, 2011). "'Kids Are All Right,' 'Burlesque,' 'Glee' Among GLAAD Media Awards Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Valence Media. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
- ^ Pirshafiey, Nicole (April 6, 2011). "And This Year's GLAAD Media Award Recipients in Entertainment Are..." GLAAD. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees - Outstanding Comic Book". GLAAD. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Kushins, Josh (March 26, 2012). "Batwoman wins GLAAD Awards as Outstanding Comic Book". DC Comics. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees - Outstanding Comic Book". GLAAD. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Townsend, Megan (May 13, 2013). "Kevin Keller Receives Outstanding Comic Book at #GLAADAwards". GLAAD. Archived from the original on February 26, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "GLAAD Media Award Nominees Announced". The Hollywood Reporter. January 30, 2014. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ "25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Winners Announced". Deadline Hollywood. April 12, 2014. Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Johnson, Zach (January 21, 2015). "GLAAD Media Awards 2015: All the Nominees!". E!. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Wheeler, Andrew (March 23, 2015). "'Rat Queens' Wins GLAAD Award". ComicsAlliance. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on November 2, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Khatchatourian, Maane (January 27, 2016). "2016 GLAAD Awards Nominations: Full List of Nominees". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. Archived from the original on February 25, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ^ Shiach, Kieran (April 4, 2016). "'Lumberjanes' Wins 2016 GLAAD Media Award". ComicsAlliance. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on November 15, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ Vulpo, Mike (January 31, 2017). "GLAAD Media Awards 2017: Complete List of Nominations". E!. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ Melrose, Kevin (April 2, 2017). "BOOM! Studios' The Woods Wins GLAAD Media Award". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on 2017-09-09. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ Chuba, Kirsten (January 19, 2018). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominees: Full List". Variety. ISSN 0042-2738. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ Herviou, Nicole (April 13, 2018). "Marvel's Black Panther: World of Wakanda Wins GLAAD Media Award". Comic Book Resources. Valnet Inc. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 25, 2019). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominations: Love, Simon, Crazy Rich Asians, And Pose Recognized For LGBTQ Inclusion". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (March 28, 2019). "GLAAD Media Awards: Love, Simon, Vida And Queer Eye Among Honorees At LA Ceremony". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ Gardner, Chris; Howard, Annie (January 8, 2020). "GLAAD Media Awards: Booksmart, Bombshell, Rocketman Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
- ^ Markus, Tucker Chet (July 30, 2020). "Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Wins GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book". Marvel Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 5, 2020. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ Raymos, Dino-Ray (January 28, 2021). "GLAAD Unveils Nominees For 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards; Deadline's New Hollywood Podcast Honored With Special Recognition Award". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Respers France, Lisa (April 9, 2021). "GLAAD Media Awards 2021: The winners list". CNN. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ Gardner, Chris (January 19, 2022). "GLAAD Media Awards: Lil Nas X, 'Eternals,' 'Sex Education' and 'Yellowjackets' Among Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
- ^ Aquilina, Tyler (April 3, 2022). "Hacks, Drag Race, and more honored at 2022 GLAAD Media Awards: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 1049-0434. Archived from the original on April 3, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (January 18, 2023). "GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Huff, Lauren (March 31, 2023). "Jennifer Coolidge surprised by Best in Show wife Jane Lynch at 2023 GLAAD Media Awards: See full winner list". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 1049-0434. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 17, 2024). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominations Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ^ Dunn, Jack; Malkin, Marc (March 14, 2024). "Yellowjackets, Ted Lasso, Bottoms and Reneé Rapp Win Top Prizes at GLAAD Media Awards". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on May 27, 2024. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Keller, Katherine (August 2004). "Queer Eye for the Comics Gal or Guy". Sequential Tart. Archived from the original on August 26, 2005. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ Lopes 2009, p. 140.
- ^ a b c Wheeler, Andrew (January 31, 2014). "A Closer Look At The 25th GLAAD Media Awards Comics Nominees". ComicsAlliance. Townsquare Media. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ Friedman, Erica [@OkazuYuri] (January 26, 2019). "They also don't include manga at all and this year has been a banner year for queer manga in English" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Friedman, Erica [@OkazuYuri] (January 26, 2019). "I have written @glaad many times asking them to please include manga. Between Boy's Love, Yuri and queer manga, there are many excellent queer stories that they just completely overlook even though they are in English" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Foxe, Steve (January 22, 2015). "Why the GLAAD Media Awards Should Recognize Comics Artists". Paste. Paste Media Group. ISSN 1540-3106. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
- ^ Sava, Oliver [@OliverSava] (January 25, 2019). "Hey @glaad: We go through this EVERY YEAR. Comics have artwork. Put artists in your award nominations or don't include creators at all" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Brooks, Mark [@MarkBrooksArt] (January 26, 2019). "I love that the @glaad awards includes a comic catagory [sic] but we're going on 5 years now- COMICS INCLUDE ARTWORK BY AN ARTIST! A comic with just a writer is prose! A comic is a team effort between writer and artist. Come on folks, you should know better by now" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 6, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (January 19, 2022). "Comics Outstanding Nominations Announced For GLAAD Awards 2022". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.
Bibliography
edit- Battis, Jes (October 16, 2011). "Introduction: Supernatural Youth". Supernatural Youth: The Rise of the Teen Hero in Literature and Popular Culture. Plymouth, United Kingdom: Lexington Books. ISBN 978-0739128596.
- Beirne, Rebecca (September 15, 2008). "Image, Sex, and Politics: Cultural, Political, and Theoretical Contexts". Lesbians in Television and Text after the Millennium. London, United Kingdom: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-0230606746.
- Lopes, Paul (May 15, 2009). Demanding Respect: The Evolution of the American Comic Book. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States: Temple University Press. ISBN 978-1592134434.
- Syma, Carrye Kay; Weiner, Robert G. (June 10, 2013). "Part II: Teaching Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom". Graphic Novels and Comics in the Classroom: Essays on the Educational Power of Sequential Art. Jefferson, North Carolina, United States: McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0786459131.