If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.
The Eisner Awards enter a new era with new administrator Laura Jones named to follow Jackie Estrada
One of the big power positions in the North American comics industry quietly gets filled.
Popverse's top stories
- Dungeon Crawler Carl wasn’t supposed to get this big, says author Matt Dinniman (but he's glad it did!)
- How to watch Dimension 20 in order, from Fantasy High to Gladlands and everything in between
- After Stranger Things: The Duffer Bros. original plans for a sequel set in the 90s
Ahead of the 2026 Eisner Awards season, we can announce one winner: Laura Jones, the new administrator of the Will Eisner Industry Awards.
Jones has stepped up to succeed the retiring Jackie Estrada as administrator of the Eisner Awards for its owner, San Diego Comic-Con. Jones has been part of the Eisners team for a bit now, and part of SDCC even longer.
Jones is the third Eisner Awards administrator in its 39-year history, succeeding longtime SDCC employee Jackie Estrada who steered it since 1990 to become the most popular awards line-up in the North American comics industry. Estrada retired in 2025 after a 35-year tenure with the Eisners, and working with San Diego Comic-Con since the '70s.
Despite retiring (and as a testament to her giving spirit), Estrada is continuing to be involved with the Eisners for a time to ease in the transition, and she is working with Jones on the 2026 event.
This news comics as the submission window for the 2026 Eisner Awards has opened up. The judges are to be announced in the coming weeks. To follow then would be the regular procession of the nominees being announced, then a voting period, culminating with the annual awards ceremony traditionally held on the Friday of Comic-Con International: San Diego, which in this case would be July 24, 2026.
Get ready for what's next with our guide to upcoming comics, how to buy comics at a comic shop, and our guide to Free Comic Book Day 2025.
Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news
Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy
Let Popverse be your tour guide through the wilderness of pop culture
Sign in and let us help you find your new favorite thing.
Comments
Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.