The Prix Saint-Michel () was a series of comic awards presented in the City of Brussels from 1971 to 2019 (with a gap from 1987 to 2001), specifically recognizing excellence in Franco-Belgian comics. The festival awarded several prizes, the most prestigious of which was the "Grand Prix Saint-Michel," honoring lifetime achievement. After its revival in 2002 under new management, the prize continued until 2019, recognizing both outstanding work and the broader cultural significance of Franco-Belgian comics.
History First phase (1971–1986) The Prix Saint-Michel was established in 1971 by (1928–2012), a Belgian comics critic and promoter who had been active in comics fandom since the mid-1960s. Sponsored by the City of Brussels, the Prix Saint-Michel was first presented at the Brussels Book Fair, with the inaugural Grand Prix Saint-Michel awarded to Edgar P. Jacobs. It was the first major distinction specifically devoted to Franco-Belgian comics.
During this first period, the prize quickly gained prestige within the Belgian bande dessinée community, honoring major creators such as Hergé, Morris, Jijé, Cosey, Didier Comès, and Bernard Hislaire, and encompassing multiple categories that celebrated both lifetime achievement and notable works from the year, including artistic style, writing, illustration, and efforts to promote comics as a cultural form.
The prize went dormant after 1986, a pause attributed to the growing prominence of newer, more publicized comics awards in France, Switzerland, and Québec, many of which benefited from greater media attention and public funding.
Second phase (2002–2019) In an attempt to restoring its historical prestige, the Prix Saint-Michel was revived in 2002 under the auspices of the Brussels-Capital Region Comics Festival, organized by the ASBL 9e Art - BD. The new organizers streamlined the number of categories to better highlight artistic merit and the year’s most notable works, while maintaining the Grand Prix Saint-Michel for an author’s entire career. Later laureates included Hermann, Grzegorz Rosiński, Gotlib, Jean Van Hamme, Philippe Geluck, Milo Manara, and Philippe Berthet.
Jury and organization Throughout its existence, the Prix Saint-Michel was adjudicated by a jury of professionals from across the comics industry, including publishers, artists, editors, and booksellers. The committee met several times each year to assess trends in the bande dessinée field and to select laureates. The award’s guiding goals were to honor the body of work of established creators and to encourage emerging talent within the Franco-Belgian comics tradition.
Categories and structure The structure and categories of the Prix Saint-Michel evolved significantly since the award’s creation. The prize’s history can be divided into two broad phases: the early period of the 1970s–1980s, marked by a large number of specialized distinctions, and the post-2002 revival, when the award was reorganized and standardized under the Brussels-Capital Region Comics Festival.
1970s–1980s During its first decade, the Prix Saint-Michel featured a wide range of categories recognizing both artistic and writing achievements across different genres. The 1971 edition, for example, included distinctions for Best Realistic Artwork, Best Comical Artwork, Best Science-Fiction Artwork, Best European Artist, Best Non-European Artist, Best Realistic Writing, Best Comical Writing, Best Science-Fiction Writing, and Promotion of Comics, in addition to the Grand Prix Saint-Michel for lifetime achievement and two “Future Prizes” for emerging artists (one realistic, one comical).
By the mid-1970s, the list of categories had become more focused. The 1977 edition awarded a Grand Prix Saint-Michel alongside prizes for Best Realistic Artwork, Best Comical Artwork, Best Foreign Artist, Best Realistic Writing, Best Comical Writing, and a Revelation prize for new talent.
In the 1980s, the awards appear to have been scaled back, whether due to limited records or reduced activity. By 1981, only a few categories were reported, including Grand Prix Saint-Michel, Best Comic, Best Foreign Artist, and Best Comical Artwork.
2002 revival–2019 After a long hiatus, the Prix Saint-Michel was revived in 2002 under the auspices of the Brussels-Capital Region Comics Festival. The structure was simplified to emphasize artistic excellence and major achievements. Core categories typically included the Grand Prix Saint-Michel for an author’s career, Best Comic (French-language), Best Comic (Dutch-language), Best Artwork, Best Story, a Press Prize, Future (for emerging talent), Youth, and Prestige awards [citation]. Occasional distinctions such as the Prix Saint-Michel Prestige and Grand Prix de l’Illustration were also presented in later years.
Awards First phase 1971 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Edgar Pierre JacobsActuaBD Best realistic artwork: Victor HubinonHubinon Best comical artwork: prize shared by Willy Vandersteen and Jean Roba Best science-fiction artwork: Eddy Paape Best European artist: Jean Giraud Best non-European artist: Al Capp Best realistic writing: Jean-Michel Charlier Best comical writing: Maurice Tillieux Best science-fiction writing: Greg Comics promotion: CSP Imagine (organizers of the Lucca Comics & Games festival) Future prize: realistic: Juan Manuel Cicuéndez Future prize: comical: DanyDany
1972 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: MorrisActua BD: toute l'information sur la bande dessinée Best graphical research: Les Conquérants du Mexique by Jean TortonJean Torton Best realistic artwork: William Vance Best comical artwork: André Franquin Best science-fiction artwork: Edgar P. Jacobs Best European artist: Sydney Jordan Best non-European artist: Richard Corben Best realistic writing: Greg Best comical writing: Raoul Cauvin Best science-fiction writing: Greg Comics promotion: Vasco Granja (for promoting comics in Portugal)
1973 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: HergéHergé Best comical artwork: BerckBerck Best research and documentation: Jacques Devos Best realistic artwork: Comanche by Hermann, Le LombardHermann Best comical artwork: Sammy by Berck, Dupuis Best science-fiction artwork: Les Petits hommes by Pierre Seron, Dupuis Best European artist: Bonvi (Franco Bonvicini), for Sturmtruppen Best non-European artist: Jim Steranko Best realistic writing: François Craenhals, for Chevalier Ardent, Casterman Best comical writing: Peyo and Yvan Delporte, for The Smurfs Best science-fiction writing: Vicq, for Sophie, Dupuis Comics promotion: Claude Moliterni, for his work with the French Society of Bandes Dessinées Special mention (humour): Louis Salvérius (posthumous) Special mention (science-fiction): Philippe Druillet for Lone Sloane
1974 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Jacques LaudyLaudy Best comic: Yoko Tsuno: La Forge de Vulcain by Roger Leloup, DupuisLeloup Best comic (joint winner): Buddy Longway: Chinook by Derib, Le Lombard Best realistic artwork: Corentin: Le royaume des eaux noirs by Paul Cuvelier Best realistic story: Hugo Pratt Best satiric story: Le sergeant Laterreur by Gérald Frydman Best satiric artwork: Rififi by MouminouxMouminoux Best comical artwork: Le sergeant Laterreur by Touis Best comical story: Nero: Het lachvirus by Marc Sleen, Standaard UitgeverijMarc Sleen Research: Rock Dreams by Guy Peellaert Best foreign artist: La vie au grand air by Jean-Marc Reiser Special prize: Roland Topor, for his collaboration to the movie La Planète Sauvage
1975 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Jijé Best comical artwork: Sammy: Les gorilles font les fous by Berck (artist) and Raoul Cauvin (author), Dupuis Best realistic artwork: Claude Auclair Best fantasy artwork: SiriusSirius Best foreign artist: F'Murr Best comical story: Raoul Cauvin Best realistic story: Claude Auclair Best fantasy story: Sirius Revelation: René Follet CABD Prize: Jacques Stocquart
1976 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Moebius Best epic artwork: Chevalier ardent: La dame des sables by François Craenhals, Casterman Best fantasy artwork: Wladimir by Monique and Carlos Roque, Dupuis Roque Best foreign artist: Alex Barbier Best realistic story: Claude Auclair Best animated movie: Tarzoon by Boris Szulzinger Revelation (joint winners): René Deynis and CoseyCosey
1977 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Jacques Tardi Best realistic artwork: Claude Auclair Best comical artwork: Marc Wasterlain Best foreign artist: Bonvi and Michel Blanc-Dumont Best realistic writing: Hugo Pratt Best comical writing: Raoul Cauvin Revelation: Serge Ernst
1978 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Yvan Delporte Best story: Histoire sans héros by Jean Van Hamme, Le LombardVan Hamme Best comical story: Christian Godard Future: Frédéric JanninJannin Prix: Le goulag part 1 by Dimitri, Le Square
1979 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: CoseyCosey Best realistic artwork: Thorgal: L'île des mers gelées by Rosiński, Le Lombard Rosinski Best comical story: Bidouille et Violette by Bernard Hislaire, DupuisHislaire Best comical story (joint winner): Docteur Poche: L'île des hommes-papillons by Marc Wasterlain, DupuisWasterlain
1980 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Didier ComèsComès Best story: Jean Van Hamme Van Hamme Prix: Jeremiah by Hermann, Le Lombard Best comical artist: André GeertsGeertsCBBD Geerts
1981 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Pastiches by Roger BrunelBrunel Best comic: Le Bal du Rat mort FR by Jean-François Charles and Jan BucquoyCharles Best foreign artist: Joost Swarte Best comical artwork: Robin Dubois: Dites-le avec des gags! by Turk, Le Lombard
1982 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Franz Drappier Prix: Jean-Claude Servais Best comic: Bob Fish by Yves Chaland
1983 Best comic (joint winners): La Belette by Didier Comès, CastermanComès Thorgal: Au-delà des ombres by Rosiński (artist) and Jean Van Hamme (author), Le LombardRosinski archived link Best comical artist: Serge Ernst
1984 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Jeannette Pointu: Le dragon vert by Marc Wasterlain, Dupuis
1986 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Sambre by Yslaire, Glénat
Second phase 2002 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Hermann Official site 2002 Best author (French language): Jacamon Best author (Dutch language): Luc Cromheecke Best artwork: Jean-François Charles Best story: Richelle Press prize: Miralles by Jean Dufaux Iris award: Le marquis D'Anaon: L'île de Brac by M. Bonhomme and Fabien Vehlmann, Dargaud
2003 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Jacques Martin Official site 2003 Best author (French language): Juanjo Guarnido Best author (Dutch language): Jan Bosschaert Best artwork: Jean-Mouis Mourier Best story: André-Paul Duchâteau Press prize: Yves Swolfs Future: Le voyageur by Etienne Jung Youth (French language): Jojo by André Geerts Youth (Dutch language): Roboboy by Luc Cromheecke
2004 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Grzegorz Rosiński Official site 2004 Best comic (French language): Ou le regard ne porte pas by Olivier Pont and George Abolin Best comic (Dutch language): De bewaker van de lans (part 3) by Ersel and Ferry Best artwork: Muchacho by Emmanuel Lepage Best story: Du plomb dans la tête by Matz Best international series: Donjon by Sfar and Trondheim Nominated series: Betelgeuse by Léo, Capricorne by Andreas, Le Choucas, Les Coulisses du pouvoir, Le Cri du peuple, Djinn, Fog, Jerôme K. Jerome Bloche by Dodier and Makyo, Ludo, Les Olives Noires, Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi, Sambre by Yslaire, Tramp, Le Tueur, and Bouncer by François Boucq and Alejandro Jodorowsky. Press prize: Peyo l'enchanteur by Hugues Dayez Future: Dido: Le trophée d'effroi by Fahar Youth: L'élève Ducobu: Miss 10 sur 10 by and Zidrou Public: Armelle et l'oiseau by Antoine Dode Illustration: Martine by Marcel Marlier, Casterman
2005 Grand Prix Saint-Michel: Jean Graton Official site 2005 Prestige: Albert Uderzo