Image Comics awarded its first Image Select Retailer Award to Nirvana Comics, of Knoxville, Tennessee, owned by Grant and Jasmine Mitchell (see “Award-Winning Retailers Discuss Kids’ Comics in Comic Shops”).  The winner was announced at the Lunar Distribution event at Emerald City Comic Con on March 1, 2024.

Image announced the new award, which will be given quarterly, on February 20, and Director of Direct Market Sales Alex Cox said that Image received thousands of nominations for the first one.  The criteria for the award are customer service, hand-selling recommendations, a welcoming atmosphere, browsability, design of displays, customer outreach, involvement with the community, and a “robust inventory & support for Image Comics and other creator owned/indie comics,” according to the announcement.  Winning retailers will receive a commemorative medallion, will be featured in an interview on the Image website, and will get their choice of a gold foil exclusive variant cover, branded with the award (up to 250 copies).

Nirvana also won the 2022 Diamond Select Award for Best Kids/All Ages Section (see “Michigan Retailer Gets $5K”).