11 Jan 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (New Bedford, MA/USA—January 11, 2024) The non-profit Inkwell Awards, devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, after having released the list of artists participating in its seventh annual Sinnott Inking Challenge Spotlight, can now announce the dates that these pages will be on the eBay auction block and the final roster of artists. This year’s Challenge features legendary creator Walter Simonson‘s take on Marvel Comics’ Ben Grimm, the Thing from the Fantastic Four. Ultimately 27 artists participated to support this educational and fundraising program, turning in their interpretations of his blueline drawing printed up on board. A gif of over half of the submitted images is attached below.

Pic: Luigi Novi

Wave 1 will launch on Saturday January 13 and will include the following in alphabetical order:
Brett Breeding
Sergio Cariello
Keith Champagne
Kevin Conrad
Elisabetta D’Amico
Marc Deering
Michelle Delecki
Adriano di Benedetto
Guy Dorian Sr.
Scott Hanna
Don Ho
Geof Isherwood
Chris IvyWAVE 2 will launch on Saturday January 27:
Jose Marzan Jr.
Mark McKenna
Allen Milgrom
Dan Parsons
Andrew Pepoy
Norm Rapmund
Craig Rousseau
Oclair Alberto Silvério
Andy Smith
Bob Smith
Jonas Trindade
LeBeau Underwood
Keith Williams
Walden Wong

According to Inkwell Awards founder and director Bob Almond, the Spotlight Challenge grew out of the original Joe Sinnott Inking Challenge but showcases legendary and contemporary, “fan-favorite” talents on a more limited scale with veteran, published ink artists. In chronological order, previous Spotlight pencillers were Jim Lee, Neal Adams, Erik Larsen, David Finch, Ivan Reis and Mike Deodato Jr.   “I always love seeing the diverse styles, decisions on approach, variety of textures and even adding extra elements to expand on the composition and/or, in this case, add to the character of Ben Grimm or leaving Easter eggs for longtime fans.”
Walter personally shared his thoughts on the experience:

“These days, I mostly ink my own pencils. It was a delight to be able to participate in the Sinnott Inking Challenge Spotlight for the Inkwell Awards. I penciled a portrait of the Thing and inked it myself after scanning the pencils. The scan was provided to over two dozen inkers and I was able to see how each of them would interpret my pencils, providing a look at the craft of inking and seeing so many unique results created from a single drawing. Thank you, one and all.”

All pages will be signed by Walter Simonson as well as the ink artists. They will come with a signed & numbered certificate of authenticity and the art will be labeled as being officially part of this popular annual event. They will start bidding at $74.99 which allows a lower-end price point for those unable to bid on previous higher-end original art items Walter donated in 2023. “I am still pinching myself about how fortunate we as a low-tier non-profit organization have been lately thanks to the immense and prolific generosity and participation of the legendary master Walter”, Bob shared. “The man has been nothing less than a saint with his communication and follow through while juggling other overlapping projects and typical life chaos. We are sincerely indebted to him.”

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.