24 Apr 2023

(New Bedford, MA/USA—April 24, 2023) The Inkwell Awards is now open for fans and professionals to choose their industry favorites. The official public ballot will be available on the Inkwells’ homepage for two weeks, from Wednesday April 26 through May 10.

Voting is open in five categories: Favorite Inker, Most Adaptable, Props (inkers deserving more attention), The S.P.A.M.I. (Small Press And Mainstream/Independent for non-Marvel/DC work) and All-In-One for artists who ink their own pencils. The awards cover all printed American comic books cover-dated 2022.

“This year we continue with the new addition to our ballot,” said Bob Almond, founder, and director of The Inkwell Awards, the only non-profit organization devoted to public education and promotion of the art of comic book inking. “In answer to myriad requests, last year we were able to link sample images submitted by the nominated artists on the ballot. This will help both voters and artists to hopefully make the process easier and fairer. The Inkwell core committee team and our webmaster Steven Freivogel spent much time and effort in discussion and preparation to make this work and we’re confident it will help everyone.”

He added, “Our nomination procedure continues to include inkers who submitted their work in addition to those chosen by our internal nomination committee. Too many ink artists are passed over and go unnoticed by most awards events. Ours caters specifically to inkers so they can be recognized and appreciated for their best work. We encourage all who appreciate quality artwork to participate and share on social media; the more voters, the better.”

The internally-chosen lifetime achievement accolades, the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame award and the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA), were announced March 9, separately from the ballot categories like we did last time. Without a host-show awards ceremony this year, there are currently no restrictions on how and when winners are announced.

The Inkwell Awards is the only official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and educate regarding the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize the best ink artists and their work. Established in 2008, the Inkwells are overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award. This year they celebrate their 15th anniversary.
22 Mar 2023
Rest in peace, Joe Giella, who passed away yesterday, as announced by Joe Jr.  Joe was a 2018 Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award recipient. The Inkwell Family expresses their sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. He was 94. “The Giella family wishes for all to celebrate the incredible life of Joe Giella. Joe […]

Rest in peace, Joe Giella, who passed away yesterday, as announced by Joe Jr.  Joe was a 2018 Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award recipient. The Inkwell Family expresses their sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. He was 94.

(L-R) Joe Giella, Bob Almond, Joe Sinnott- 2018 East Coast Comicon

“The Giella family wishes for all to celebrate the incredible life of Joe Giella. Joe passed peacefully on March 21st at the age of 94.Joe was such a special person. His presence alone would put you at ease. Even on the most difficult days, just being with him would make everything OK again.

He was so honest and sincere, so kind and gentle and so loving and proud.

He was so proud of his service for his country in the US Navy.

He was so proud of his long prolific career in comic books and comic strips.

And he was most proud of his family. To him, family was everything. Nothing made him happier than sitting around the dinner table with family and friends. Sundays and Holidays became sacred events full of laughter and great food.
Joe’s legacy in comic books and comic strips will live on. Our family wishes to thank all of his friends and fans for their support. He truly was humbled by all the attention and love he received. Thank you all and when you think of Joe please try to smile. The world needs more superheroes like Joe.”
Joe Giella
June 27, 1928 – March 21, 2023

24 Feb 2023

(New Bedford, MA/USA—February 24, 2023) The non-profit Inkwell Awards, devoted to promoting the art of comic book inkingannounced in December its second Joe Sinnott Tribute Challenge Spotlight, renamed the Legacy Challenge, featuring Marvel’s Spider-Man and Mary Jane by artist Alex Saviuk.

The event was launched in 2021 to commemorate the life and long career of the late, award-winning ink artist Joe Sinnott, and the prior annual inking event that had borne his name since 2010. The previous Challenge featured Sinnott’s oft-partner Ron Frenz on Thor. This year, artist Alex Saviuk‘s exclusive pencil art was scanned and sent to a variety of ink artists to embellish. Saviuk and Sinnott were art partners on the Amazing Spider-Man Sunday comic strip with writer/co-creator Stan Lee from the 1990s until the strip’s end in 2019. Saviuk’s Challenge pinup includes The Web of Spider-Man logo to celebrate his six-year stint as penciller on that title.

For over two months, artists volunteered to participate by inking the blueline pencils printed on board with the option of using the clean, slick line for which Sinnott was known, or in their own way to showcase how much the ink artist can contribute stylistically. Both professionals and amateurs were allowed to take part.

As in past years, Sinnott’s son Mark and daughter-in-law also contributed. Artists include relative newcomers and legendary veterans, from mainstream professionals to small press/indie pros. And ink artists new to the Challenges include Dan Panosian, Romeo Tanghal, Bob Smith, Sergio Cariello and Jason Metcalf among others. In alphabetical order, the participants are:

Gerry Acerno
Jeff Austin
Mike Barreiro
Noah Barrett
Steven Berry
Ken Branch
Eliot R. Brown
Sergio Cariello
Kevin Conrad
Marc Deering

Guy Dorian Sr.
Ed Eargle
David Fox

Rusty Gilligan
Jeff Graham
Don Ho
Michael W. Kellar
Scott Koblish
John Livesay
Enrique Lopez
J.E. Lozano
Criss Madd
Pablo Marcos

Jose Marzan Jr.
Mark McKenna
Jason Metcalf 
Chuck Morgan
Victor Moya

Ed Murr
Joe Orsak
Dan Panosian
Steven Pennella
Mark Pennington
Norm Rapmund

Luis Rivera
Vince Rodriquez
Marc Rubino

Matt Santorelli
Tom Schloendorn 
Mark Sinnott
Belinda Sinnott

Bob Smith
Mark Stegbauer
J.L. Straw
Romeo Tanghal
Jim Tournas
LeBeau Underwood
Larry Welch
Keith Williams 

The Legacy tribute event furthers the inking advocacy’s dual mission of promoting the artform and educating the public. Each inked page will be signed by Saviuk and the inker. All pages, plus a certificate of authenticity signed by The Inkwells’ founder/director, Bob Almond, will be auctioned off as an eBay fundraiser in biweekly waves beginning Saturday February 24.

Information about the upcoming fundraising auctions can be found on the Inkwell’s website and Facebook group.
09 Feb 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (New Bedford, MA/USA–February 09, 2023) The Inkwell Awards, a 501(c)(3) non-profit devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, has announced that Frank Frazetta has posthumously won The Joe Sinnott Hall Of Fame Award for his career ink art. Awarded since 2008, The Sinnott Hall Of Fame, named after inking legend […]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (New Bedford, MA/USA–February 09, 2023) The Inkwell Awards, a 501(c)(3) non-profit devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, has announced that Frank Frazetta has posthumously won The Joe Sinnott Hall Of Fame Award for his career ink art.

Awarded since 2008, The Sinnott Hall Of Fame, named after inking legend Joe Sinnott, is a lifetime achievement award for a minimum 25-year inking career of outstanding accomplishment in American comic books. Two winners are chosen annually by the Inkwells’ internal committee. The second winner, along with the winners of the Inkwell’s other lifetime achievement award, the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA), will be announced separately at a later date.

(L to R: Frank Frazetta III and Frank Frazetta, Jr., at the Frazetta Art Museum with Inkwell Awards Sinnott with 2023 Inkwell Awards Sinnott Hall Of Fame trophy and 2021 SASRA trophy.)

Frazetta’s son, Frank Frazetta Jr., shared the following statement:

“My father’s work has touched millions worldwide and his oil paintings sell for millions. It is essential to note that his love of art, and his career, started with comics. His life’s work and how it continues to touch and stimulate new generations is a great testament to the power of the comics art form to inspire. We thank Bob Almond, the Inkwell Committee, Special Ambassador J. David Spurlock and everyone with The Inkwell Awards for recognizing Frank Frazetta’s historic contributions to the art of inking with their most prestigious award, The Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame honor; especially since today (Feb. 9) would have been Frank’s 95th  birthday. We invite everyone to visit us at The Frazetta Art Museum in East Stroudsburg, PA, to study the World’s largest collection of Frazetta art.”

Frazetta previously won the SASRA in 2021 and becomes only the second artist (with Bernie Wrightson) to win both the Inkwells’ Lifetime Achievement Awards.

05 Dec 2022

(New Bedford, MA/USA—December 5, 2022) The non-profit Inkwell Awards, devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, has announced its second Joe  Sinnott Tribute Challenge Spotlight, renamed the Legacy Challenge. The event features artist Alex Saviuk‘s exclusive pencil art of Marvel’s Spider-Man & MJ which was scanned and sent to a variety of ink artists to embellish.

The event was launched in 2021 to commemorate the life and career of the award-winning, multi-decade ink artist Joe Sinnott, who passed away in 2020, and the annual inking event that bore his name since 2010. Inkwell Awards’ founder, Bob Almond, explains:

“Our previous Sinnott Inking Challenges were major events for us and our supporters. Joe would give us a tightly and/or loosely penciled drawing of a popular character. Then ink artists of various experience levels would complete the scanned art in black and white, each bringing his or her own style to the piece. Fans are then able to see the difference in the penciled and inked versions to better understand how much inkers contribute to the artform.”

The tribute furthers the inking advocacy’s dual mission of promoting the artform and educating the public. Each inked page will be signed by Saviuk and the inker. All pages, plus a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Almond, will then be auctioned off as a fundraiser in biweekly waves beginning this spring.

Sinnott’s son Mark shares, “On behalf of the Inkwell Awards and the entire Sinnott family I would like to thank you for taking part in this year’s Joe Sinnott Legacy Inking Challenge. As many of you know in years past Joe always enjoyed seeing the different inked renditions of his pencils to make the Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge such a success.  It is with great pleasure to me that this year’s Challenge is featuring my dad’s longtime penciller on the Sunday Spider-Man strip, Alex Saviuk. Joe had the pleasure to work with Alex over the span of 22 years on that strip, far longer than Joe had worked with anyone else. We are so glad that he agreed to be a part of this and keep Joe’s legacy going. Thank you Alex, and thank you, the inkers who will be taking part in this challenge. I look forward to seeing your finished work. I know my dad would be proud as well.”

“On behalf of the Inkwells,” added Almond, “our sincerest thanks to Mark, Alex, all of the many dozens of participating inkers, and all involved for their cooperation, support of our program, and appreciation of ink artists.”

Information about the upcoming fundraising auctions can be found on the Inkwell’s website.

The Inkwell Awards is the only official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and educate regarding the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize the best ink artists and their work. Established in 2008, the Inkwells are overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.

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22 Nov 2022

Hey, inkers!

We all deserve to be recognized for our incredible ink work! Your published storytelling is eligible for consideration in any of our five inking categories–SEE BELOW. 

(Unlike some other awards, we do not charge a fee.) 

While our volunteer nomination committee (“NomCom”) can still submit their choices, they just can’t see all the wonderful work during the year from all publishers large and small. So it’s up to YOU! Important details:

WHAT TO SEND:

1. Examples of TWO to THREE (max) interior pages—sorry, NO covers, only one splash—of published & printed comic-book ink work you’ve done from any USA-published comic book (per categories below) COVER-DATED 2021 (sorry, no webcomics unless also printed.). Send either links to your specific samples (not general site links), or low-res image files. (Do not send large files–we’re not a printer!) DO NOT SEND PHYSICAL COPIES–they will not be eligible.

 

2. NAMES of the inker and penciller, your preferred EMAIL ADDRESS, the TITLE/ISSUE #(s) and PUBLISHER.

3. The CATEGORY(-IES) for each sample. You may submit the same or different work to different categories, EXCEPT “Favorite Inker” and “Props”–pick one or the other. CHOOSE:

    1.    Favorite Inker: favorite ink artist over the pencils of another artist. (Can’t be nominated for “Props.”)

    2.    Most-adaptable: showing exceptional ink style versatility over other pencil artists. (Minimum TWO pages per penciller, up to three.)

    3.    Props award: ink artist deserving of more attention for work over other pencillers.
(Can’t be past winner or nom. for “Favorite Inker.”)

    4.    The S.P.A.M.I: for favorite Small Press And Mainstream-Independent comic book ink work over another pencil artist or yourself (Non-Marvel or DC).

    4.    All-in-one award: for favorite artist inking his/her own pencils.

(Make sure you read and understand the BIG RULES below before sending.)

WHERE TO SEND: Email samples back here to inkwellawards@yahoo.com, with the Subject “2021 Inkwell Awards.” (Questions? Same email or ask us on Facebook or Twitter @inkwellawards.)

WHEN TO SEND: The deadline is JANUARY 15th, 2022 (we’ll post reminders, but earlier is better).

PLEASE help us help you by following the directions and rules specifically. If not, your work cannot be considered. We are merely a few working professionals who volunteer when time allows so we don’t have the time/manpower to micro-manage. 

THE BIG RULES (Please read)

-Inks can be with traditional or digital tools (e.g., brush, pen, marker, stylus, Apple Pen, Wacom, etc., but NOT just pencils darkened/manipulated via Photoshop/software–must be drawn by HAND). 

-Work must have been printed in the USA with a 2021 cover date. No Web-only comics.

-Our volunteer NomCom may also submit their choices. All entries will be considered equally and tallied. 

-The core committee is not permitted to nominate, nor vote, for anyone (so save your bribes). 

-All links sent must be to the specific pages being considered. Any general site links (“JohnDoe.com,” DeviantArt portfolios, etc.) will be ignored. No physical copies.

-If work does not meet the criteria above or is not submitted in accordance with these rules, it will not be considered. Fraudulent entries will be voided and will result in your not being considered for any future awards (and any awards won will be forfeited and given to the runner-up).

-The Inkwell Awards is not responsible for any power outages, server issues, software or hardware malfunctions, human error, acts of God, zombie apocalypses and any other stuff beyond our control.

Again, if you have questions or need more info, send an email to either inkwellawards@yahoo.com, or to me directly at the address below.

Thank you and good luck!

Sincerely,

Bob Almond (and The Inkwell Awards Committee)  

The Inkwell Awards

inkwellawards@yahoo.com

Site: inkwellawards.com

Facebook.com/groups/TheInkwellAwards

Twitter: @inkwellawards

WHO WE ARE: 

In case you still haven’t heard, The Inkwell Awards (inkwellawards.com) 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 and award the best ink artists and their work. Founded in 2008, the organization is overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various pro ambassadors, numerous contributors and supporters. We sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.

04 Nov 2022

Danny’s website will be deactivated 12/31/22 but it reports the following:

“It is with great sadness we announce that Danny Bulanadi has passed away. Danny was not only a great artist and crooner, but a provider for his family, and a good friend to many. He will be dearly missed. Please pray for his immediate family during this very difficult time in their lives. Any additional information will be posted on Facebook www.facebook.com/bulanadiart “

Bob stated on his Facebook feed yesterday:
“Sadly, I just heard this. This is a regrettable loss from the Filipino studio of artists starting in the Bronze-age. I first noticed his mainstream work at Marvel over Pat Broderick on Micronauts. He was prolific at Marvel up through the 1990s simultaneous on titles like Captain America and Fantastic Four. I was fortunate to ink his pencils for 25 pages at Kingstone Comics in 2016 and 2018. It was the first time I remember seeing his pencils instead of his inks and he displayed a classic, illustrative style that was fun to embellish since he left some room for interpretation. So sorry to hear this and I’m sending condolences to his family & loved ones.”
Kingstone Comics shared the following on their Facebook feed:
“Condolences to the family of Danny Bulanadi. “Danny Bulanadi, longtime Marvel comic book inker who had years-long runs on both Captain America and Fantastic Four (part of his long association with penciler Paul Ryan), has passed away at the age of 76.” He worked on many of our comics at Kingstone.”
Danny passed away on November 3, 2022 at 12:40 a.m. due to chronic heart failure.. The Inkwell Family extends it’s sincerest condolences to the Bulanadi family.
24 Aug 2022

(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- New Bedford, MA/USA–8/23/2022): The Inkwell Awards, a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocacy group, elected writer/editor/publisher Dan DiDio as a new Special Ambassador to help further the group’s mission of public promotion, education and recognition of the art form of inking and ink artists in the US comic book industry.

Photo: Leilani Didio

Dan DiDio began writing for TV and print in the early 1980s, joining DC Comics as vice-president-editorial in 2002, where he oversaw the new 52 maxi-series in 2006. While at DC, he also wrote several titles including Superboy, Metal Men, The Outsiders, OMAC, The Phantom Stranger, Sideway, and others. DiDio became co-publisher of DC with Jim Lee in 2010 and worked there until 2020. This year, he became publisher of Frank Miller’s new comic-book company, FMP (Frank Miller Presents). DiDio has worked with many experienced ink artists such as Brent Anderson, Keith Giffen, Miller, Jerry Ordway, Joe Prado and others.

Inkwell Awards founder and director Bob Almond said, “Dan (along with our first Inkwell Spotlight Challenge contributor Jim Lee), was the face of DC for a decade, during some of its most creative and best-selling efforts. His passion for the art form and industry is apparent in all he does, and we are thrilled to have that quality, along with his positive attitude, knowledge and experience on board with our goal to increase the recognition of ink artists and their contribution to the form. As we launch another season and approach our 15th anniversary in 2023 Dan’s superstar presence added to our already lofty roster of ambassadors raises the bar that much higher.”

DiDio commented: “I have always believed in the importance of an inker’s work and contribution to the finished art in comics. The inker’s talents are as identifiable as the penciller. Therefore, I am very honored to be named a special ambassador to the Inkwell Awards and to help continue promoting their craft.”

The Inkwell Ambassador’s main role is to celebrate the work of the organization and support its mission all the while enhancing it’s exposure and credibility. Prior ambassadors include (in chronological order) Adam Hughes, Mark Brooks, Sal Velluto, Cully Hamner, Eric Basuldua, Phil Jimenez, Jim Shooter and Brian Pulido, along with the late Joe Kubert and Rich Buckler. The more-involved Special Ambassadors include the late Joe Sinnott, J. David Spurlock, Mike McKone, Clifford Meth, Aldrin Aw, aka “Buzz”, Dan Parsons, Rags Morales, Jim Starlin, Laura Martin, Mark Sinnott and Joe Prado. The role is not made up exclusively of ink artists but of different creative talents to show community solidarity in support of the quality-driven art of inking.

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 and award the best ink artists and their work. Founded in 2008, the organization is overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various pro ambassadors, numerous contributors and supporters. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.

 

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23 Aug 2022

Here we present with permission Tom Palmer, Jr.’s eulogy for his dad Tom Palmer Sr. as posted on his Facebook feed August 19, 2022 at 11:01 AM

“Very sad to share this news with everyone. My dad passed away last night.

Many of you know my dad from all of his comic book work, but for me he was just my dad. He was kind and funny, and most of the other things that people say about their dads. He loved old movies, especially the Universal monsters and the black and white serials he used to watch as a kid. He worked at home all the time, so he was always there when I was growing up. I might not have appreciated it fully back then, but I can see now that it was something special, and I think he enjoyed the fact that he could be there for me and my sister (and my mom!) when we needed him. I might have lost count, but I think my sister and I convinced him to take us to see Star Wars about 472 times when it was in its original movie theater run, back in the dark times before home video and streaming.
When life sometimes got hard, he would often say “Better days lie ahead.” I think that’s a lesson he learned early in life. Due to a childhood illness, he was bedridden and forced to be on crutches for a few years. His older brother took pity on him and finally let him raid his prized comic book collection. That’s when he fell in love with EC Comics and developed a lifelong passion for appreciating and creating art. He spent days on end drawing to pass the time. When those comics became tattered and torn, he created his own replacement pages and covers. I can’t wait to dig around in his collection to find them and see his old art again.

He loved classic illustration art and aspired to a career in magazine illustration like his heroes Norman Rockwell, Dean Cornwell, and J.C. Leyendecker. He wrote a letter to Rockwell while in art school, and even got an invite to visit his hero at his Massachusetts art studio. I can only imagine what he saw there and how it inspired him. Dad started out in the art field at a few different New York City ad agencies while he was still in art school. At one of his agency jobs he met Jack Kamen, one of his favorite EC Comics artists, who had found a new career in advertising after the demise of EC. Jack was an early mentor and also a father figure. He helped my dad find his way into the comic book field and also sponsored him for membership into the Society of Illustrators.

When dad’s first assignment at Marvel as penciller of Doctor Strange (issue #171 back in 1968) didn’t exactly set the world on fire, he persevered and was excited to try his hand at inking on the following issue. He was paired up with pencil artist Gene Colan, whose fully-rendered pages were a challenge to many inkers. How could you translate the subtle gradations of Colan’s art for black and white reproduction without turning it into a muddy mess? Dad threw himself at the task and used every tool available to him at the time: crosshatching, a wide array of zip-a-tone, and even his own fingers to smudge the ink around the page. What he ended up with was magic. He brought an illustrative style to Colan’s art that allowed all of the light within the shadows to shine through. Dad loved the tactile nature of hand-drawn art, and always enjoyed trying out new techniques to make his art stand out.

When the opportunity to try his hand at coloring one of those early issues of Doctor Strange was presented, dad jumped at the chance. While most colorists at the time would turn around a comic in a day (or maybe even a few comics in a day), he labored over those pages for days. The printing process of the time only allowed for 64 colors, but he made sure to use them all, even the ones that others avoided because they feared they might print too dark. Those early color guides looked like elaborate watercolors by the time he was done with them. It didn’t matter that he spent all that time on the work, he just wanted the book to look the best it could.

Dad worked on a lot of comics over the years, but he also had a long career in advertising art in the 1970s and ’80s. He worked on campaigns for Hertz, Panasonic, Winsor & Newton, the New York Yankees, Columbia Records and a whole bunch more. This was back in the day when it wasn’t acceptable for a professional artist to work in comics. If an ad exec found out, your art might get branded as too “comic-booky” and work would dry up. And it was also hard to balance the other side of his two art careers. If an editor at Marvel or DC found out that you had an advertising gig, they could worry that you might miss a deadline while moonlighting on a better gig outside of the industry.

In recent years, dad got invited to a lot of comic conventions. He loved meeting fans and telling stories of the early days at Marvel. Because he spent so much time with everyone who came to his table, he needed someone to help him keep track of things. I’m truly grateful that I was able to tag along and help him out. We got to travel a lot together; I even got to accompany him on his first trips abroad to shows in the UK and France. I’ve heard all of his stories dozens of times, but I’m really going to miss hearing him tell them.

Dad’s passion for art was infectious. I’m pretty sure he didn’t’ “get” all of the weird alternative and underground comics I discovered as a teenager, but he could see that those artists had that same passion for art that he had. He would point out how my favorites reminded him of his heroes growing up, the EC greats like Wally Wood, Al Williamson and Jack Davis. Those guys weren’t in it for the money or the fame, they poured themselves into those pages because they loved what they were doing. And my dad was the same way. He was proud of the fact that his work never felt like work. He was just doing what he loved to do since he was a little kid.”
06 Jul 2022

(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Bedford, MA/USA—July 6, 2022) The non-profit Inkwell Awards, devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, has released the list of artists participating in its sixth annual Sinnott Inking Challenge Spotlight. This year’s Challenge features artist Mike Deodato Jr.’s’ take on DC Comics’ Wonder Woman, who’s celebrating her 80th Anniversary.

Deodato chose the character and pencilled an exclusive image for the Inkwells’ event. Early in his career, it was the artist’s 1987 run on the Wonder Woman (volume 2) series with writer William Messner-Loebs that propelled his name into stardom. The artwork will be auctioned for fundraising.

According to the Inkwells’ founder/director Bob Almond, the Spotlight Challenge grew out of the original Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge but showcases contemporary, “fan-favorite” talents on a more limited scale with various veteran published inkers. In chronological order, previous pencillers were Jim Lee, Neal Adams, Erik Larsen, David Finch and Ivan Reis. Reis will be the first Spotlight featured artist to later ink another featured artist (Deodato), both residing in Brazil.

The artists (in alphabetical order) are:

Gerry Acerno
Oclair Albert
Kenneth Branch
Brett Breeding
Kevin Conrad
Marc Deering
Elisabetta D’Amico
Michelle Delecki
Adriano Di Benedetto
Mark Farmer
Eber Ferreira
Christopher Ivy
Klaus Janson
Tony Kordos
Jose Marzan Jr.
Mark McKenna
Mark Pennington
Andrew Pepoy
Joe Prado
Rodney Ramos
Ivan Reis
Jonas Trindade
LeBeau Underwood
Dexter Vines
Keith Williams

Many of these pages can be viewed as digital pics on Bob’s Facebook account photo album or the attached gif of assorted files.

“We are thrilled for the strong response from such an esteemed group,” Almond said. “We realize schedules are crazy and amorphous, so we are very grateful to those who can step up for this one. I only regret the 2 month delay launching the auctions as the original art pages were held up in customs each way from the States to Brazil. But such scenarios are out of our control, especially currently with deliveries in general.”

The Challenge Spotlight furthers the inking advocacy’s dual mission of promoting the artform and educating the public. Blue-lined art files featuring a pencilled Mike Deodato Jr. pinup are sent to the artists to finish in ink. Each inked page will be signed by Deodato and the inker, and include a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Almond. All pages will be auctioned off as part of a major fundraiser in two to three waves, the first on Saturday afternoon, July 9 for a week, with subsequent waves in two weeks’ intervals, at the Inkwells’ eBay page. As displayed in the  animated gif of samples, fans will be able to see the difference in the pencilled and inked versions to better understand how much inkers contribute to the art form.

“On behalf of the Inkwells,” said Almond, “our sincerest thanks to DC, Mike, Erick Korpi, and especially Joe Prado for setting things up, the participating inkers, and all involved for their cooperation, support of our program, and appreciation of ink artists.”

The Inkwell Awards is the only official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and educate regarding the art form of comic-book inking, as well as annually recognize the best ink artists and their work. Established in 2008, the Inkwells are overseen by a volunteer committee of industry professionals and assisted by various professional ambassadors and contributors. They sponsor the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund for the Kubert School and host the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.

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MIKE DEODATO (2014 Lucca Comics & Games)