Congratulations to all the writers and artists shortlisted for this year’s Excelsior Award, the UK’s longest-running award for graphic novels and manga for young people aged 9-18.

The four shortlists for the different age categories were selected by a panel of librarians, comic creators and booksellers, but the winners will be chosen by young judges from around the country. Schools can register to be part of the judging process and voting is open until Tuesday 8th April 2025. Find out more about how your school can get involved.

Excelsior Award 2025

White Shortlist (9+)

Cactus Kid and the Battle for Star Rock Mountain written and illustrated by Emmanuel Guerrero (Flying Eye Books)

Minecraft: Heart of Cobblestone Vol 1 written by Andrew Clemson and illustrated by Jeremy Lawson (Dark Horse)

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll! written by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Asia Simone (Scholastic)

Tosh’s Island written by Linda Sargent and illustrated by Joe Brady and Leo Marcell (David Fickling Books)

Stitch Head written by Guy Bass and illustrated by Pete Williamson (Little Tiger)

 

Blue Shortlist (11+)

Shazam! Meet the Captain written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Dan Mora (DC Comics)

Lord of the Flies original story by William Golding, art by Aimée De Jongh (Faber & Faber)

Spider-Gwen: Smash written by Melissa Flores and illustrated by Enid Balám (Marvel Comics)

Harry Dickson: Mysterion written by Jean Ray, Luana Vergari & Doug Headline, illustrated by Onofrio Cataccchio (Cinebook)

Green Arrow: Reunion written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Sean Izaakse (DC Comics)

 

Red Shortlist (14+)

Avengers: Twilight written by Chip Zdarsky and illustrated by Daniel Acuna (Marvel Comics)

Hirayasumi, Vol 1 written and illustrated by Keigo Shinzo (Viz Media)

Superman: Supercorp written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Jamal Campbell (DC Comics)

Alice Never After written by Dan Panosian and illustrated by Giorgio Spalletta (BOOM! Studios)

Uncanny Spider-Man: Fall of X written by Simon Spurrier and illustrated by Lee Garbett (Marvel Comics)

 

Black Shortlist (16+)

Rogue Trooper: Blighty Valley written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Patrick Goddard (2000 AD)

Dark Gathering, Vol 1 written and illustrated by Kenichi Kondo (Viz Media)

Deadpool & Wolverine: WWIII written by Joe Kelly and illustrated by Adam Kubert (Marvel Comics)

The Anxiety Club: How to Survive Modern Life written by Dr Frédéric Fanget, edited by Catherine Meyer and illustrated by Pauline Aubry (SelfMadeHero)

The Incredible Hulk: Age of Monsters written by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and illustrated by Nic Klein (Marvel Comics)

The winners of this year’s Excelsior Award will be revealed in June 2025 – look out for our winner announcement!