Voting for the 4th annual Inkwell Awards was conducted via online balloting for two weeks from April 15th through May 1st, 2011. Subsequent ballots from the same IP address were omitted from the talleys. Thank you for the hundreds of e-mails of support and the many votes you placed. The Inkwell Award Committee would like to formally extend congratulations to all the winners and runners up.

FAVORITE INKER

Scott Hanna

Favorite inks over the pencil work of another artist from ’10 cover-dated interior comic book material

“Thanks to all the voters, fans and pros alike! It is wonderful to have the people we do the art for doing the voting. The inkwell Awards is doing a fantastic job promoting and educating the art of inking and it is an honor to be included in the prestigious list of previous award winners.  Inking is still alive and well, and this encourages me to keep learning and  growing with every new project!”

-Scott Hanna

WINNER: Scott Hanna (Batman & Robin, Shadowland: Powerman, Black Widow: Deadly Origin)

Other Nominees:
Wade Von Grawbadger (New Avengers)  RUNNER UP
Mark Farmer (Hulk, Avengers Prime)
Klaus Janson (Avengers)
Mark Morales (Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, Siege, Astonishing Spider-man & Wolverine)

MOST ADAPTABLE

Scott Hanna

Showing exceptional ink style versatility over pencil artists in ’10 cover-dated interior comic book material

“I definitely have to thank all of the amazing talent I was able to work with in 2010 that enabled me to show my range and keep inspiring me in art. From editors to writers, pencillers, colorists and letterers. Thanks especially to my pencillers;  Raney, St. Aubin, Kitson, Ellis, Clarke, Asrar, Alves, Edwards, Pasarin and all the rest. Their skilled pencil art is a pleasure to ink and their diversity keeps me on my toes.  I always feel I have to justify and respect the talent of the artists I collaborate with and it is great to be recognized for it.”

-Scott Hanna

WINNER: Scott Hanna (Avengers Academy, Incredible Hulk, Nova, Shadowland: Powerman, Batman & Robin, R.E.B.E.L.S.)

Other Nominees:
Mark Morales (Avengers: The Children’s Crusade, Siege, Astonishing Spider-man & Wolverine) RUNNER UP
Mark Farmer (Avengers Prime, Hulk, Fantastic Four)
Jonathan Glapion (Outsiders, Batgirl, Haunt, Blackest Night Wonder Woman
Cam Smith (Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors, Dark Wolverine, Avengers Academy, Fantastic Four Adventures)

PROPS AWARD

Art Thibert

Inker deserving of more attention for their work over pencilers from ’10 cover-dated interior comic book material

“I would like to thank Inkwell for this award and for putting together a recognition . . . more . . . a celebration for what I feel is an important component of comics, which is . . . of course, inking.  Also, huge thanks to everyone who took the time to vote for me; being recognized with this award makes me realize that what I do touches and means something to people.  Inking is an original art form that only exists in this industry, and I am very proud to be one of the lucky few that get to do this for a living.

As a kid when I would draw my own comic books, I would look at my pencils, and they never seemed finished until I had put a black line over  them.  It was the power of the inked line, and – I was hooked! It’s years later, and I’ve had the privilege to work over some of the most amazing pencils in the comic industry!  And I still feel the same way as I did then!  To me a comic book is not finished until there is a bold, dynamic, and beautiful black line over the pencils.

Having said that, I would like to thank all the pencilers I’ve ever had the honor to ink!

Thanks also to my wife, Pamela, and my daughter, Amanda, for all their support and understanding when long hours and deadlines keep me focused on work.  They always find a way to be close even when I am pushing a deadline.

Thanks to Hack Shack Studios for their assistance, dedication and long hours; especially Trever Cameron and Lia Perrone.

And finally, I would like to mention those who saw potential and who helped me establish a career in comics.  There are so many friends and industry people who have been there for me all along the way.  So thanks to Jim Valentino – Ralph Macchio – Bob Greenberger – Rob Liefield — Mike Carlin – Jon Peterson – Jim Lee – Bob Harras — Walter Simonson – Mark Pacella — Dan Panosian – Trever Scott — Jaime Mendoza – Danny Miki – Dan Morvec – and Curt Windham.

And to every inker out there who inspires me by constantly raising the high bar and keeping me working so hard, I share this award with each and every one of you.  Thanks, brothers!!!”

WINNER: Art Thibert (Doc Savage, Captain Action Comics Special, Brightest Day)

Other Nominees:
• Mariah Benes (Birds of Prey) RUNNER UP
 Rebecca Buchman  (Brightest Day, Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps)
 Vicente Cifuentes (Fall of the Hulks: Red Hulk, Green Arrow)
 Derek Fridolfs (Batman: Streets of Gotham)
• Klaus Janson (Avengers)
• Victor Olazaba (Shadowland, Age of Heroes) • Dan Parsons (Star Wars: Legacy War)
• Trevor Scott (Batgirl, Freedom Fighters
• Cam Smith (Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors, Dark Wolverine, Avengers Academy)
• Juan Vlasco >(X-Men, Deadpool)

S.P.A.M.I

Cliff Rathburn

Favorite Small Press And Mainstream-Independent ’10 cover-dated interior comic book ink work over another pencil artist (Non-Marvel or DC work)

 

WINNER: Cliff Rathburn (Guarding the Globe, Invincible)

Other Nominees:
 Todd McFarlane (Spawn, Haunt) RUNNER UP
 Andy Owens (Buffy The Vampire Slayer-Season Eight)
 Sal Regla (Artifacts, Magdalena)

ALL-IN-ONE

Francis Manapul

Favorite artist known for almost-exclusively inking his/her own interior comic book pencil work and rarely the work of others in ’10

“I want to thank the Inkwell Awards for this honor. I want to thank my fans, my friends and family, most of all my mom and my lovely girlfriend for their endless patience and support. I also want to dedicate this in memory of my most loyal friend Abbey, my inspiration for Adventure Comics and Krypto. Thank you.”

WINNER: Francis Manapul (Adventure Comics, The Flash)

Other Nominees:
 Jerry Ordway (Superman/Batman) RUNNER UP
 Chris Samnee (Thor: The Mighty Avenger)
 Neal Adams (Batman: Odyssey)
 Eric Shanower (Age of Bronze)

THE JOE SINNOTT HALL OF FAME AWARD

Wally Wood

Kevin Nowlan

A hall of fame designation for an inking career of outstanding accomplishment in comic books (lifetime achievement, 25-years minimum- two winners chosen annually)

Joe Sinnott shared this statement in regards to this year’s results:

“I just want to say again what an honor it truly is to have my name associated with the Inkwells annual Hall of Fame Award. To have these fine inkers share in this great honor of this award is truly gratifying to me. The finished product that we all see on the comic book pages is the result of fine embellishment provided by these talented inkers.

As you know, all too often most pencilers do a magnificent job, however, the finished product in many cases is the result of a talented inker. I would like to congratulate my old friend the late Wally Wood, and the highly talented Kevin Nowlan on receiving this year’s award. Waiting in the wings there are many who are deserving of this honor. Best wishes and good luck to those nominated next year and in the years to come.”
Joltin’ Joe Sinnott (class of 2008)

“The Inkwell Awards’ decision to induct Wally Wood into their Comic-Art Inker Hall of Fame indicates the Inkwells’ significant knowledge of their subject. Wood (like our friend, Joe Sinnott, whom this award is aptly named after), was a consummate craftsman whose style amazingly spanned every genre from Disney-esque funny animal cartoons to superheroes like Daredevil, THUNDER Agents, and Superboy; from Mad magazine to science-fiction; Westerns to war comics; and beyond. This accolade is a worthy addition to the great legacy of Wallace Wood. We are honored to receive this award on Woody’s behalf. Long live The Inkwells and long live the legacy of Wally Wood.”

J. David Spurlock
Agent for the Wallace Wood Estate

Other Nominees:
Murphy Anderson
Dick Ayers
John Beatty
Dan Green
Bob McLeod
Tom Palmer  RUNNER UP
Josef Rubenstein
Syd Shores
Joe Simon
Bob Wiacek

 

2011 Inkwell Awards – Bob Almond’s Transcript