The Inkwell Award, sometimes shortened to the Inkwells, is an award given for inking in American comic books.[[1] Inkwell Awards Homepage]
History
In January 2008,
Bob Almond proposed establishing an award to recognize
comic book .
Founding members included artists Tim Townsend, Jim Tournas, Bill Nichols, and writer Daniel Best, with support from artist
Adam Hughes and
DC Comics editor Mike Marts.
The Hall of Fame Award was named in honor of Joe Sinnott.[
]
In memory of artist Dave Simons, the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship was established, offering a $1,000 annual award to a Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art student.
Wizard Entertainment sponsored the first live Inkwell Awards presentation at The New England Comic Con in October 2010. In 2011, Heroes Convention became the host for the annual live presentation ceremony. The Inkwell Awards moved to the Great Philadelphia Comic Con in Oaks, Pennsylvania, in 2019.
Live awards presentations were suspended from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[ First Comics News: 2020 Inkwell Awards Voting Results][ News Archives - Inkwell Awards] In 2024, the Hershey Comic Con was announced as the new venue for live awards presentations.[ Hershey Comic Con to host Inkwell Awards in 2024]
Contributors
The Inkwell Awards are funded via donations. In 2010, a book produced by Jimmy Tournas at the Boston Comic Con raised funds for the awards.
Artist Dan Panosian designed the Inkwell Awards logo. Randy Green designed the Inkwell spokesperson costume.
Award winners
MVP Award
The Call of Duty Award
Favorite Finisher / Embellisher
Most-Prolific Inker
Favorite Inker
Favorite ink artists over the pencil work of another artist from award year cover-dated, interior, American comic book material.
Most-Adaptable Inker
Ink artist "showing ink style versatility" in award year interior, cover-dated, American comic book material.
Props Award
Ink artists "deserving of more attention" for their work from award year interior cover-dated American comic book material.
The "SPAMI" Award (Small Press and Mainstream-Independent)
Favorite Small Press And Mainstream-Independent award year interior, cover-dated, American comic book ink work over another pencil artist (non-Marvel or DC work).
The All-in-One Award
Artists known for inking their own pencil work in award year interior, cover-dated, American comic book material.
Special Recognition Award
The Special Recognition Award (SRA) a.k.a. the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA) in honor of the Inkwells supporter "who passed after a decade-long battle with cancer".
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2015 Bernie Wrightson
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2016 Vince Colletta
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2017 Al Milgrom and Violet Barclay.
The award for Violet Barclay was accepted posthumously by Allen Bellman.
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2018 Russ Heath
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2019 Jack Davis and Marie Severin
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2020 Allen Bellman, Sal Buscema, and Norman Lee
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2021 Wendy Pini, Alfredo Alcala, and Frank Frazetta
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2022 George Pérez, Gene Day, John Severin, and Dave Stevens
[ "First Comics News - 2022 Inkwell Awards Lifetime Achievement Winners"]
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2023 Danny Bulanadi, Reed Crandall, and Dave Simons
[ "Major Spoilers - Frazetta and Shores announced as Inkwell Awards’ 2023 Lifetime Achievement][ "Pop Culture Podium - Frazetta & Shores Win Inkwell Lifetime Achievement Award"][ "First Comics News - Inkwell Awards’ 2023 Lifetime Achievement Winners Announced"]
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2024 John Totleben, George Klein, and Graham Ingels
[ First Comics News - Inkwell Awards Lifetime Achievement Winners Announced][ Inkwell Awards Lifetime Achievement Winners 2024]
The Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award
A hall of fame designation for an inking career in American comic books (lifetime achievement, 25 years minimum; two winners chosen annually).
Above and Beyond Award
In celebration of the 10th anniversary in 2018, Bob Almond created this award for organization members or non-members who have made "special efforts".
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2018: Hailey Skaza-Gagne
[ Hailey Skaza-Gagne] for her fundraising and event contributions; Robert Haines, for his 10 years on the Inkwell Nomination Committee; Mark Sinnott for his work as Senior Inkwell Contributor for a decade and for his work in fundraising for the Inkwells.
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2019: Michael Hoskin, the second member to annually serve on the Inkwell Awards nomination committee; Shelton Drum, organizer/promoter of Heroes Con, the show to host the Inkwell Awards ceremonies from 2011 to 2018.
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2020: none
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2021: Bob Bretall and Johnny B. Gerardy
for ten years of Nomination Committee service.
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2022: Michele Witchipoo
for ten years of Nomination Committee service.
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2023: Rik Offenberger and Tony Parker for ten years of Nomination Committee service; Keith Williams for involvement in the Joe Sinnott Inking and Tribute Challenges.
[ First Comics News - INKBLOTS: Inkwell Awards celebrates four ABOVE & BEYOND community volunteers][ Bob's Blog: Inkwell Awards celebrates four ABOVE & BEYOND community volunteers]
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2024: Edward Harris, Jim Johnson, Michael Hoskin, and Mike Pascale.
Ambassadors
The position of ambassador recognizes creators for their support for the Inkwell Awards. Unless noted otherwise, all ambassadors continue to hold this position.
Special Ambassadors
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Joe Sinnott, 2012 until his death in June 2020 (artist)
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Mike McKone, July 2010 (artist)
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J. David Spurlock, March 2011 (publisher, editor, author, artist, and advocate)
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Clifford Meth, August 2014 (writer and advocate)
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Aldrin "Buzz" Aw, January 2018 (artist)
[ Inkwell Awards Celebrates Milestone 10th Season]
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Rags Morales, September 2018 (artist)
[ First Comics News - Inkwell Awards Adds New Special Ambassadors][ Inkwell Awards Launches 11th Season with New Special Ambassadors Rags Morales, Dan Parsons]
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Dan Parsons, September 2018 (artist)
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Mark Sinnott and Joe Prado, January 2021
[ First Comic News - Inkwell Awards Adds New Special Ambassadors][ Ambassadors - Inkwell Awards Official Site]
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Dan DiDio, August 2022 (writer, editor, and publisher)
[ First Comics News - Inkwell Awards Adds Dan DiDio as Special Ambassador][ Inkwell Awards Adds Dan DiDio As Special Ambassador][ Comicbook.com - DC Comics Dan DiDio Named Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador][ Comics for Sinners - Dan DiDio Added As Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador][ Comic Crusaders - Dan DiDio Added as Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador][
]
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Erudit - Former DC Editor Dan DiDio Named Special Inkwell Awards Ambassador
Ambassadors
These supporting artists who help advocate for inkers are called ambassadors.[ Inkwell Award Ambassadors]
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Adam Hughes, February 2008 (artist)
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Mike Marts, February 2008 – August 2018 (editor), inactive
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Sal Velluto, July 2010 (artist)
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Mark Brooks, June 2010 (artist)
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Trevor Von Eeden, July 2010 (artist)
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Cully Hamner, June 2011 (artist)
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Joe Kubert, September 2011 until his death in August 2012 (artist, author, editor, and legend)
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Eric Basaldua, September 2011 (artist)
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Phil Jimenez, September 2011 (artist)
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Jim Shooter, January 2012 (writer and editor)
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Brian Pulido, October 2012 (artist, writer, editor, and publisher)
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Jim Starlin, August 2014 (artist and writer)
[ First Comics News Press Release - Starlin, Meth, and Martin as Inkwell Awards Ambassadors]
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Laura Martin, August 2014 (colorist)
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Rich Buckler, 2015 until his death in May 2017
[ (artist)]
Guests of honor and keynote speakers
At many of the live ceremonies, notable comic book creators were invited as guests of honor and keynote speakers.
External links