COMICS International comicsandgraphicnovels

Over the last few years, the growth of the comic book and graphic novel market has been staggering. A rising interest is clear to see across the world in the children’s industry too, with a notable increase in publications both by comics publishers and traditional children’s book publishers. With more graphic novels and comic books being shortlisted and winning prestigious literary prizes, this is indeed a very exciting time for this unique medium which appeals to a broad range of readers. This vibrant landscape has been recognised by the BRAW Comics’ fourth edition with titles submitted from all over the world. To judge this category, divided into three subsections (Early Reader, Middle Grade, Young Adult), BCBF has brought together a board of internationally acclaimed experts.

Early Reader The Winner

WHOSE SOCK?

Members Of The 2023 Jury

ROEL DAENEN

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE LITERARY MAGAZINE STRIPGIDS AND COMMUNICATION MANAGER FARO (BELGIUM)

IGORT

ILLUSTRATOR AND DIRECTOR OF COMICS MAGAZINE “LINUS” (ITALY)

BILL KARTALOPOULOS

PROGRAMMING

DIRECTOR

FOR THE MOCCA ARTS FESTIVAL (USA)

HSIN YI PUBLICATIONS

TAIWAN

TEXT AND ART BY SUN JUN

WHAT THE JURY SAID

Whose Sock? adapts the repetition and variation of a classic early reader narrative to the comic book format with immaculate precision as a small black cat searches for the owner of an unusual yellow sock. A journey from floor to floor of an apartment building crowded with a humorous menagerie of anthropomorphic characters that represent the diversity of urban communities. The book itself overflows with gags and graphic inventions that make for rich reading and rereading even as the main character pursues his objective. Sun Jun makes excellent use limited color throughout. Because of all these qualities and more, the jury chose this work as the winner of the BRAW Comics for early readers.

Early Reader Special Mention

Apr S Les Vagues

GRASSET JEUNESSE

FRANCE

TEXT AND ART BY SANDRINE KAO

WHAT THE JURY SAID

Kawaii characters dance through a floating world landscape as poetic language sensitively describes the bittersweet emotional experiences of the self encountering the other and the family discovering the world. The oversized album makes full and dynamic use of the canvas of the page to render a rich and immersive environment through which delicate emotions can safely echo.

Early Reader Special Mention

O Primeiro Dia

PLANETA TANGERINA

PORTUGAL

TEXT AND ART BY HENRIQUE COSER MOREIRA

WHAT THE JURY SAID

This wordless comic delights in its fluid employment of the basic mechanics of the comics form just as its child protagonists delights in the simple pleasures of the first day of spring. Tiny, elegant, sweet yet still rigorous, this minimalist book is a miniature delight.