Author: inkdev

(New Bedford, MA/USA—June 6, 2018) Voting results from the annual Inkwell Awards will be presented at the inking advocacy group’s live awards ceremony at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC this month. The event, also celebrating the non-profit’s 10th anniversary, is scheduled for Friday June 15, 5:00 PM, at the Charlotte Convention Center, in room 209-210.

Bronze-age DC Comics ink artist and one of Jack Kirby’s top inkers, Mike Royer, is scheduled to appear as Guest of Honor. “We are very fortunate to have one of the best ink artists in the field attending our special day of recognition,” said Bob Almond, the Inkwells’ founder/director and MC of the ceremony. “Since the other top Kirby inker is our Hall of Fame award’s namesake, Joe Sinnott, we’re doubly excited.”

The Inkwells have five categories: Favorite Inker, Most-Adaptable Inker, the “Props” award for under-recognized professionals, the S.P.A.M.I. for Small Press And Mainstream-Independent work, and the “All-in-One” for the artist who inks his/her own pencil art. Voters-–fans and professionals alike–all cast their ballots at the group’s website in April to show their support and choose their favorites.

Announced with the publicly-chosen award-winners will be the internally-voted two recipients of the yearly Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award and one winner of the annual Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award. To celebrate their decade anniversary, the Inkwells have created the “Above & Beyond” Award for members, volunteers and others who have served beyond the call of duty to promote the artform of comic book inking and it’s ink artists.

Almond added, “There’s so much turnover when you are working with unpaid members, so when those rare volunteers stay long-term and go the extra yard for the organization, we need to thank those special folks for their exceptional dedication.”

In addition to Royer, Almond will MC the event, while artist and longtime Inkwell contributor Dan Panosian will act as presenter. Recently-added Inkwell ambassador, artist Pat Broderick, will present the lifetime achievement awards. Also appearing will be veteran hostess Hailey Skaza-Gagne as spokesmodel Ms. Inkwell, who will be joined by 2011 Heroes Con Ms. Inkwell, Kathy Denise Taylor, in her first return to Heroes Con as a co-spokesmodel. She shared “I’m super excited to be able to come back and help again!”

Other related guests at the Heroes show itself include Inkwell ambassadors Buzz and Cully Hamner. There may also be surprise appearances at the ceremony by member-creators, the award recipients or other supporters.

As an added bonus, the first 25 non-member attendees will receive a raffle ticket for a door prize. After the event, every ticket holder will also win a prize as explained at the ceremony.

“We’ve had record attendance for the last couple years,” said Almond, “and plan to repeat that achievement, especially with our impressive lineup and prizes.”

During the show, The Inkwells will be set up in Artists Alley at 1615-1616 as can be seen at the Heroes Con website. To help raise much-needed funds, they’ll be offering (for donations) a variety of Inkwell merchandise, including their recently-released Ms. Inkwell Gallery art book, signed by cover artist Bill Sienkiewicz, Joe Sinnott, Bob Almond, and spoksemodels Hailey Skaza-Gagne, Skylar Lauren Godwin and Kathy Denise Taylor. (Their latest Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge Book and 10th Anniversary Album will be available later in the year.)

Almond concluded, “We can’t show enough gratitude to promoter Shelton Drum and the Heroes Con staff for annually supporting the community and giving fans an opportunity to learn more about and appreciate this often overlooked industry craft and its artists. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone on Friday and during the con!”

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Inkwell Awards Voting Open From April 1-15

(New Bedford, MA/USA—March 29, 2018) Who’s your favorite inker? The Inkwell Awards, a non-profit organization devoted to public education and promotion of the art of comic book inking, invites all to vote for the industry’s best of the year. The official public ballot will be available on the Inkwells’ homepage from April 1 through April 15.

Voting is open to fans and professionals alike. In addition to “Favorite Inker,” categories include “Most Adaptable,” “PROPS” (inkers deserving more attention), the “S.P.A.M.I.” (Small Press And Mainstream/Independent) and “All-In-One” for pencilers who ink their own work.

As a courtesy, also listed on the ballot are the nominees for the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame (“HoF”), a lifetime achievement honor for an outstanding inking career of 25 or more years in American comics, whose winners are chosen by an internal committee (to avoid a “popularity contest” where recent names have more influence than past masters). Two nominees are awarded each year.

Also to be chosen internally is the Special Recognition Award. This lifetime achievement honor differs from the HoF award due to one or more factors such as the artist being out of the “public eye,” having limited name-recognition due to semi- or full retirement or death, limited-yet-influential output, social barriers such as gender/race, or other factors that might otherwise limit them from being nominated for a traditional HoF award. The SRA nominees are not listed on the ballot but will be discussed at the awards ceremony. As announced at last year’s ceremony, the award has been renamed the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA) in honor of the longtime member of the non-profit who succumbed to cancer a year ago after a 10-year battle.

“We’re as excited as ever for this event, where the best of the best ink artists and their work get the recognition they deserve,” said Bob Almond, founder and director of The Inkwell Awards. “Though inkers have their own fans and followers, many often go unnoticed or are glossed over by most awards events. Ours caters specifically to ink artists and allows them to be recognized and appreciated in various categories. We encourage everyone who appreciates good work to participate; the more voters, the better.”

Once voting ends after April 15, the winners will be announced at the live awards ceremony at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC on Friday, June 15th.

 

SAMPLE BALLOT

THE INKWELL AWARDS are for 2017 cover-dated
interior American comic-book material.

Favorite Inker: Favorite ink artist over the pencil work of another artist.

A) John Dell: The Clone Conspiracy (Marvel)

B) John Floyd: Wonder Woman/Tasmanian Devil (DC)

C) Jonathan Glapion: Action Comics, Dark Nights Metal (DC); Reborn (Image)

D) Mick Gray: Superman/Justice League (DC)

E) Dan Green: The Sandman Special (DC)

F) Scott Hanna: All-New Wolverine, Black Panther, Black Panther & The Crew, Great Lakes Avengers, Ultimates 2, X-men Blue (Marvel); Booster Gold/The Flintstones Special, DC Holiday Special, Justice League Of America, Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny Special, Superman, Trinity (DC)

G) Seth Mann: Batman, Trinity (DC)

H) Bill Sienkiewicz: Batman, Black Racer And Shilo Norman Special, Deathstroke (DC)

Most-adaptable: Artist showing exceptional ink style versatility over other pencil artists. (Every nominee must have at least two sources cited.)

A) Jonathan Glapion: Action Comics, Dark Nights Metal (DC); Reborn (Image)

B) Scott Hanna: Booster Gold & Flintstones Special, DC Holiday Special, Justice League Of America, Legion of Super-Heroes/Bugs Bunny Special, Superman, Trinity (DC); All-New Wolverine, Black Panther, Black Panther & The Crew, Great Lakes Avengers, Ultimates 2, X-men Blue (Marvel)

C) Jay Leisten: Green Lantern, Suicide Squad (DC); Incredible Hulk, Monsters Unleashed, Secret Empire, Weapon X, X-men Gold (Marvel)

D) Mark Morales: Aquaman, Deathstroke, Suicide Squad/Banana Splits Special (DC); Immortal Brothers: The Tale Of The Green Knight (Image); Astonishing X-men, Spider-Man/Deadpool (Marvel)

E) Dexter Vines: Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 11 (Dark Horse), Batman Beyond, Hal Jordan And The Green Lantern Corps, (DC); Invincible, The Wild Storm (Image); Black Panther (Marvel)

F) Walden Wong: All-New X-Men, Astonishing X-men, Black Panther, Inhumans, Kingpin, Star Lord, Venom X-Men Blue (Marvel); Harbinger: Renegade (Valiant)

Props award: Ink artist deserving of more attention for their work over other pencil artists.

A) Marc Deering: All-New Wolverine, Black Panther, Star Wars: Dr. Aphra (Marvel)

B) Michelle Delecki: Catwoman: Election Night, The New Gods Special (DC)

C) Daniel Henriques: Green Lanterns, Justice League, Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, Supergirl (DC)

D) Tony Kordos: Batman & Robin Eternal, Cyborg, Flash, Justice league: Darkseid War (DC)

E) Jason Paz: Deathstroke, Justice League, Wonder Woman (DC)

F) Joe Prado: Justice League Of America: Rebirth, Green Lanterns, Superman (DC)

The S.P.A.M.I: Favorite Small Press And Mainstream/Independent ink work over another pencil artist (non-Marvel or DC work).

A) Sal Buscema: Rom (IDW)

B) Irene Flores: Hi-Fi Fight Club/Heavy Vinyl (Boom Studios)

C) Stefano Gaudiano: Manifest Destiny, Walking Dead (Image)

D) Mark Morales: Immortal Brothers: The Tale Of The Green Knight (Image)

E) Rodney Ramos: Normandy Gold (Titan Comics)

F) Robin Riggs: Black (Black Mask Comics)

G) Ryan Winn: Eternity, Divinity III (Valiant)

All-in-one award: Favorite artist known for inking his/her own pencil work.

A) Mitch Gerads: Mister Miracle (DC)

B) Joelle Jones: Lady Killer 2 (Dark Horse); Batman (DC)

C) David Marquez: Civil War 2, The Defenders, (Marvel)

D) Terry Moore: Motor Girl (Abstract Studios)

E) Dan Panosian: Slots (Image)

F) Stan Sakai: Usagi Yojimbo (Dark Horse)

G) Liam Sharp: Justice League, Wonder Woman (DC)

H) Mico Suayan: Bloodshot Salvation (Valiant)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW MS. INKWELL DEBUTS AT THE GARDEN STATE COMIC FEST: ATLANTIC CITY

(New Bedford, MA/USA–March 27, 2018) The non-profit Inkwell Awards will debut a new spokesmodel, Skylar Lauren Godwin, as Ms. Inkwell at the Garden State Comic Fest: Atlantic City Edition on April 7-8, the next stop on their 2018 10th Anniversary show tour.

The Ms. Inkwell role is to serve as the advocacy’s public face, meet and greet creators and fans at shows, help with fundraising and raise awareness for their mission of education and promotion for the art of comic-book inking. Skylar, an avid cosplayer from North Carolina, was scheduled to debut at a later show to work beside the current Ms. Inkwell, Hailey Skaza-Gagne, who would train her. Skaza-Gagne had to cancel and Godwin was asked to start early.

“Hailey had a private family issue and needed to take a break for at least this appearance,” said Bob Almond, the Inkwells’ founder and director. “She’s been our exclusive Ms. Inkwell for a record 21 events and nearly three straight years of exemplary service and work ethic. She just hates disappointing the fans and creators whom she truly cherishes, but is confident Skylar can do the job. Skylar has a sincere enthusiasm and passion for this role and can’t wait to start.”

Said Godwin,”I was so excited when Bob Almond asked me to be apart of the Inkwell family this year as they celebrate their 10th anniversary. Heroes Con 2014 was actually the first time I met Bob and was introduced to the Inkwell organization. Little did I know that 4 years later I would be asked to be a part of this wonderful non-profit and have the great opportunity to work with such amazing people.”.

One or both Ms. Inkwells will also appear at the East Coast Comicon in Seacaucus, NJ, on April 27-29 and at the organizations’s eighth annual live awards ceremony at Heroes Con in Charlotte, NC, on June 15-17.

The character of Ms. Inkwell was created by Almond and Randy Green to garner more attention for their booth at shows. Since the spokesmodel’s first live appearance in April 2010 at the Pittsburgh Comicon, the role has been taken up by over a dozen talented women at various venues. The Inkwell Awards recently published the fundraiser “Ms. Inkwell Gallery Book,” featuring the character’s history along with exclusive pinup art from many contributing artists.

BOOKS FROM COCKRUM, COLAN & OTHER COMICS ICONS BENEFIT INKER AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS

(New Bedford, MA/USA—January 1, 2018) “February sales from Aardwolf Publishing will directly benefit the advocacy group, the Inkwell Awards” announced Jim Reeber, president of Aardwolf Publishing. The specialty publishing house said it was proud of the work that the Inkwell Awards does and happy to help the non-profit group as it begins its 10^th anniversary of advocacy.

“Tithing makes sense to those who comics are practically religion to,” quipped author Clifford Meth, a co-founder of Aardwolf and a Special Ambassador to the Inkwell Awards. “We only recently entered an epoch where comics creators began receiving due recognition and fair compensation for their work. Bob Almond and the Inkwell Awards are a vital part of that paradigm shift; they are solid advocates who are making a difference and I’m proud to be affiliated with their mission and accomplishments.”

Bob added “The Inkwells are extremely fortunate and grateful to have the altruistic financial support of Aardwolf Publishing behind us in February. Cliff and Jim are the real deal and have been fighting the good fight as advocates in our community since I discovered them when I contributed to The Uncanny Dave Cockrum: A Tribute book in 2004 long before I formed my own non-profit. I was honored when Cliff accepted the position of Inkwell special ambassador in 2014 and I am again honored and thrilled by this generous gesture.”

Aardwolf Publishing has published art and stories from some of the industry’s iconic creators including Neal Adams, Jim Steranko, Joe Kubert, Will Eisner, Neil Gaiman, Harlan Ellison, Gene Colan, Marie Severin, Gray Morrow and Dave Cockrum, with new collections slated from Joe Sinnott, Don Perlin and the late Rich Buckler.

Visit Aardwolf Publishing at www.aardwolfpublishing.com and the Inkwell Awards at https://inkwellawards.com/

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(New Bedford, MA/USA—February 22, 2018) The non-profit Inkwell Awards, devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, is having their eighth annual Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge, beginning in April. They also have their third annual Sinnott Inking Challenge Spotlight, which focuses on the pencil art of a legendary creator/artist/writer/publisher. This year it’s Image Comics’ co-founder Erik Larsen. Artwork from both will be auctioned afterwards for fundraising.

“Due to the ongoing success of the original Sinnott Challenge, we expanded the program to include the Spotlight Challenge two years ago, with even better results,” said Bob Almond, founder and director of The Inkwell Awards (AKA “The Inkwells”). “We chose to showcase other contemporary, fan-favorite talents on a smaller scale with published and established inkers who may not have participated in the original challenge. We proudly featured the amazing pencils of DC co-publisher Jim Lee for 2016 and last year we were thrilled to have the great Neal Adams.”

The original Inking Challenge educates the public about inking by having industry legend and Inkwell Special Ambassador Joe Sinnott do a tight pencil of a character plus a “breakdown,” or rough sketch of another. This year, the characters are from Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” hit film with Loki and Hela. Sinnott’s art was scanned and the file sent in blue-line form to various inkers around the globe to finish and/or embellish in ink.

Ink artists contributing their skills this year include Ken Branch, Anthony Fowler, Jason Moore, Joe Orsak, Terry Pavlet, J.L. Straw, Scott Rosema, Tom Schloendorn, Mark Stegbauer, Neil Vokes, Keith Williams and dozens of others, plus members of the Sinnott family. Submitted art may be viewed at The Inkwells’ ComicArtFans gallery. All pieces will be personally signed by Sinnott and include a certificate of authenticity.

Coordinated by Almond, this year’s Challenge Spotlight on Erik Larsen is different. Unlike previous years which featured a published art page, Larsen is the first to create a cover-quality drawing, featuring his “Savage Dragon” creation and cast members, exclusively for this Inkwell event. All pages will be signed by Larsen and the inkers, and include a COA. Completed pages at press time include those by Keith Champagne, Richard Clark, John Dell, Geof Isherwood, Mark McKenna, Rudy Nebres, Andy Owens, Joe Prado, Rodney Ramos, Scott Rosema, Alex Saviuk, Mike Sellers, Andy Smith, Le Beau Underwood, Neil Vokes, Keith Williams and several students from the Kubert School.

Almond added, “Much kind thanks to Erik, Joe and Mark Sinnott, and all involved for their cooperation, support of our program, and appreciation of ink artists.”

Auctions for the Larsen Challenge original art will commence in February (date to be announced) on eBay and every other week thereafter, followed by the Joe Sinnott Challenge art and other late additions. The Sinnott art will eventually be collected into a book (the sixth such edition). Tentative plans are to also release a Larsen “Savage Dragon” book. Previous editions, along with other merchandise, are available for donations to the organization through their web store.

The Inkwell Awards is an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to educate the public and promote the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize the best ink artists and their work. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the organization is overseen by a committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and numerous contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.