The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards is an annual celebration of the comics industry with winners chosen by fans and pros alike. The awards will return to Baltimore Comic-Con for their ninth year on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Winners will be chosen from over 20 categories. The top two fan choices will become nominees, and a pro-jury will select the other three nominees for each category. Nomination ballot voting is open to both fans and pros now through May 28. The final ballots are expected to be available for comic pros for voting on July 29, and will be due by August 26. Eligibility for creators and books is based on publication from the preceding calendar year.

They have made updates based on juror, publisher, and voter submissions. The Best Single Issue or Story category is now called the Best Short Story. The Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel is now divided into the subcategories for ages 11 and under, and ages 12 and up. They have added the Best Comics-Related Publication category that recognizes “non-comic works that explore, analyze, or document the art, history, and/or culture of comics” per the description.

The fan and pro categories are Best Cartoonist (Writer/Artist), Best Writer, Best Artist or Penciller/Inker Team, Best Letterer, Best Colorist, Best Cover Artist, Best Series, Best Short Story, Best Original Graphic Novel, Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel – Ages 11 and Under, Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel – Ages 12 and Up, Best Anthology, Best Humor Comic, Best Webcomic, Best Humor Webcomic, Best Non-Fiction Comic Work, Best Comics-Related Publication, and Best Presentation in Design.

The perennial jury-only nomination will be for the Mike Wieringo Spirit Award. The fan-only favorite categories are Favorite Hero, Favorite Villain, Favorite New Series, Favorite New Talent, and Favorite Publisher. The awards will also include the Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award and the Dick Giordano Humanitarian Award (both selected by the Hero Initiative).

Publishers can submit up to five works for review by the Ringo Jurors for the “Fan and Pro Nomination” category by emailing contact@ringoawards.com.

“Ringo season is upon us!” Baltimore Comic-Con promoter Marc Nathan said. “It is thrilling to watch both the publishing and creative community spread the word about their titles and creators they are hoping to see on the final ballot, not to mention the comics fan community activation getting behind their favorites. We’ll be watching for your ballot this year!”

The 2026 sponsors are Baltimore Comic-Con, Cards, Comics & Collectibles, A Wave Blue World, Comix Well Spring, Hard Rock Café, IDW Publishing, Ignition Press, Illuminous Ideas, Key Collector, The Lab Press, Metal Ninja Studios, Oni Press, NC Comicon, Prana: Direct Market Solutions, Rocketship Entertainment, Shopping for Superman, and Ultimate Comics.