Voting for the 5th annual Inkwell Awards was conducted via online balloting for two weeks from May 1st through May 15th, 2012. Subsequent ballots from the same IP address were omitted from the tallies. Thank you for the thousand votes you placed. The Inkwell Awards Committee would like to formally extend congratulations to all the winners and runners up.

FAVORITE INKER

Mark Farmer

Favorite inker over the pencil work of another artist from ’11 cover-dated interior American comic book material

“WOW, what an unexpected and pleasant surprise!

I’d like to extend a big thanks to the INKWELL organisers and their ongoing efforts to promote the art of inking, as well as everyone who voted for me, fans and pros alike.

Please accept my sincerest apologies for not being able to receive the award personally. Family circumstances back in the UK currently prevent me from doing much else than support my family and fit in work wherever I can. This award comes as a timely “pick me up” especially when I look around and see how many top rate inkers there are out there working in the comics biz today who could just as easily have won.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with some top rate pencillers over the years and like to think I’ve done my best to help them in their storytelling efforts at all times. Occasionally, I’ve struggled with the work of less able artists and been torn between sticking to the pencils as presented or trying to subtly “correct” any mistakes as I see them.  I’ve always tried to not work against the penciller, regardless of my personal tastes, as I figure it’s the editor’s job to point out any artist’s drawing deficiencies, not mine, but it can be hard and I hope I’ve pleased more people than I’ve upset.

I’m not sure how my fellow inkers feel, as I don’t get a chance to chat with them very often, but with the problems I have with the varying quality of papers, inks, brushes and pens it can be difficult to show your work at its best.

The industry seems to be forgetting that this is a visual storytelling medium and that clarity should be paramount …. in writing, pencilling, colouring, lettering and, of course,  inking. We’re all aware that computer techniques in colouring, lettering and scanning, when used to enhance the storytelling, are fantastic tools, which makes it all the more disheartening to see them used without thought or suitable restraint. That’s why it’s great that awards such as the INKWELL are fighting the inker’s corner as our work can sometimes get lost in the mix.

Having grown up with black and white comics I’ve always had a love of sweet line work and I’m a still an advocate of most artists trying to ink their own work. Whenever I need a tonic I just look at the inking of people I admire, Bernie Wrightson, Nestor Redondo, Tom Palmer and the greatest influence on my early work, ‘Joltin’ Joe Sinnot, to feel invigorated and inspired.  I love having to ask, “How the hell did he do that?” even as I acknowledge that I’ll never be able to emulate their technique or style.

I guess a special mention should go to my long time collaborator, the story-teller supreme, Alan Davis, who never lets his standards slip and makes sure that mine don’t either.  It’s been a pleasure to work on his pencils for so many years, even if it can be a little intense at times and I only hope we can continue to work on the type of stories we like (they must be out there somewhere!) for many years to come.

Once again, many thanks to the INKWELLS,  I am truly honoured to receive this award.”

-Mark Farmer

WINNER: MARK FARMER (Captain America, X-Men: Schism)

Other Nominees:

  • Scott Williams (Justice League) RUNNER UP
  • Rick Magyar (Fantastic Four, FF)
  • Matt Ryan (Weird Worlds, Justice League International, My Greatest Adventure) 

MOST ADAPTABLE

Scott Hanna

Showing exceptional ink style versatility over other pencil artists in ’11 interior cover-dated American comic book material  

One of the great things about the inkwell Awards is that they allow a look at the inker as a separate entity. Even though I love the collaborative nature of this art form, it is wonderful to be chosen in a category that looks at the whole breadth of an inkers work and style, not only as part of a single issue. I truly enjoy utilizing different techniques and styles to best suit the different art teams and stories I work with.
I am fortunate to have worked with many fantastic teams of creators over the past year, so being awarded for the efforts with all of them is a real honor. Thanks to all the voters and to all of the talent I was able to work with in 2011!
-Scott Hanna

Winner: Scott Hanna (Avengers Academy, Avengers, REBELS, Herc, GL Corps, Amazing Spiderman)

Other Nominees:

  • Norm Rapmund (Booster Gold, Brightest Day, Justice League of America, Teen Titans) RUNNER UP
  • Jonathan Glapion (Legion of Super-Heroes, Outsiders, Haunt, Batman, Static Shock)
  • Mick Gray (Batman & Robin, Jonah Hex, Green Lantern Movie Prequel: Abin Sur, Green Lantern)

PROPS AWARD

Scott Hanna

Inker deserving of more attention for their work over other pencilers from ’11 interior cover-dated American comic book material 

Sometimes we get to work on books that are not necessarily high profile, but are still very high quality. Both of the books I was nominated for in the Props category fit that description perfectly. Thanks for the recognition of the inking with the artists Tom Raney and Sean Chen on Avengers Academy,  and Neil Edwards on Herc, as well as colorists Jeromy Cox and Jesus Aburtov. The team efforts on both books was fantastic and it is wonderful to be honored for my part in the finished product.
-Scott Hanna

WINNER: Scott Hanna (Herc, Avengers Academy)

Other Nominees:

  • Steve Leialoha (Fables) RUNNER UP
  • Dave Beaty (Brightest Day, Doom Patrol, Flashpoint: Wonder Woman & the Furies)
  • Marc Deering (Superman/Batman, Legion: Secret Origins)
  • Jay Leisten (Captain America)
  • Joe Rivera (Daredevil) 
  • Rebecca Buchman (Avengers Academy, Heroes for Hire)
  • Doug Hazlewood (Teen Titans)
  • Rick Bryant (Action Comics)
  • Michel Lacombe (Batman Incorporated)
  • Marcelo Sosa (Astonishing X-Men)

S.P.A.M.I

Dexter Vines

Favorite Small Press And Mainstream-Independent ’11 interior cover-dated American comic book ink work over another pencil artist (Non-Marvel or DC work)

I would like to thank all the great fans that voted for me, this is a great honor. I hope to contribute to the art of Inking for a long time to come.

Thanks!
-Dexter Vines

WINNER: Dexter Vines (Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9)

Other Nominees:

  • Gary Erskine (GI Joe: A Real American Hero)  RUNNER UP
  • Todd McFarlane (Haunt, Spawn)
  • Sal Regla (Magdalena: Blood of the Lamb, Mysterious Ways)

ALL-IN-ONE

J.H. Williams

Favorite artist known for inking his/ her own pencil work in ’11 interior cover-dated American comic book material

It’s an absolute honor to have garnered this unique award,  I thank all who voted for me.  It’s this kind of acknowledgment that many others deserve but may not ever see, so I’m extremely grateful for this kind of recognition.
-J.H. Williams

WINNER: J.H. Williams III (Batwoman)

Other Nominees:

  • Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman) RUNNER UP
  • Francis Manapul (Flash)
  • Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo)
  • Jordi Bernet (Jonah Hex, American Vampire)
  • Terry Moore (Rachel Rising)

THE JOE SINNOTT HALL OF FAME AWARD

Mark McKenna (with Joe Sinnott)

Scott Williams

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

Wow, I am humbled by winning such a prestigious award, no doubt due to the support of the fan base. To be in the company of the talent, most (of which) I grew up with, is a bit mind-boggling, then I try and put into perspective the question, what am I doing here?

It’s then that I remember that I started in comics just after John Romita, Sr. called me and asked me to work at Marvel Comics as an art corrections artist back in 1983!  After telling John I couldn’t afford the commute into NYC from Long Island every day, I finally agreed to the job after 3 phone calls from him offering the opportunity over the next 6 months… and I never looked back! That was 29 years ago. Since then I have been credited in nearly 500 comics and almost 8000 pages of art bear my ink lines.

Needless to say, this is an exceptionally great honor…
–Mark McKenna

What an honor it is to receive the Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame award! While I have won other notices of recognition for my work in the past, it is something else entirely to be honored for the entire body of my 27 years of work.  This is really special, and it means that while a career can have its’ ups and its’ downs, I’ve accomplished one of my primary personal goals, which is to maintain as much consistency and integrity in my work over the long haul while still making my deadlines.  And to have Joe Sinnott’s name attached to this honor, one of the very best to EVER sit in the inker/artist’s chair?  That’s special.  I’m a lucky guy in so many ways, and to be able to make a living doing what you love and being recognized for doing it is as good as it gets.  Thanks to you all.”
-Scott Williams

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

Another year has passed and there are yet two more great inkers to be honored in receiving the 2012 Inkwell Awards Joe Sinnott Hall of Fame Award.  Congratulations go out to Mark McKenna and Scott Williams who are two equally deserving inkers, that will receive this award.  Many thanks to all the fans that voted for their favorite inkers. Good luck to next years nominees as I know there are many more deserving inkers that do a fine job embellishing the pencillers work and arriving at the finished product that we all get to see in print.”
–Joltin’ Joe Sinnott (class of 2008)

Other Nominees:

  • Tom Palmer RUNNER UP
  • Murphy Anderson RUNNER UP
  • Dick Ayers
  • Bob McLeod
  • Joe Simon
  • Dan Green
  • Josef Rubenstein
  • John Beatty 
  • Frank Giacoia