Before the nominees were whittled down to five, the BCA committee would release a longlist of eligible books, comics, and people.

Committee members at various times included Lisa Wood, Maura McHugh, Jamillah Knowles, and Andy Oliver.

Judges at various times included Eddie Argos, Kate Beaton, Hunt Emerson, John Freeman, and Stephen L. Holland of the Nottingham-based comics retailer Page 45.

[12] There were some complaints after the first set of nominations were announced that the Awards seemed to favor alternative and independent titles rather than "mainstream" British comics like 2000 AD, The Beano, and The Dandy.

Their winning title was revealed at a special ceremony on 4 November in Leeds as part of the 10th anniversary of Thought Bubble; over 100 of the young judges were in attendance.