Alex Taylor wins First Graphic Novel Award 2023

By John Freeman on December 12, 2023

Alex Taylor, (also known as azbt), a queer visual artist living in London, working in illustration, painting, digital art, comics, zines, and film has won this year’s First Graphic Novel Award 2023, for his project, “Bone Broth”.

*Comic creator Alex Taylor, (also known as azbt)*

The winner was revealed at a ceremony held at Waterstones Piccadilly, yesterday, 11th December, where the seven shortlisted entrants showed their work.

‘The fun and colourful art style belies the intricate plot lines of this coming-of-age queer thriller set in a ramen shop,” commented publisher Emma Hayley, whose company SelfMadeHero will award the winner a contract for publication. “Crafted with vigour and spirit, the creator takes us on a somewhat crazy yet wonderful journey that is tasty from beginning to end.”

Art from “Bone Broth” by Alex Taylor, (also known as azbt) — Art from “Bone Broth” by Alex Taylor

Corinne Pearlman, award director, and founder of the prize, said: ‘The diversity of subject matter as well as the talent and effort displayed by all 171 entrants has been truly remarkable. The strength of our longlist as well as our shortlist shows the wealth of comic talent in the UK.’

Judges included Turner prize winner Mark Wallinger, and graphic novelist Sabba Khan, who read between 15 and 30 pages of the works-in-progress ranging from graphic fiction and non-fiction, graphic reportage and memoir.

Alex Taylor was also awarded a cash prize of £500 by The bks Agency, whose agent James Spackman read and gave feedback to all longlisted authors.

The six other artists on the shortlist were Anna Trench, for “Florrie”, Gareth Cowlin (“The Hiraeth Club”), Cathy Brett (“Mrs Thorwald”), Mereida Fajardo (“Zayani Zam”), Myfanwy Tristram (“The Noisy Valley”) and Corbin Wilkin (“The Infinite Benefits of Shame”).

The seven judges are artist and graphic novelist Sabba Khan; contemporary artist Mark Wallinger, Cartoon Museum Learning Officer Steve Marchant, editor and writer Ayoola Solarin, broadcast journalist Alex Fitch, SelfMadeHero publisher Emma Hayleyand award director Corinne Pearlman.

The First Graphic Novel award is a partnership between the publisher SelfMadeHero, the Cartoon Museum, and award director Corinne Pearlman. It was previously known as the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition. Myriad’s graphics list includes the four previous winners and six other books by shortlisted authors. Three of the authors selected this year – Cathy Brett, Anna Trench and Myfanwy Tristram – have each been shortlisted for the previous competitions.

The award is open to artists, writers and comic creators who are UK residents and have not had a longform graphic novel commercially published before. The award is a partnership between the Cartoon Museum, publisher SelfMadeHero and award founder Corinne Pearlman.

• For more information please visit firstgraphicnovel .co.uk

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.