Inkwell Awards (original) (raw)

About Inkwell

The Inkwell Award, sometimes shortened to the Inkwells, is an award given for creative achievement in the field of inking in American comic books. It was created to focus on and show more recognition toward the inking art form and its artists, a production skill exclusive to comic books that is often misunderstood and under-appreciated and whose inkers are at times not presently credited as they were traditionally. The Inkwell Awards were partially named after the Yahoo group whose members include many in the inking community and after the personal website name of the organization founder Bob Almond, The Bob Almond Inkwell. The awards concept was created as a topic of one of his ‘Inkblots’ columns in Sketch Magazine in 2007 which saw print in 2008 after the group formation. The mission statement of the Inkwell Awards is, “To promote and educate about the art form of comic book inking and to show recognition for ink artists.” “Inkwell Awards” and “Ms. Inkwell” and their respective logos/likenesses are registered (R) 2023 Bob Almond. Inkwell Awards logos created by Dan Panosian and Ms. Inkwell logo created by Gina Kirlew. The Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship Fund logo created by Michael Netzer.

History of the Inkwell Awards

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.

The History of the Inkwell Awards

The awards concept was created by Founder and Director Bob Almond in one of his “Inkblots” columns written for Sketch Magazine #35 in 2007, which didn’t see print until 2008 after the group formation. The awards were partially named after an old Yahoo! group whose members include many in the inking community, and after Almond’s personal website…

Resources

History

Ambassadors

Committee

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The 2012 Inkwell Awards Donation Drive Sketchbook (V. 4, #1) 5.00–5.00 – 5.00–8.95

The 2011 Inkwell Awards Donation Drive Sketchbook (V. 3, #1) 5.00–5.00 – 5.00–8.95

The 2010 Inkwell Awards Donation Drive Sketchbook (V. 2, #1) 5.00–5.00 – 5.00–8.95

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New Inkwell Shirts (for 2018-10 year anniversary) 10.00–10.00 – 10.00–20.00

Franchesco M. Inkwell Shirts (from 2018- 10th anniversary) 10.00–10.00 – 10.00–20.00

Award Recipients

Nominees in five different inking categories are chosen each year by a special volunteer nomination committee (which changes from year to year). Once nominations are tallied, voting is open to the public—fans and professionals alike—online via the non-profit’s website. Winners are announced during the first quarter of the year and awards are presented at an annual live show in the spring during a host convention (the current one being The Great Philadelphia Comic Con! in Pennsylvania). Here on the site, winners’ names for each category are posted, going back to the first awards in 2008…

Sinnott Hall of Fame

The Inkwell Awards has two annual lifetime achievement honors (The Joe Sinnott Hall Of Fame and the Stacey Aragon Special Recognition Award, or SASRA) which are nominated and chosen by an internal committee. The Hall Of Fame is awarded for an inking career in American comic books of outstanding accomplishment (25-years minimum). This award takes its name from a living legend (and one of the nicest guys in the business). Though most famous as Jack Kirby’s long-time inker on Marvel’s original Fantastic Four title, Joe Sinnott is much more to many professionals and fans alike…

Simons Scholarship

Every year, the Inkwells donate funds to help a worthy, talented student of the exclusive Kubert School, in honor of the late, great Dave Simons. After studying with the legendary John Buscema, Dave went on to ink more legends over the years at Marvel and other publishers—including John’s brother Sal Buscema, Gene Colan and Mike Mignola. After Dave’s illness and passing, the Inkwell Awards established a scholarship in his name as an honor to their friend, supporter and core committee member. But there’s much more to the story (and Dave’s unique career)…

Ms. Inkwell

The Inkwell Awards’ sophisticated spokesmodel is not your average comic-book “babe,” thanks to her creators, portraitists and the many wonderful women who have portrayed her over the years (and continue to bring her to life at events). The Inkwells maintain a gallery of photos and artwork of their flagship character on the site. Created by Bob Almond and a few other talented artists as a reaction to the long-time (and arguably sexist) comic-book convention practice of having a scantily-clad attractive female at one’s booth to attract lonely male comic fans, Ms. Inkwell’s origin story is as complex and unique as her character…

Inkwell Award Supporters