Inkwell Awards
Trophy given in the field of inking in American comic books
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Inkwell Award, sometimes shortened to the Inkwells, is an award given for inking in American comic books.[1]
| Inkwell Award | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded for | Excellence in comic book inking |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | The Inkwell Awards Committee |
| First award | July 2008 |
| Website | http://www.inkwellawards.com/ |
History
In January 2008, Bob Almond proposed establishing an award to recognize comic book inkers.[2] 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.[3]
The Hall of Fame Award was named in honor of Joe Sinnott.[2]
In memory of artist Dave Simons,[4] 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.[5]
Wizard Entertainment sponsored the first live Inkwell Awards presentation at The New England Comic Con in October 2010.[6] 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.[7]
Live awards presentations were suspended from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9] In 2024, the Hershey Comic Con was announced as the new venue for live awards presentations.[10]
Contributors
The Inkwell Awards are funded via donations.[11] In 2010, a book produced by Jimmy Tournas at the Boston Comic Con raised funds for the awards.[12]
Artist Dan Panosian designed the Inkwell Awards logo. Randy Green designed the Inkwell spokesperson costume.[13]
Award winners
MVP Award
The Call of Duty Award
Favorite Finisher / Embellisher
Most-Prolific Inker
Favorite InkerFavorite ink artists over the pencil work of another artist from award year cover-dated, interior, American comic book material.
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Most-Adaptable Inker
Props AwardInk artists "deserving of more attention" for their work from award year interior cover-dated American comic book material.
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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 AwardArtists known for inking their own pencil work in award year interior, cover-dated, American comic book material.
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Special Recognition AwardThe 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".[23]
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The Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame AwardA hall of fame designation for an inking career in American comic books (lifetime achievement, 25 years minimum; two winners chosen annually).
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Above and Beyond AwardIn celebration of the 10th anniversary in 2018, Almond created this award for organization members or non-members who have made "special efforts".
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In 2025, a special award was awarded to Larry Lieber, who was given the honorary Keeper of the Flame Award for his seven decades of career achievement in the comic book industry as a writer, editor, and artist which includes inking.[48]
Ambassadors
The position of ambassador recognizes creators for their support for the Inkwell Awards. Unless noted otherwise, all ambassadors continue to hold this position.[55]
Special Ambassadors
- Joe Sinnott, 2012 until his death in June 2020 (artist)
- Mike McKone, July 2010 (artist)
- J. David Spurlock, March 2011 (publisher, editor, author, artist, and advocate)
- Clifford Meth, August 2014 (writer and advocate)
- Aldrin "Buzz" Aw, January 2018 (artist) [56] until June 2025.
- Rags Morales, September 2018 (artist)[57][58]
- Dan Parsons, September 2018 (artist)[57][58]
- Mark Sinnott and Joe Prado, January 2021[59][55]
- Dan DiDio, August 2022 (writer, editor, and publisher)[60][61][62][63][64][65][66]
- Gail Simone, July 2025 (writer)[67]
- Dan Panosian, July 2025 (artist)[67]
- Bill Morrison, July 2025 (artist, writer, editor)[67]
Ambassadors
These supporting artists who help advocate for inkers are called ambassadors.[68]
- Adam Hughes, February 2008 (artist)
- Mike Marts, February 2008 – August 2018 (editor), inactive
- Sal Velluto, July 2010 (artist)
- Mark Brooks, June 2010 (artist)
- Trevor Von Eeden, July 2010 (artist)
- Cully Hamner, June 2011 (artist)
- Joe Kubert, September 2011 until his death in August 2012 (artist, author, editor, and legend)
- Eric Basaldua, September 2011 (artist)
- Phil Jimenez, September 2011 (artist)
- Jim Shooter, January 2012 until his death June 2025 (writer and editor)
- Brian Pulido, October 2012 (artist, writer, editor, and publisher)
- Jim Starlin, August 2014 (artist and writer)[69]
- Laura Martin, August 2014 (colorist)[69]
- Rich Buckler, 2015 until his death in May 2017[23] (artist)[70][68]
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.
- 2011: Dan Panosian, Keynote Speaker[71][72] and Tim Townsend, Presenter[73]
- 2012: Bob McLeod, Keynote Speaker[74][75][76] and Ethan Van Sciver, Presenter[77]
- 2013: Jimmy Palmiotti, Keynote Speaker;[78][79][80] Cully Hamner, Presenter;[81] J. David Spurlock, Presenter Hall of Fame[81]
- 2014: Bill Sienkiewicz, Guest of Honor;[82][83][84] Dexter Vines, Presenter;[85] Steve Saffel and Ron Garney, Presenters Hall of Fame[85]
- 2015: Klaus Janson, Guest of Honor;[86] Mike McKone & Mark McKenna, Presenters;[87] Orion Zangara & Craig Yoe, Presenters Hall of Fame;[87] Scott Hampton, Presenter Special Recognition Award[87]
- 2016: Jim Steranko, Special Appearance;[88][89][90] J. David Spurlock, Presenter Special Recognition Award;[91] Todd Dezago & Mike Grell, Presenters Hall of Fame[91]
- 2017: Joe Giella, Guest of Honor[24][92] and Allen Bellman, Guest Speaker[24][92] and Presenter SASRA;[93] Mike Pascale, Presenter[93]
- 2018: Mike Royer, Guest of Honor;[25] Dan Panosian, Presenter;[93] Pat Broderick, Presenter lifetime achievement[93]
- 2019: Mark McKenna, Guest of Honor;[94] Larry Hama & J. David Spurlock, Presenters Hall of Fame[26]
- 2024: Keith Williams, Presenter;[95] Geof Isherwood, Presenter SASRA;[96] Mark Sinnott, J. David Spurlock, & Bill Morrison, Presenters Hall of Fame[96]
- 2025: Scott Hanna, Presenter; Mark Sinnott, Presenter Hall of Fame[67]