Presented by the American Library Association’s Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table, the Outstanding Comics Awardscelebrate excellence in comics and graphic novels and highlight works that resonate with readers and libraries across the United States. The inaugural awards recognize outstanding achievement across multiple categories, honoring both individual titles and long-form storytelling.
“We are incredibly honored to see both The Night Eaters and Smoke Gets in Your Eyesrecognized by the American Library Association,” said Joseph Montagne, Publisher for Abrams ComicArts. “Libraries play a vital role in communities across the country by introducing readers to new voices and stories, and this recognition from librarians who champion access, discovery, and a love of reading is deeply meaningful to us.”
Written by New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu and illustrated by Eisner Award winner Sana Takeda, The Night Eaters is a horror graphic novel series that weaves folklore, family history, and psychological tension into a deeply immersive narrative. Takeda’s richly detailed, atmospheric artwork is central to the series’ impact, bringing emotional depth and visual intensity to the story and cementing the series as a standout in contemporary graphic storytelling.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, written and illustrated by Anaïs Flogny, is a visually striking adult graphic novel set between 1930s Chicago and New York. The book follows an Italian immigrant drawn into the criminal underworld, exploring themes of love, power, and survival through a noir-inflected lens. Its selection as an Honor Title recognizes its literary strength, emotional complexity, and distinctive artistic voice.
