Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story

The Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story is given each year for science fiction or fantasy stories told in graphic form and published or translated into English during the previous calendar year. It has been awarded annually since 2009.[1] The Hugo Awards have been described as "a fine showcase for speculative fiction" and "the best known literary award for science fiction writing".[2][3]

Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story
Awarded forThe best science fiction or fantasy story told in graphic form and published in the prior calendar year
Presented byWorld Science Fiction Society
First awarded2009
Most recent winnerBartosz Sztybor (writer), Filipe Andrade (artist), Alessio Fioriniello (artist), Roman Titov (colorist), Krzysztof Ostrowski (colorist), Jamal Campbell (artist) (Cyberpunk 2077: Big City Dreams)
WebsiteOfficial website
Phil Foglio and Kaja Foglio accept the 2010 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, for Girl Genius.

In the 19 nomination years, 106 works from 66 series have been nominated, including Retro Hugos. Works from 13 different series have won the award, including Retro Hugos. Girl Genius, written by Kaja and Phil Foglio, drawn by Phil Foglio, and colored by Cheyenne Wright, won the first three awards. After their third straight win in 2011, the Girl Genius team announced that, in order to show the category was a "viable award", they were refusing nomination for the following year (after which the award was up for re-ratification); Girl Genius was nominated a fourth time in 2014.[4] For the following five years, the award was taken by a different series or work every year, and included both webcomics and installments of published series. The 2017–2019 awards saw the second series to win three times, Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda's Monstress, and has been followed since by different works each year. The three Retro Hugos were won by early comic books such as Bill Finger and Bob Kane's Batman #1, William Moulton Marston and H. G. Peter's Wonder Woman #5: "Battle for Womanhood", and Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman: "The Mysterious Mr. Mxyzptlk". Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples's Saga has the most nominations at eight, followed by Monstress at seven and Howard Tayler's Schlock Mercenary at five, while Bill Willingham's Fables, Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang's Paper Girls, and Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon have been nominated four times. Nine other works have at least two nominations.

Selection

Hugo Award nominees and winners are chosen by supporting or attending members of the annual World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, and the presentation evening constitutes its central event. The selection process is defined in the World Science Fiction Society Constitution as instant-runoff voting with six nominees, except in the case of a tie as happened in 2009. The graphic stories on the ballot are the six most-nominated by members that year, with no limit on the number of stories that can be nominated. Initial nominations are made by members in January through March, while voting on the ballot of six nominations is performed roughly in April through July, subject to change depending on when that year's Worldcon is held.[5] Prior to 2017, the final ballot was five works; it was changed that year to six, with each initial nominator limited to five nominations.[6] Worldcons are generally held near the start of September, and are held in a different city around the world each year.[7][8] In addition to the regular Hugo awards, beginning in 1996 Retrospective Hugo Awards, or "Retro Hugos", have been available to be awarded for 50, 75, or 100 years prior. Retro Hugos may be awarded only for years in which a World Science Fiction Convention, or Worldcon, was hosted but no awards were originally given.[9] To date, Retro Hugo awards have been given for graphic stories only for 1941 and 1944.[10]

Winners and nominees

In the following table, the years correspond to the date of the ceremony, rather than when the story was first published. Entries with a yellow background have won the award; those with a gray background are the other nominated works.

  *   Winners and joint winners

Winners and nominees
YearWorkCreator(s)Publisher(s)Ref.
2009Girl Genius, Volume 8: Agatha Heterodyne and the Chapel of Bones*Kaja Foglio (writer), Phil Foglio (writer, artist), Cheyenne Wright (colorist)Airship Entertainment[11]
The Dresden Files: Welcome to the JungleJim Butcher (writer), Ardian Syaf (artist)Del Rey Books/Dabel Brothers Productions[11]
Fables: War and PiecesBill Willingham (writer), Mark Buckingham (penciller), Steve Leialoha (artist), Andrew Peopy (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Todd Klein (letterist)Vertigo Comics[11]
Schlock Mercenary: The Body PoliticHoward Tayler (writer, artist)The Tayler Corporation[11]
Serenity: Better DaysJoss Whedon (writer), Brett Matthews (writer), Will Conrad (artist), Michelle Madsen (colorist), Jo Chen (cover)Dark Horse Comics[11]
Y: The Last Man, Volume 10: Whys and WhereforesBrian K. Vaughan (writer), Pia Guerra (penciller), Jose Marzan, Jr. (inker)Vertigo Comics[11]
2010Girl Genius, Volume 9: Agatha Heterodyne and the Heirs of the Storm*Kaja Foglio (writer), Phil Foglio (writer, artist), Cheyenne Wright (colorist)Airship Entertainment[12]
Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?Neil Gaiman (writer), Andy Kubert (penciller), Scott Williams (inker)DC Comics[12]
Captain Britain and MI13. Volume 3: Vampire StatePaul Cornell (writer), Leonard Kirk (penciller), Mike Collins (penciller), Adrian Alphona (penciller), Ardian Syaf (penciller)Marvel Comics[12]
Fables: The Dark AgesBill Willingham (writer), Mark Buckingham (penciller), Steve Leialoha (artist), Peter Gross (artist), Andrew Peopy (artist), Mike Allred (artist), David Hahn (artist), Lee Loughridge (colorist), Laura Allred (colorist), Todd Klein (letterist)Vertigo Comics[12]
Schlock Mercenary: The Longshoreman of the ApocalypseHoward Tayler (writer, artist)The Tayler Corporation[12]
2011Girl Genius, Volume 10: Agatha Heterodyne and the Guardian Muse*Kaja Foglio (writer), Phil Foglio (writer, artist), Cheyenne Wright (colorist)Airship Entertainment[13]
Fables: WitchesBill Willingham (writer), Mark Buckingham (artist)Vertigo Comics[13]
Grandville Mon AmourBryan Talbot (writer, artist)Dark Horse Comics[13]
Schlock Mercenary: Massively ParallelHoward Tayler (writer, artist)Hypernode[13]
The Unwritten, Volume 2: Inside ManMike Carey (writer), Peter Gross (artist)Vertigo Comics[13]
2012Digger*Ursula Vernon (writer, artist)Sofawolf Press[14]
Fables: Rose RedBill Willingham (writer), Mark Buckingham (artist)Vertigo Comics[14]
Locke & Key Volume 4: Keys To The KingdomJoe Hill (writer), Gabriel Rodriguez (artist)IDW Publishing[14]
Schlock Mercenary: Force MultiplicationHoward Tayler (writer, artist)The Tayler Corporation[14]
The Unwritten, Volume 4: LeviathanMike Carey (writer), Peter Gross (artist)Vertigo Comics[14]
2013Saga, Volume 1*Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist)Image Comics[15]
Grandville Bête NoireBryan Talbot (writer, artist)Dark Horse Comics[15]
Locke & Key Volume 5: ClockworksJoe Hill (writer), Gabriel Rodriguez (artist)IDW Publishing[15]
Schlock Mercenary: Random Access MemorabiliaHoward Tayler (writer, artist)The Tayler Corporation[15]
Saucer Country, Volume 1: RunPaul Cornell (writer), Ryan Kelly (artist), Jimmy Broxton (artist), Goran Sudžuka (artist)Vertigo Comics[15]
2014"Time"*Randall Munroexkcd[16]
Girl Genius, Volume 13: Agatha Heterodyne & The Sleeping CityKaja Foglio (writer), Phil Foglio (writer, artist), Cheyenne Wright (colorist)Airship Entertainment[16]
The Girl Who Loved Doctor WhoPaul Cornell (writer), Jimmy Broxton (artist)IDW Publishing[16]
The Meathouse ManRaya Golden (artist), George R. R. Martin (original work)Jet City Comics[16]
Saga, Volume 2Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist)Image Comics[16]
2015Ms. Marvel, Volume 1: No Normal*G. Willow Wilson (writer), Adrian Alphona (artist), Jake Wyatt (artist)Marvel Comics[17]
Rat Queens, Volume 1: Sass and SorceryKurtis J. Weibe (writer), Roc Upchurch (artist)Image Comics[17]
Saga, Volume 3Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist)Image Comics[17]
Sex Criminals, Volume 1: One Weird TrickMatt Fraction (writer), Chip Zdarsky (artist)Image Comics[17]
The Zombie Nation Book #2: Reduce Reuse ReanimateCarter ReidThe Zombie Nation[17]
2016The Sandman: Overture*Neil Gaiman (writer), J. H. Williams III (artist)Vertigo Comics[18]
The DivineBoaz Lavie (writer), Asaf Hanuka (artist), Tomer Hanuka (artist)First Second Books[18]
Erin Dies AloneGrey Carter (writer), Cory Rydell (artist)dyingalone.net[18]
Full Frontal NerdityAaron Williamsffn.nodwick.com[18]
Invisible Republic, Volume 1Corinna Bechko (writer), Gabriel Hardman (writer, artist)Image Comics[18]
2017Monstress, Volume 1: Awakening*Marjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[19]
Black Panther, Volume 1: A Nation Under Our FeetTa-Nehisi Coates (writer), Brian Stelfreeze (artist)Marvel Comics[19]
Ms. Marvel, Volume 5: Super FamousG. Willow Wilson (writer), Takeshi Miyazawa (artist)Marvel Comics[19]
Paper Girls, Volume 1Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matthew Wilson (colorist), Jared Fletcher (letterer)Image Comics[19]
Saga, Volume 6Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist), Fonografiks (letterer)Image Comics[19]
The Vision, Volume 1: Little Worse Than A ManTom King (writer), Gabriel Hernandez Walta (artist)Marvel Comics[19]
2018Monstress, Volume 2: The Blood*Marjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[20]
Bitch Planet, Volume 2: President BitchKelly Sue DeConnick (writer), Valentine De Landro (artist), Taki Soma (artist), Kelly Fitzpatrick (colorist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)Image Comics[20]
Black Bolt, Volume 1: Hard TimeSaladin Ahmed (writer), Christian Ward (artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)Marvel Comics[20]
My Favorite Thing Is MonstersEmil Ferris (writer, artist)Fantagraphics Books[20]
Paper Girls, Volume 3Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matthew Wilson (colorist), Jared Fletcher (letterer)Image Comics[20]
Saga, Volume 7Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist)Image Comics[20]
2019Monstress, Volume 3: Haven*Marjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[21]
AbbottSaladin Ahmed (writer), Sami Kivelä (artist), Jason Wordie (colorist), Jim Campbell (letterer)Boom! Studios[21]
Black Panther: Long Live the KingNnedi Okorafor (writer), Aaron Covington (writer), André Lima Araújo (artist), Mario Del Pennino (artist), Tana Ford (artist)Marvel Comics[21]
On a SunbeamTillie Walden (writer, artist)First Second Books[21]
Paper Girls, Volume 4Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matthew Wilson (colorist), Jared Fletcher (letterer)Image Comics[21]
Saga, Volume 9Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist)Image Comics[21]
2020LaGuardia*Nnedi Okorafor (writer), Tana Ford (artist), James Devlin (colorist)Berger Books / Dark Horse Comics[22]
Die, Volume 1: Fantasy HeartbreakerKieron Gillen (writer), Stephanie Hans (artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)Image Comics[22]
Monstress, Volume 4: The ChosenMarjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[22]
MooncakesSuzanne Walker (writer), Wendy Xu (artist), Joamette Gil (letterer)Oni Press / Lion Forge Comics[22]
Paper Girls, Volume 6Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Cliff Chiang (artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Jared K. Fletcher (letterer)Image Comics[22]
The Wicked + The Divine, Volume 9: OkayKieron Gillen (writer), Jamie McKelvie (artist), Matt Wilson (colorist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)Image Comics[22]
2021Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation*Octavia E. Butler (original author), Damian Duffy (writer), John Jennings (artist)Abrams Books[23]
Die, Volume 2: Split the PartyKieron Gillen (writer), Stephanie Hans (artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)Image Comics[23]
Ghost-Spider, Volume 1: Dog Days Are OverSeanan McGuire (writer), Takeshi Miyazawa (artist), Rosie Kämpe (artist)Marvel Comics[23]
Invisible Kingdom, Volume 2: Edge of EverythingG. Willow Wilson (writer), Christian Ward (artist)Dark Horse Comics[23]
Monstress, Volume 5: WarchildMarjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[23]
Once & Future, Volume 1: The King Is UndeadKieron Gillen (writer), Dan Mora (artist), Tamra Bonvillain (colorist), Ed Dukeshire (letterer)Boom! Studios[23]
2022Far Sector*N. K. Jemisin (writer), Jamal Campbell (artist)DC Comics[24]
Die, Volume 4: BleedKieron Gillen (writer), Stephanie Hans (artist), Clayton Cowles (letterer)Image Comics[24]
Lore Olympus, Volume 1Rachel Smythe (writer, artist)Del Rey Books[24]
Monstress, Volume 6: The VowMarjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[24]
Once & Future, Volume 3: The Parliament of MagpiesKieron Gillen (writer), Dan Mora (artist), Tamra Bonvillain (colorist)Boom! Studios[24]
Strange AdventuresTom King (writer), Mitch Gerads (artist), Evan "Doc" Shaner (artist)DC Comics[24]
2023Cyberpunk 2077: Big City Dreams*Bartosz Sztybor (writer), Filipe Andrade (artist), Alessio Fioriniello (artist), Roman Titov (colorist), Krzysztof Ostrowski (colorist)Dark Horse Comics[25]
Dune: The Official Movie Graphic NovelLilah Sturges (writer), Drew Johnson (artist), Zid (colorist)Legendary Comics[25]
Monstress, Volume 7: DevourerMarjorie Liu (writer), Sana Takeda (artist)Image Comics[25]
Once & Future, Volume 4: Monarchies in the UKKieron Gillen (writer), Dan Mora (artist)Boom! Studios[25]
Saga, Volume 10Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist), Fonografiks (letterer)Image Comics[25]
Supergirl: Woman of TomorrowTom King (writer), Bilquis Evely (artist), Matheus Lopes (colorist)DC Comics[25]
2024Bea WolfZach Weinersmith (writer), Boulet (artist)First Second Books[26]
Saga, Volume 11Brian K. Vaughan (writer), Fiona Staples (artist)Image Comics[26]
Shubeik LubeikDeena MohamedPantheon Graphic Library[26]
The Three Body Problem, Part OneCai Jin (writer), Ge Wendi (writer), Bo Mu (writer), Caojijiuridong (artist), Liu Cixin (original novel)Zhejiang Literature and Art Publishing House[26]
The Witches of World War IIPaul Cornell (writer), Valeria Burzo (artist)TKO Studios[26]
Wonder Woman Historia: The AmazonsKelly Sue DeConnick (writer), Phil Jimenez (artist), Gene Ha (artist), Nicola Scott (artist)DC Comics[26]

Retro Hugos

Beginning with the 1996 Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Society created the concept of "Retro Hugos", in which the Hugo award could be retroactively awarded for 50, 75, or 100 years prior. Retro Hugos may be awarded only for years after 1939 in which no awards were originally given.[9] The only times the Graphic Story category has both existed and received enough nominations to support a Retro Hugo category was in 2016 for 1941, 2019 for 1944, and 2020 for 1945.[10][18]

Retro Hugo winners and nominees
YearYear awardedWorkCreator(s)Publisher(s)Ref.
19412016Batman #1*Bill Finger (writer), Bob Kane (artist)Detective Comics (DC Comics)[27]
Captain Marvel: "Introducing Captain Marvel"Bill Parker, C. C. BeckWhiz Comics #2 (Fawcett Comics)[27]
Flash Gordon: "The Ice Kingdom of Mongo"Alex Raymond, Don MooreKing Features Syndicate[27]
The Origin of the SpiritWill EisnerRegister and Tribune Syndicate[27]
The Spectre: "The Spectre"/"The Spectre Strikes!"Jerry Siegel (writer), Bernard Baily (artist)More Fun Comics[27]
19442019Wonder Woman #5: "Battle for Womanhood"*William Moulton Marston (writer), H. G. Peter (artist)DC Comics[28]
Buck Rogers: "Martians Invade Jupiter"Philip Francis Nowlan (writer), Dick Calkins (artist)National Newspaper Service[28]
Flash Gordon: "Fiery Desert of Mongo"Alex Raymond (writer, artist)King Features Syndicate[28]
GarthSteve Dowling (writer, artist)Daily Mirror[28]
Plastic Man #1: "The Game of Death"Jack Cole (writer, artist)Vital Publications[28]
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the UnicornHergé (writer, artist)Le Soir[28]
19452020Superman: "The Mysterious Mr. Mxyzptlk"*Jerry Siegel (writer), Ira Yarbrough (artist), Joe Shuster (artist)Detective Comics (DC Comics)[29]
Buck Rogers: "Hollow Planetoid"Dick Calkins (artist)National Newspaper Service[29]
Donald Duck: "The Mad Chemist"Carl Barks (writer, artist)Dell Comics[29]
Flash Gordon: "Battle for Tropica"Alex Raymond (writer, artist)King Features Syndicate[29]
Flash Gordon: "Triumph in Tropica"Alex Raymond (writer, artist)King Features Syndicate[29]
The Spirit: "For the Love of Clara Defoe"Manly Wade Wellman (writer), Lou Fine (artist), Don Komisarow (artist)Register and Tribune Syndicate[29]

References

External links