IMAGE COMICS OPENS COMIC SHOP RETAILER APPRECIATION AWARD FOR WINTER 2026 NOMINATIONS ROUND
- Byron O'Neal
- 3 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Image Comics is pleased to announce that the Image Select Retailer Award for Winter 2026 is now open for nominations. The deadline to nominate a store is Tuesday, February 17.
Clare Mott, Simon and Alex of previous winner Peebles Comics & Games said of the award: "It generated great local and national press attention, drove additional social media traffic, made our community feel genuinely part of the achievement, and the free variant we selected saw subscriptions for that series increase by roughly five times over expectations. Displaying the winner’s medal in-store continues to draw positive comments from new visitors and looks fab!"
Erik, of Four Color Fantasies added: "We had a bunch of new readers come in to check us out because of it and it gave our long time readers bragging rights!"
Starting today, Image invites fans to nominate their local comic shops for this award based on criteria such as:
exemplary customer service
thoughtful and exciting handselling recommendations
efforts fostering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere
easy-to-browse shelving
attractive and innovative displays
forward-thinking customer marketing and out-of-box consumer outreach
community engagement
robust inventory of & support for Image Comics and other creator-owned/indie comics
To nominate a shop, simply fill out this form with your local store’s name, location, and summarize some of the ways they store go the extra mile to create a great retail experience for you and other customers.One winner will be announced on Thursday, February 19 in the evening at the ComicsPRO 2026 Annual meeting retailer event and will receive:
a commemorative medallion to display with pride
an Image Select Retailer Award window cling for their store's window
a spotlight Q&A to be featured on Image Comics’ social media platforms and Website
the store's choice of an exclusive variant, branded as an Image Select Retailer Award winner, with store logo (limited to 250 copies).
The Image Select Retailer Award is an initiative to galvanize recognition of members of the Comic Book Direct Market retail community that are going above and beyond to serve their customers, expand readership, and grow a healthier marketplace.
The previous winners of the Image Select Retailer Award were Nirvana Comics in Knoxville, Tennessee, Hall of Justice Comics in Parker, Colorado, Peebles Comics & Games in Scotland, Four Color Fantasies in Winchester, Virginia, Comics Etc. in Australia, and ACME Comics in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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