Diamond Comic Distributors has announced the winners of the 2014 Diamond Gem Awards, which have been selected by comic book specialty retailers and recognized by the industry for sales achievement for comic book artists, writers, publishers, and industry executives.

Nominees were chosen by a panel of Diamond product specialists, based on their overall impact on the industry, while comics and other related merchandise were chosen based on their sales performance and quality in 2014. Winners were selected by comic book specialty retailers around the world.

“We established the Gem Awards to give retailers an opportunity to recognize the suppliers, titles, and products that have been instrumental in helping their businesses grow over the past year,” Diamond President and CEO Steve Geppi said. “Our suppliers work diligently to support retailers and the entire industry with top-quality titles and products, and we thank all of the retailers who took time from their busy schedules to vote and acknowledge those efforts.”

Multiple Gem awards were given to DC Entertainment (with seven), Marvel comics (with five), and Dark Horse (with three). The 2014 Diamond Gem Awards have two categories – Suppliers of the Year and Products of the Year.

For the 2014 Diamond Gem Suppliers of the Year, the awards were: Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Over 4% market share), to Image Comics; Comic Book Publisher of the Year (Under 4% market share), to BOOM! Studios; Backlist Publisher of the Year, to DC Entertainment; Top Dollar Comic Book Publisher of the Year, to Marvel Comics; Manga Publisher of the Year, to Viz Media; Game Manufacturer of the Year, to Wizards of the Coast; and Toy Manufacturer of the Year, to Funko.

The 2014 Diamond Gem Products of the Year were:
Comic Book of the Year Under $3.00 – Ms. Marvel #1, Marvel Comics
Comic Book of the Year Over $3.00 – Thor #1, Marvel Comics
Best New Comic Book Series – Outcast by Kirkman and Azaceta, Image Comics
Top Dollar Comic Book of the Year – Amazing Spider-Man #1, Marvel Comics
Best All-Ages Comics – My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, IDW Publishing
Licensed Comic Book of the Year – Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #1, Dark Horse Comics
Licensed TP/HC of the Year – Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Search Library Ed. TP, Dark Horse Comics
Original Graphic Novel of the Year – Batman: Earth One TP, DC Comics from DC Entertainment
Reprint TP/HC of the Year – Batman: Death of the Family Book and Joker Mask Set, DC Comics
Indie Graphic Novel of the Year – Andrew the Giant: Life and Legend GN, :01 First Second Books
Manga TP of the Year – Attack on Titan: Before the Fall GN Vol. 1, Kodansha Comics
Anthology of the Year – Dark Horse Presents 2014 #1, Dark Horse Comics
Magazine of the Year – MAD Magazine, DC Entertainment
Trade Book of the Year – The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide Vol. 44, Gemstone Publishing
Best Free Comic Book Day Book – FCBD 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel Comics
Game Product of the Year – Marvel Dice Masters: Uncanny X-Men Starter Set. WizKids/NECA
Toy Product of the Year: DC Comics Super Villains Harley Quinn AF, DC Collectibles from DC Entertainment
Toy Line of the Year – Batman Animated, DC Collectibles from DC Entertainment
Collectible Statue of the Year – Batman Black and White: Harley Quinn 2nd Ed. Statue, DC Collectibles from DC Entertainment