Eisner Spirit

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award

Each year, Comic-Con International honors retailers from around the globe with the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, named after the visionary creator of The Spirit. When Will approached Comic-Con about initiating the award in the early 1990s, he wanted to do so as a way to acknowledge the important role that comics retailers play in the industry, nurturing the relationship between creators and their readers. The comic book retailer provides that vital link in getting the work from the creators and publishers to the public. Will recognized the importance of that link, and Comic-Con continues to recognize it over 30 years after Will’s original idea.

The award is given out yearly to retailers who have done an outstanding job of supporting the comic art medium both in the industry at large and in their local community. Comics fans around the world have the opportunity to nominate their favorite stores here on the Comic-Con website. The 2024 award will be given out as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards.

GUIDELINES for nomination include:

• Any retail store established in business for at least two years is eligible to be nominated.
• Anyone—retailers, professionals, fans—may place a name in nomination.
• A panel of industry judges selects a group of finalists to be subjected to an in-depth examination based on the award criteria. The recipient will be announced as part of the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards at Comic-Con International on Friday, July 26, 2024.
• Previous winners may be eligible for nomination if: A) They have been operating under new ownership for at least two years, or B) It has been at least ten years since the store received the award.

CRITERIA for judging include:

• Supporting a wide variety of innovative material.
• Providing opportunities for creators’ material to reach buyers; stocking a diverse inventory.
• Knowledge: Working to stay informed on retailing as well as on the comics field.
• Community activity: Promoting comics to the community; maintaining relationships with schools and libraries; keeping active in social, business, and arts community organizations.
• Quality of store image: Using innovative display approaches; using store design creatively.
• Adhering to standard ethical business practices.

Click here to see previous winners of the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Award!

Congratulations to the 2023 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award Winner!