Winner: Pierre Bailly

Subject: The Wallonia-Brussels Federation Comic Strip Prize was launched in 2017. This prize is intended to reward the work of an author or even a collective of authors, who has produced something original, ambitious and innovative in the field of comic strips in Wallonia and in Brussels.

Jury’s opinion: "Over more than 25 years, Pierre Bailly has produced an innovative, consistent and substantial body of work, of which 'Petit Poilu' ('Little Furry'), scripted by Céline Fraipont, has become an important component. Pierre Bailly's innovative graphic skills contribute to the art of comic strips aimed at a very young audience. This body of work gives the youngest of audiences a taste for books and helps to promote reading. Pierre Bailly's graphic skills are not limited to children's comics. The designer also earned praise for 'Le Muret' (The Wall) a graphic novel about adolescence, also scripted by Céline Fraipont (Casterman, Écritures collection)."

Author's notable works: In 1998, Pierre Bailly and Denis Lapière teamed up with Vincent Mathy to create the children's series "Ludo", first published in "Spirou" magazine and later in comics. The series continued until 2009, with eight volumes being published. In 2007, he created "Petit Poilu", a wordless comic strip for toddlers, scripted by his partner Céline Fraipont. The series went from strength to strength, with no fewer than 28 volumes being published by 2023. "Petit Poilu" is a graphic literary work centred on an endearing, funny and sensitive character whose behaviour, throughout the comics, promotes respect, empathy and esteem for others.

Prize: €10,000 in cash.

Partners: Ms Bénédicte Linard, Minister of Culture of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

More information: bandedessinee.cfwb.be        

Winner: Neyef - "Hoka Hey!" - Label 619 published by éditions Rue de Sèvres

Subject: RTBF (Belgian Radio-television of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) launched this new prize in 2017, to reward a genre that resonates with listeners of La Première.

Jury’s opinion: "This year's jury, made up of La Première listeners, is honouring a great story of justice and freedom. In the heart of the great outdoors, it's all about respect - for identities, sharing and solitude. And about love and revenge. A work as violent as the conquest of the West, a work that does not promise redemption, but rather seeks some form of solace."

Prize: €20,000 in advertising space, as well as considerable editorial presence on the media channels of La Première.

Partner: La Première — RTBF (Belgian Radio-Television of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation).

"Hoka Hey!" will be published in Dutch by Deadalus, in 2 volumes. The first will be released on 22/09/2023.

Winners: Émilie Gleason & Arthur Croque - Junk Food - éditions Casterman

Subject: Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir has always been the newspaper par excellence for comic strips. With this prize, it recognises an exemplary work that has examined the world around us in the form of a news report comic strip.

Jury’s opinion: "The jury chose to crown 'Junk Food' by Émilie Gleason and Arthur Croque for the relevance of their indictment of the ravages of our society's addiction to sugar, fat and salt. The cartoonist uses the graphic codes of multinational food company marketing to address - in a cartoonish style - this health catastrophe that affects 10% of the world's population. Her visual metaphors convey the violence of emotions in flashy, solid colours. The scriptwriter has crafted touching characters inspired by the very real profiles of genuine food addicts. 'Junk Food' is a graphic novel that's both humorous and carefully researched. The authors give voice to the victims rather than to the junk food multinationals, none of whom agreed to answer the authors' questions. This offbeat album is a tremendous appeal for a world free of food addictions."

Prize: €20,000 in advertising space, as well as considerable editorial presence on the media channels of the newspaper Le Soir.  

Partner: Le Soir.

Winner: Vincent Jarousseau (drawing by Thierry Chavant) - "Les femmes du lien" - éditions Les Arènes

Subject: The Atomium Citizens' Comic Strip Prize recognises a comic strip that prompts ethical and social reflection, and that addresses contemporary social issues in a positive, constructive and noble-minded way; the subject of which has a local scope/resonance (local, Belgian, European).

Jury's opinion: "This superb strip illustrates the dedication and hard work of these eight women. The link is what we were so dearly missing during the pandemic. This album provides a concrete understanding of the meaning of solidarity, care and support. It paints the portrait of eight terrifically inspiring women and describes, without showing off, situations that may appear hopeless but whose stories of joy and hope are never far away. The photos are spectacular and very accurate and convey a lot of emotion. This real-life work of non-fiction benefits from all the narrative power of comics and photo-novels (since both techniques are used). It is an excellent narrative surprise. It bears witness to the work of a photographer who is obviously writing his book as he takes the photos. The result is neither conventional nor cheesy, and unlike many non-fiction comic strips, this one has a very daring, intimate and captivating narrative force."

Prize: €5,000 in cash.

Partner: André Querton.