FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New Bedford, MA–July 23, 2025) The Inkwell Awards has announced the winners of its 18th annual awards for excellence in the comic-book inking art form at their new host-show the Hershey Comic Con June 19. Nominees were chosen by a separate and independent nomination committee based on their own research as well as from artist submissions. Voting by professionals and fans took place for two weeks on March 23 to April 6 on the official ballot at the non-profit advocacy’s website. After 5508 ballots were tallied, one winner was chosen in each of five categories for 2024 release-dated interior American published comic-book material.
The 2025 INKWELL AWARDS VOTING RESULTS were circulated July 21 and more recently the INKWELL AWARDS’ 2025 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT WINNERS (were) ANNOUNCED. Now we present the expanded “Racehorse” version like those that were posted in our annual Sinnott Inking Challenge Books and were inspired by the past Comic Buyer’s Guide/CBG Fan Awards results. This one supplies all of the nominees’ votes, percentages, race observations and winners’ statements (those who sent in typed statements).
Favorite Inker Award: Favorite ink artist over the pencil work of another artist. (NOTE: Cannot be nominated for the PROPS award.)
1. Elisabetta D’Amico: Star Wars: High Republic Adventures, The Midnight Shadows [Dark Horse]; Avengers Assemble, Giant-Size Spider-Gwen, NYX, Spider-Gwen: Smash, Xmen: Bloodhunt- Jubilee [Marvel] 406 votes
2. Eber Ferreira: Action Comics, Suicide Squad, Suicide Squad: Dream Team [DC] 194 votes
3. Don Ho: Amazing Spider-Man Annual, Silver Surfer Rebirth: Legacy [Marvel] 209 votes, runner-up
4. Pedro Marasco: Almost Dead [Ablaze] 61 votes
5. Danny Miki: Action Comics [DC] 176 votes
5. Wade von Grawbadger: Amazing Spider-Man, Edge of the Spider-Verse [Marvel] 186 votes
1. Elisabetta D’Amico: Star Wars: High Republic Adventures, The Midnight Shadows [Dark Horse]; Avengers Assemble, Giant-Size Spider-Gwen, NYX, Spider-Gwen: Smash, Xmen: Bloodhunt- Jubilee [Marvel] 519 votes
2. Tony Kordos: G.I. Joe: ARAH [Image/Skybound]; Forgotten Runes: Wizard’s Cult [Titan] 390 votes, runner-up
I feel honored and excited. It’s an honor to receive this award that represents every single page i’ve inked this year.
A way to honor and “reward me” for every night spent working. It’s hard to put into words the meaning of our work. It’s hard to capture its essence, for those who have never inked.
It’s a dance of lines with four hands. A connection and hard work that’s nice to share with all of you and that we can honor it in this way.
I wanted to thank all of you for the support, Bob and Ray (Burke), for organizing all of this, for giving value to every brush stroke.
A special thanks to my wonderful family, my partner and my friends for supporting me every day in all of this.
A special shout out to Joe (Prado), who I had the pleasure of meeting last year, a person of wonderful kindness.
I hug all of you tightly from Italy.”
Props Award: Ink artist deserving of more attention for their work over other pencil artists. (NOTE: The same inker cannot be nominated for both this award and Favorite Inker; only one or the other. Nor any past Favorite Inker recipients)
1. Adriano Di Benedetto: Batman [DC] 512 votes
2. Jeff Graham: Gold Scarab [Impressia] 149 votes
3. Tony Kordos: G.I. Joe: ARAH [Image/Skybound]; Forgotten Runes: Wizard’s Cult [Titan] 370 votes, runner-up
With 512 votes and 50%, our winner is ADRIANO DI BENEDETTO! This is Adriano’s 2nd time winning in this category having previously collected a trophy in 2023. Runner-up was Tony Kordos who at one point was leading but Adriano later caught up and took the prize!
The last few years have shown how hard it’s been for any true inker to find and hold their ground in the medium of comic books, so it’s heartwarming to see there’s still a place where the art of Inking is appreciated with its due value and recognition.
Many thanks to everyone in the organization and to all the people who voted and felt that my work was worthy of such honor.
Also, a very special “Thank you” to my family and my friends who have always supported me throughout this journey.
As we say in Brazil: obrigado!”
2. Tony Kordos: G.I. Joe: ARAH [Image/Skybound]; Forgotten Runes: Wizard’s Cult [Titan] 405 votes
3. Andrew Pepoy: Svengoolie 45th Anniversary Boo-Nanza [Gemstone]; The Masters [Power Comics] 186 votes
4. LeBeau Underwood: Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures [Dark Horse] 260 votes, runner-up
Huge thanks to the Inkwell Awards for proving that persistence, caffeine, and a good nib really do pay off. Also for the work you all do to spotlight inkers and the essential role we play in bringing comics to life.
To my pencillers Paul Pelletier and Reilly Brown—your amazing pencils made my job both easier and occasionally terrifying. Thank you for trusting me to bring your vision across the finish line.
To my family—Nette, Tyler, and Bailey—thank you for your love and encouragement. You’ve supported me from the beginning and I appreciate it more than words can express.
And to Tricia—my partner in crime & my biggest cheerleader, thank you for believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. I love you.
To all the aspiring inkers out there: keep grinding, keep learning, and keep loving what you do. It might take time, but your moment will come. Here’s to ink-stained fingers and dreams that stick!
Thank you!”
1. Nick Dragotta: Absolute Batman [DC] 142 votes
2. Geof Isherwood: Savage Sword of Conan [Titan] 161 votes
3. Tony Parker: Medusa [Dark Horse] 200 votes
4. Mike Perkins: Detective Comics, The Bat-Man: First Knight [DC]; Freddie the Fix [Image] 286 votes, runner-up
5. Chris Samnee: Batman & Robin: Year One [DC] 372 votes
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