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2026 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award

Call for Nominations

Nominations close at 11:59 PM, March 31, Pacific Daylight Time

Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Einzelhändlerpreis

Jedes Jahr ehrt die Comic-Con International Einzelhändler aus der ganzen Welt mit dem Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, benannt nach dem visionären Schöpfer von The Spirit. Als Will Eisner Anfang der 1990er Jahre an die Comic-Con herantrat, um den Preis ins Leben zu rufen, wollte er damit die wichtige Rolle würdigen, die die Comic-Händler in der Branche spielen, indem sie die Beziehung zwischen den Autoren und ihren Lesern pflegen. Der Comic-Händler ist das entscheidende Bindeglied, das die Werke der Autoren und Verleger an die Öffentlichkeit bringt. Will erkannte die Bedeutung dieser Verbindung, und die Comic-Con erkennt sie auch über 30 Jahre nach Wills ursprünglicher Idee noch an.

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 2026 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 24, 2026.
  • 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!