The 2026 Eisner Award nominations for Best One-Shot or Single Issue highlight the absolute best of standalone storytelling in the comic book medium. While ongoing series get a lot of the spotlight, these single issues prove that you can deliver a world class narrative in just thirty or so pages. This year’s list is a fascinating mix of high-concept indie hits, bold reinventions of classic DC icons, and experimental anthologies that push the boundaries of the page. From the psychological weirdness of the Absolute Universe to the gut-wrenching passage of time in Image Comics’ standout entries, these nominees represent the peak of creative ambition in 2026.
Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1
What's it about?
This annual takes a deep dive into the psyche of a Bruce Wayne who is still figuring out his mission. It interweaves flashbacks of a socially active Thomas Wayne with a present day story where Batman wages a brutal war against extremist groups in Slaughter Swamp. The main plot is a heavy exploration of rage and morality, while the backup stories offer different perspectives on the Dark Knight's impact on the citizens of Gotham.
Who is behind it?
The main story features the powerhouse team of writer/artist Daniel Warren Johnson. The issue also includes backup stories from James Harren, known for the savage visuals of Ultramega, and Meredith McClaren, who brings a lighter, educational touch to the bat-mythos. It is published by DC as part of their hit Absolute Universe line.
What folks are saying:
Critics are calling this one a "mirror of the rage we are all feeling." Reviews frequently point to the hyper-stylized action and the way Johnson depicts Batman’s sheer power. Many readers appreciated the political undertones and the complicated, almost terrifying way Batman is viewed by those he saves.
Why it should win:
It should win for being a rare superhero comic that feels both timeless and incredibly timely. The way it balances high-octane action with a genuine reflection on extremism and systemic issues makes it stand out. It proves that even the most established characters can be reinvented in ways that feel vital and necessary.
Absolute Martian Manhunter #1
What's it about?
This issue introduces a version of John Jones who is an FBI agent caught in a life-altering explosion. It quickly shifts into a psychological thriller as Jones realizes he is sharing his body and mind with an alien parasite. The story moves away from traditional superhero tropes to focus on telepathy, memory, and the "weird fiction" roots of J'onn J'onzz.
Who is behind it?
Writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier Rodriguez lead this creative team. Camp has been on a hot streak with projects like The Ultimates and 20th Century Men, while Rodriguez is celebrated for his incredible work on History of the Marvel Universe. It is published by DC.
What folks are saying:
Readers are obsessed with the "weirdness" of this book. Many have compared the vibe to Grant Morrison or Jack Kirby at their most experimental. The visual depiction of telepathy as a swirl of colors and shapes has been a major talking point in reviews, with many calling it the most visually distinct book in the Absolute line.
Why it should win:
This issue deserves the win for its sheer creative audacity. It takes a B-list hero and turns his origin into a mind-bending, genre-defying masterpiece. The synergy between Camp’s script and Rodriguez’s layouts creates a reading experience that truly couldn't exist in any other medium.
Assorted Crisis Events #4
What's it about?
In this experimental issue, we follow a character named Mikey through his entire life. The story moves at a breakneck pace, with Mikey aging from a child to a senior citizen over the course of just 32 pages. It is a poignant, often heartbreaking look at how "time flies" and how easy it is to lose oneself in the routine of modern life.
Who is behind it?
This is another stellar entry from writer Deniz Camp, this time collaborating with artist Eric Zawadzki. Zawadzki is known for his detailed, expressive work on titles like The Dregs and Heart Attack. The book is published by Image Comics.
What folks are saying:
The general takeaway is that this issue is a total "gut punch." Reviewers have praised the opening pages for their masterful use of the medium to show the passage of time. Many readers found it deeply relatable, noting how it captures the feeling of modern alienation and the sense that life is moving faster than we can process.
Why it should win:
It should win for its emotional weight and technical precision. Compressing an entire human life into a single issue without it feeling rushed is a massive achievement. It is a profound piece of work that uses the static nature of comics to tell a story about the fluidity of time.
Coin-Op no. 10: Wet Cement
What's it about?
This 50-page one-shot is a surreal journey through a city that knows way too much. It blends noir sensibilities with a love triangle plot involving brainwave transmissions and secret authorities. The story feels like a "dreamscape" where the unbelievable becomes ordinary, exploring themes of loneliness and the disconnect from reality in the modern era.
Who is behind it?
The book is created by the brother-sister duo of Peter and Maria Hoey. Their work is heavily influenced by surrealism and jazz history, often published through their own Coin-Op Books imprint.
What folks are saying:
Critics have described the Hoeys' work as a connection between the noir aesthetic and the surrealist movement. Reviews highlight the "purposeful flatness" of the art and how it effectively pulls the reader into an otherworldly headspace. It has been called one of the best indie books of the year by major bookstore curators.
Why it should win:
It is a testament to the power of independent, creator-owned comics. The Hoeys have a visual language that is entirely their own, and Wet Cement is perhaps their most refined work yet. It should win for its unique atmosphere and its commitment to the "comix" tradition of pushing artistic boundaries.
Ice Cream Man #43: “One Page Horror Stories”
What's it about?
This issue of the long-running horror anthology takes a bold format-bending turn. It features dozens of "one-page horror stories" from a massive list of guest creators. Each page is a self-contained nightmare, compressing the series' signature "life-is-horror" theme into nine-panel grids or prose-heavy experimental layouts.
Who is behind it?
Regular series writer W. Maxwell Prince is joined by a star-studded lineup of guests including Grant Morrison, Patton Oswalt, Kelly Sue DeConnick, and Jeff Lemire. The constant factor is the incredible art team of Martin Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran. It is published by Image Comics.
What folks are saying:
The consensus is that this is a "star-studded, jaw-dropping" achievement. While readers admit that not every single page lands with the same impact, the best stories are being called extraordinary. Critics have particularly praised the stories by Grant Morrison and Kelly Sue DeConnick for how they maximized the one-page constraint.
Why it should win:
It should win for the sheer ambition of the project. Managing a guest list of that caliber while maintaining the consistent, unsettling tone of Ice Cream Man is no small feat. It is a celebration of the short-form comic and a showcase of how many different ways a creator can scare a reader in just one page.
Something Is Killing the Children: A Monster Hunter Walks into a Bar #1
What's it about?
Set in the world of the hit series Something Is Killing the Children, this one-shot moves the focus away from Erica Slaughter. Instead, it explores the perspectives of the "normal" people in Archer's Peak who survived the monster attacks. It is an anthology style issue that shows how people rationalize the horrific events they’ve witnessed, turning the monster hunter herself into a local legend.
Who is behind it?
The story is written by series creator James Tynion IV and illustrated by the regular series artist Werther Dell’Edera. This team has turned SIKTC into a modern horror juggernaut at BOOM! Studios.
What folks are saying:
Fans have called this an "excellent aside" from the main storyline. Reviews mention how it successfully adds depth to the world-building by showing the trauma and skepticism of the townspeople. It is praised for being accessible to new readers while offering deeper lore for long-time followers of the Order of St. George.
Why it should win:
It should win for its focus on the "human cost" of a horror story. Tynion and Dell’Edera have built a massive franchise, but this issue proves they haven't lost sight of the small-town intimacy that made the series a hit in the first place. It is a chilling, grounded look at grief and survival.
This year’s Best One-Shot category is a perfect snapshot of why the comics industry is so vibrant right now. We have everything from high-budget superhero reinventions to quiet, experimental indie tales about the passage of time. Each of these six nominees found a way to make thirty pages feel like an entire universe. Whether it is the visual spectacle of Absolute Martian Manhunter or the haunting realism of Assorted Crisis Events, these issues are essential reading for any comic book fan in 2026.