# Inkwell Awards

The Inkwell Award, sometimes shortened to the Inkwells, is an award given for inking in American comic books.

## History

In January 2008, Bob Almond proposed establishing an award to recognize comic book inkers. Founding members included artists Tim Townsend, Jim Tournas, Bill Nichols, and writer Daniel Best, with support from artist Adam Hughes and DC Comics editor Mike Marts.
The Hall of Fame Award was named in honor of Joe Sinnott.
In memory of artist Dave Simons, the Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship was established, offering a $1,000 annual award to a Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art student.
Wizard Entertainment sponsored the first live Inkwell Awards presentation at The New England Comic Con in October 2010. In 2011, Heroes Convention became the host for the annual live presentation ceremony. The Inkwell Awards moved to the Great Philadelphia Comic Con in Oaks, Pennsylvania, in 2019.
Live awards presentations were suspended from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the Hershey Comic Con was announced as the new venue for live awards presentations.

## Contributors

The Inkwell Awards are funded via donations. In 2010, a book produced by Jimmy Tournas at the Boston Comic Con raised funds for the awards.
Artist Dan Panosian designed the Inkwell Awards logo. Randy Green designed the Inkwell spokesperson costume.

## Ambassadors

The position of ambassador recognizes creators for their support for the Inkwell Awards. Unless noted otherwise, all ambassadors continue to hold this position.

### Special Ambassadors

* Joe Sinnott, 2012 until his death in June 2020 (artist)
* Mike McKone, July 2010 (artist)
* J. David Spurlock, March 2011 (publisher, editor, author, artist, and advocate)
* Clifford Meth, August 2014 (writer and advocate)
* Aldrin "Buzz" Aw, January 2018 (artist)
* Rags Morales, September 2018 (artist)
* Dan Parsons, September 2018 (artist)
* Mark Sinnott and Joe Prado, January 2021
* Dan DiDio, August 2022 (writer, editor, and publisher)

### Ambassadors

These supporting artists who help advocate for inkers are called ambassadors.
* Adam Hughes, February 2008 (artist)
* Mike Marts, February 2008 – August 2018 (editor), inactive
* Sal Velluto, July 2010 (artist)
* Mark Brooks, June 2010 (artist)
* Trevor Von Eeden, July 2010 (artist)
* Cully Hamner, June 2011 (artist)
* Joe Kubert, September 2011 until his death in August 2012 (artist, author, editor, and legend)
* Eric Basaldua, September 2011 (artist)
* Phil Jimenez, September 2011 (artist)
* Jim Shooter, January 2012 (writer and editor)
* Brian Pulido, October 2012 (artist, writer, editor, and publisher)
* Jim Starlin, August 2014 (artist and writer)
* Laura Martin, August 2014 (colorist)
* Rich Buckler, 2015 until his death in May 2017 (artist)

## Guests of honor and keynote speakers

At many of the live ceremonies, notable comic book creators were invited as guests of honor and keynote speakers.
* 2011: Dan Panosian, Keynote Speaker
* 2012: Bob McLeod, Keynote Speaker
* 2013: Jimmy Palmiotti, Keynote Speaker
* 2014: Bill Sienkiewicz, Guest of Honor
* 2015: Klaus Janson, Guest of Honor
* 2016: Jim Steranko, Special Appearance
* 2017: Joe Giella, Guest of Honor and Allen Bellman, Guest Speaker
* 2018: Mike Royer, Guest of Honor
* 2019: Mark McKenna, Guest of Honor