2025 Outstanding Comics Award for Young Adults
The Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table (GNCRT) Outstanding Comics Award, established in 2024, is given to exceptional graphic novels that appeal to adults, teens, and children in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, and series. These awards aim to increase awareness of the graphic novel medium, raise voices of diverse comic creators, and aid library staff in the development of graphic novel collections.
Fiction 2025
The Boy Wonder.
Written by Juni Ba. Art by Juni Ba. Color by Chris O'Halloran. Lettering by Aditya Bidikar. 2025. DC Comics, $29.99 (9781799500322).
Hunger's Bite.
Written by Taylor Robin. Art by Taylor Robin. 2025. Union Square and Co., $24.99 (9781454950240).
Hello Sunshine.
Written by Keezy Young. Art by Keezy Young. 2025. Little, Brown Ink, $18.99 (9780316509473).
Fiction
Winner
The Boy Wonder. Written by Juni Ba. Art by Juni Ba. Color by Chris O'Halloran. Lettering by Aditya Bidikar. 2025. DC Comics, $29.99 (9781799500322).
Raised as the heir to the League of Assassins, Damian Wayne struggles to fit in as one of many Robins in Gotham. When Batman leaves and a demon surfaces, Damian must join his adoptive brothers to protect the city and discover the true meaning of being a hero.
Honors
Hunger's Bite. Written by Taylor Robin. Art by Taylor Robin. 2025. Union Square and Co., $24.99 (9781454950240).
Neeta and Emery’s futures on the SS Lark are threatened when new owner Mr. Honeycutt begins transforming the elite into monsters. Teaming up with vampire investigator Wick Farley, the friends must expose the ship's supernatural horrors and stop a hunger for power before it consumes them all.
Hello Sunshine. Written by Keezy Young. Art by Keezy Young. 2025. Little, Brown Ink, $18.99 (9780316509473).
Heartbroken Noah, determined Sky, and guilt-ridden Izzy search for the missing Alex. Meanwhile, Alex’s twin, Jamie, is haunted by his mother’s ghost. To find his brother, Jamie must confront his family’s dark past and the supernatural secrets surrounding Alex’s disappearance before it's too late.
Nonfiction 2025
Raised by Ghosts.
Written by Briana Loewinsohn. Art by Briana Loewinsohn. 2025. Fantagraphics, $18.99 (9798875000508).
Bloody Mary.
Written by Kristina Gehrmann. Art by Kristina Gehrmann. Translated by I.T. Hahnenberger. Translated by E. Castle. 2025. Andrews McMeel, $22.99 (9798881600266).
My Perfectly Imperfect Body.
Written by Debbie Tung. Art by Debbie Tung. 2025. Andrews McMeel, $18.99 (9781524890025).
Nonfiction
Winner
Raised by Ghosts. Written by Briana Loewinsohn. Art by Briana Loewinsohn. 2025. Fantagraphics, $18.99 (9798875000508).
Set in the 1990’s, Raised By Ghosts follows Briana through school isolation and neglectful parenting. Using diary entries, the story captures her search for self-worth. It is an understated tale about finding authentic connection and belonging within the quiet moments of a fraught adolescence.
Honors
Bloody Mary. Written by Kristina Gehrmann. Art by Kristina Gehrmann. Translated by I.T. Hahnenberger. Translated by E. Castle. 2025. Andrews McMeel, $22.99 (9798881600266).
This watercolor graphic novel retells Mary Tudor’s life from rejected child to England’s first queen. Using historical documents, Gehrmann portrays Mary’s religious zealotry and the profound loneliness of the crown, capturing her tragic transformation into the infamous "Bloody Mary" as she loses her grip on power.
My Perfectly Imperfect Body. Written by Debbie Tung. Art by Debbie Tung. 2025. Andrews McMeel, $18.99 (9781524890025).
Debbie Tung’s memoir chronicles her battle with disordered eating and the societal pressure to be thin. Through her signature illustrations, she details her journey toward healing and self-acceptance, reminding readers that every body is worthy of love and kindness at any size.
Series 2025
Teen Titans: Raven.
Teen Titans: Beast Boy.
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven.
Teen Titans: Robin.
Teen Titans: Starfire.
Written by Kami Garcia. Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo and various artists. 2019-2024. DC Comics.
Feral Volume 1: Indoor Cats.
Feral Volume 2: Cat Lady.
Written by Tony Fleecs. Art by Trish Forstner. Art by Tone Rodriguez. Art by Sara Richard. Color by Brad Simpson. 2024-2025. Image Comics.
Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol 1-2.
Written by Miyu Morishita. Art by Miyu Morishita. Touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt. Translation by Mei Amaki. 2025.
Series
Winner
Teen Titans: Raven. Written by Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Jon Sommariva. Art by Emma Kubert. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Tom Napolitano. 2019. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781401286231).
Teen Titans: Beast Boy. Written by Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Gabriela Downie. 2020. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781401287191).
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven. Written by Kami Garcia. Art by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Gabriela Downie. 2021. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779503862).
Teen Titans: Robin. Written by Kami Garcia. Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Wes Abbott. 2023. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779512246).
Teen Titans: Starfire. Written by Kami Garcia. Illustrated by Gabriel Picolo. Art by Rob Haynes. Color by David Calderon. Lettering by Wes Abbott. 2024. DC Comics, $16.99 (9781779517999).
Raven, Gar, Kori, and Damian navigate life-changing transformations and forgotten pasts while targeted by H.I.V.E. and Slade Wilson. These young heroes must unite, mastering their superpowers and trusting their newfound bonds to confront internal darkness and fight for their identities and freedom.
Honors
Feral Volume 1: Indoor Cats. Written by Tony Fleecs. Art by Trish Forstner. Art by Tone Rodriguez. Art by Sara Richard. Color by Brad Simpson. 2024. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534372962).
Feral Volume 2: Cat Lady. Written by Tony Fleecs. Art by Trish Forstner. Art by Tone Rodriguez. Art by Sara Richard. Color by Brad Simpson. 2025. Image Comics, $16.99 (9781534328280).
Stranded in a wilderness plagued by a horrific rabies outbreak, indoor cats Elsie, Lord Fluffy Britches, and Patch must survive infected beasts and deadly traps. To return home, they must navigate terrifying settings and stay uninfected, fighting to avoid the feral madness consuming the world around them.
Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol 1. Written by Miyu Morishita. Art by Miyu Morishita. Touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt. Translation by Mei Amaki. 2025. Viz Media, $11.99 (9781974756025).
Tsumiki Ogami's Not-So-Ordinary Life, Vol 2. Written by Miyu Morishita. Art by Miyu Morishita. Touch-up art and lettering by John Hunt. Translation by Mei Amaki. 2025. Viz Media, $11.99 (9781974759132).
Timid Yutaka joins a supernatural high school, seeking confidence through his bond with popular werewolf Tsumiki. As he embraces her wild world and finds his footing, a figure from his past resurfaces, threatening to shatter his hard-won self-assurance.
