Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards Tonight
Comic-Con proudly presents the 38th annual Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards tonight in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront, just a short walk south from the convention center. The doors of the ballroom will open at 7:45 pm, and the ceremony will get underway at 8:00.
Voice actor Phil LaMarr (Futurama, Samurai Jack, Justice League) and actor/writer Thomas Lennon (Reno 911, Balls of Fury, Night at the Museum) will co-host the ceremony with awards presented in 32 categories for works published in 2025. Named for the pioneering comics creator and graphic novelist Will Eisner, the Eisner Awards are considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry.
A Little History
The Eisner Awards grew out of the Kirby Awards. In 1984, Fantagraphics Books instituted the Jack Kirby Awards to honor the best works and creators in comics. The administrator of the awards was Dave Olbrich, a Fantagraphics employee. The Kirby Awards were first given out in 1985, in programs at Comic-Con, with Jack Kirby himself on hand to congratulate the winners.
When Olbrich left Fantagraphics, the Kirby Awards ended, but two new awards programs were born: Fantagraphics started the Harvey Awards (named after Harvey Kurtzman), and Olbrich started the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards. Set up as a nonprofit organization, the Eisners were given out at Comic-Con just as the Kirbys had been, with Will Eisner on stage to hand out the awards.
The first Eisners were presented in 1988, for works published in 1987. Olbrich administered the awards for two years. No awards were presented in 1990. At that time, it was proposed that Comic-Con take over the awards. Thus, the first Will Eisner Comic Awards given out under Comic-Con auspices occurred at the 1991 show, with Jackie Estrada as the administrator. Jackie continued in that role for 36 years, ending with this year’s awards ceremony.
The format of the ceremony has changed numerous times over the years. This year, attendees can expect to see presenters ranging from comics’ biggest names to Hollywood celebrities, such as voice actor Jim Cummings (Pooh, Tigger, Darkwing Duck), Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog), and Ashley Eckstein (Ashoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars).
Other Awards
The ceremony will also include the presentation of several other special awards: the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award, the Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailing Award, and the Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing.
Acknowledgements
The major sponsor of the 2026 Eisner Awards is Lunar Distribution, with the pre-show sponsor being ComicsPro. The principal sponsors are Arsenal Comics & Games, Cape & Cowl Comics, Comic Shop Assistant, Comixology Originals, and Fantasy Books Inc. Supporting sponsors are Atlantis Fantasyworld (Santa Cruz, CA), DSTLRY/Neon Ichiban, and Midwest Tape/Hoopla Distribution. The afterparty is sponsored by HarperAlley/Morrow. The print sponsor is Tiny Onion. The major sponsors for the Finger Award are DC Comics and Marvel Comics, with supporting sponsors Heritage Auctions and Maggie Thompson. Comic-Con thanks all 2026 Eisner Awards sponsors.
Jackie Estrada is retiring from her role with the Eisner Awards. Comic-Con is deeply grateful to Jackie for all of her hard work over the years and her help in building the Eisner Awards into what it is today. We wish her the best in all future endeavors.
Attendance at the event is free to all Comic-Con members with badges. The ceremony is expected to last until about 10:30 pm. The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards are operated under the auspices of San Diego Comic Convention, parent organization of the Comic-Con International convention.
Friday P.O.W.E.R. Drawings
In true superhero spirit, Previously Offered Wristbands: Extra Redemption (P.O.W.E.R.) Drawings give attendees one last shot at scoring an Exclusive Signing (ES) Portal wristband. Sixty minutes before the start of an ES Portal signing, a special drawing may be held in the Autograph Area for any unclaimed wristbands, if available. This is your chance to swoop in and claim a spot that was previously awarded but not redeemed. The drawing will follow the Autograph Area Line Drawing procedures, so be sure you’re familiar with how it works (see page 78 of the Events Guide).
Potential P.O.W.E.R. Drawings and times for today are as follows:
- All Elite Wrestling (10:00 am drawing)
- Stars of All Elite Wrestling (10:00 am drawing)
- Todd McFarlane (10:00 am drawing)
- Collector’s Call with Lisa Whelchel signing (10:30 am drawing)
- Jurassic Design Panel (10:30 am drawing)
- Bryan Lee O’Malley (11:00 am drawing, signing at Oni Press Booth #1829)
- Monster High Spooktacular: Meet the Ghouls (11:00 am drawing)
- Jurassic World – Aquilops Handler photoshoot (11:30 am drawing)
- Masters of the Universe design panel (1:00 pm drawing)
- DC’s Gotham City (1:00 pm drawing, signing at DC Booth #4544)
- DC’s Next Level (2:00 pm drawing, signing at DC Booth #4544)
- Drawn Into Mattel (3:00 pm drawing)
- Scott Snyder/Matt Fraction autograph session (3:00 pm drawing)
- Bryan Lee O’Malley (3:30 pm drawing, signing at Oni Press Booth #1829)
- John Cusack Presents the Surreal World of Momo signing (3:30 pm drawing)
- Spaceballs: The New One autograph signing (4:30 pm drawing)
Toucan Tip Friday
The Comic-Con Art Show is open late today and Sunday (one hour after the Exhibit Hall closes) to make it easier to bid on or pick up art. The Art Show is located in the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in Grand Halls C & D. Numerous original drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other works are on display. Many of the pieces are offered for purchase by either Silent Auction or Quick-Sale. Be sure to check it out.
Art Show hours:
- Today: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Comic-Con Gallery
Who Knew Comic-Con Had a Fire Swamp?!
Maybe We Should Rename the Con: Comic-Cat?!
Dungeon Crawler Carl Creator Cracks Up the Crowd.
Zoinks! Mystery Machine Arrives in Style.
A Truly Ducky Mighty Duck.
A Third Member of the Spider Family on the Way….
Just a Spoonful of Sugar….
The Next Generation of Fandom is Already Here.
Where’s a Power-Up When You Need One?
Umm…Excuse Me, But Who Let This Guy In?
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All content is the property of Comic-Con® International © 2026.
Photographer credits are indicated below. All photos are © 2026 SDCC.
Comic-Con Today
Editor-in-Chief – Chris Sturhann
Editor/Photographers: Justin Hurt Christopher Machado
Editor/Writer – Carly Neun