Lee Lai’s CANNON takes best book at the 2026 Doug Wright Awards
The Comic Beat | Mike Donachie | June 9, 2026
Cannon takes Best Book at the 2026 Doug Wright Awards
"There was another full house for the Doug Wright Awards, Canada’s version of the Eisners, as a crowd of pros and enthusiasts gathered Saturday to celebrate the best in the country’s comics.
Now in its 22nd year, and once again heavily featuring founders Brad Mackay and mononymous cartoonist Seth, it was a joyful occasion in the fancy surroundings of the Arts & Letters Club, in Toronto, as noted by awards presenter and graphic novelist Michael Deforge, who drew laughter with a story from his youth: he lasted two days in a dishwashing job in the same building before he was told not to come back.
Held the Saturday night of the annual Toronto Comic Arts Festival, the Doug Wright Awards are named after cartoonist Doug Wright (1917–1983) and retain strong links to his family. This year, the founders introduced a new award named after his widow, Phyllis Wright Thomas, who was a stalwart supporter of the event and passed away in 2023, and heard comments from the family at the event.
The Doug Wright Awards are deeply meaningful to fans and creators seeking greater recognition for Canadian storytelling in comics , and that was shown in the emotional comments of presenters, award-winners and first-time host, the Toronto artist and cartoonist Ho Che Anderson. All the winners heard enthusiastic support from the crowd, including Lee Lai, a popular choice for the Best Book award with Cannon.
The audience included legendary comics artist Ken Steacy, many other Canadian creators such as Michael Cho and Chester Brown, while award presenters included writer and artist Jay Odjick, who hosted last year, multiple Doug Wright Award winner Michael DeForge, producer, writer, and interviewer Mark Askwith, and last year’s Best Book winner, Maurice Vellekoop.
Doug Wright Award Winners
Best Book – Cannon, by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
Sponsored by the Beguiling
Lee Lai, who lives in Montreal, Quebec, bubbled with delight during an acceptance speech that drew cheers. The room loved the win, too, and many had picked up signed copies from her at the convention that day. In Cannon, the eponymous character is a cook who suddenly trashes her workplace, and it takes her friend Trish to help her make sense of what’s happening.
The same creator was shortlisted for the same award four years ago for Stone Fruit, another courageous graphic novel in Lai’s refreshing style. In accepting, she spoke about TCAF and how the event provided her with a chance to meet other creators and be inspired."
Now in its 22nd year, and once again heavily featuring founders Brad Mackay and mononymous cartoonist Seth, it was a joyful occasion in the fancy surroundings of the Arts & Letters Club, in Toronto, as noted by awards presenter and graphic novelist Michael Deforge, who drew laughter with a story from his youth: he lasted two days in a dishwashing job in the same building before he was told not to come back.
Held the Saturday night of the annual Toronto Comic Arts Festival, the Doug Wright Awards are named after cartoonist Doug Wright (1917–1983) and retain strong links to his family. This year, the founders introduced a new award named after his widow, Phyllis Wright Thomas, who was a stalwart supporter of the event and passed away in 2023, and heard comments from the family at the event.
The Doug Wright Awards are deeply meaningful to fans and creators seeking greater recognition for Canadian storytelling in comics , and that was shown in the emotional comments of presenters, award-winners and first-time host, the Toronto artist and cartoonist Ho Che Anderson. All the winners heard enthusiastic support from the crowd, including Lee Lai, a popular choice for the Best Book award with Cannon.
The audience included legendary comics artist Ken Steacy, many other Canadian creators such as Michael Cho and Chester Brown, while award presenters included writer and artist Jay Odjick, who hosted last year, multiple Doug Wright Award winner Michael DeForge, producer, writer, and interviewer Mark Askwith, and last year’s Best Book winner, Maurice Vellekoop.
Doug Wright Award Winners
Best Book – Cannon, by Lee Lai (Drawn & Quarterly)
Sponsored by the Beguiling
Lee Lai, who lives in Montreal, Quebec, bubbled with delight during an acceptance speech that drew cheers. The room loved the win, too, and many had picked up signed copies from her at the convention that day. In Cannon, the eponymous character is a cook who suddenly trashes her workplace, and it takes her friend Trish to help her make sense of what’s happening.
The same creator was shortlisted for the same award four years ago for Stone Fruit, another courageous graphic novel in Lai’s refreshing style. In accepting, she spoke about TCAF and how the event provided her with a chance to meet other creators and be inspired."