Western Australia has made a big splash at the 2025 Comic Art Awards of Australia, with a third of the nominated works on the shortlist having been created in the state.
The Comic Art Awards of Australia acknowledges excellence in Australian comic art and publishing, awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze Ledger Awards to celebrate creativity, craft and execution. Of the 28 comics shortlisted, 11 have been brought to life by creators living and working in Western Australia.
Shortlisted Western Australian creators and contributors include:
- Manta: Issues #11-15 by Jorden Allen-Barr
- Last Light In The Dark Sky by L. G. Veldenmire
- RRV by Steven Martellotta
- Manifesto by Stuart Medley
- The Girl I Left Behind by Katie Zhang
- The Sweetness Between Us by Sarah Winifred Searle (Allen & Unwin)
- A Home In Her by Sarah Winifred Searle (Gestalt)
- The Electrifying Bolt 2024 Special by Lauren Marshall and Andrew Tribe (Bolt Comics)
- When The World Was Soft by Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation, Alex Mankiewicz (Allen & Unwin)
- Dreamwalker #1 by Molly Hunt, Scott Wilson,Christopher Wood, Wolfgang Bylsma (Gestalt)
- Follow Your Gut: A Story From The Microbes That Make You by Briony Barr, Dr Gregory Crocetti, Ailsa Wild, Dr Lisa Stinson, and Ben Hutchings (Scribe Productions)
This news comes as no surprise to those bearing witness to the state’s creative scene, which has seen great turnout in comic-related activities in recent years; the 2025 Perth Comic Arts Festival (PCAF) saw not only record attendance of more than 4000, but over 215 new comic works were created for the Festival.
Western Australian comics are experiencing something of a cultural storm and this year they’re on show on the national stage.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see a record number of Western Australian creatives recognised in our industry’s top awards,” PCAF Chairperson Campbell Whyte said. “WA is absolutely punching above its weight in the Australian Comics scene.”
The Comic Art Awards of Australia ceremony will be held on Saturday January 31st at the State Library of New South Wales and livestreamed from 3:30pm AWST.
