Inkwell Awards Announces Ivan Reis Spotlight Challenge
by James Ferguson
The Inkwell Awards, the non-profit devoted to promoting the art of comic book inking, has released a list of 24 artists participating in its fifth annual Sinnott Inking Challenge Spotlight. This year’s challenge has artist Ivan Reis‘ take on DC’s Justice League from the cover art to Man of Steel, as originally inked by Joe Prado. The artwork will be auctioned afterwards for fundraising.
Here’s the list of artists participating:
- Gerry Acerno
- Greg Adams
- Brian Atkins
- Keith Champagne
- Kevin Conrad
- John Dell
- Michelle Delecki
- Anthony Fowler Jr.
- Scott Hanna
- Christopher Ivy
- Jay Leisten
- Criss Madd
- Jose Marzen Jr.
- Mark McKenna
- Jason Moore
- Andrew Pepoy
- Jack Purcell
- Rodney Ramos
- Ryusei Sawada (Kubert School 2020 Dave Simons Inkwell Memorial Scholarship recipient)
- Mike Sellers
- Mark Stegbauer
- LeBeau Underwood
- Keith Williams
- Walden Wong
“We are thrilled to have such a positive response from such a great group,” says founder / director Bob Almond. “We realize schedules are tight and ever-changing, especially in this age of Covid, so we are truly grateful to those able to step up for this one.” He added that the list may change somewhat if schedules change but they hope to have 24 participants in total. “If there’s one thing we’ve learned during our decade-plus operation, it’s flexibility in the face of the unexpected.”
The Challenge Spotlight serves a dual purpose of both promoting the artform and educating the public. Each artist receives blue-lined art files featuring Reis’ tightly penciled work for them to finish and ink. Each inked page will be signed by Reis and the inker and will include a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Almond.
“On behalf of the Inkwells,” said Almond, “our sincerest thanks to DC, Ivan, Erick Korpi and especially Joe Prado for setting things up with Ivan, myself and Erick, the participating inkers, and all involved for their cooperation, support of our program, and appreciation of ink artists.”