Zelda Award Winners Announced
Written by Seth Adrian Romo
2026 marks a major milestone for the Zelda Awards as it was the inaugural year for the organization. With more than 150 nominations across a range of categories in comics and manga, the Zelda Awards received 9,000 total votes across all recipients and categories.
For those unaware of this initiative, the Zelda Awards seek to celebrate and showcase women who have paved their own paths, crafted new worlds in the world of comics.
This organization, lead by founder Karla Medrano, includes a team of six women whose work set a high standard for awards as well as award ceremonies.
Committee members include: 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, and Melissa J Massey - Writer/ Artist.
Held on April 11 and hosted by Angélique Roché (attorney, journalist, comic book writer, professor, and voiceover artist), this award ceremony was held virtually on YouTube and can be replayed here.
“Our inaugural event was an absolute success and proof that when we come together, anything is possible,” said founder Karla Medrano. “Get y’all books ready! Submissions open October 2026!”
For the full list of winners, check out the list below.
Webcomic All Ages: Kim Riot, Willow & The Family Ace
Webcomic Horror: Rebecca Coulthart, Cheapjack Gentlemen
Webcomic Fantasy: J Hitz,The Barrier Scroll
Webcomics Sci-Fi: NextJen, CoExistence
Manga: Kaj Kunstmann, Nyakuza Noodle
Graphic Novels Horror: Nihaarika Negi, Hunger
Graphic Novel Fantasy: Ro Higashi, Half of the Crown
Graphic Novels Non-Fiction: Lisa Burdige, Love Letters, Everyday
Graphic Novels Superhero: Jamie McAfee, Alexis Wyle
Graphic Novel Sci-Fi: Stephanie Williams, Roots of Madness
Children's Graphic Novel: Shequeta Smith, Young Grandmaster Choi
Children's Graphic Novel Scary!!!: Kayden Phoenix, Witchtober
Best Pencils/Inks: Skylar Partridge, Finders Keepers
Best Cover: Angela Wu, Sol - The Ballad of Eternity
Best Colorist: Xenon Honchar, 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun
Best Letterer: NextJen, CoExistence
Best Single Issue: Madeleine Holly-Rosing, Morgana Pendragon Issue #1
Best Series: Matta Sorcier, Sacrimony
Best Writer: Stephanie Williams
Emerging Trailblazer: Next Jen
Spirit of Zelda: Queenie Chan
Founder's Award: Ink the Future: Stephanie Williams
For more about the Zelda Awards, visit: https://thezeldaawards.org.
