Women Creators Shine at the Eisner Awards 2023

Across the convention halls of San Diego Comic-Con, a separate celebration unfolded dedicated to recognizing achievements in the comic book realm. The Eisner Awards, celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2024, highlighted the incredible contributions of women in the industry.

The Eisner Awards serve as a prestigious platform that honors excellence in sequential art. Established in tribute to the legendary comic artist Will Eisner, this annual event has been a cornerstone of San Diego Comic-Con since 1988. This year showcased a diverse array of 32 categories, with women acknowledged for their talents in 17 of them, either individually or as part of collaborative efforts.

Here are some notable winners from the evening.

Among the standout victors were Mariko and Jillian Tamaki for their searing graphic novel titled *Roaming*. Utilizing a limited color scheme, the narrative follows three college students embarking on a brief journey to New York City. It explores themes of connection, disconnection, and the self-discovery that often accompanies one’s early twenties. Mariko was awarded Best Writer, while Jillian took home the Best Penciller/Inker award, with *Roaming* also winning Best Graphic Album – New.

Becky Cloonan achieved victories in two distinct categories — Best Short Story and Best New Series. Her captivating short narrative, *Four Gathered on Christmas Eve*, stands out, particularly with “The Kelpie,” which reimagines the legendary shape-shifting water horse from Celtic lore. The seamless combination of pacing and visuals creates a gripping tale. Additionally, Cloonan collaborated with Tula Lotay on *Somna: A Bedtime Story*, set against the backdrop of 1600s witch hunts, revolving around a woman driven to insanity by dreams of a mysterious figure, blending both eerie and enticing elements.

Rachel Smythe’s *Lore Olympus* claimed the Best Webcomic title for the third consecutive year. This modernized retelling weaves the story of Persephone, Hades, and other beloved Greek deities. Last year, Smythe revealed that the series would conclude in 2024, with the final chapter released on June 1, 2024, via WEBTOON.

In addition to Jillian Tamaki’s accolades, women triumphed in all illustration-related categories. Sana Takeda earned the Best Painter/Multimedia Artist title for her stunning works in *The Night Eaters: Her Little Reapers* and *Monstress*. Jordie Bellaire secured Best Coloring for her exceptional work on *Birds of Prey* and *Dark Spaces: Hollywood Special*, while Peach Momoko was awarded Best Cover Artist for her illustrations in *Demon Wars: Scarlet Sin*.

Women received additional recognition as well

Jill Thompson and Lynn Varley were rightfully inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. Varley, selected by this year’s judges, is celebrated as a colorist for her remarkable contributions to *Ronin*, *The Dark Knight Returns*, and *300*. Meanwhile, Thompson, recognized by the voters’ choice, is renowned as a writer and illustrator best known for her work on *The Sandman*, *Scary Godmother*, and *Beasts of Burden*.

The Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award was presented to Women in Comics Collective International. As stated on their website, this organization highlights the merits and craftsmanship of marginalized voices, particularly women and Queer individuals of color, across various fields including comics, publishing, gaming, media, and education. Founded by Regine Sawyer, the group actively organizes events and panels to enhance visibility for comic creators from underrepresented backgrounds.

Finally, the esteemed Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing was awarded to Jo Duffy, recognized for her extensive work on *Star Wars*, *Catwoman*, *Wolverine*, and more.

The significance of this event cannot be overstated!

Historically, the Eisner Awards have struggled with inclusivity. Similar to many literary accolades, women and individuals from BIPOC communities have often been overlooked in both nominations and wins. A 2021 study by Cori McCreery revealed that women made up a mere 16% of all award recipients since the Eisner Awards’ inception. Mariko Tamaki stands out as one of only two women ever to earn the Best Writer award—joined by Marjorie Liu for her esteemed work on *Monstress*. In addition to her accolades this year, Tamaki previously won Best Writer in 2020 for her contributions to *Harley Quinn* and *Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me*.

Recently, the landscape appears to be shifting positively for women’s representation within the industry. With women’s contributions recognized across more than half of this year’s categories at the Eisners, a promising trend is emerging. Nonetheless, as comic historian Tim Hanley notes, women’s representation in comic publishing remains below 20% in many creator roles. Despite the ongoing challenges, it’s encouraging to witness women thriving in an industry where their presence has been longstanding.

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