As award season heats up, and Suicide Squad gets to vie for an Oscar, GLAAD released their nominees today for the “Outstanding Comic Book Series” portion of their annual awards. Expanding their list to ten nominees this year, these awards seek to highlight media such as movies, television, and comics for their portrayal of LGBTQ characters or showcase LGBTQ creators.
This list represents some true highlights of not only inclusiveness and diversity, but also, some of the best the comics-industry has to offer. As we continue to move into a more global, inclusive world, creating space for queer creators and characters to be in the spotlight, one would imagine the number of critically acclaimed queer comic book series will only increase. Congratulations to all the nominees.
GLAAD’s 2016 nominees for “Outstanding Comic Book Series” are:
“All-New X-Men”, by Dennis Hopeless, Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy, Paco Diaz, Nolan Woodard, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Cory Petit, published by Marvel Comics
“All-New X-Men” stars the original five, time-displaced X-Men and features the character Iceman coming to terms with his sexuality. Bobby Drake is set to get his own series in the “Resurrxion” initative.
“Black Panther”, by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Chris Sprouse, Walden Wong, Karl C. Story, Laura Martin, Matt Milla, Joe Sabino, and Clayton Cowles, published by Marvel Comics
Written by Between the World and Me and The Atlantic scribe Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Black Panther” follows the titular character in a Wakanda no longer okay with a monarchy and in the midst of a revolt led by Midnight Angels Ayo and Aneka. This series got a spinoff “Black Panther: World of Wakanda” focusing on Ayo and Aneka’s relationship penned by black, queer writer Roxanne Gay of Bad Feminist fame.
“DC Comics: Bombshells”, by Marguerite Bennett, Laura Braga, Sandy Jarrell, Maria Laura Sanapo, Mirka Andolfo, Pasquale Qualano, Marguerite Sauvage, Juan Albarran, Kelly Diane Fitzpatrick, J. Nanjan, Jeremy Lawson, Wendy Broome, and Wes Abbott, published by DC Comics
Taking place in a World War II-era world, “Bombshells” follows a plethora of DC’s female and queer characters basically just being bad asses fighting discrimination, Nazis, and the like. This is series is penned by queer creator Marguerite Bennett.
“Kim & Kim”, by Magdalene Visaggio, Eva Cabrera, Claudia Aguirre, Zakk Saam, Taylor Esposito, published by Black Mask
Full of sci-fi action, “Kim & Kim” follows two queer, female bounty hunters, one of whom is trans. This series is notable as writer Magdalene Visaggio was transitioning herself in the midst of conceptualizing the series and is one of the most LGBTQ-postive series on the stands.
“Love is Love”, anthology originated by Marc Andreyko, published by IDW & DC Comics
Brought about in the aftermath of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando this summer, “Love is Love” showcases one to two page stories from a multitude of prominent creators in comics and outside the industry. Conceived by queer creator Marc Andreyko, “Love is Love” is a memorial to the victims of the shooting, and a testimony to the power of love in the world. All of the profits from the anthology went to support the victims, survivors, and their families.
“Lumberjanes”, by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Carey Pietsch, Ayme Sotuyo, Carolyn Nowak, Maarta Laiho, and Aubrey Aiese, published by BOOM! Studios
The all-ages, two time GLAAD nominated series, “Lumberjanes” follows the adventures of the Lumberjane Scouts at Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. “Lumberjanes” has continuously been praised for it’s all-female creative team and content in the midst of a historic male-dominated industry.
“Midnighter” / “Midnighter and Apollo”, by Steve Orlando, David Messina, Aco, Hugo Petrus, Fernando Blanco, Gaetano Carlucci, Romulo Fajardo, Jr., Jeremy Cox, Tom Napolitano, and Josh Reed, published by DC Comics
Former Wildstorm characters Midnighter and Apollo helmed two series last year both penned by queer creator Steve Orlando. Midnighter and Apollo began as Wildstorm’s analogues for Batman and Superman respectively, answering the question of “what would happen if Batman and Superman were gay?” This series has been one of DC’s consistently high-rated series’.
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“Patsy Walker, A.K.A Hellcat!”, by Kate Leth, Brittney L. Williams, Natasha Allegri, Megan Wilson, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Clayton Cowles, published by Marvel Comics
Following her portrayal on Marvel’s Netflix series Jessica Jones, Trish Walker’s series “Patsy Walker, A.K.A Hellcat!” has been a hit. From an all-female creative team led by Kate Leth and Brittney Williams, “Hellcat” has been a staple of Marvel’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“Saga”, by Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples, and Fonografiks, published by Image Comics
What can one say about “Saga” that hasn’t already been said? The Image series continued strong this year and furthered its acclaimed portrayal of ethnicity, sexuality and gender social roles, and for its treatment of war.
“The Woods”, by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas, Josan Gonzalez, and Ed Dukeshire, published by BOOM! Studios
From Gotham mainstay, James Tynion IV, “The Woods” from BOOM! follows an entire high school of students, teachers, and other staff people, transported to a world outside of the known universe trying to survive. Tynion has described this work as one of his most “personal” and continues to be a highlight of his creator-owned work even as he crafts work in Batman’s world.
The entire list of nominees in all categories can be found here. The GLAAD Awards take place April 1 in LA.
