Congratulations, 2026 CGC Comics Registry Award Winners!

CGC Comics is excited to announce the 2026 CGC Comics Registry Award winners! In choosing our winners, our mission was to select the best sets in the following categories: Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, Copper Age, Modern Age, Magazine, CGC Signature Series, Custom, Best Presented, and International, as well as outstanding message board contributors and the John Verzyl Sr. Registry Masterpiece Award.

Our team of judges reviewed all of the top sets throughout the CGC Comics Registry and, after much deliberation, selected the following winners. Congratulations to all!

John Verzyl Sr. Registry Masterpiece Award

Chaddesden33 – John Verzyl Sr. Registry Masterpiece Award

Every day our collecting community continues the legacy of John Verzyl on the CGC Comics Registry, and during the annual CGC Comics Registry awards we honor John in recognizing one collector dedicated to the hobby the way John was. The 2026 winner of the John Verzyl Sr Masterpiece Award is Chaddesden33.

Since joining the CGC Comics Registry in 2009, Chaddesden33 has earned over 2.6 million total points across more than 1,000 comics registered in 40 Competitive set types.

With a focus on Silver and Bronze age Marvel, Chaddesden33’s ranks in the top 10 for nearly all the classic title sets from these eras. We’re very fortunate to enjoy this impressive, high-grade collection on the CGC Comics Registry.

Drop in the Daredevil set for some very high grades from the first adventures of the “Man Without Fear” – check out the first trio of issues graded CGC 9.4, and the 9.6 Western Penn Pedigree copy of issue #11.

Swing by this impressive Silver Age Spidey set for a look at ol’ webhead’s first 100 issues in gorgeous high grades, including the iconic Vulture cover of issue #7 graded CGC 9.4, a gorgeous 8.0 copy of Doc Ock’s first appearance, and an incredible CGC 6.0 copy of Amazing Fantasy #15!

Step into the Silver Age Fantastic Four set for some serious inspiration. Don’t miss the CGC-graded 9.0 first appearance of Doctor Doom, one of only 11 examples in that grade, and of course issue #1 graded CGC 8.5, the book that gave us Marvel’s first super-hero team!

Congratulations to Chaddesden33 for a superb collection, all the collecting contributions made to the CGC Comics Registry, and the 2026 John Verzyl Sr. Masterpiece Award!

Best in Age – Golden

RedGiant – Blue Ribbon Comics

The early Golden Age was a time when publishers were wrangling with the response to Action Comics #1 and allowed creatives to explore a riot of ideas for what comic books ought to be all under the same cover.

MLJ’s flagship title Blue Ribbon Comics is an archetype of this era, hitting the stands in late 1939 as a pulp-inspired anthology series themed around crime, short humor, and science fiction. This 22-issue series was an early nerve center for creative legends Jack Cole and Wil Eisner in the humor strips, while Irv Novick and Mort Meskin would lend their talents to the growing fantasy adventure content in later issues.

The top-ranked Blue Ribbon Comics set belongs to RedGiant, and since the summer of 2022, this long-time CGC Comics Registry member has been hard at work on assembling this solid set. Drop into the set gallery and don’t miss the CGC-graded 7.5 Larson Pedigree copy of issue #4 with an incredible cover by legendary creator Charles Biro.

Best in Age – Silver

Rosland – Doctor Strange (Silver Age)

In the summer of 1963 visual artist and creative mastermind Steve Ditko brought a penciled story to Stan Lee for a new character he’d come up with. Stan was somewhat reluctant but decided to give Doctor Strange a chance in Strange Tales #110.

Though uncredited for much of his plotting, Ditko took Dr. Strange deeper into twisting dimensions for more than 30 issues, and readers inspired by the psychedelic 60’s saw meaning at every turn. Within all the mind-bending mysticism though, Ditko pulled off one of the longest multi-issue epics of the Silver Age with The Eternity Saga in Strange Tales 130-146, mapping the Marvel cosmos for years to come.

The CGC Comics Registry Doctor Strange Silver Age set type collects the adventures of the Master of Mystic Arts across multiple titles from this era, and the top-ranked registered set from Rosland is teeming with the highest-grade examples. Stop by the set gallery for a look at them all!

Best in Age – Bronze

Zordar - Incredible Hulk 102-474

After the cancellation of his initial debut, readers kept up with the Green Goliath in the pages of Tales to Astonish, but after hanging out with Giant-Man and Sub-Mariner, the Incredible Hulk would jump into his own solo series once again, picking up where the anthology left off with issue #102.

Hulk’s time in the Bronze Age marks Bruce Banner’s transition to a misunderstood man on the run. Writers Roy Thomas, Archie Goodwin, and Len Wein punctuate his high-octane adventures with tragic love and brief stints of happiness, while Herb Trimpe and Sal Buscema light the path with their visual masterwork. And by introducing new faces along the way, the Hulk’s creative team painted on a canvas much larger than their immediate view: fellow outcasts Wolverine, She-Hulk, and Wendigo would expand the Marvel universe immeasurably.

Ranked in the top 10 in the Incredible Hulk #102-#474 set type, CGC Comics Registry member Zordar assembles this 100 percent complete run in gorgeous high grades. Step into the set gallery to see all these smashing covers!

Best in Age – Copper

Mys13131 – Alpha Flight (1983)

Canadian super-hero team Alpha Flight was only ever intended to flesh out Wolverine’s back story and survive a fight with the X-Men, but fans following their appearances in the pages of Uncanny X-Men demanded more. After some years of finessing from Marvel, creator John Byrne agreed to give them a shot in their own series, and Alpha Flight hit stands in the summer of 1983.

Alpha Flight offered a unique, creator-driven experience for readers that in many ways foreshadowed the rise of the independent era. With John Byrne leaving the title after his initial 28-issue run, a roster of rising stars and creative heavies were free to explore both traditional and unconventional writing themes, brought to the page by a newer style of hyper-detailed art, most notably by Marvel rookie Jim Lee.

The top-ranked Alpha Flight set on the CGC Comics Registry comes to us from member mys13131, who’s been assembling this classic, Copper Age title for over 15 years! Explore the set gallery where you’ll find a full straight of CGC-graded 9.8's!

Best in Age – Modern

Clever Name – G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (2023)

After surviving the proverbial minefield to development, G.I. Joe marched into homes across America as the first “action figure” during the middle of the Vietnam War, inspiring childhood memories over the near two decades that followed. A relaunch in 1982 scaled the “Real American Hero” down to a familiar 3.75”, and marketing was bolstered by a one-two punch campaign that included a cartoon series and an ongoing comic book.

The G.I. Joe comic would become the longest running title based on a children’s toy line thanks in large part to steward Larry Hama. Hama’s genius is the result of incorporating authenticity at every opportunity. From training regimes and military strategy to the psychological profiles and flaws of both male and female characters, Hama elevated G.I. Joe into one of the most complex and enduring universes in comics history.

G.I. Joe landed with publisher Image Comics in 2023, and CGC Comics Registry member CleverName has assembled this latest Larry Hama run with a focus on Signature Series and top of the pop grades. Stop by the set gallery for all the killer covers graded CGC 9.9!

Best Magazine

Autry-Man – American Splendor (1976)

During the 1970’s when the comic industry was dominated by the superhero genre, a slice-of-life autobiographical title wasn’t exactly on the mainstream radar, but when a file clerk from Cleveland began self-publishing exactly that, there was an audience waiting.

Though Harvey Pekar’s stories in American Splendor may have been mundane, the format was quite radical at the time. Independent cartoonists - particularly underground luminary Robert Crumb - rendered “the complex stuff” from ordinary life with distinct, refreshing style. After garnering a cult following, American Splendor would go on to attract broader critical praise recognizing its rich cultural value and laid the foundation for creators looking to explore outside of traditional comic formats.

Long time CGC Comics Registry member Autry-Man has the #1 ranked American Splendor set on the Registry, including the sole Signature Series copy of issue #1 graded CGC 9.6. Stop by the gallery to see all the high-grade books in this super cool underground set that’s anything but ordinary!

Best CGC x JSA

Markmel – CGC x JSA Collection

Spanning the comic genres from adventure to sci-fi, horror to classic superhero, CGC Comics Registry member Markmel has assembled these high grade CGC x JSA authenticated books in a cool Custom set that brings everything in this fun collection together in a single set.

Check out the classic realism in this awesome Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom sketch signed by artist Tony Kent, Ghost Rider moonlighting as a Ghostbuster in a role we absolutely love and didn’t know we needed, and this incredible red tone ronin concept Wolverine cover signed by artist Victor Garduno, authenticated by CGC x JSA, and graded CGC 9.9!

Best Custom

56echo – Jim Lee Covers Custom Set

One of the most influential comic artists of all time, Jim Lee’s contributions to the comic industry are boundless. His highly detailed style and sweeping layouts would visually redefine the X-Men and the DC Universe, and his collaborations with fellow artists and writers have produced some of the most enduring storylines of the modern era.

Lee’s own storied evolution from unknown rookie to superstar artist to company founder, publisher, and executive is the result of a constant desire for challenge and harnessing doubt to improve, and the growing body of his work continues to inspire hopefuls and industry heavyweights at every turn.

CGC Comics Registry member 56echo has assembled a mammoth Jim Lee Custom Set collecting over 800 of Lee’s covers spanning the entire length of his career. This collection has been tirelessly updated with new covers, rare variants, and Signature Series over many years on the CGC Comics Registry, and we’re proud that it has a home here with us. Drop into the gallery and check out all the gorgeous art and high grades in this super set!

Best International

Kir Kanos – Star Wars (1977) Canadian Editions

In 1975, the idea of a comic adaptation for a film that hadn’t been released seemed like a mug’s game. DC and Warren Publications refused to play, and the team at Marvel weren’t immediately keen until 1976 after Roy Thomas worked the levers to get a green light from Stan Lee. The Star Wars comic series hit stands on April 12, 1977, giving people everywhere a sneak preview of the epic space opera more than a month before it lit up the big screen.

It was a gamble that ended up paying off big for Marvel and for fans. Sales were strong enough to rescue Marvel during a rough financial patch, and fans got new stories to read after issue #6, keeping the hype up between films while crucially expanding the Star Wars universe with original material.

CGC Comics Registry member Kir Kanos has had an epic challenge in putting together this beautiful Star Wars (1977) Canadian Editions set. Smaller print runs make for scarcer quantities, and high grades can be very tough. Drop into the set gallery and check out the infamous issue #68 and the beautiful Tom Palmer cover of issue #81, both graded CGC 9.8.

Best Presented

Iconic1s – DC Bloodlines/Bloodbath (1993)

Following the enormous success of Crisis on Infinite Earths and The Death of Superman, crossover events became hotly anticipated traditions at DC, and in 1993 readers sank their teeth into Bloodlines, a crossover event that captured the darker themes of the ‘90’s.

Combining elements of horror and superhero action across 23 annuals and a two-part mini-series, Bloodlines follows the ensuing carnage after a race of alien parasites crashes onto earth and are met by a host of fresh superheroes called the New Bloods, who rise to defend after their metagenes are activated. This fun, bang-‘em-up story is gorily entertaining and sits among the modern classics in the DC line.

Longtime CGC Comics Registry member Iconic1s collects the Bloodlines event in beautiful high grades and shares it with style and flair on the Registry. Revisit all the covers of this cool crossover event in the gallery, and don’t miss all the details in the set description!

Best Signature Series

Kamboures – CGC Signature Series Custom Set

Assembling one of the largest Signature Series sketch collections has been the years-long work of CGC Comics Registry member Kamboures. Focusing primarily on the Incredible Hulk, this collection comprises over 280 entries signed and sketched by a roster of industry legends and modern masters alike.

Commissioning unique sketches from artists is one of the most rewarding aspects of collecting in the comic hobby, and they’re usually enjoyed primarily by their owners. We’re very fortunate that Kamboures shares this wonderful collection on the CGC Comics Registry where this impressive body of art is showcased for all to enjoy.

The Jade Giant is rendered by Stephen Platt, Rick Magyar, Michael Golden & Co, Al Milgrom, and so many others, while She-Hulk gets the star treatment from Joe Rubenstein, Bob Layton, and Tom Morgan, and these just a small sample. Take a look at the whole set gallery and enjoy all the original sketches in this killer Custom set.

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games, and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs, and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation, and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray, and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.

CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication, and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs, and stamps.