Inaugural Zelda Award Nominees Are Live
Written by Seth Adrian Romo
The impact and influence women have had in the world of comic books is filled with rich history and an immense amount of unsung talent.
In an effort to combat the erasure of women’s contribution in the medium of storytelling through sequential art, the Zelda Awards seek to celebrate and showcase women who have paved their own paths, crafted new worlds, and do what humans do best—tell stories.
Founded by Karla Medrano, the idea of an award platform began back in 2018 when Medrano was working on her own comic, Luna the Queen of Mahru. “I wondered by there weren’t more women wining awards in mainstream and indie platforms, so I created my own. The Zelda Awards is the first of its kind and celebrates women—including anyone who identifies themselves as on the female spectrum—who are making moves in the comic book industry,” said Medrano.
Inspired by Zelda "Jackie" Ormes, one of the first Black Woman cartoonist in the United States, The Zelda Awards is designed to celebrate women in comics from a range of categories such as webcomics, manga, graphic novels, writing, illustrating, coloring, and lettering.
“Women need to be reminded how special they are,” said Medrano. “We are showcasing hundreds of women who are creators, filmmakers, non-profit leaders, producers, and more.”
With nearly 150 submissions, the Zelda Awards team consists of a committee of 9 core members who spent countless hours evaluating nominees and working diligently to make the premier award ceremony as special as possible.
This virtual event will take place Saturday, April 11 and will be hosted by Angelique Roche, a storyteller, journalist, author and producer. Roche has worked with Marvel, SyFy, NBC News, and recently released her latest book, First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth.
Voting is open to the public and the link is live until March 15.
https://www.izivote.com/v/the-zelda-awards-8jd0yw
See below for the full list of nominees:
Nominees were selected if we were granted a copy of their work, identified on the female spectrum, and published between 2023-2025.
Webcomic All Ages
Kim Riot - Willow & The Family Ace
Cammry Lapka - George Smith
Kaja Foglio- Girl Genius
Jihan Thomas - The Stolen Life of Henrietta Lacks
Dr. Ebony Toussaint - Crash Cart
Ashlee the Cartoonist - Flea Boy and Weasel
Webcomic Horror
Mary Landon- The Gray
Charlie Ragnarok - The Killer Kiss
Karen Hemmings - Love. Death. Eat. Repeat
Rebecca Coulthart - Cheapjack Gentleman
Pascalle Lepas - Wilde Life
Webcomics Fantasy
Katie Hodges & Pam Bliss - The Extras
Matta Sorcier - Sacrimony
Feather Mage - Mage & Mimic
Meghan Gray - The Croaking
J Hitz - The Barrier Scroll
Taney Andrews - Seeds of Doubt
Webcomics Sci-Fi
NextJen - Coexistence
Willow White - Friends through the Cosmos
Kaja Foglio - Girl Genius
Hazel & Bell - Electric Bones
Manga
Marie Grousette - Pandemonium
Yamawe (illustrator) - Life Lessons from a UFO Catcher
Kaj Kunstmann - Nyakuza Noodle
Mai Matsuda - Hikaru in the Light
C.J McWillis - Tezra
Graphic Novels Horror
Meredith McClaren - Meat Eaters
Gigi Murakami - Resenter
Amy Chu & Soo Lee - Carmilla
Jazmine Joyner - Devour
Nihaarika Negi - Hunger
Graphic Novel Fantasy
N.S Kane - Your Highness
Ro Higashi - Half of the Crown
Ariela Kristantina - The Girl Who Draws on Whales
Jasmine Walls - The Last Session Volume 2
Madeleine Holly-Rosing - Morgana Pendragon
Deena Mohamed - Your Wish is My Command
Graphic Novels Non-Fiction
Rachel M Thomas - Shrink
Emilia Strilchuk - Be Yourself
Lisa Burdige- Love Letters, Every Day
Shayna Jones - Hamer University
Amy Kurzeil - Artificial a Love Story
Graphic Novel Sci-Fi
Jacqui Venturini - Outer Spaced
M’Shai Dash - Fumes
Wendy Xu - The Infinity Particle
Mindy Indy - Aer Head
Graphic Novel Superhero
Jamie McAfee - Alexis Wyle
Natosha Jones - The Grey
Ashley Paige Van-De-Cruize Lampkin - Na'Makasi
Agnes Garbowska - DC Super Heroes
Dr. Angelique Roche - Life Dream
Shea Fontana - DC Super Heroes
Children’s Graphic Novel
Shequeta Smith - Young Master Choi
Meredith McClaren - Crumble
Stephanie Cook - Pillow Talk
Sharee Miller - Curl Friends
Katie Shaw- Dragon Child
Vera Brosgol - Plain Jane & the Mermaid
Children’s Graphic Novel Horror
Kayden Phoenix - Witchtober
Beatrice Robbins (artwork) - Ghost Story Saga Arthur's Journey
Whitney Gardner- Free Piano
Jessica Maison Judd - Mary Shelley's School for Monsters
Best Pencils/Inks
Chyna Rosemarea - Today is Different
Ryan Oakley - Temporal
Lorna Dining - Charlie Sparks Paranormal Investigator
Yko - Jane Jet
Skylar Partridge - Finders Keepers
Francesca Fantini - Can I Scream
Anna Wieszczyk - Mary Shelly’s School for Monsters
Best Cover
Tahilla & Tiah Ankum - Fumes
Mikayla Moore - The Gray Issue 3
Sana Takeda - Monstress 45
Juliet Nneka - Roots of Madness 4
Luisina Módica - Crystal Clear Pyro
Tarcila Neeves - Queen Bee
Carla Wyzgala - Skull Masquerade
Angela Wu - SOL - The Ballad of Eternity
Jan Apple - Disney’s Mirrorverse
Best Colorist
Xenon Honchar - 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun
Bex Glendining - On Starlit Shores
Hai Kucifer - Chiropetera
Sabine Rich - Fight Girls
Gaby Zermeno - Flesh Fix
Bia Navarro - Disinter
Best Letterer
Ariana Mahar - Zatanna and the House of Secrets
Saida Temofonte - Press Guardian # 1
Lydia Mieses-Monette - Fennec
Next Jen - Coexistence
Jodie Troutman - Star Trek Red Shirts
Becca Carey - Temporal
Shayna Jones - Hamer University
Best Single Issue
Jazmine Joyner - Devour
Madeleine Holly Rising - Morgana Pendragon Issue #1
Natosha Jones - The Grey #3
Weyoldi Oldbear - The Clock
Janice Dennie - Chalawan Uranus
Best Series
Natosha Jones - The Grey
Madeleine Holly Rosing - Boston Metaphysical Society: Mystery at Pikes Peak
Jacque Aye - Monster High
N.S Kane - Queen Bee
Stephanie Williams - Roots of Madness
Matta Sorcier -Sacrimony
Rebecca Coulthart - Cheapjack Gentlemen
Best Writer
Stephanie Williams
Matta Sorcier
Madeleine Holly Rosing
Queen Bee
Rebecca Coulthart
Natosha Jones
Emerging Trailblazer ( < 10 years in the industry)
Emilia Stritchuck
Dr Ebony Toussaint
Ashley Van de Cruize Lampkin
Angela Wu
Next Jen
Ryan Oakley
Spirit of Zelda Awards ( > 10 years in the industry)
Queenie Chan
Kaja Foglio
Nicola Scott
Francesca Fantini
Rachel Dukes
Afua Richardson
Barbra Dillon
Karen Hemmings
Tee Franklin
Ink the Future (Creators who are CHANGING the industry)
Kayden Phoenix
Stephanie Williams
Shequeta Smith
Stephanie Cooke
Regine Sawyer
Natosha Jones
For more about the Zelda Awards, visit: https://thezeldaawards.org. The team includes founder Karla Medrano and the following Committee Members.
The Team
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of women volunteers is working tirelessly to shape every detail of The Zelda Awards. Their commitment reflects the very spirit of the show—collaborative, visionary, and deeply rooted in community.
Keisha Parks - Educator, Book Reviewer, Podcast Host
Sarah Cooke - Journalist, Award-winning comic book writer
Andrea Rose Washington - Author
Carolyn Watson Dubisch - Writer, Artist, Colorist, Letterer
Jocelyn Short - Illustrator/Concept Designer
Melissa J Massey - Writer/ Artist