The Doug Wright Awards were established in 2004 to honour the legacy of the great Doug Wright by recognizing the best in Canadian comics and graphic novels published in English. Here are a few selections from the longlist! Winners will be announced Saturday, June 18 on the award website.
Cyclopedia Exotica by Aminder Dhaliwal
Waiting rooms, commercials, dog parks, and dating app screenshots capture the experiences and interior lives of the cyclops community; a largely immigrant population displaying physical differences from the majority.
Stone Fruit by Lee Lai
This graphic novel explores how painful it can be to truly become vulnerable to your loved ones―and how fulfilling it is to be finally understood for who you are.
Fictional Father by Joe Ollmann
A hilariously sardonic interrogation of art-making and cartooning in particular—and a devastating portrait of a dysfunctional family living in the shadow of a famous comic strip and its tyrannical creator.
The Pleasure of the Text by Sami Alwani
Twenty slice of life comic stories that are equal parts comedy and tragedy, covering art induced dissociation, queer intergenerational polyamory, racial capitalism and esoteric mystical experiences.
Pass Me By: Gone Fishin’ by Kyle Simmers and Ryan Danny Owen
As Ed’s memory declines he loses touch with the present and revisits a past he chose to forget. A queer, rural, Canadian, romantic tragedy.
Over the Shop by Jonarno Lawson and Qin Leng
In a beautifully detailed wordless picture book, a tumbledown building becomes home sweet home for a found family. Ages 3-7.
The Rock From the Sky by Jon Klassen
A hilarious meditation on the workings of friendship, fate, shared futuristic visions, and that funny feeling you get that there’s something off somewhere, but you just can’t put your finger on it. Ages 4-8.
Etty Darwin and the Four Pebble Problem by Lauren Soloy
Etty Darwin and her famous father go for a walk to ponder life, science… and fairies! Inspired by the real-life daughter of Charles Darwin. Ages 4-8.
Simon and Chester: Super Sleepover! by Cale Atkinson
Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. They like to kick butt and take names. They don't like chores. And they are about to hit Chester's VERY FIRST SLEEPOVER. Ages 6-9.
Shirley and Jamila’s Big Fall by Gillian Goerz
For fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson, this middle grade graphic novel series tells the story of Shirley and Jamila, two girl detectives on a mission to stop their school's biggest bully once and for all. Ages 8-12.
Living with Viola by Rosena Fung
A heartfelt exploration of cultural differences and mental health — and the trials of middle school. Ages 9-12.
