The 2026 Ringo Award nominations for Best Writer showcase a brilliant mix of industry legends, modern blockbusters, and fierce indie visionaries. Celebrating the legacy of Mike Wieringo, this category honors the architects who build the foundation of sequential storytelling. From massive superhero universe shifts to gruesome indie horror, these five writers represent the absolute best of scriptcraft in 2026.
Deniz Camp
Who are they
Deniz Camp is a breakout powerhouse who has taken the comic industry by storm over the last few years. Known for his dense world-building, political intelligence, and structural bravery, Camp has earned a reputation for taking familiar concepts and turning them completely inside out.
What do they write
Camp is nominated for his incredible output across the industry, including DC's critically acclaimed Absolute Martian Manhunter, Image Comics' experimental anthology Assorted Crisis Events, and Marvel's flagship launch of The Ultimates. His past works include the celebrated historical sci-fi epic 20th Century Men.
What folks are saying
Critics and fans view Camp as one of the most exciting, fearless voices in modern comics. Reviews praise his ability to weave complex thematic commentary into high-stakes superhero blockbusters without losing an ounce of momentum or character heart.
Why they should win
Camp deserves the award because he represents the modern gold standard of comic writing. Dominating award ballots across the industry in 2026, he has proven that you can deliver smart, challenging, and structurally experimental scripts while still creating massive commercial hits.
Joseph Schmalke
Who are they
Joseph Schmalke is a veteran indie creator, writer, artist, and publisher who serves as a pillar of the dark fantasy and horror comic community. Operating through his own Midnight Factory imprint and various independent partners, Schmalke is known for his unapologetic, macabre, and deeply atmospheric storytelling.
What do they write
Schmalke is best known for his dark fantasy epic Seven Years in Darkness, along with fan-favorite indie titles like We Don't Kill Spiders, Murder Hobo, The Electric Black, and Cherry Blackbird. His stories lean heavily into dark magic, survival horror, and bizarre, occult-infused mysteries.
What folks are saying
Indie horror fans adore Schmalke's relentless, high-concept narratives. Reviews consistently praise his ability to build oppressive, fascinating worlds where the stakes feel genuinely dangerous and the lore runs deep.
Why they should win
He should win because he embodies the fiercely independent, creator-first ethos that the Ringo Awards were built to celebrate. Schmalke has spent years building an entire universe of original, dark fantasy fiction outside the traditional studio system, cultivating a passionate fan base through sheer quality and dedication to his craft.
James Tynion IV
Who are they
James Tynion IV is a dominant industry titan and a multi-time award winner who has reshaped the landscape of modern horror. A master of pacing and suspense, Tynion has built a creator-owned empire that consistently produces some of the highest-selling and most critically praised titles on the market.
What do they write
Tynion’s massive catalog includes hit creator-owned books like Something Is Killing the Children and Wynd at BOOM! Studios; The Department of Truth, W0RLDTR33, and Exquisite Corpses at Image Comics; and The City Beneath Her Feet at DSTLRY.
What folks are saying
Critics consider Tynion to be at the absolute peak of his storytelling powers. Reviews highlight his unmatched talent for tapping into modern societal anxieties, paranoia, and existential dread, delivering hooks that keep readers glued to the page issue after issue.
Why they should win
Tynion deserves the win for his sheer consistency, scale, and ability to make creator-owned comics feel like massive pop-culture events. Writing across multiple genres and publishers, he maintains a level of polish and psychological depth that few others in the industry can match.
Robert Venditti
Who are they
Robert Venditti is a master craftsman and one of the most reliable, skilled architects in mainstream superhero and genre comics. Known for his deep respect for character continuity, widescreen action, and strong emotional beats, Venditti has been delivering hit runs for major publishers for over two decades.
What do they write
Venditti is celebrated for his standout runs on DC's Superman '78, Wesley Dodds: The Sandman, Hawkman, and Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps. He is also widely remembered for his seminal, long-running indie sci-fi work on X-O Manowar at Valiant Entertainment.
What folks are saying
Readers love Venditti’s ability to strip characters down to their core heroic virtues while taking them on grand, epic adventures. Critics frequently praise his books for having classic, timeless storytelling sensibilities paired with modern, propulsive pacing.
Why they should win
Venditti should win because he is a writer's writer who consistently elevates every title he touches. Whether he is expanding golden-age lore or guiding cosmic DC heroes, his character-focused scripts showcase a level of narrative precision and heart that makes him an essential industry voice.
Mark Waid
Who are they
Mark Waid is an undisputed comic book living legend and an industry icon. With a career spanning decades, Waid possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of superhero history and an unmatched ability to capture the joy, wonder, and humanity of classic characters.
What do they write
Waid’s current high-profile output includes DC’s hit flagship series Batman/Superman: World's Finest, Justice League Unlimited, Batman and Robin: Year One, and the blockbuster crossover event Absolute Power. His legendary past credits include Kingdom Come, definitive runs on The Flash and Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright.
What folks are saying
Reviewers and long-time fans constantly marvel at how Waid continues to write with the same infectious energy and passion as he did thirty years ago. World's Finest and Justice League Unlimited are routinely hailed as two of the most joyful, beautifully structured superhero books on modern comic shop shelves.
Why they should win
Waid deserves the award because he is operating at an absolute career high in 2026. Rather than coasting on his legendary legacy, he continues to write some of the top-rated, most universally beloved superhero stories month in and month out, proving that great storytelling is timeless.
The 2026 Best Writer slate at the Ringo Awards is an incredible reflection of the medium's strength. Whether you prefer the mind-bending indie horror of Joseph Schmalke, the high-concept superhero reinventions of Deniz Camp, or the timeless superhero magic of Mark Waid, every single nominee has earned their spot at the top.
Which of these master writers gets your vote on the final ballot this year?