The McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics was established last year to recognize comics work that promotes the spirit of diversity. (I was honored to be on the inaugural judging panel.) Submissions for the 2016 award are open until December 31st. The winner will be announced at the Long Beach Comic Con on February 20, 2016 to “an American comics work, published in print or digitally in 2015, deemed by the Selection Committee to promote diversity. In the spirit of Dwayne McDuffie, “promoting diversity” can be judged as either broadening the range of characters portrayed in comics, or adding to the variety of creators contributing to the medium.” McDuffie is the late creator of Static Shock and many other comics and a figure of great inspiration and admiration to those who knew him.
This year’s Award Director is Neo Edmond, and the judges consist of
Neo Edmund (Award Director) – Novelist, animation and comic book writer. Creator of the Red Riding Werewolf Huntress novel series published by WordFire Press.
Marv Wolfman – Creator of countless comic book characters including Blade and Cyborg of the Teen Titans. Former Senior Editor for DC Comics.
Joan Hilty – Nickelodeon Comics Editor, Former Senior Editor, Vertigo; Creator of Bitter Girl
Joseph Illidge – Former Editor, Milestone and DC Comics; Columnist, Comic Book Resources.
Glen Murakami – Producer/Supervising Director, DC animated shows and Ben 10: Alien Force/Ultimate Alien
William J. Watkins – Writer; Former owner of Chicago’s first Black-owned comics store; Former DC editorial assistant
Len Wein – Co-creator: Wolverine, New X-Men; Former Senior Editor for DC Comic
Check out the link for more information on how to enter.
Last year’s award winner was Nilah Magruder’s M.F.K. She’ been pretty busy since then with How to Find a Fox, a children’s book coming out year from Feiwil & Friends, and many other projects in illustration and animation as shown on her blog. The above illustration is by Magruder of the Hamilton cast.
