Category: Press Releases

Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Is Now Accepting Submissions

Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Is Now Accepting Submissions

The annual submission process for The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics in now in full effect. The below press release give all the details about the award and the judges for the submissions.  This is an important award that celebrates diversity in comics in the name of a pioneer in realizing representation in comic books in print and in the creator sphere.

Press Release:

Submissions open for the 8th Annual DWAYNE McDUFFIE AWARD FOR DIVERSITY IN COMICS

August 8, 2023 –  The DWAYNE McDUFFIE AWARD for DIVERSITY in COMICS is now receiving submissions at dwaynemcduffie.com for this 8th annual prestigious prize. All comics produced in the United States during calendar year 2022—whether professional or personal, in print or on the web—are invited to compete. The deadline for entries is September 30, 2023.

The slogan of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics comes from Mr. McDuffie’s own profound, succinct words:

“From invisible to inevitable.”
Dwayne McDuffie

The 2022 Selection Committee—led by comics’ industry legend, Marv Wolfman— includes two new judges: Nilah Magruder, winner of the 1st Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics, and Eric Wallace, writer of the award-winning Mr. Terrific for DC Comics, among his numerous other creative works.

Quote from Nilah Magruder:

“I’m thrilled to join the judging committee for this year’s Dwayne McDuffie Awards and be a part of elevating underrepresented voices in comics. Being recognized and meeting so many of Dwayne’s friends and colleagues was a huge moment in my career. I’m happy to be a part of bestowing that honor on more creators.”

Quote from Eric Wallace:

“A storytelling pioneer in everything he did, Dwayne understood the importance of recognizing and supporting inclusive excellence in the arts. He was also a mentor and friend to me whose guidance and advice was invaluable when I first started writing comic books. Today the DMADs continue (Dwayne’s mission) by spotlighting brilliant contemporary talents, and I’m honored to be a small part of this incredible tradition.”

Quote from DMAD Director, Will J. Watkins:

“One of the many things I loved about Dwayne was that he understood having diversity without inclusivity is meaningless. Whether it was through his writing or his relationships with people, he was determined to create spaces where every human being could feel equal and valued, not just represented. At a time when many are attempting to quiet the voices of the excluded and denied, this award is 2 shouting from the rooftops that everyone deserves a seat at the table… and while at that table, their voices must be welcomed.”

Quote from Dwayne’s widow, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie:

“I couldn’t be more pleased that by now, year 8, this award in my late husband’s name has already long-since earned a stellar reputation for highlighting excellence and inclusiveness on the page and behind the scenes; for bringing yet-to-be-discovered writers and artists to industry-wide attention; and attracted such impressive talents as our past nominees and winners, all of whom have gone on to continue creating outstanding work that would make Dwayne proud.”

The 2022 winner will be announced December 1, 2023 in a virtual awards’ ceremony presided over by returning MC, actor Phil LaMarr, who voiced both the heroes Static/Virgil and John Stewart/Green Lantern in the animated Warner Bros.’ series Static Shock and Justice League Unlimited, written and produced by Mr. McDuffie.

Past Winners:

  • 2021: Adora and the Distance, written by Marc Bernadin & illustrated by Ariela Kristantina (Dark Horse Comics)
  • 2020: They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott and Harmony Becker.
  • 2019: Archival Quality, written by Ivy Noelle Weir & illustrated by Christina “Steenz” Stewart (Oni Press)
  • 2018: Leon: Protector of the Playground, written & illustrated by Jamar Nicholas (Kids Love Comics)
  • 2017: Upgrade Soul, written & illustrated by Ezra Claytan Daniels
  • 2016: Ms. Marvel, written by G. Willow Wilson & illustrated by Adrian Alphona (Marvel Entertainment)
  • 2015: M.F.K. written & illustrated by Nilah Magruder (www.mfkcomic.com)

2022 DMAD SELECTION COMMITTEE

The 2022 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics’ selection committee, led by industry legend, Marv Wolfman, consists of 11 prominent comics and animation professionals who personally knew and worked with Mr. McDuffie and/or have demonstrated a serious commitment to his vision of excellence and inclusiveness on the page and behind the scenes.

  • Colleen Doran is a cartoonist, writer/artist whose works include the multi-award winning adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Snow, Glass, Apples, as well as Gaiman’s Chivalry, Norse Mythology, and American Gods, and art for The Sandman, The Vampire Diaries, multiple Wonder Woman titles, and hundreds of other comics. She also illustrated Stan Lee’s New York Times best-selling autobiography autobiography Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible Stan Lee. She writes and draws the space opera series A Distant Soil. Among her numerous awards and nominations are Eisner awards, the Harvey Award, The International Horror Guild Award, the Ringo and the Bram Stoker Award.
  • Heidi MacDonald is the editor-in-chief of Comicsbeat.com and has edited comics for Disney, DC Comics, Vertigo, HarperCollins and Z2. She can be heard on Publishers Weekly’s weekly podcast More To Come and found regularly on the Beat’s YouTube channel.
  • Jamal Igle is the writer/artist/creator of Molly Danger for Action Lab Entertainment, the co-creator/artist of The Wrong Earth for Ahoy Comics, co-creator of Dudley Datson and the Forever Machine for Comixology, and the penciller of the critically acclaimed series, BLACK from Black Mask Studios, as well as many titles for DC, Marvel and Dark Horse. He’s been a storyboard artist for Sony Animation and is also a popular guest lecturer on the subjects of comics and animation.
  • Joseph Illidge is a writer, editorial director, thought leader, and public speaker who started his career at Milestone Media, the influential comic book publisher profiled in the HBO Max documentary “Milestone Generations”. In addition to his groundbreaking editorial runs for the Batman line of books for DC Comics and Heavy Metal magazine, Joseph has written MPLS Sound for Humanoids and the Judge Kim and the Kids’ Court series for Simon & Schuster. His new monthly column, Adventures in the Champagne Room, is a surgical examination of the comic book industry’s business relationship with its creators.
  • Nilah Magruder is a writer/artist and the inaugural winner of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics for the graphic novel M.F.K. She wrote and illustrated the picture book How to Find a Fox, and has also written for Marvel Comics, illustrated children’s books for Disney-Hyperion, Scholastic, and Penguin, and worked as a writer and storyboard artist in television animation. She is currently illustrating Creaky Acres, a middle-grade graphic novel about horseback riding.
  • Kevin Rubio is a writer/producer who has contributed to Justice League Action, Avengers Assemble, Thunderbirds Are Go!, Green Lantern: The Animated Series, Ben 10: Omniverse, and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. He is also the creator and writer of the Star Wars graphic novel, Tag & Bink Were Here, and Red 5 Publication’s Abyss Vol. I & II. He is an inaugural recipient of the George Lucas Film Award for his Star Wars short film, TROOPS, is a Promax Award winner, and is an Emmy nominee.
  • Geoffrey Thorne is the writer/creator of Mosaic for Marvel Comics and the writer behind the transformation of DC Comics’ John Stewart from Green Lantern to the Emerald Knight. He was also the head writer and showrunner of Marvel’s Avengers: Black Panther’s Quest as well as a writer, producer and co-executive producer on such hit series as Leverage, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Power: Book II: Ghost. He is the executive producer of the hit sci-fi/fantasy audio drama series Dreamnasium and of Redjack: the Animated Shorts on YouTube.
  • Eric Wallace is the writer of multiple titles for DC Comics, including the award-winning Mr. Terrific. He also wrote on Ben 10: Omniverse and Duel Masters for Cartoon Network, plus Syfy’s Eureka and Z Nation, Co-Producing the latter; was Co-Executive Producer/Writer/Director on MTV’s Teen Wolf; wrote Dark Shadows audio books, the video game Scribblenauts Unmasked, and was Show Runner & Executive Producer on The CW’s, The Flash. Fun fact: “Eric Wallace” was a character in the movie Free Enterprise, portrayed by DMAD Master of Ceremonies, Phil LaMarr!
  • Will J. Watkins (Director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics) is a freelance TV, film and animation writer who is also comic book story/world-building consultant on The Protectors graphic novel published by Athlita Comics. He had a stint as an assistant editor at DC Comics and, before moving to LA, he co-owned Chicago’s first African-American-owned comic book shop. He was a writer on Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem and most recently worked on a soon-to-be released, top-secret TV show adapted from a comic book.
  • Matt Wayne has written and story-edited many popular animated shows, including Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, Cannon Busters, the Emmy-nominated Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms, Justice League Unlimited, Ben 10: Omniverse, Teen Titans Go! and such younger fare as Niko and the Sword of Light, Stillwater, and Hello Kitty: Supercute Adventures. His comics work includes writing Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Static/Black Lightning, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and editing for the original Milestone Media comics line.
  • Marv Wolfman is the multi-award-winning writer who created Blade for Marvel Comics, The New Teen Titans for DC Comics, and legions of other iconic characters and stories. In addition to comic books, he’s written for animation, videogames, novels and more. It’s been said that he’s created more characters who’ve made the jump to movies, TV shows, toys, games and animation than any other writer save Stan Lee.

Follow The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics on Facebook and on Twitter.

Breaking News: Hex Publishers and Random Games Release a New Comic Series Unioverse: Reyu

Breaking News: Hex Publishers and Random Games Release a New Comic Series Unioverse: Reyu

Press Release:

Hex Publishers and Random Games Unleash A Six-Part SciFi Comic Book Series Based On the UNIOVERSE Videogame

(May 8, 2023) Hex Publishers and Random Games are partnering to create original comics based on the Unioverse videogame and platform for user-generated creativity. A six-part series of interconnected one-shots will introduce the first five playable Unioverse heroes from the Unioverse videogame. The comics are co-written by Colorado Book Award winner Joshua Viola and Angie Hodapp, with interior art by Ben Matsuya (Cryowulf, Jupiter Jet), and cover art by AJ Nazzaro (Hearthstone, Overwatch). The series launches on May 9th, 2023 with Unioverse: Reyu.

Set in the near future, the Unioverse story centers around a technology discovered on Mars that allows anyone to instantly transport their consciousness across galaxies. A playable alpha sequence from the first Unioverse game, The Proving Grounds, was launched this year by a team of gaming and entertainment industry veterans behind titles such as Grand Theft Auto, Donkey Kong Country and Crackdown. The narrative direction of the Unioverse is led by Brent Friedman, a master storyteller whose previous credits include writing on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, The Walking Dead, Call of Duty, and Star Trek: Enterprise.

“The Unioverse was designed to be a transportive transmedia experience for fans,” said Brent Friedman. “From day one, the narrative team approached worldbuilding with the expressed intent to create a solid canonical foundation on which countless stories could be told in games, comics, anthologies, movies, and more. Unioverse: Reyu represents the first expression of our vision for storytelling beyond the Unioverse website. I feel like a proud parent!” Continue reading “Breaking News: Hex Publishers and Random Games Release a New Comic Series Unioverse: Reyu”

Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds

Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds

When new “Indie” creator-owned comics hit the shelves, the guarantee of more than a first arc is often dependent on sales and critical acclaim. Therefore, it is always good news to hear that a series that you enjoyed is getting a shot at a second arc. There has been some recent news with three properties that are on there way back to production, and all from different publishers. Check below for the details on Alice Never After, Black’s Myth: The Key to His Heart, and Dark Spaces: Good Deeds.


Alice Never After

One of our favorite series of 2022 is headed back with a new arc. Dan Panosian and Giorgio Spalleta are returning to Wonderland. Continue reading “Favorite Creator Owned Comic Series Are Coming Back For More – Alice Never After, Black’s Myth, Dark Spaces: Good Deeds”

With Further Ado #241: SXSW Part 1 – Vault Unbound

With Further Ado #241: SXSW Part 1 – Vault Unbound

My head just about exploded at the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals (SXSW) this past week. This is an amazing event- kind of like the love child of San Diego Comic-Con and a musical festival and a business conference with a ton of forward-looking panels. There’s so much to dissect and analyze. I’ll be doing a deep dive in next week’s column.

But to give you a taste of it, I will focus on the lone comic panel at the SXSW this year – the Vault / Def Leppard / Kajabi panel.

This was a high-profile event that was designed, on the surface of it all, to celebrate Vault’s upcoming Hysteria project with Def Leppard. Phil Collen of Def Leppard was on the stage, along with Vault CEO Damian Wassel and Kajabi’s Sean Kim as part of the new Headshell imprint. Continue reading “With Further Ado #241: SXSW Part 1 – Vault Unbound”

ITHACON Returns This April and Pop Culture Squad Will Be There

ITHACON Returns This April and Pop Culture Squad Will Be There

A long running tradition in Central New York is returning, and tickets are on sale. Pop Culture Squad will once again have a presence at the ITHACON comic convention which is held at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. The show organizers have released ticket information that you can find below:

Press Release: Continue reading “ITHACON Returns This April and Pop Culture Squad Will Be There”
Upcoming Release: Boom! Studios Announces New Book From Dan Watters and Sebastian Cabrol – The Seasons Have Teeth

Upcoming Release: Boom! Studios Announces New Book From Dan Watters and Sebastian Cabrol – The Seasons Have Teeth

Boom! Studios has had a really good run of publishing excellent creator owned original series over the past few years, and we are hopeful that this new series from Dan Watters and Sebastián Cabrol will join that list.


Press Release:

BOOM! Studios Announces Brand New Series THE SEASONS HAVE TEETH

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 19, 2023) – BOOM! Studios is thrilled to announce THE SEASONS HAVE TEETH, a brand new 4-issue horror series from Home Sick Pilots writer Dan Watters, Anthony Bourdain’s Hungry Ghosts artist Sebastián Cabrol, coming to a comic shop near you this April. Continue reading “Upcoming Release: Boom! Studios Announces New Book From Dan Watters and Sebastian Cabrol – The Seasons Have Teeth”

Upcoming Release: Second Coming Is Coming Back with “Trinity”

Upcoming Release: Second Coming Is Coming Back with “Trinity”

Sometimes items show up in our inbox here at PCS, and they just make us shout, “Hell Yeah, Bring it on!!” This press release was one of them. We are huge supporters of Ahoy Comics here as you can tell from Mike Gold’s latest column.

Second Coming is also very dear to us in particular, and any time we can let people know that more Second Coming is on the way, we are happy to do it.


Press Release:

AHOY Comics’ Controversial and Acclaimed Comic about Jesus Christ and His Superhero Roommate is Resurrected with SECOND COMING: TRINITY

2022 Eisner Winner Mark Russell, Co-Creator Richard Pace and Artist Leonard Kirk All Returning for the Third Series

(January 17, 2023) You welcomed Jesus with open arms in SECOND COMING. You marveled at his miraculous return in SECOND COMING: ONLY BEGOTTEN SON. Now the book that turned the comics industry upside-down with “quite a bit of humor…[and] a lot of heart” (The New York Times) is back for its third act with SECOND COMING: TRINITY. Continue reading “Upcoming Release: Second Coming Is Coming Back with “Trinity””

Ringo Awards Nominations Are Now Open

Ringo Awards Nominations Are Now Open

It’s time to vote again. The Mike Wieringo Comic Book Industry Awards nomination ballots are available to be submitted. This is the time to vote for the books that you loved most last year and reward the creators for their amazing work.

The Ringo awards are special in the industry because the nomination process considers input from both fans and professionals to make up the final ballot which is voted on by a selected rotating appointed jury. The categories highlight all aspects of the comic book industry including some special “fan favorite” categories.

The Ringo Awards are held during the Baltimore Comic-Con every year. This year the award ceremony will be on Saturday, October 29, 2022  Marc Nathan, the promoter of Baltimore Comic-Con said, “Words cannot express how great it was to be back in person for the Ringo Awards in 2021. Seeing so many of our friends and fans again and celebrating together was simply amazing. Everyone had a great time, the energy in the room was high, and we can’t wait to do it all again in 2022, so please make sure you (and your friends, and your friends’ friends!) submit your ballots — looking forward to another great slate for the final ballot!”

The open nomination season is open from April 15, 2022 until July 30, 2022. Eligible works and creators are based on print and web publications for the 2021 calendar year.

The categories that are available for nomination by fans and working professionals are: Continue reading “Ringo Awards Nominations Are Now Open”

Black’s Myth from Ahoy Comics Is Set To Return in 2022

Black’s Myth from Ahoy Comics Is Set To Return in 2022

This is fantastic news from Ahoy Comics. Black’s Myth by Eric Palicki and Wendel Cavalcanti was a severely underrated series from 2021. We are super excited to see that there will be new content with the original creative team. We also recommend checking out the trade paperback of the first series which is being distributed this month. The story is terrific for noir mystery fans with magical flair. Check out the press release below for more details and quotes.

Press Release:

The Acclaimed, Punk Rock Horror Series Returns Later This Year, 

(2/9/2022) Ahead of the trade paperback release of the acclaimed BLACK’S MYTH graphic novel by writer Eric Palicki (Atlantis Wasn’t Built For Tourists) and artist Wendell Cavalcanti (BlackAcre), Syracuse-based comic publisher AHOY Comics has announced that the creative team, including star cover artist Liana Kangas (Trve Kvlt, Star Wars Adventures, She Said Destroy, BLACK AF: Devil’s Dye), will return for an all new BLACK’S MYTH series, to be released by AHOY Comics later this year. The acclaimed, punk rock horror comic follows the adventures of werewolf PI Janie Jones “Strummer” Mercado and her charming djinn assistant Ben Si’lat as they solve crimes in the “supernatural underground” thriving in Los Angeles.

The first volume of BLACK’S MYTH will be collected as a trade paperback in bookstores on February 15th and in comic book shops on February 16th 2022 and will feature an introduction by CHEW co-creator, writer John Layman. In this volume, when the case of a lifetime falls into Strummer’s lap, it’s up to her and her charming djinn assistant Ben Si’lat to figure out just how many silver bullets have been used. (And just where do silver bullets come from, anyway?)

In the upcoming series, the son of the mysterious Rainsford Black has gone missing while searching for a grimoire dating to the 1600s which would allow him to summon demons to hunt and add to the elder’s growing collection of trophies. Now it’s up to Strummer and Ben to find him — but as always, the case is less clear cut than it seems on the surface.

“Our first story belonged to Strummer and Ben, but we called the book Black’s Myth for a reason, and we have so much more of Rainsford Black’s story to reveal,” said writer Eric Palicki. “What compels him to hunt (and collect) monsters, and what kind of case could possibly bring Strummer back into his orbit? Volume 2 promises answers, along with the return of everyone’s favorite Minotaur.”

“Werewolf, Djinn, vampires, Minotaur, Los Angeles, the Dodge Charger, and Grim — attaboy! I missed you guys. Here we go again!” said artist Wendell Cavalcanti.

“I am beyond thrilled to give the people what they want: the further adventures of Strummer and her band of mythological misfits,” said editor Sarah Litt. “The reception to the first book blew us all away and I believe the second series will be even better. The entire team is returning and I am delighted to be working with them again — truly some of the most talented people in comics.“

Just like the last volume, the latest BLACK’S MYTH series will feature covers by Liana Kangas (Trve Kvlt, Star Wars Adventures, She Said Destroy, BLACK AF: Devil’s Dye). Said Kangas: “I’m back, back, back again, baby!”