2025 Comic Arts Awards of Australia

Earlier this year, Carlene and I had to unexpectedly fly down to Mandurang (Victoria) for family reasons, which has thrown into some disarray my plans to work on more comics in the earlier part of the year. The bushfires (only 17 kilometres from where we were staying) also impacted on adventures I could have taken. You see, there was a Comic Get Together arranged for Melbourne folk, but as the V-Line (railway) was cut due to said fires, and there was no public transport available, I had to simply miss out. Which was a pity, as there were many I would have liked to have caught up with. Still, safety first!

Still, once the fires retreated, Granddaughter Charlotte and I drove down to Daylesford for a day trip. We caught up with Grant Barlow (Jackie & Tiffany's writer) and Ben Sullivan (artist of Jackie & Tiffany, and a range of other books) over lunch. It was the first time I had met Ben in person (although we have known each other for about ten years). And, foolishly, I forget to take a photograph to record the occasion!

On my last day in Victoria, I headed to Melbourne...got myself completely lost... but eventually I caught up with some well-known Australian (New Zealand?) comic royalty and did take some photographs! 

Left: Colin Wilson.
Above, left to right: Nat Karmichael, Dr Bruce Mutard, Dr Bernad Caleo, Philip Bentley.

Since my return, I have been getting excited about the upcoming Comic Arts Awards of Australia, being held this Saturday in the State Library of New South Wales in the Mitchell Crouch Room from about 6.30 in the evening (New South Wales time). Tickets are still available and can be found by clicking here. You don't have to be in Sydney to be at the event, either, as for the first time there is also the option of attending the event remotely (which I what I have chosen to do). 

Now there is a lot more I can say about the event, but won't! I am going to leave that until after the event! (Nothing negative! I promise!) In the meantime, I should explain that the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards are for Australian comics published in the 2024 calendar year. (2025 comics will, I understand, be announced later this year.) Part of my role in the ceremony was as Lead Judge in the selection of the Ledger of Honour (essentially a Hall of Fame) recipients. The teams I oversaw actually made our selection over a year ago (in January 2025), and while I know whom we have chosen, I am going to keep that secret! You just have to attend the ceremony (as I said, in person, or remotely) to find out!

One thing I can share, though, is the list of the comics that have made the shortlist (from which the award-winners will be announced). First and foremost (and without seeking to brag too much*) is:

*Well, maybe a little bragging! It is, of course, a comic I published in the year in question! Good Luck, Rob!!

My next post -- whenever that might be! -- will no doubt list the winners. Congratulation to all comic creators who have made the shortlist: I know it is such a great honour to be included in the list, as comics are (generally speaking) an entertainment medium that doesn't get its fair share of accolades...