BODEGA to Host First Comic Arts Trophy Ceremony
The awards will recognize outstanding work in comics during a November ceremony at Union Pool in Brooklyn.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Comic Books
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BODEGA has announced nominations for the inaugural Comic Arts Trophy, which honors work from the past year. Winners will be announced at a ceremony held on November 14, 2026, in Brooklyn.
Why it matters
BODEGA created this award to celebrate the creative achievements of exhibitors showcased over the previous year. The event provides a platform to highlight contributions across various comic formats, including graphic novels and minicomics.
The awards feature 5 distinct categories, including Best Graphic Novel and Best Design, with voting set to conclude on November 14 at 4:00 PM ET. The ceremony is limited to individuals aged 21 and older.
The players
BODEGA
BODEGA is an organization based in Brooklyn that focuses on the comic arts community.
Alex Krokus
Alex Krokus is a cartoonist responsible for the physical design of the Comic Arts Trophy.
Clutter Toys
Clutter Toys is a manufacturing company based in Beacon, New York, that produced the awards.
The details
The inaugural Comic Arts Trophy includes five categories: Best Anthology, Best Design, Best Minicomic, Best Graphic Novel, and Honorary New Yorker. Physical trophies were designed by cartoonist Alex Krokus and manufactured by Clutter Toys in Beacon, New York.
Timeline
November 14, 2026: Voting closes at 4pm ET.
November 14, 2026: Awards ceremony occurs at 8pm.
November 14-15, 2026: Brooklyn Expo of Comics takes place.
Culture Shift
This ceremony follows a pattern set by the growth of independent comics festivals in New York City by formalizing recognition within the local creator scene. The shift toward organized accolades reflects the maturing of local independent publishing networks.
Interested attendees must be 21 or older to access the awards ceremony held at Union Pool. Residents can participate in the selection process by submitting votes before the deadline on November 14.
The takeaway
The event highlights the local creative output from the past year within the Brooklyn comic community. Residents interested in independent comics should note that the two-day expo at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church occurs in mid-November.
Further reading
For more on regional publishing trends, explore the Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Comics Journal.
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