Voting for the 6th annual Inkwell Awards was conducted via online balloting for two weeks from May 15 through May 30, 2013. Subsequent ballots from the same IP address were omitted from the tallies. Thank you for the thousand votes you placed. The Inkwell Awards Committee would like to formally extend congratulations to all the winners and runners up.
FAVORITE INKER
Favorite ink artist over the pencil work of another artist from ’12 cover-dated interior American comic book material
WINNER: KLAUS JANSON (Captain America, Amazing Spider-Man)
I’m extremely happy to accept this award from an organization I value as much as I do Inkwell. It’s important that the art of inking receive its share of the spotlight and I’m pleased to be a part of that. I’m so grateful to Inkwell, it’s members and the fans for this honor and I hope I can continue to be worthy of this award. Thank you so very much!
Other Nominees:
• Scott Williams (Justice League) RUNNER UP
• Art Thibert (Savage Hawkman, Deathstroke)
• Brian Thies (Winter Soldier)
MOST-ADAPTABLE AWARD
Ink artist showing exceptional ink style versatility over other pencil artists in ’12 interior cover-dated American comic book material
WINNER: JONATHAN GLAPION (Batman, Aquaman, JLA)
I’d like to thank the Inkwell Awards for this honor of being recognized as the Most-Adaptable Inker of the Year. I feel so humbled by this award. I want to thank everyone who voted, it really means a lot to me. This award could not have been achieved without the inspiration I have received from my fellow colleagues, for whom I have deep respect, and from whom I have derived the strength to diversify myself and challenge myself to try new things creatively. I can only promise to strive to get better at my work so that you can hopefully see me here again in the future. Thank you!
Other Nominees:
• Scott Hanna (A vs. X, Avengers, Avengers Academy, Green Lantern Corp, Suicide Squad) RUNNER UP
• Wayne Faucher (Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E, Green Arrow, Mr. Terrific)
• Sal Buscema (G.I. Joe, Dungeons & Dragons, Forgotten Realms)
• Tom Palmer (Hitgirl, Daredevil)
• Jay Leisten (Avenging Spider-man, Captain America, Uncanny X-men,Captain America & Iron Man, X-factor)
• Scott Koblish (World’s Finest, OMAC, Deadpool)
PROPS AWARD
Ink artist deserving of more attention for their work over other pencilers from ’12 interior cover-dated American comic book material
WINNER: Eber Ferreira (Nightwing, Aquaman, Detective Comics, Superman, Stormwatch)
I’m so happy to be able to please the professionals and fans and being up to their expectations. I’m part of a fantastic art-team who trust me, and that’s all I need. My fuel is to have fun doing while I’m working. I thank God for all this, and for being able to do what I love.”
Other Nominees:
• Scott Hanna (A vs. X, Avengers) RUNNER UP
• Cory Hamscher (Avengers Academy, Supreme)
• Joe Rivera (Daredevil)
• Brian Thies (Winter Soldier)
• Gary Martin (New Crusaders, Megaman)
S.P.A.M.I
Favorite Small Press And Mainstream-Independent ’12 interior cover-dated American comic book ink work over another pencil artist (Non-Marvel or DC work)
WINNER: Sal Buscema (G.I. Joe, Dungeons & Dragons, Forgotten Realms)
“Please accept my heartfelt thanks for this wonderful award. It will be treasured the rest of my days! Again, Thanks and God bless.”
Other Nominees:
•Gary Erskine (GI Joe: A Real American Hero) RUNNER UP
•Stefano Gaudiano (X-O Manowar)
ALL-IN-ONE AWARD
Favorite artist known for inking his/ her own pencil work in ’12 interior cover-dated American comic book material
WINNER: Skottie Young (Road to Oz, Dorothy & The Wizard in Oz)
It’s surreal that I sit in a room and draw cartoons all day, everyday. But it’s even stranger when people give you awards for it. I mean, you’re giving an award to a person who wears pajamas to work. I’m so flattered and grateful to be recognized for my OZ work. Thanks for all supporting and showing love to our book!
Other Nominees:
•David Aja (Hawkeye) RUNNER UP
•Chris Samnee (Daredevil)
•Francis Manapul (Flash, 7 Warriors)
•Dave Sim (Glamourpuss)
•James Stokoe (Godzilla)
•Moritat AKA Justin Norman (All-Star Western)
THE JOE SINNOTT HALL OF FAME AWARD
A hall of fame designation for an inking career in American comic books of outstanding accomplishment (lifetime achievement, 25-years minimum- two winners chosen annually)
AWARD RECIPIENT: DICK AYERS
Dick Ayers is part of the “Greatest Generations” that defeated the Axis in World War II, and which helped build the comics industry. He entered the comics field in 1947 on Siegel and Shuster’s first post-Superman feature, Funnyman. He then worked primarily on westerns, including co-creating the original Ghost Rider from Magazine Enterprises, and served as Jack Kirby’s inker on the Skymasters strip. Joining Marvel (then Timely) in 1951 to ink the solo Human Torch, Dick became forever linked with iconic characters. He mastered the western and war genres with his pencilling and/or inking on the Rawhide Kid, Two-Gun Kid, a revised Ghost Rider and the iconic Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos with co-creator Kirby and later John Severin. Dick was Jack Kirby’s ink partner on everything from monster tales like Fin Fang Foom to most every superhero during the “Marvel Age of Comics” in the 1960s. His skills embellished the first Ant Man, early Hulk, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, and the Avengers, eventually pencilling or inking every one of Marvel’s major and many minor characters over multiple decades. Dick Ayers’ legendary status is as indelible as his distinctive ink line.
AWARD RECIPIENT: MURPHY ANDERSON
Murphy Anderson, a true Southern Gentleman, has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning from World War II to the 21st century. Murphy began drawing for pulp magazine Planet Stories and comic books at Fiction House in 1944. After a stint on the Buck Rogers comic strip in 1947, he re-entered the comic-book field, working for various publishers. But when he joined DC in 1950, Murphy imbedded himself in comics history–and millions of childhood memories. Working on Atomic Knights, Batman, Adam Strange, Hawkman, Green Lantern, Spectre, Superman and more—some versions of which became definitive—Murphy’s graceful, clean ink work over giants like Carmine Infantino, Gil Kane and of course, Curt Swan, became and remains a high watermark of embellishment in the industry. While at DC in the ’60s, he inadvertently revolutionized the field by being the first to switch to the current 10”x15” page size. His exquisite line and detail are hallmarks of a style that exemplifies professionalism and grace, just as the man exemplifies professionalism and class in his field. Murphy Anderson’s work has never look rushed. It is as refined as his appearance is dapper. He’s earned every bit of his legendary status.
Joe Sinnott shared this statement in regards to this year’s results:
Joe Sinnott with the first and original Ms. Inkwell Chrissy Cutler at the 2010 Pittsburgh Comicon. Chrissy made a return to portraying the character at the 2013 Heroes Con.
I couldn’t be happier that two of my old friends are the recipients of the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award for 2013. Dick Ayers and I go all the way back to the fun days at Timely in the 1950’s. We penciled and inked our own stories. Dick was famous for his westerns, Ghost Rider, etc. which I felt was some of his best work during that period. The ‘50s was also in the western genre – “Arrowhead” being my favorite. Dick did a great job in the ‘60s and during the super-heroes period over many Kirby pages. A great friend, artist and person, I couldn’t be happier for you, Dick.
Also, although he worked mainly at DC, I was always a big admirer of Murphy Anderson’s work. I always felt we had a lot in common. We were born the same year, 1926. I believe we were both conservative guys and our pencil and inking styles were similar. A great penciler himself, he inked some of the great artists at DC such as Swan, Infantino and others, as I did at Marvel with Kirby, Colan, Buscema, etc.
Again, congratulations to both of you – you sure have added more class and talent to an already elite group in our outstanding Hall of Fame.
Joe Sinnott
Class of 2008
Other Nominees:
• Tom Palmer RUNNER UP
• Ernie Chan
• Joe Kubert
• Bernie Wrightson
• Mike Royer
• Joe Simon
• Josef Rubenstein
• John Beatty
• Violet Barclay AKA Valerie Smith
• Frank Giacoia
• Dan Green