Comic Book Prize – Berthold Leibinger Foundation

The Berthold Leibinger Foundation annually awards the Comic Book Prize to an outstanding, unpublished German-language comic or manga work, whose completion is foreseeable by the award ceremony at the end of March of the following year. The prizewinner receives a cash prize of €25,000 as well as a sculpture and a certificate, while up to nine particularly promising finalists are each honored with €2,500 and a distinction. Projects sought are those that convince artistically and narratively, distinguish themselves through originality, and present high-quality illustrative execution. Anonymized submissions (name only on the title page) are possible online from January 15 to May 31, 2026, and must include an exposé, meaningful work samples (script, drawings, sketches), and a CV. A prerequisite for participation is that the submitted work has not been published in its entirety before the award ceremony and that all content complies with the exclusion criteria.

The Comic Book Prize is understood as a significant support for German-speaking comic and manga artists. It supports the realization of works whose completion is foreseeable and contributes to the visibility of the prizewinners and finalists. The jury evaluates based on a majority decision and honors the winning project at a public award ceremony, which usually takes place in March in Stuttgart. Travel and accommodation expenses for participation are covered. The finalists benefit not only financially but also receive an additional platform through the exhibition of accompanying original pages at the Literaturhaus Stuttgart and other venues. With its international renown and attractive endowment, the Comic Book Prize is one of the most important awards in the German-speaking region and makes a sustainable contribution to the further development of the medium.