Vicky Yang

Vicky Yang is an illustrator and comic book artist making waves in the independent comics world. Currently pursuing a BA Dual Degree at Brown University (Psychology) and RISD (Illustration), Yang represents a new generation of comic creators blending academic rigor with artistic innovation. Their self-published graphic novel Unmoored captured the attention of the indie comics community, earning the Promising New Talent award at the 2025 Ignatz Awards during Small Press Expo.

The Ignatz Awards, named for the brick-throwing mouse from George Herriman’s Krazy Kat, celebrate outstanding achievements in independent comics. Yang’s win in the Promising New Talent category highlights the growing recognition of self-published work in the comics world. According to coverage in Publishers Weekly, the 2025 Ignatz Awards showcased “self-publishers rise up” as the dominant theme, with Yang’s Unmoored standing among notable entries.

Beyond Unmoored, Yang has created additional work including Sweet Tooth, available through Radiator Comics, a distributor and community platform for independent comics. Their artistic influences include the music of NEW ORDER and the films of Satoshi Kon, suggesting a sensibility drawn to introspection and emotional complexity.

As a dual degree student balancing psychology studies at Brown with illustration at RISD, Yang brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to their comics work. Their journey through the academic and artistic worlds reflects the evolving landscape of contemporary comics, where creator education and independent publishing increasingly intersect.

Yang’s work appears at a moment when small press comics are gaining unprecedented recognition. The Ignatz Awards have long championed emerging talent, and Yang’s win signals their arrival as a creator to watch in the independent comics scene.

Perfect for fans of autobiographical comics, literary graphic novels, and the tradition of emotionally resonant independent work emerging from the small press scene.