Octavia Butler adaptation Parable of the Talents by writer Damian Duffy, artist John Jennings, and layout artist David Brame (Abrams ComicArts) has been named Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel winner at the 57th NAACP Image Awards. The third recipient of a graphic novel category introduced in 2024.
On social media, the duo acknowledged their win:
Artist John Jennings said:
“Humbled by this news. Congratulations to all the nominees and thanks to the judges for this incredible honor! I’m speechless”
While writer Damian Duffy enthusiastically stated:
“Just me and John Jennings and David Brame and Kung-Fu Kenny winning #naacpimageawards no big deal”
Parable of the Talents came out on top against middle grade titles Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel, by Calista Brill, Nilah Magruder, and Elis P. (Penguin Young Readers) and One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel, by Rita William-Garcia & Sharee Miller (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books); graphic biography Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls, by Rob Edwards, Darrell May, Sean Damien Hill, Alex Paterson, Mauro Salgado and Blond (Stranger Comics); and mature revenge book They Choose Violence, by Sheldon Allen, Mauricio Campetella and Daniele Caramanico (AWA Studios).
Collaborators of over 20 years, Parable of the Talents is Duffy and Jennings’ third foray at adapting the literary work of award-winning Afrofuturist author Octavia E. Butler into comics form, starting with 2017’s New York Times hardcover graphic book bestseller Kindred. Butler’s original novel Parable of the Talents was first published in 1998, as the final instalment in her Earthseed duology, which began with 1993’s Parable of the Sower. Duffy and Jennings’ released their own adaptation of Parable of the Sower in 2020.
Graphic novels were among the handful of winners disclosed on Monday night in a virtual pre-show ahead of the main NAACP Image Awards ceremony set to take place this coming Saturday (February 28). With a total of 90 categories to cover, the event has three virtual pre-shows taking place from February 23 to 25 on YouTube to make time. The first virtual pre-show on Monday covered thirteen categories, including literary, short-form documentary, and digital content creators.
NAACP Image Awards virtual pre-show co-host Khleo Thomas said:
“Graphic novels have transformed how culture meets the page, blending art and storytelling in bold, unforgettable ways.”
Widely acclaimed, Duffy and Jennings’ Parable of the Talents: A Graphic Novel Adaptation had also won a 2025 Hugo Award. Responding to the Hugo win, artist and academic John Jennings had said:
“I’ve been a fan of science fiction as long as I can remember. My mom got me hooked on speculative fiction at a young age and I’ve never looked back…Octavia Butler shifted the paradigm for me.”
He added:
“It’s an honor that I am incredibly moved by and I hope that we truly have added to her legacy. Feeling very grateful.”
Another familiar winner of the night was Nnedi Okorafor received her first ever NAACP Image Award in the Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction category for meta science fiction novel Death of the Author (William Morrow). A multi-award winner in the realm of science fiction and fantasy literature, it is the first time she has been recognised by the NAACP Image Awards (and the second if we include 2008 nomination for The Shadow Speaker, in the Youth/Teen literary category).
The NAACP Image Awards are cultural awards celebrating Black excellence in the arts, media, and culture. It is one of three sets of awards bestowed by the historic non-profit civil rights and advocacy organisation – whose full title is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The other awards include the Theatre Awards for achievements on the stage, and the Spingarn Medal for achievements in academia and the professions.
Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel
- WINNER: Parable of the Talents A Graphic Novel Adaptation, based on the novel by Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy & John Jennings, layouts by David Brame (Abrams ComicArts)
- Creaky Acres: A Graphic Novel, by writer Calista Brill, illustrated by Nilah Magruder, colours by Elis P. (Penguin Young Readers)
- Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls, written by Rob Edwards, layouts by Darrell May, interior art by Sean Damien Hill & Alex Paterson, colors by Mauro Salgado & Blond, cover by Nikolas Draper-Ivey (Stranger Comics)
- One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel – based on the 2010 novel by Rita William-Garcia, illustrated by Sharee Miller (HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books)
- They Choose Violence, written by Sheldon Allen, illustrated by Mauricio Campetella, colors by Daniele Caramanico (AWA Studios)
