Lorenzo Mattotti wins 2025 Sergio Aragonés International Award for Excellence in Comic Art
The National Cartoonists Society and LICAF are excited to announce Lorenzo Mattotti as the winner of the Sergio Aragonés International Award for Excellence in Comic Art.
Lorenzo was presented with the award during the Opening Night event of the Festival's weekend-long event. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival takes place in Bowness-on-Windermere, Friday 26th - Sunday 28th September 2025.
The Sergio Aragonés International Award for Excellence in Comic Art is named after the world-famous cartoonist. He is best known for his work on MAD and as co-creator of Groo. The award was established in 2017 by The National Cartoonists Society. This society is the world's largest and most prestigious organization of professional cartoonists. The award is given in partnership with the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. It is presented annually. The award is given to an exceptional comic artist, animator, or cartoonist.
Lorenzo Mattotti is an Italian-born, Paris-based cartoonist and illustrator. He has published numerous books, including Fires (1986), Caboto (1992), and Stigmate (1998). He illustrated The Raven by Lou Reed (2011) and collaborated with Neil Gaiman on the children's book, Hansel & Gretel (2014).
His graphic novel version of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (with Jerry Kramsky) won an Eisner Award in 2003. He is also a prolific illustrator for publications such as The New Yorker, Vogue, and Vanity Fair.
Previous winners of the Award are Dave McKean (2017), Hunt Emerson (2018), Charlie Adlard (2019), Boulet (2021), Posy Simmonds (2022), VIZ comic (edited by Graham Drury and Simon Thorp (2023)), and Juanjo Guarnido (2024).
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, supported by the Arts Council, the Lake District National Park Authority, and other partners, takes place this weekend. It runs from September 26th to 28th in Bowness-on-Windermere. The event attracts hundreds of fans to the Lake District town for a comic art weekend extravaganza.
Events for comic fans of all ages at various venues include The Old Laundry Theatre and Windermere Jetty Museum. It offers guest panels, free events for children, comic workshops, exhibitions, and more. The town is also hosting the sold-out Phoenix Festival event, organised by Phoenix Comic.
