Fri Aug 29, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

Hugo Awards add Graphic Novel Category

2009 to Debut New Award

When The Watchmen won the 1988 Hugo Award for Best Novel, horrified science fiction purists saw to it that graphic material be excluded from consideration. Until now that has remained the case but next year, the World Science Fiction convention will be adding the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story to the ballot "to honor works in which illustrations are integral to the movement of the plot, whether or not text is present. The special Hugo, to be called Best Graphic Story, will cover any science fiction or fantasy narrative in graphic form appearing for the first time in 2008. It may potentially be ratified as an annual award at the WSFS Business meeting at the convention."

Material to be considered will be any science fiction or fantasy narrative in graphic form appearing for the first time in 2008. Those who purchased memberships to this year’s World Con, held in Denver, and next year’s, will be eligible to nominate works whern the process begins next spring while only those holding 2009 memberships will be eligible to vote for the winner.

The 2009 World Con will be Anticipation, held in Montreal from August 6-10 with guests of honor including Neil Gaiman, Élisabeth Vonarburg, Ralph Bakshi, Taral Wayne, Tom Doherty, David Hartwell, and Julie Czerneda.

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