The GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Graphic Novel/Anthology is an annual award that honors graphic novels 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.
Comic books and graphic novels 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. 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. Winners are determined by a plurality vote by GLAAD staff and board, Shareholders Circle members, as well as volunteers and allies. Nominees in this category must be an original graphic novel or an anthology of short stories appearing in the same book released by a mainstream publisher and its subsidiary labels. At GLAAD's discretion, a graphic novel or anthology from another publisher may be nominated if the book achieves a similar level of visibility and impact. Trade paperbacks of previously published material are not eligible.
The category was first introduced at the 33rd GLAAD Media Awards in 2022 as a sister category to the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Comic Book, which honored both comics and graphic novels from 1992 to 2021. The inaugural winner of the award was Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms, a graphic novel by Crystal Frasier which was published by Oni Press.
Winners and nominees Indicates the winner Award yearComicWriter(s)Publisher2022 (33rd)Cheer Up! Love and PompomsCrystal Frasier, Val Wise, Oscar O. JupiterOni PressDC Pride [anthology]variousDC ComicsEighty DaysA.C. EsguerraArchaia/BOOM! StudiosThe Girl from the SeaLee Knox Ostertag, Maarta LaihoGraphix/ScholasticGirl HavenLilah Sturges, Meaghan Carter, Joamette GilOni PressI Am Not StarfireMariko Tamaki, Yoshi Yoshitani, Aditya BidikarDC ComicsMarvel's Voices: Pride [anthology]variousMarvel ComicsRenegade RuleBen Kahn, Rachel Silverstein, Sam Beck, Jim CampbellDark Horse ComicsThe Secret to Superhuman StrengthAlison Bechdel, Holly Rae TaylorMariner Books/HMHShadow LifeHiromi Goto, Ann XuFirst Second/Macmillan2023 (34th)Young Men in LovevariousA Wave Blue WorldChef's KissJarrett Melendez, Danica Brine, Hank Jones and Hassan Otsmane-ElhaouOni PressCovenJennifer Dugan, Kit SeatonPutnamDC Pride 2022 variousDC ComicsDoughnuts and DoomBalazs LorincziTop Shelf ProductionsFine: A Comic About GenderRhea EwingW.W. Norton & CompanyGalaxy: The Prettiest Star Jadzia Axelrod, Jess TaylorDC ComicsHeartstopper Volume 4 Alice OsemanGRAPHIXMagical BoyThe KaoMarvel's Voices: Pride #1variousMarvel Comics2024 (35th)Four-Color HeroesRichard FairgrayFanbase PressBlackwardLawrence LindellDrawn & QuarterlyCarmilla: The First VampireAmy ChuBerger Books / Dark Horse ComicsCosmoknights (Book Two)Hannah TemplerTop Shelf ProductionsHeartstopper Vol. 5 Alice OsemanGraphix / ScholasticLight Carries OnRay NadineDark Horse BooksNorthranger Rey Terciero HarperAlleyParallelMatthias LehmannOni PressRoaming Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki Drawn & QuarterlyUsSara SolerDark Horse Books2025 (36th)Becoming Who We Are: Real Stories About Growing Up Trans, [anthology] variousA Wave Blue WorldAsh’s CabinJen WangFirst SecondBad Dream: A Dreamer StoryNicole Maines, Rye HickmanDC ComicsDeadendia: The Divine OrderHamish SteeleUnion Square & Co.The Deep DarkLee Knox OstertagGRAPHIXThe Fox MaidensRobin HaHarperAlleyLunar BoyJes Wibowo and Cin WibowoHarperAlleyMy Fairy GodfatherRobert Mailer Anderson, Jon SackFantagraphicsThe Ribbon SkirtCameron MukwaGRAPHIXThe Science of GhostsLilah Sturges, El Garing, Alitha Martinez, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Jimmy BetancourtLegendary Comics2026 (37th)GaysiansMike CuratoAlgonquin BooksCannonLee LaiDrawn & QuarterlyDan in Green GablesRey Terciero, Claudia AguirrePenguin WorkshopFirst Kiss with FangsMarker SnyderHoliday HouseHey, Mary!Andrew Wheeler, Rye Hickman, Hank Jones, Frank CvetkovicOni PressIt Rhymes With TakeiGeorge Takei, Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger, Harmony Becker, José VillarrubiaTop Shelf ProductionsLow OrbitKazimir LeeTop Shelf ProductionsA Song for You and IK. O'NeillRandom House GraphicSpentAlison Bechdel, Holly Rae Taylor, Jon ChadMariner BooksTrans History: From Ancient Times to the Present DayAlex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett, Tif BucknorCandlewick Press
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