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Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Is Now Accepting Submissions

Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics Is Now Accepting Submissions

Posted on by Bob Harrison

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.

Celebrating Women’s History Month Comic Edition: Artists and Cartoonists

Celebrating Women’s History Month Comic Edition: Artists and Cartoonists

Posted on by Bob Harrison

We are well into March and this year is the thirty-fourth annual celebration of Women’s History Month. It is supposed to be a time to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. Since one of the focuses of Pop Culture Squad is to promote inclusion and diversity, we are taking this opportunity to remember the impact that women creators and professionals have had in the comics industry.

In an industry dominated, in the past and present, by men, it is critical to acknowledge the work that was done by women who brought innovation to the industry and joy to readers for generations. We are focusing on women whose careers in comics began prior to the 1990s. Many of the women working in comics today have been inspired by these women who came before them.

In the first part of this series, we will start out with recognizing the important contributions of women artists and cartoonists and the subsequent chapters will cover professionals from other disciplines in comic creating.  Many, if not all, of the women on this list faced difficulty in finding work and getting published in comics at all. However, the industry is better for their perseverance. The fantastic women creators below are listed alphabetically:

June Brigman

Artist June Brigman began her professional comics career by co-creating Power Pack with Louise Simonson for Marvel Comics. She also penciled Supergirl for DC Comics among other titles. June took over for Ramona Fradon as the artist on Brenda Starr from 1995 until its end.  She was a prolific artist in comics books before taking on the Brenda Starr responsibilities. One of the most important aspects of June Brigman’s career is her work as an educator.  She has taught art at the Kubert School and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). There are bunches of current comic professionals who credit her with helping them develop their craft. She currently teaches at Kennesaw State University‘s School of Art and Design, and is the penciller on Ahoy Comics’ Captain Ginger.

 

Colleen Doran

Colleen Doran is a write/artist most notably recognized for her creator owned space fantasy A Distant Soil. A Distant Soil is often hailed as a significant influence for current comic storytellers. She began to get paid work at a very early age and has continued a long career that has garnered multiple awards including an Eisner Award last year for her collaboration on Snow Glass Apples with Neil Gaiman. Colleen has worked for Marvel, DC Comics, Image, Dark Horse and others. Some of her other most well know works include stints on Sandman, Shade, the Changing Man, Valor, and the graphic novel Amazing Fantastic Incredible Stan Lee.  She is a fierce defender of artist and creator rights and is actively sharing the knowledge that she has acquired as a woman in the comics industry. Continue reading “Celebrating Women’s History Month Comic Edition: Artists and Cartoonists” →

With Further Ado #114: Give Comics Hope Promotes Modern American Optimism

With Further Ado #114: Give Comics Hope Promotes Modern American Optimism

Posted on by Ed Catto

The Thrill ISN’T Gone

The weirdness – and tyranny –  of COVID-19  wasn’t supposed to last this long. I will admit I thought It would all be over by this fall.

I miss in-person comic cons. The lack of conventions is a drag. I always enjoy pawing through long boxes and looking lost treasures. I love seeing the cool vintage collectibles and new toys. But what I really miss are the people. I miss the buzz of the fans. Their unique, positive excitement is, I would argue, unique to Geek Culture. It’s different from fans going to a concert or a big sports game. Although each of those types of events have their own enthusiastic fans, it’s an entirely different flavor than what you would find at comic conventions.

Maybe people are nicer to one another? Maybe they are more excited? Maybe it’s that shared joy that comes from finally finding your own tribe?  I’m not sure, but whatever it is, I miss it.

I miss the old normal of comic shops too.  In my neck of the woods (The Finger Lakes Region of New York State) they are all open again. Finally. But there’s still a stilted caution that is a part of every visit. Everyone’s a little more cautious. Everyone lingers a little less. Everyone finds some excuse to cut short their visits.

Publisher’s schedules are getting backing to normal. I’m hearing positive news, anecdotally, that some publishers are actually doing pretty good right now. That’s encouraging news.

On the other hand, so many comic shops are still struggling. They’ve had to pivot, to adapt and to get ready for the new reality, and it hasn’t been fun.

Give Comics Hope is a new initiative that’s looking to make a difference.  Their premise is straightforward:

Give Comics Hope is an ambitious charitable initiative that calls on all members of our community to rally together to provide vital aid to comic book shops. Continue reading “With Further Ado #114: Give Comics Hope Promotes Modern American Optimism” →