Absolute Universe Dominance: DC Leads the 2026 Eisner Award Nominations

The list of nominees for the 2026 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards has officially been revealed. Often referred to as the Oscars of the comic book industry, the Eisners highlight the most noteworthy releases and creators from the 2025 calendar year. In a clear display of editorial power, DC Comics emerges as the most widely represented publisher in this year’s lineup.

DC has secured 16 nominations for its own titles, with an additional 10 shared nominations, cementing its status as the frontrunner. This dominance is heavily fueled by the success of the Absolute Universe line, which has garnered significant industry recognition for its bold reimaginings of iconic characters.

Absolute Batman and Martian Manhunter Lead the Charge

The Absolute Universe imprint is clearly the heavyweight champion of this year’s awards. The line boasts a total of 6 nominations for Absolute Martian Manhunter and 5 nominations for Absolute Batman. These numbers underscore the critical acclaim surrounding these specific titles, which have redefined their respective characters for a modern audience.

Other major publishers are also seeing strong showings, though they trail DC in total count. Fantagraphics follows with 14 nominations, while Image Comics secures 12 nominations (plus 9 shared). Abrams rounds out the top tier with 9 nominations, indicating a robust year for independent and alternative comics alongside the mainstream giants.

Key Nominees Across Major Categories

The breadth of the nominations highlights the diversity of the comic industry. Below is a breakdown of the key contenders in the major categories, showcasing the range of storytelling styles from horror to sports to historical non-fiction.

Best Short Story and One-Shot

The category for short-form storytelling features a mix of indie darlings and mainstream hits. Shintaro Kago’s work in Brain Damage appears twice, translated by Zack Davisson. Other notable entries include:

  • “Football Is Not War” by R. K. Russell and Wilfred Santiago (Stacked Deck Press)
  • “Red Snapper in the Rea” by Michael D. Kennedy (Drawn & Quarterly)
  • “trAPPed” by Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson (Bloomberg News)

For single issues, Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 by Daniel Warren Johnson and James Haren joins Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez. Image Comics’ Assorted Crisis Events #4 and BOOM! Studios’ Something Is Killing the Children spin-off also make the cut.

Best Continuing and Limited Series

The competition for ongoing series is fierce, with DC’s Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman both nominated. Kelly Thompson’s work on Absolute Wonder Woman joins Scott Snyder’s run on Absolute Batman. Meanwhile, Image Comics’ The Department of Truth and The Power Fantasy by Kieron Gillen stand out among the challengers. Dark Horse’s FML by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Marvel’s Storm also receive recognition.

In the limited series category, Absolute Martian Manhunter leads with multiple nods, competing against IDW’s Beneath The Trees Where Nobody Sees, BOOM! Studios’ Bronze Faces, and Image’s Everything Dead and Dying.

Best New Series and Readership Categories

The "Best New Series" category features a strong showing from Image Comics, with Assorted Crisis Events and Exquisite Corpses both nominated. DC’s Batman Vol. 4 by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez, along with Marvel’s Black Cat, round out the top contenders.

For younger readers, the nominees span a wide age range:

  • Early Readers: All the Hulk Feels (Abrams Fanfare/Marvel) and The Faraway Forest (Chronicle Books).
  • Kids: Raina Telgemeier’s The Cartoonists Club and Guojing’s Oasis.
  • Teens: Trung Le Nguyen’s Angelica and the Bear Prince and Tillie Walden’s Clementine: Book Three.

Humor, Anthologies, and Non-Fiction

Humor categories see Alison Bechdel’s Spent: A Comic Novel and John Allison’s The Great British Bump-Off among the nominees. The anthology category includes DC Pride 2025 and Come Out and Play: The Queer Sports Project.

Non-fiction remains a vital part of the Eisners, with nominees including Ben Passmore’s Black Arms to Hold You Up and Guy Delisle’s Muybridge. This diversity ensures that the awards celebrate not just superhero narratives, but the full spectrum of graphic storytelling.

When and Where to Watch

The winners will be revealed during San Diego Comic-Con on July 24. The ceremony will take place at the San Diego Hilton Bayfront Hotel, where the industry will gather to honor the creative excellence displayed throughout 2025. With DC’s Absolute Universe leading the pack, this year’s awards promise to be a testament to the evolving landscape of comic books.