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Tillie Walden

ティリー・ウォルデン

Tillie Walden

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1996-01-01
Nationality
American
Languages
English
Residence History
New Jersey (grew up) → Austin, Texas (grew up) → Vermont (resident)

Career

Occupations
Cartoonist, Author, Professor
Active Years
2014-2025
Influenced By
Yoshihiro Togashi, Osamu Tezuka, Rumiko Takahashi, Studio Ghibli, Alison Bechdel, Craig Thompson, David Small
Nominations
2017 'On a Sunbeam' - Eisner Award nomination for Best Digital Comic, 2016 'I Love This Part' - Eisner Award nomination for Best Single Issue/One-Shot

Education

Center for Cartoon Studies
Country: United States
Produced 'Spinning' while a student (served as thesis/work during studies)

Awards

Eisner Award
2018
Work: Spinning
Category: Best Reality-Based Work
Organization: Eisner Awards
Result: Winner
Eisner Award
2020
Work: Are You Listening?
Category: Best Graphic Album—New
Organization: Eisner Awards
Result: Winner
Ignatz Award
2016
Work: The End of Summer
Category: Outstanding Artist
Organization: Small Press Expo (Ignatz Awards)
Result: Winner
Ignatz Award
2016
Work: I Love This Part
Category: Promising New Talent
Organization: Small Press Expo (Ignatz Awards)
Result: Winner
Broken Frontier Award
2016
Work: A City Inside
Category: Best One-Shot
Organization: Broken Frontier
Result: Winner
Los Angeles Times Book Prize
2018
Work: On a Sunbeam
Organization: Los Angeles Times
Result: Winner
Cartoonist Laureate of Vermont
2023
Category: 州任命
Organization: State of Vermont
Result: Appointed (2023–2026)

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The End of Summer

2015 Graphic novel / Fantasy

A fantastical story told from the perspective of Lars, a frail boy living in a palace with a giant cat named Nemo; explores loneliness and coming-of-age themes.

Coming-of-ageLonelinessImagination

I Love This Part

2015 Graphic novel / Romance

A tender story about two teenage girls falling in love; focuses on youth, self-discovery, and the anxieties of first love.

LGBTQFirst loveAdolescence

A City Inside

2016 Graphic novel / One-shot

A collection of one-shot stories building a distinct visual and narrative world through illustrations and vignettes.

FantasyIntrospection

Spinning

2017 Graphic novel / Memoir

A memoir about Walden's years as a competitive figure skater; explores growth, identity, and family relationships.

Self-expressionSportFamily

On a Sunbeam

2018 Science fiction / Romance (from webcomic)

Set in space around a crew responsible for restoring old structures; follows Mia as she integrates into the team and recalls past school-time romance with Grace.

LoveMemory and timeFound family
Adaptations
  • [Graphic novel adaptation] On a Sunbeam (graphic novel) (2018)

Are You Listening?

2020 Graphic novel / Poetic prose

A collection of experimental, introspective short comics notable for the interplay of voice and image.

IntrospectionMemoryIdentity

Alone in Space: A Collection

2021 Collection / Anthology

A collection compiling previously published works, unpublished comics, sketches and magazine pieces.

RetrospectionVaried forms

My Parents Won't Stop Talking!

2022 Children's / Graphic novel

A warm, comedic children's graphic novel about parents and family dynamics (co-created).

FamilyEveryday life

Clementine: Book One

2022 YA / Graphic novel

The first volume of a YA graphic novel trilogy focusing on Clementine from The Walking Dead (Walden as writer/artist for the Skybound Comet imprint).

SurvivalGrowth

Junior High

2023 Children's / Graphic novel (illustrator)

A graphic novel by Tegan and Sara illustrated by Walden, depicting emotions and experiences of junior high.

AdolescenceFriendship

Crush

2024 Children's / Graphic novel (illustrator)

A follow-up by Tegan and Sara with illustrations by Walden.

RomanceSelf-discovery

Clementine: Book Two

2023 YA / Graphic novel

Second volume of the Clementine trilogy continuing Walden's work on the series.

LossRebirth

Clementine: Book Three

2025 YA / Graphic novel

The trilogy's finale, expected to bring an emotional conclusion and character growth (published 2025).

ClosureGrowth

Bibliography

  • The End of Summer (2015)
  • I Love This Part (2015)
  • A City Inside (2016)
  • Spinning (2017)
  • On a Sunbeam (2018)
  • Mini Meditations on Creativity (2018)
  • Are You Listening? (2020)
  • Alone in Space (2021)
  • My Parents Won't Stop Talking! (2022)
  • Clementine: Book One (2022)
  • Junior High (2023, illustrator)
  • Clementine: Book Two (2023)
  • Crush (2024, illustrator)
  • Clementine: Book Three (2025)

Adaptations

  • On a Sunbeam: webcomic adapted into a graphic novel

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Delicate, expressive linework and soft color palettesMemoir-like, poetic narrationVisual-emotional layering
Recurring Motifs
Identity and self-discoveryLGBTQ relationships and acceptanceMemory and recollectionSkating / ice motifsSpace and travel

Legacy

With early major awards and a distinctive style, Walden is highly regarded in contemporary comics—especially in LGBTQ graphic novels. She also contributes as an educator and influences emerging creators.

Museums

  • Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History (residency site) Middlebury, Vermont (location)

Archives

  • Henry Sheldon Museum archives (used materials related to Sylvia Drake and Charity Bryant)

In Popular Culture

  • Google Doodle illustration for International Women's Day 2018 ('Minutes')

Quotes

  • "My dad has been the behind-the-scenes guy for my entire comics career. I realized that when I start looking, he’s been everywhere."
    Source: Interview (The Comics Journal, etc.) (2017)

Trivia

  • Named after her paternal grandmother, an artist.
  • Former competitive figure skater — experience inspired 'Spinning'.
  • Named Vermont's cartoonist laureate in 2023, the youngest person to hold the title.
  • Has two cats named Stanley and Tatiana.
  • Gave birth to first child, son Walter, on October 4, 2023 (same day 'Clementine: Book Two' was released).