Adult comics aren’t the only ones getting a new awards program from the American Library Association. The ALA also announced this week the first winners of the Outstanding Comics for Young Adults Awards.
Like the adult awards, the YA-centered awards have three categories — fiction, non-fiction and series — with a winner and one or two honor books, or runners up.
“In this inaugural year for the award, the selection process was extremely competitive. The committee felt it was essential to choose titles that were truly outstanding to set a high precedent for the future. The entire Young Adult selection committee is honored to be a part of this milestone year. As comics librarians, our primary goal is to connect deserving creators and their amazing stories with readers from any age or background,” said committee chair Micki Waldrop.
Check out the inaugural winners below.
Outstanding Comics Award – Young Adult in the Category of Fiction Winner
The Boy Wonder, written by Juni Ba. Art by Juni Ba. Color by Chris O’Halloran. Lettering by Aditya Bidikar. Published by DC Comics.
Honor books:
Hunger’s Bite, written by Taylor Robin. Art by Taylor Robin. 2025. Union Square and Co.
Hello Sunshine, written by Keezy Young. Art by Keezy Young. 2025. Little, Brown Ink.
Outstanding Comics Award – Young Adult in the Category of Nonfiction Winner
Raised by Ghosts, written by Briana Loewinsohn. Art by Briana Loewinsohn. Published by Fantagraphics.
Honor books:
Bloody Mary, written by Kristina Gehrmann. Art by Kristina Gehrmann. Translated by I.T. Hahnenberger. Translated by E. Castle. 2025. Andrews McMeel.
My Perfectly Imperfect Body, written by Debbie Tung. Art by Debbie Tung. 2025. Andrews McMeel.
Outstanding Comics Award – Young Adult in the Category of Series Winner
Teen Titans series, written by Kami Garcia with art by Gabriel Picolo, Jon Sommariva, Emma Kubert, Rob Haynes, David Calderon and more. Published by DC Comics.
Honor books:
Feral volumes 1-2, written by Tony Fleecs. Art by Trish Forstner, Tone Rodriguez, Sara Richard and Brad Simpson. Published by Image Comics.
Tsumiki Ogami’s Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol 1-2 written by Miyu Morishita. Art by Miyu Morishita. Touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt. Translation by Mei Amaki. 2025. Viz Media.