Two of indy Chicago publisher 1First Comics’ recent titles combined to receive a record eight GLYPH Award nominations. The GLYPH Awards are presented annually by The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention.
May 6, 2026, Chicago, Illinois. The GLYPH Comics Awards are the premier awards for comic books and graphic novels made by, for, and/or about people of the African Diaspora. The GLYPHs recognize excellence across all categories of comic book creation, from writing and art to character development and overall storytelling. The East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention, Incorporated is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Black comics and the creators who produce them. ECBACC hosts an annual convention, administers the GLYPH Comics Awards, and works year-round to support literacy, arts education, and the development of creative talent in the comics industry and beyond.
The 1First Comics GLYPH Award nominees are MAIL ORDER MONSTER: SPECIAL DELIVERY, created by Orlando Harding and written by Orlando Harding, Greg Erb and Jason Oremland with interior art by James ‘Doodles’ Lyle and cover artist Rafael Lanhellas, and SPACE NEGRO – THE LAST NEGRO: THE BIG BLACK CLIMAX created, written and illustrated by Jared Sams.
MAIL ORDER MONSTER: SPECIAL DELIVERY
MAIL ORDER MONSTER: SPECIAL DELIVERY writersOrlando Harding, Greg Erb and Jason Oremland and interior artist James ‘Doodle’ Lyle are nominated for BEST STORY OF THE YEAR. Orlando Harding, Greg Erb and Jason Oremlandare nominated for BEST WRITERS. The book’s lead persona – Sydney, an Oakland tween who opens the misdirected Special Delivery package believing it’s a birthday present from her military mother stationed overseas only to find Pookie, the six-eyed furry purple… well, monster… inside, is nominated for BEST FEMALE CHARACTER. The book is also nominated for BEST COVER by Artist Rafael Lanhellas, Production and Logo Designer Nick Accardi, and cover designers Creator Orlando Harding and book editor Ken F. Levin.
SPACE NEGRO – THE LAST NEGRO: THE BIG BLACK CLIMAX
Jared Sams, as creator, writer and artist of SPACE NEGRO – THE LAST NEGRO: THE BIG BLACK CLIMAX, is nominated for the GLYPH RISING STAR AWARD. Jared is also nominated for BEST WRITER for his work on the title.
The GLYPH Fan Award for Best Work
And both of the creator teams of the two nominated 1First Comics’ titles, creator/writer Orlando Harding, writers Greg Erband Jason Oremland, interior artist James ‘Doodle’ Lyle, and cover artist Rafael Lanhellas for MAIL ORDER MONSTER:SPECIAL DELIVERY, and Jared Sams as creator, writer, and interior and cover artist for SPACE NEGRO – THE LAST NEGRO: THE BIG BLACK CLIMAX, are nominees for the GLYPH Fan Award for Best Work, the only GLYPH Award determined by vote of the fans.
The 2026 GLYPH Comics Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
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