Korean artist Sanho wins Eisner Award, the 'Oscars of comics'
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Named sources
Outcome reported
- Korean artist Sanho won the Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia for 'Purgatory Funeral Cakes'.
- The award, often called the 'Oscars of comics,' recognizes translated Asian comics published in North America.
- 'Purgatory Funeral Cakes' is a fantasy graphic novel about cakes for the deceased, with rights sold to nine countries.
Korean artist Sanho has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first South Korean to win the prestigious Eisner Award for Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia. The award, widely regarded as the 'Oscars of comics,' recognized Sanho's graphic novel, 'Purgatory Funeral Cakes.'
The Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
The award ceremony, held as part of Comic-Con International in San Diego, celebrated the best in the comic industry. Sanho's win in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia category specifically honors translated Asian comics published in North America. This category, expanded from a Japan-focused award in 2010, saw Sanho's work triumph over four other finalists.
The Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
'Purgatory Funeral Cakes' is a fantasy graphic novel set in a bakery specializing in cakes for the deceased. The story unfolds in an omnibus format, with each chapter detailing the poignant stories of customers and their unique cake orders. The series concluded last year with its third volume. The novel's international appeal is evident, with publishing rights sold to nine countries, including Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, and France. The U.S. edition, titled 'Purgatory Funeral Cakes,' was released last year by Dark Horse Comics, with translation by Danny Lim.
The Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
The Eisner Awards, established in 1988 and named after the renowned American cartoonist Will Eisner, are considered one of the three major international comic awards, alongside France's Angoulême and the U.S. Harvey Awards. The awards recognize outstanding works and creators in the comic industry annually. According to the publisher, winning an Eisner Award signifies mainstream recognition in the North American comic market, as the award considers the popularity of works alongside the judging process, unlike the Harvey Awards.
The Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
