Eisner Award for Best Publication Design

Last updated
Eisner Award for Best Publication Design
Awarded forBest Publication Design
Country United States
First award1993
Most recent winner (2025)David Mazzucchelli's Batman Year One Artist's Edition, designed by Chip Kidd
Website www.comic-con.org/awards/eisner-awards-current-info

The Eisner Award for Best Publication Design is an award for "creative achievement" in book design in American comic books. It is awarded annually at San Diego Comic-Con. [1]

Contents

Winners and nominees

Eisner Award for Best Publication Design winners and nominees
YearTitleAuthor(s)/Editor(s)PublisherResultRef.
1990s
1993 Sandman: Season of Mists Dave McKean DC Comics Winner [2]
The Mythology of an Abandoned City Jon J. Muth, The August CompanyGraphittiNominee [3]
The Ray Bradbury Chronicles Dean Motter Bantam Books
Rubber Blanket David Mazzucchelli, Richmond Lewis Rubber Blanket Press
Signal to Noise Dave McKean VG Graphics/Dark Horse
Skin Deep Charles Burns, Dale Crain, Art Spiegelman Penguin
1994 Marvels Comicraft, Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross Marvel Comics Winner [2]
Best of Drawn & Quarterly Chris Oliveros Drawn & Quarterly Nominee [4]
Death: The High Cost of Living Neil Gaiman, Chris Bachalo DC Comics/Vertigo
Love and Rockets X Jaime Hernandez, Gilbert Hernandez, Dale Yarger Fantagraphics
1995 The Acme Novelty Library Chris Ware Fantagraphics Winner [2]
The CrowJohn BerginGraphittiNominee [5]
Drawn & QuartlerlyDrawn & Quartlerly Drawn & Quarterly
Paul Auster's City of Glass Art Spiegelman Avon/NeonLit
Violent Cases Dave McKean Kitchen Sink
Worlds Collide #1Curtis King Milestone
1996 The Acme Novelty Library Chris Ware Fantagraphics Winner [2]
Betty Boop's Sunday BestKevin Lison, Doug Bantz Kitchen Sink Nominee [6]
Blab #8Monte Beauchamp Kitchen Sink
Bone vols. 1 and 2 Jeff Smith Cartoon Books
PalookaVille Seth Drawn & Quarterly
Voodoo Child: The Illustrated Legend of Jimi Hendrix deluxe editionBobbi Bongard, Lisa Stone Kitchen Sink
1997 Acme Novelty Library #7 Chris Ware Fantagraphics Winner [2]
Black Eye Productions: Berlin, Dear Julia, and The SandsMichel Vrana, Jason Lutes, Brian Biggs, Tom Hart Black Eye Productions Nominee [7]
Buzz Buzz and Giant THB Parade Paul Pope, C. Rambler Horse Press
Fax from SarajevoBrian Gogolin Dark Horse
It's a Good Life, If You Don't Weaken Seth Drawn & Quarterly
Mr. Monster: Origins limited edition Richard Bruning, Beatman/BrainstormGraphitti
The Sandman: The Wake Dave McKean DC Comics/Vertigo
1998 Kingdom Come, deluxe editionBob Chapman, Georg Brewer DC Comics Winner [2]
Isaac Mizrahi Presents the Adventures of Sandee the Supermodel Isaac Mizrahi, William Frawley Simon & Schuster Nominee [8]
R. Crumb Coffee Table Art BookPete Poplaski Kitchen Sink
The Sandman Dust Covers: The Selected Sandman Covers 1989-1996 Dave McKean DC Comics/Vertigo
Scary Godmother Jill Thompson Sirius
1999 Batman Animated Chip Kidd HarperCollins Winner [2]
Cages, deluxe edition Dave McKean Kitchen Sink Nominee [9]
Comics: Between the PanelsTom Gould Dark Horse
Superman: The DailiesChris Shadoian, Evan Metcalf, Pete Poplaski DC Comics/Kitchen Sink
Superman: The Complete History Chip Kidd Chronicle
2000s
2000 300Mark Cox Dark Horse Winner [10]
Cave-In Jordan Crane, Tom Devlin, Brian Ralph Highwater Books Nominee [11]
Opus, vol. 1 Barry Windsor-Smith Fantagraphics
Sandman: The Dream HuntersGeorg Brewer, Amie Brockway DC Comics/Vertigo
VeilsGeorg Brewer DC Comics/Vertigo
2001 Jimmy Corrigan Chris Ware Pantheon Winner [10]
Drawn & Quarterly, vol. 3 Chris Oliveros Drawn & Quarterly Nominee [12]
The Last Lonely Sunday Jordan Crane Red Ink
Little Lit Chip Kidd, Art Spiegelman Pantheon
Wonder Woman: The Complete History Chip Kidd Chronicle
2002 Acme Novelty Library #15 Chris Ware Fantagraphics Winner [10]
Drawn & Quarterly, vol. 4 Chris Oliveros Drawn & Quarterly Nominee [13]
Non #5 Jordan Crane Red Ink
OPUS, vol. 2 Barry Windsor-Smith Fantagraphics
Red Star vol 1: The Battle of Kar Dathra's GateTeam Red Star Image
ScatterbrainCary Grazzini, Craig Thompson Dark Horse
2003 Batman: Nine LivesAmie Brockway-Metcalf DC Comics Winner [10]
Beg the Question Bob Fingerman Fantagraphics Nominee [14]
Corpus MonstrumGary Gianni, Jim KeeganHieronymous Press
House at Maakies Corner Chip Kidd Fantagraphics
One! Hundred! Demons! Lynda Barry Sasquatch Books
2004 Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross Chip Kidd Pantheon Winner [10]
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Absolute Edition, vol. 1 Todd Klein, Alex Sinclair, Larry Berry ABC Nominee [15]
Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography Chester Brown Drawn & Quarterly
Project: TelstarChris Pitzer AdHouse
Quimby the Mouse Chris Ware Fantagraphics
Top Shelf Asks the Big QuestionsBrett Warnock, Robert Goodin [16] Top Shelf
2005 The Complete Peanuts Seth Fantagraphics Winner [10]
The Art of Usagi YojimboCary Grazzini Dark Horse Nominee [17]
Clyde's Fans Seth Drawn & Quarterly
In the Shadow of No Towers Art Spiegelman Pantheon
McSweeney's Quarterly #13 Chris Ware McSweeney's
2006 Acme Novelty Library Annual Report to Shareholders Chris Ware Pantheon Winner [10]
Little Nemo in Slumberland: So Many Splendid SundaysPhilippe Ghielmetti Sunday Press Books Winner
Promethea #32J. H. Williams III, Todd Klein ABC Nominee [18]
Walt and Skeezix Chris Ware Drawn & Quarterly
Wimbledon Green Seth Drawn & Quarterly
2007 Absolute DC: The New Frontier Darwyn Cooke DC Comics Winner [10]
Castle WaitingAdam Grano Fantagraphics Nominee [19]
Lost GirlsMatt Kindt, Brett Warnock Top Shelf
Popeye: I Yam What I YamJacob Covey Fantagraphics
The Ticking Jordan Crane Top Shelf
2008 Process Recess 2 James Jean, Chris Pitzer AdHouse Winner [10]
(The Complete) Dream of the Rarebit FiendUlrich MerklUlrich MerklNominee [20]
Complete Terry and the Pirates Dean Mullaney IDW
Heroes, vol. 1 John Roshell/Comicraft WildStorm/DC Comics
Little Sammy SneezePhilippe Ghielmetti AdHouse
Sundays with Walt and Skeezix Chris Ware Sunday Press
2009 Hellboy Library EditionsCary Grazzini, Mike Mignola Dark Horse Winner [10]
Breakdowns: Portraits of the Artist as a Young %@&*! Art Spiegelman Pantheon Nominee [21]
Comic Book TattooTom Muller, Rantz Hoseley Image
What It Is Lynda Barry Drawn & Quarterly
Willie and JoeJacob Covey Fantagraphics
2010s
2010 Absolute JusticeCurtis King, Josh Beatman DC Comics Winner [22]
The Brinkley GirlsAdam Grano Fantagraphics Nominee [23]
Gahan Wilson: 50 Years of Playboy CartoonsJacob Covey Fantagraphics
Life and Times of Martha WashingtonDavid Nestelle Dark Horse
Queer Visitors from the Marvelous Land of OZPhilippe Ghielmetti Sunday Press
Whatever Happened to the World of Tomorrow?Neil Egan, Brian Fies Abrams ComicArts
2011 Dave Stevens' The Rocketeer Artist's EditionRandall Dahlk IDW Winner [22]
Polly and Her Pals Complete Sunday Comics, vol. 1Lorraine Turner, Dean Mullaney IDW Nominee [24]
Return of the Dapper Men Todd Klein Archaia
75 Years of DC Comics: The Art of Modern MythmakingJosh Baker TASCHEN
Two GeneralsJennifer Lum McClelland & Stewart
2012 Jim Henson's Tale of SandEric SkillmanArchaiaWinner [22]
Genius Isolated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth Dean Mullaney IDW/Library of American ComicsNominee [25]
Kinky & CosyNixNBM
The MAD Fold-In CollectionMichael MorrisChronicle
Richard Stark's Parker: The Martini EditionDarwyn Cooke IDW
2013 Building Stories Chris Ware Pantheon Winner [22]
Dal TokyoGary Panter, Family Sohn Fantagraphics Nominee [26]
David Mazzucchelli's Daredevil Born Again: Artist's EditionRandy Dahlk IDW
Mister Twee Deedle: Raggedy Ann's Sprightly CousinTony Ong Fantagraphics
WizzywigEd Piskor, Chris Ross Top Shelf
2014 Genius, Illustrated: The Life and Art of Alex Toth Dean Mullaney LOAC/IDWWinner [22]
The Art of Rube GoldbergChad W. Beckerman Abrams ComicArts Nominee [27]
Beta Testing the ApocalypseTom Kaczynski Fantagraphics
The Great War: July 1, 1916: The First Day of the Battle of the Somme: A Panorama Joe Sacco, Chin-Yee LaiNorton
Little Tommy Lost, Book 1Cole ClosserKoyama
2015 Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream Jim Rugg Locust MoonWinner [22]
Batman: Kelley Jones Gallery EditionJosh Beatman, Brainchild StudiosGraphitti/DC Comics Nominee [28]
The Complete ZAP Comix Box SetTony Ong Fantagraphics
Street ViewPascal RabateNBM/Comics Lit
Winsor McCay's Complete Little NemoAnna Tina Kessler TASCHEN
2016 Sandman Gallery EditionJosh Beatman, Brainchild StudiosGraphitti Designs, DC ComicsWinner [22]
Beyond the SurfaceNicolas André, Sam Arthur, Alex Spiro, Camille Pichon Nobrow Nominee [29]
The EternautTony Ong Fantagraphics
Eventually Everything ConnectsLoris Lora, Sam Arthur, Alex Spiro, Camille Pichon Nobrow
King of the Comics: One Hundred Years of King Features Syndicate Dean Mullaney IDW
Only What's Necessary: Charles M. Schulz and the Art of Peanuts Chip Kidd Abrams ComicArts
2017 The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye Sonny Liew Pantheon Winner [22]
The Complete Wimmin's ComixKeeli McCarthy Fantagraphics Nominee [30]
Frank in the Third DimensionJacob Covey, Charles Barnard Fantagraphics
The Realist CartoonsJacob Covey Fantagraphics
Si Lewen's Parade: An Artist's Odyssey Art Spiegelman Abrams Books
2018 Akira 35th Anniversary EditionPhil Balsman, Akira Saito Kodansha Winner [22]
Celebrating SnoopySpencer Williams, Julie Phillips Andrews McMeel Nominee [31]
Monograph Chris Ware Rizzoli
My Favorite Thing Is MonstersJacob Covey Fantagraphics
WIll Eisner: The Centennial Celebration, 1917-2017John LindKitchen Sink, Dark Horse
2019 Will Eisner's A Contract with God: Curator's CollectionJohn LindKitchen Sink, Dark Horse Winner [22]
A Sea of LoveWilfrid Lupano, Grégory Panaccione, Mike KennedyMagnetic Press/Lion Forge Nominee [32]
The Stan Lee Story Collector's EditionJosh Baker TASCHEN
The Temple of Silence: Forgotten Worlds of Herbert CrowleyPaul Kepple, Max VandenbergBeehive Books
Terry Moore's Strangers in Paradise Gallery EditionJosh Beatman, Brainchild Studios Abstract Studio/Graphitti Designs
2020s
2020 Making Comics Lynda Barry Drawn & Quarterly Winner [33]
Grunt: The Art and Unpublished Comics of James StokoeEthan Kimberling Dark Horse Nominee [34]
Krazy Kat: The Complete Color SundaysGeorge Herriman, Anna-Tina Kessler TASCHEN
Logo a GogoRian HughesKorero Press
Madness in Crowds: The Teeming Mind of Harrison CadyPaul Kopple, Alex BruceBeehive Books
2021 The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist Adrian Tomine, Marcos Martin) Panel Syndicate Winner [33]
Chasin' the Bird: Charlie Parker in California Deluxe EditionDavid Chisholm, Tyler Boss Z2 Nominee [35]
Dbury@50: The Complete Digital DoonesburyG.B. Trudeau, George Corsillo, Susan McCaslin Andrews McMeel
J & K John Pham Fantagraphics
Original Art: The Dan Clowes Studio Edition Daniel Clowes Fantagraphics
2022 Marvel Comics Library: Spider-Man Vol. 1: 1962-1964 Ralph Macchio TASCHEN Winner [33]
The Complete American GodsEthan Kimberling Dark Horse Nominee [36]
The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck Deluxe EditionJustin Allan-Spencer Fantagraphics
Crashpad Gary Panter, Justin Allan-Spencer Fantagraphics
Machine Gun Kelly's Hotel DiabloTyler Boss Z2
Popeye Vol. 1 E. C. Segar, Jacob Covey Fantagraphics
2023 Parker: The Martini Edition — Last Call Sean Phillips IDW Winner [33]
Francis Rothbart! The Tale of a Fastidious Feral Thomas Woodruff, Jacob Covey, Ryan Dinnick Fantagraphics Nominee [37]
A Frog in the Fall (and later on)Linnea Sterte, Olle Forsslöf, Patrick CrottyPEOW Studio
Joan Jenn & the Blackhearts 40X40: Bad Reputation/I Love Rock-n-RollJosh Bernstein, Jason Ullmeyer Z2
Mazebook Dark Horse Direct EditionTom Muller Dark Horse
Tori Amos: Little Earthquakes, The Graphic AlbumLauryn Ipsum Z2
2024 Bram Stoker's Dracula and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein boxed setMike Kennedy Magnetic Press Winner [33]
Gratuitous Ninja Ronald Wimberly, Chloe ScheffeBeehive BooksNominee [38]
Inside the Mind of Sherlock HolmesDonna Askem Titan Comics
Iron Maiden: Piece of MindJosh Bernstein, Rob Schwager Z2
Toilet-bound Hanako-kun First Stall Box SetWendy Chan Yen Press
2025 David Mazzucchelli's Batman Year One Artist's Edition Chip Kidd IDW Winner [33]
Bill Ward: The Fantagraphics Studio EditionKayla E. Fantagraphics Nominee [39]
Brian Bolland: Batman the Killing Joke and Other Stories & Art, Gallery EditionJosh BeatmanGraphitti Designs
One Bite at a TimeRyan ClaytorElephant Eater Comics
Scott Pilgrim 20th Anniversary color hardcover box setPatrick Crotty Oni Press
Walt Disney's Donald Duck: The Ultimate HistoryAnna-Tina Kessler TASCHEN


See also

References

  1. "Eisner Awards". Comic-Con International. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Past Recipients 1990s". Comic-Con International. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  3. "1993 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  4. "1994 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  5. "1995 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  6. "1996 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  7. "1997 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  8. "1998 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  9. "1999 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Past Recipients 2000s". Comic-Con International. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  11. "2000 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  12. "2001 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees and Winners". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  13. "2002 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  14. "2003 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  15. "2004 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  16. "https://search.lib.uiowa.edu/primo-explore/fulldisplay?vid=01IOWA&tab=default_tab&docid=01IOWA_ALMA21349554490002771&lang=en_US&context=L&query=creator,exact,Heller,%20Steven,AND&mode=advanced". search.lib.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 2026-02-14.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  17. "2005 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  18. "2006 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards". www.hahnlibrary.net. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  19. McElhatton, Greg McElhattonGreg (2007-04-20). "2007 Eisner Award Nominees Announced". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  20. Staff, C. B. R. (2008-04-14). "2008 Eisner Nominations Announced". CBR. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  21. MacDonald, Heidi (2009-04-07). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Past Recipients 2010s". Comic-Con International. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  23. MacDonald, Heidi (2010-04-08). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  24. Hudson, Laura HudsonLaura (2011-04-08). "The 2011 Eisner Awards: ComicsAlliance Gets a Nomination". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  25. "The 2012 Eisner Award Nominees". icv2.com. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  26. MacDonald, Heidi (2013-04-16). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  27. Wheeler, Andrew WheelerAndrew (2014-07-26). "2014 Eisner Awards: Full List Of Winners And Nominees". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  28. Asselin, Janelle AsselinJanelle (2015-04-22). "2015 Eisner Award Nominations Announced". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  29. "28th Eisner Awards: The Complete Winners and Nominees". ComicsAlliance. 2016-07-23. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  30. Schedeen, Jesse (2017-05-02). "The 2017 Eisner Award Nominees Revealed". IGN. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  31. MacDonald, Heidi (2018-04-26). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  32. MacDonald, Heidi (2019-04-26). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Past Recipients 2020s". Comic-Con International. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  34. Grunenwald, Joe (2020-06-04). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  35. MacDonald, Heidi (2021-06-09). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  36. MacDonald, Heidi (2022-05-18). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  37. MacDonald, Heidi (2023-05-17). "Syndicated Comics". The Beat. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  38. Staff, S. L. J. "2024 Eisner Award Nominations Announced". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-13.
  39. Zalben, Alex (2025-05-15). "2025 Eisner Awards Nominees Announced: See The Full List". Comic Book Club. Retrieved 2026-02-13.