If you are a woman or a non-cis man, you understand the importance of celebrations such as the Zelda Awards. Set your calendar for April 11, 2026, to lock in. This inaugural event will be available on streaming services for accessibility. Inspired by the legendary Zelda Jackie Ormes, the first Black woman cartoonist in the United States, this ceremony aims to celebrate and elevate women. The celebratory event aims to spotlight the undeniable contributions of women who are shaping the comic book industry.
Created by Blaq Comic founder Karla “Moon” Medrano, the Zelda Awards are dedicated to spotlighting the brilliance and impact of women in the comic book industry. Medrano reveals that this ceremony was created by an undeniable fact: women have always contributed to the comic book industry by shaping stories, building worlds, and shifting the future of the medium.
The Zelda Awards seek to celebrate the women in comics
Medrano, along with her co-founder, Sarah Cooke (comic book writer and editor), both want the Zelda Awards to fill in the gap of recognizing comic book talent from their non-male peers. They encourage globally oppressed fans to nominate their favorite comic book industry professional via this form.
“The Zelda Awards are for the women who are changing comic book culture—from the page to the panel, from the mic to the movies. Whether you’re a seasoned legend or a rising star, this space is for you,” Mendrano confirmed.
Despite making up more than half of design roles in some parts of the industry, women remain vastly under-recognized when it comes to awards. Only 16% of Eisner Award winners have been women, and in major publishers, female creators average around 11–17% of creditsper issue.
The Zelda Awards are changing that.
This event will honor the women who have elevated the medium across several categories. Categories will include the following:
- Best Manga
- Best Artist
- Best Writer
- Best Colorist
- Best Inker
- Best Sketch Artist
- Best Children’s Comic
- Best Webcomic
- Ink the Future Award
The Ink the Future Award is an emerging 501(c)(3) nonprofit that amplifies the voices of underrepresented creators. This award recognizes individuals or organizations whose platforms have positively impacted their community.
Follow The Zelda Awards on Instagram to stay updated.
