Published Jul 9, 2026, 4:01 PM EDT
Growing up in rural Iowa as a reluctant reader, it all changed when he started reading the original Fantastic Four by Lee/Kirby. Now Austin can't stop reading. He has written about comics for Comic Book Yeti and he has also written tons of indie comics, best known for Big Guns Stupid Rednecks.
As DC's Absolute Universe continues to break sales records and bring in new fans, it may also be bringing in new accolades. With comic book awards season right around the corner, two of the Absolute Universes' flagship books are nominated for huge awards.
The Harvey Awards recently announced the nominees in their many different categories. Absolute Batman and Absolute Martian Manhunter are both nominated for Book of the Year.
What makes the Harvey Awards special is that they are nominated and voted on by professional members of the comic book industry. The voting body includes not just creators, but also retailers, educators, publishers, and librarians. The awards are presented every year at New York Comic Con in October.
The full list of nominees for Book of the Year:
- Absolute Batman Volume 1: The Zoo by Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta (DC)
- Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol 1: Martian Vision by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez (DC)
- Black Arms to Hold You Up: A History of Black Resistance by Ben Passmore (Pantheon)
- Cannon by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
- Drome by Jesse Lonergan (23rd Street Books/Macmillan)
- The Ephemerata: Shaping the Exquisite Nature of Grief by Carol Tyler (Fantagraphics)
- A Garden of Spheres by Linnea Sterte (Peow2)
- More Weight: A Salem Story by Ben Wickey (Top Shelf/IDW)
- The Once and Future Riot by Joe Sacco (Metropolitan/Holt)
- The Weight by Melissa Mendes (Drawn & Quarterly)
The Absolute Universe Could Win Even More Awards
Image via DC Comics“Book of the Year makes the Harvey Awards unique. If someone asks which comics they absolutely have to read this year—these nominees are the answer,” Harvey Awards Steering Committee Co-Chair John Lind said to Forbes.
While Absolute Batman launched the thrilling new universe, Absolute Martian Manhunter has become beloved by fans. While either is deserving of winning Book of the Year, only time will tell if either book will take home the award. Before the Harvey Awards, the Eisner Awards will happen at San Diego Comic-Con at the end of the month.
Between the two titles, they have 11 Eisner nominations. Absolute Martian Manhunter has been nominated for Best Limited Series, Best Writer (Deniz Camp), Best Single Issue/One-shot (Absolute Martian Manhunter #1), and shared nominations for Best Penciler/Inker and Best Cover Artist. Absolute Batman has been nominated for Best Continuing Series, Best Writer (Scott Snyder), Best Single Issue/One-shot (Absolute Batman 2025 Annual), as well as shared nominations for Best Lettering and Best Cover Artist.
If the sales haven't solidified how great these comics are, all the award nominations certainly have. The Absolute Universe has become a juggernaut in popularity since its initial release. With an upcoming animated series for Absolute Batman on the way, the fanbase will only grow even larger.
Absolute Batman, Absolute Martian Manhunter, and all the other Book of the Year Nominees are available wherever comic books are sold.
Created by Scott Snyder
Character(s) Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Catwoman, Green Arrow, Barbara Gordon, Bane, Ra's Al Ghul, Guy Gardner, Abin Sur, Lois Lane
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