Trophy given in the field of inking in American comic books
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/
TheInkwell Award , sometimes shortened to theInkwells , is an award given for inking in American comic books.[ 1]
In January 2008,Bob Almond proposed establishing an award to recognizecomic book inkers .[ 2] Adam Hughes andDC Comics editor Mike Marts.[ 3]
The Hall of Fame Award was named in honor ofJoe Sinnott .[ 2]
In memory of artist Dave Simons,[ 4] 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] Heroes Convention became the host for the annual live presentation ceremony. The Inkwell Awards moved to the Great Philadelphia Comic Con inOaks, Pennsylvania , in 2019.[ 7]
Live awards presentations were suspended from 2020 due to theCOVID-19 pandemic .[ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
The Inkwell Awards are funded via donations.[ 11] Boston Comic Con raised funds for the awards.[ 12]
ArtistDan Panosian designed the Inkwell Awards logo. Randy Green designed the Inkwell spokesperson costume.[ 13]
The Call of Duty Award [ edit ] [ edit ] Most-Prolific Inker [ edit ] Favorite ink artists over the pencil work of another artist from award year cover-dated, interior, American comic book material.
Most-Adaptable Inker
Ink artists "deserving of more attention" for their work from award year interior cover-dated American comic book material.
[ edit ] 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 [ edit ] Artists known for inking their own pencil work in award year interior, cover-dated, American comic book material.
Special Recognition Award [ edit ] 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".[ 23]
2015Bernie Wrightson [ 21] 2016Vince Colletta [ 22] 2017Allen Milgrom andViolet Barclay .[ 23] [ 24] Allen Bellman .[ 23] [ 24] 2018Russ Heath [ 25] 2019Jack Davis andMarie Severin [ 26] [ 27] 2020Allen Bellman ,Sal Buscema , andNorman Lee [ 28] [ 8] [ 29] 2021Wendy Pini ,Alfredo Alcala , andFrank Frazetta [ 30] [ 31] 2022George Pérez ,Gene Day ,John Severin , andDave Stevens [ 42] 2023Danny Bulanadi ,Reed Crandall , andDave Simons [ 43] [ 44] [ 45] 2024John Totleben ,George Klein , andGraham Ingels [ 46] [ 47] 2025Mike DeCarlo ,Walter Simonson , andBob Smith [ 48] The Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award [ edit ] 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 [ edit ] In celebration of the 10th anniversary in 2018,Almond created this award for organization members or non-members who have made "special efforts".
2018: Hailey Skaza-Gagne[ 51] [ 25] 2019: Michael Hoskin, the second member to annually serve on the Inkwell Awards nomination committee; Shelton Drum, organizer/promoter ofHeroes Con , the show to host the Inkwell Awards ceremonies from 2011 to 2018. 2020: none[ 29] 2021: Bob Bretall and Johnny B. Gerardy[ 30] [ 31] 2022: Michele Witchipoo[ 32] [ 33] 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.[ 52] [ 53] 2024: Edward Harris, Jim Johnson, Michael Hoskin, and Mike Pascale.[ 37] [ 38] 2025: Richard Boom and First Comics News[ 54]
In 2025, a special award was awarded toLarry 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]
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 [ edit ] 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] 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] 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] [ 70] [ 68] Guests of honor and keynote speakers [ edit ] At many of the live ceremonies, notable comic book creators were invited as guests of honor and keynote speakers.
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Ohdannyboy.blogspot.com. Retrieved2009-08-20 . ^ "Inkwell Awards Forum - New 2010 Donation book to debut at Boston Comic Con" . Inkwellawards.proboards.com. Retrieved2010-04-03 .^ "Inkwell Awards debut Ms. Inkwell" . Inkwellawards.proboards.com. 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David Spurlock - Heroes Convention 2011 - Posthumous acceptance on behalf of Wally Wood ^ Hailey Skaza-Gagne ^ First Comics News - INKBLOTS: Inkwell Awards celebrates four ABOVE & BEYOND community volunteers ^ Bob's Blog: Inkwell Awards celebrates four ABOVE & BEYOND community volunteers ^ 2025 Inkwell Awards Ballot Winners & Internal Awards ^a b Ambassadors - Inkwell Awards Official Site ^ Inkwell Awards Celebrates Milestone 10th Season ^a b First Comics News - Inkwell Awards Adds New Special Ambassadors ^a b Inkwell Awards Launches 11th Season with New Special Ambassadors Rags Morales, Dan Parsons ^ First Comic News - Inkwell Awards Adds New Special Ambassadors ^ 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 ^ "JournaFeed - Former DC Publisher Dan DiDio Named Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador" . Archived fromthe original on 2022-08-31. Retrieved2022-08-31 .^ Comic Crusaders - Dan DiDio Added as Inkwell Awards Special Ambassador ^ Erudit - Former DC Editor Dan DiDio Named Special Inkwell Awards Ambassador ^a b c d Inkwell Awards Announce Three New Ambassadors ^a b Inkwell Award Ambassadors ^a b First Comics News Press Release - Starlin, Meth, and Martin as Inkwell Awards Ambassadors [permanent dead link ^ "First Comics News Press Release - Rich Buckler named Inkwell Awards Ambassador" . Archived fromthe original on 2016-03-19. Retrieved2016-07-15 .^ The Joe Shuster Awards: Congratulations to Francis Manapul and the other winners of the 2011 Inkwell Awards ^ Inkwell Awards at 2011 HeroesCon ^ Inkwell Awards History ^ "She Never Slept: The 2012 Inkwell Awards" . Archived fromthe original on 2016-09-13. 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