The Inkwell Awards—often shortened to the Inkwells—are dedicated to recognizing excellence in comic‑book inking across the American industry. Founded in 2008 by inker Bob Almond with a committee of creators and advocates, the program celebrates the craft, visibility, and legacy of ink artists through peer‑driven awards, hall‑of‑fame honors, scholarships, and public outreach.
Infobox: Inkwell Awards (Quick Facts)
| Awarded for | Excellence in comic‑book inking |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | The Inkwell Awards Committee |
| First award | July 2008 |
| Named Hall of Fame | Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame (lifetime achievement) |
| Scholarship | Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship (annual $1,000 at the Joe Kubert School) |
| Recent venues | Heroes Convention (2011–2018); Great Philadelphia Comic Con (2019); uspended live shows 2020–2023; Hershey Comic Con (from 2024) |
| Website | https://www.inkwellawards.com/ |
Overview
The Inkwells spotlight the full spectrum of inking—finishers/embellishers, studio inkers, and writer‑artists who ink their own pencils—across mainstream and independent publishing. Core annual awards include Favorite Inker, Most‑Adaptable Inker, Props Award (recognizing under‑sung talent), SPAMI (Small Press and Mainstream‑Independent), and the All‑in‑One Award (for artists who pencil and ink their work). Lifetime contributions are honored through the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame, and service contributions via the Above and Beyond Award.
History & Organization
- Founding (2008). In January 2008, inker Bob Almond proposed an awards program focused on inking. Founding contributors included Tim Townsend, Jim Tournas, Bill Nichols, and writer Daniel Best, with public support from Adam Hughes and editor Mike Marts.
- Hall of Fame naming. The program’s lifetime honor is named for legendary inker Joe Sinnott.
- Dave Simons Scholarship. In memory of Dave Simons, the committee established a recurring $1,000 scholarship benefiting a student at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art.
- Ceremony venues. The first live presentation occurred at The New England Comic Con (2010), followed by an annual home at Heroes Convention (2011–2018). In 2019, the ceremony moved to the Great Philadelphia Comic Con (Oaks, PA). Live ceremonies were suspended 2020–2023 due to the pandemic. In 2024, the Inkwells announced Hershey Comic Con as the live‑presentation venue.
- Funding & outreach. The awards are donation‑funded; notable early fundraisers included a benefit book by Jimmy Tournas (2010). Visual identity elements were designed by Dan Panosian (logo) and Randy Green (spokesperson costume).
How the Awards Work
- Eligibility & scope. Honors focus on cover‑dated American comics from the award year across corporate, creator‑owned, and independent publishers. Eligible formats include single issues, serial chapters, original graphic novels, anthologies, and digital‑first releases subsequently distributed for the U.S. market. Work is judged on the credited inker/finisher (sole or team credits allowed); ghost or uncredited work is ineligible. Reprints/collections are eligible only when they feature newly created inking or substantial restoration/finishing credited in that year. International creators are eligible if the work is published for the U.S. market in the award year.
- Categories. Competitive categories emphasize versatility (Most‑Adaptable—range across genres, tools, and collaborators), recognition of undervalued work (Props—spotlighting deserving inkers with less mainstream visibility), independent output (SPAMI—non‑Marvel/DC projects across small press and mainstream‑independent imprints), and integrated craft (All‑in‑One—artists who ink their own pencils on interior/story pages). The program may introduce special or pilot categories as needed (e.g., early‑year citations such as MVP, Most‑Prolific, or Favorite Finisher/Embellisher) and can retire or reinstate categories to reflect industry shifts.
- Selection & voting. A nominations phase (committee‑led with community input) produces a longlist/shortlist; credit verification confirms eligibility and accurate inker attribution. Final public balloting is conducted online, with provisions for ties or near‑ties (co‑winners may be named). Winners are announced at the live ceremony (or digitally when necessary), with certificates/trophies issued and mailed when recipients cannot attend. The Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame follows a career‑achievement model (generally 25‑year minimum, posthumous recognition allowed), typically limited to two inductees per year with rare exceptions for extraordinary contributions. The Above and Beyond service honor and other special citations are determined by the committee.
Categories & Winners (By Year)
Years refer to the award year (for that year’s cover‑dated material). Where provided, ties and retro/modern splits are noted.
Favorite Inker (Inking over another artist)
- 2008 (retro): Terry Austin & Joe Sinnott (tie) • (modern): Danny Miki
- 2009 Wade Von Grawbadger • 2010 Mark Morales • 2011 Scott Hanna • 2012 Mark Farmer • 2013 Klaus Janson • 2014 Norm Rapmund • 2015 Victor Olazaba • 2016 Joe Prado • 2017 Scott Hanna • 2018 Scott Hanna • 2019 Walden Wong • 2020 Walden Wong • 2021 Ruy José • 2022 Eber Ferreira • 2023 Walden Wong • 2024 Wade Von Grawbadger
Most‑Adaptable Inker (Versatility)
- 2008 Danny Miki • 2009 Tim Townsend • 2010 Scott Hanna • 2011 Scott Hanna • 2012 Scott Hanna • 2013 Jonathan Glapion • 2014 Walden Wong • 2015 Walden Wong • 2016 Walden Wong • 2017 Walden Wong • 2018 Scott Hanna • 2019 Walden Wong • 2020 Walden Wong • 2021 Norm Rapmund • 2022 Norm Rapmund • 2023 Walden Wong • 2024 Elisabetta D’Amico
Props Award (Deserving of More Attention)
- 2008 Danny Miki • 2009 Matt Ryan • 2010 Jonathan Glapion • 2011 Art Thibert • 2012 Scott Hanna • 2013 Eber Ferreira • 2014 Walden Wong • 2015 Wade Von Grawbadger • 2016 Wade Von Grawbadger • 2017 Scott Hanna • 2018 Joe Prado • 2019 Elisabetta D’Amico • 2020 Eber Ferreira • 2021 Eber Ferreira • 2022 Tim Townsend • 2023 Adriano Di Benedetto • 2024 Elisabetta D’Amico
The “SPAMI” Award (Small Press & Mainstream‑Independent)
- 2009 Tim Townsend • 2010 Dan Parsons • 2011 Cliff Rathburn • 2012 Dexter Vines • 2013 Sal Buscema • 2014 Andrew Pepoy • 2015 Dan Parsons • 2016 Stefano Gaudiano • 2017 Jonathan Glapion • 2018 Sal Buscema • 2019 Stefano Gaudiano • 2020 Stefano Gaudiano • 2021 Adelso Corona • 2022 Adelso Corona • 2023 David Cabeza • 2024 Terry Moore
All‑in‑One Award (Artist Inks Own Pencils)
- 2009 Mike Mignola • 2010 Amanda Conner • 2011 Francis Manapul • 2012 J.H. Williams III • 2013 Skottie Young • 2014 Stan Sakai • 2015 Fiona Staples • 2016 Jason Fabok • 2017 Erik Larsen • 2018 Liam Sharp • 2019 Lee Weeks • 2020 Liam Sharp • 2021 Chris Samnee • 2022 Walter Simonson • 2023 Nir Levie • 2024 Salvador Larroca
Special Recognition Award (SRA) / Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award (SASRA)
- 2015 Bernie Wrightson • 2016 Vince Colletta • 2017 Allen Milgrom & Violet Barclay (posthumous; accepted by Allen Bellman) • 2018 Russ Heath • 2019 Jack Davis & Marie Severin • 2020 Allen Bellman, Sal Buscema, Norman Lee • 2021 Wendy Pini, Alfredo Alcala, Frank Frazetta • 2022 George Pérez, Gene Day, John Severin, Dave Stevens • 2023 Danny Bulanadi, Reed Crandall, Dave Simons • 2024 John Totleben, George Klein, Graham Ingels
Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame (Lifetime Achievement)
- 2008 Joe Sinnott • 2009 Terry Austin, Dick Giordano • 2010 Klaus Janson, Al Williamson • 2011 Wally Wood, Kevin Nowlan • 2012 Mark McKenna, Scott Williams • 2013 Dick Ayers, Murphy Anderson • 2014 Joe Simon, Tom Palmer • 2015 Joe Kubert, Steve Ditko • 2016 Frank Giacoia, Josef Rubinstein • 2017 Jerry Ordway, Rudy Nebres • 2018 Joe Giella, Bob McLeod • 2019 Neal Adams, Dan Adkins • 2020 Bob Layton, John Romita Sr., Bernie Wrightson • 2021 Mike Esposito, Pablo Marcos, Sal Buscema, Mike Royer • 2022 Brett Breeding, Bob Wiacek • 2023 Frank Frazetta, Syd Shores • 2024 Chic Stone, Ernie Chan
Above and Beyond Award (Service to the Inkwells)
- 2018 Hailey Skaza‑Gagne, Robert Haines, Mark Sinnott • 2019 Michael Hoskin, Shelton Drum • 2020 none • 2021 Bob Bretall, Johnny B. Gerardy • 2022 Michele Witchipoo • 2023 Rik Offenberger, Tony Parker, Keith Williams • 2024 Edward Harris, Jim Johnson, Michael Hoskin, Mike Pascale
Early/Pilot Awards (2008)
- MVP Award: Danny Miki • Call of Duty Award: Bob Almond • Favorite Finisher/Embellisher: (retro) Tom Palmer / (modern) Kevin Nowlan • Most‑Prolific Inker: Danny Miki
Ambassadors & Special Ambassadors
The Inkwells appoint Ambassadors to advocate for inkers and the organization.
Special Ambassadors:
- Joe Sinnott (2012–2020) • Mike McKone (from 2010) • J. David Spurlock (from 2011) • Clifford Meth (from 2014) • Aldrin “Buzz” Aw (from 2018) • Rags Morales (from 2018) • Dan Parsons (from 2018) • Mark Sinnott & Joe Prado (from 2021) • Dan DiDio (from 2022)
Ambassadors (selected):
- Adam Hughes (2008) • Mike Marts (2008–2018; inactive) • Sal Velluto (2010) • Mark Brooks (2010) • Trevor Von Eeden (2010) • Cully Hamner (2011) • Joe Kubert (2011–2012) • Eric Basaldua (2011) • Phil Jimenez (2011) • Jim Shooter (2012) • Brian Pulido (2012) • Jim Starlin (2014) • Laura Martin (2014) • Rich Buckler (2015–2017)
Guests of Honor & Keynote Speakers (Selected)
- 2011: Dan Panosian (Keynote), Tim Townsend (Presenter)
- 2012: Bob McLeod (Keynote), Ethan Van Sciver (Presenter)
- 2013: Jimmy Palmiotti (Keynote), Cully Hamner (Presenter), J. David Spurlock (Hall of Fame Presenter)
- 2014: Bill Sienkiewicz (Guest of Honor), Dexter Vines (Presenter), Steve Saffel & Ron Garney (Hall of Fame Presenters)
- 2015: Klaus Janson (Guest of Honor), Mike McKone & Mark McKenna (Presenters), Orion Zangara & Craig Yoe (Hall of Fame), Scott Hampton (SRA Presenter)
- 2016: Jim Steranko (Special Appearance), J. David Spurlock (SRA Presenter), Todd Dezago & Mike Grell (Hall of Fame Presenters)
- 2017: Joe Giella (Guest of Honor), Allen Bellman (Guest Speaker; SASRA Presenter), Mike Pascale (Presenter)
- 2018: Mike Royer (Guest of Honor), Dan Panosian (Presenter), Pat Broderick (Lifetime Presenter)
- 2019: Mark McKenna (Guest of Honor), J. David Spurlock (Hall of Fame Presenter)
- 2024: Keith Williams (Presenter), Geof Isherwood (SASRA Presenter), Mark Sinnott, J. David Spurlock, Bill Morrison (Hall of Fame Presenters)
Legacy & Impact
Beyond celebrating individual careers, the Inkwells have:
- Raised the profile of inking as a distinct, skilled discipline integral to comics storytelling and production.
- Documented and honored history through the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame and SASRA, broadening recognition of both mainstream and overlooked contributors.
- Invested in the next generation via the Dave Simons Scholarship, connecting educational institutions and the professional community.
- Fostered community advocacy through Ambassadors, live ceremonies, and fundraising initiatives that educate fans about the art of inking.
See Also
- Eisner Awards (creative achievement in comics)
- Harvey Awards (industry awards)
- Inkpot Award (Comic‑Con honor)
