PORTLAND, Ore. 07/24/2026 — Image Comics is pleased to announce that the Summer 2026 Image Select Retailer Award winner is: Capitol Comics in Raleigh, North Carolina. Fans can follow them on Instagram or visit their website.
“We are beyond ecstatic, and absolutely honored to receive this recognition from Image Comics,” said the Capitol Comics team in a joint statement. “We have enjoyed servicing our comic community in Raleigh and greater North Carolina for the past Forty years, and look forward to many more. To our local community of regular and new customers; our online communities on Facebook, Instagram, and Whatnot; and our customers, friends, show vendors, and fellow shop owners; thank YOU for the support and the camaraderie you give us in this industry. We look forward to new firsts for our company yet-to-come next year, and to continuing to support Image Comics, a true ‘House of Ideas,’ and a launchpad for so many wonderful literary and artistic creations.”
The Image Select Retailer Award is an initiative from Image to galvanize recognition of members of the Comic Book Direct Market retail community that are going above and beyond to serve their customers, expand readership, and grow a healthier marketplace. The previous winner of the award was ATOM Comics.
Comic shops were nominated by fans via a form submission and based on on criteria such as:
- exemplary customer service
- thoughtful and exciting hand-selling recommendations
- efforts fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
- easy-to-browse shelving
- attractive and innovative displays
- forward-thinking customer marketing and out-of-box consumer outreach
- community engagement
- robust inventory of & support for Image Comics and other creator-owned/indie comics
The Image team read and tallied thousands of glowing testimonials about stores in order to select the winner. As the winner, Capitol Comics, will receive:
- a commemorative medallion to display with pride
- a spotlight Q&A to be featured on Image Comics’ social media platforms and Website
- the store’s choice of an exclusive variant, branded as an Image Select Retailer Award winner, with store logo (limited to 250 copies).
The Local Comic Shop is the sales backbone of the comic book industry, and sadly, the least appreciated when it comes to award recognition. The Image Select Retailer Award is a way to reward and spotlight stores that have done exemplary work expanding the audience, and evangelizing the medium to new readers. Image Comics feels that there is not enough being done to point out stores that are raising the bar, changing the marketplace, and building readership, and this award is meant as a fun way to help repair that oversight.
The next Image Select Retailer Appreciation Award nomination window will be announced soon via the official Image website, social media, and via Lunar Distribution communication, to retailers and the public for those interested in nominating their store.
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