Excelsior Award Red 2025


2025 Shortlist

The books on the Excelsior Award Red shortlst have been designated as suitable for children aged 14+ (or Key Stage 4 in schools)

Click on the book's title for extra information


In a gleaming new world of prosperity, Captain America is no more. But Steve Rogers still exists, floating through an America where freedom is an illusion, the Avengers are strangers and his friends are long dead. But is the Dream itself dead? And how do you assemble Avengers in a world that doesn't want them? With the clock ticking down to New Year's Day, Steve must build an army to save America! Will his surviving friends sign up, or will he have to lead the ragtag group called the Defenders?

Details

Writers: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Daniel Acuna

Published by Marvel Comics

ISBN-13: 978-1302921484

After developing an unlikely friendship with the grouchy old woman who lives in his neighborhood, Hiroto suddenly finds himself inheriting not just her house but some rather difficult emotions as well. His 18-year-old cousin, Natsumi, moves in with him, but as a struggling art student, she has her own troubles to deal with and may just put Hiroto’s easy-going lifestyle to the test.

Details

Writer: Keigo Shinzo

Artists: Keigo Shinzo

Published by Viz Media

ISBN-13: 978-1974746910

Superman has returned to Metropolis, and his greatest enemy, Lex Luthor, is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman Family has never been brighter!

As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp? What secret project has Lex given to Superman?!

Details

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Jamal Campbell

Published by DC Comics

ISBN-13: 978-1779523235

Alice finally got her wish. Wonderland is her new home, but the mad residents of a moonstruck world have turned against her. As Alice’s sister Edith and her childhood friend Earl fight for a way to bring her back, Alice has to contend with whether or not her torment is due to her father, herself, or maybe a curious combination of both. Alice has been crowned the new Queen of Hearts, but the position seems to come with more obligation than power. Though all of Wonderland's citizens profess to love her, Alice is beginning to wonder if she needs more than friends. Perhaps she needs a family.

Details

Writer: Dan Panosian

Artist: Giorgio Spalletta

Published by Boom! Studios

ISBN-13: 978-1608862146


Nightcrawler becomes wall-crawler as Kurt Wagner reinvents himself as the Uncanny Spider-Man! Bamf! Thwip! Escaping the turmoil of FALL OF X in a flash of smoke and brimstone, it's time for Nightcrawler to come out web-swinging as the swashbuckling, devil-may-care hero he was always destined to be! A potential new lover... battling some of the most iconic members of Spidey's rogues gallery... hanging out with other web-slingers... and saving civilians, mutant and human alike - Kurt is having the time of his life! But it's not all fun and games. Nightcrawler can't ignore the mutant plight forever. And throughout it all, he must confront a long-simmering mystery surrounding his mother, Mystique!

Details

Writer: Simon Spurrier

Artist: Lee Garbett

Published by Marvel Comics

ISBN-13: 978-1302952266

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