2026 Doug Wright Awards
Introduction by Brad Mackay, hosted by Ho Che Anderson.
Winners are in bold
The Egghead: The Doug Wright Award for Best Kids’ Book
Presented by Jay Odjick
- Way off Track by Carl Brundtland and Claudia Dávila (Kids Can Press)
- Howler Reef by Mike Deas and Nancy Deas (Orca Book Publishers)
- Fantastic Lou by Qin Leng (Tundra)
- Paisley & Peck: Jurassic Farm by J. Torres and Mike Deas (Owlkids)
- My Sister the Werebeast by Alina Tysoe (First Second)
Giants of the North: Canadian Cartooning Hall of Fame Induction
Inductees: Emily Hearn and Mark Thurman
Presented by Annabel Slaight, accepted by Mark Thurman and the son of Emily Hearn
At the 39:50 mark, some dead air was removed due to technical issues with the Annabel Slaight video. Seth filled the time with comic strip trivia and discussed Ken Stacey as a mentor.
Giants of the North: Canadian Cartooning Hall of Fame Induction
Inductee: Arch Dale
Will be accepted next year by Terry Mosher
The Pigskin Peters: Best Small- or Micro-Press Book
Presented by Mark Askwith
- Life After Life by Joshua Barkman (Self-published)
- Soft Serve & Nosferatu by Matthew Daley (Self-published)
- Old Souls by Jackarais (Cloudscape Comics Society)
- Mobile Gang Fortress by Alexander Laird (Frog Farm)
- Pass Me By: Lily by Kat Simmers and Ryan Danny Owen (Renegade Arts Entertainment)
- Award accepted by Alexander Finbow, publisher of Renegade Arts Entertainment
The Nipper: Emerging Talent
Presented by Michael DeForge
- Mollie Cronin for Future Me Is Fat (Conundrum)
- Jordana Globerman for Soul Machine (Annick Press)
- Stefano Jun for Modern Asian Family: Straight Outta Busan (Renegade Arts Entertainment)
- Alex Swift for The Connoisseurs (Frog Farm)
- Lis Xu for Layover and Mad (Self-published) & Raccoon Rescue (Gytha Press)
- Lis Xu (winner)
A new certificate of commendation was also introduced: the Phyllis Wright Thomas Award, named in honour of Doug Wright’s widow. It recognizes a book, project, person, or organization that does not fit into existing categories but made a significant contribution in the past year.
The inaugural award was given to Owl Magazine for fifty years of publishing and supporting comics for children. Cartoonist Brian McLachlin presented a slideshow tribute.
Doug Wright Award for Best Book
Presented by Maurice Vellekoop
- Holy Lacrimony by Michael DeForge (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Muybridge by Guy Delisle (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Cannon by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Salt Green Death by Katarina Thorsen (Conundrum)
- The Last Band on Earth by Elaine M. Will (Renegade Arts Entertainment)
- Cannon by Lee Lai (winner)
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
About Author
