Posted in: Comics | Tagged: charlotte mcduffie, dwayne mcduffie

Dwayne McDuffie Award For Diversity In Comics Announcing On Saturday

Published Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:40:57 -0600

The ceremony announcing the winner of the 2020 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics will take place online, on Saturday, the 20th of February, on what would have been Dwayne McDuffie's 59th birthday. The finalists are as follows:

Iyanu: Child of Wonder written by Roye Okupe, illustrated by Godwin Akpan

They Called Us Enemy written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, illustrated by Harmony Becker.

Excellence written by Brandon Thomas, illustrated by Khary Randolph.

Angola Janga: Kingdom of Runaway Slaves written and illustrated by Marcelo D'Salete

From Truth With Truth written and illustrated by Lawrence Lindell

Past Winners of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics are 2019 – Archival Quality written by Ivy Noelle Weir and illustrated by Christina Stewart, 2018 – Leon: Protector of the Playground written and illustrated by Jamal Nicholas (Kids Love Comics), 2017 – Upgrade Soul written and illustrated by Ezra Clayton Daniels, 2016 – Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona (Marvel Entertainment), 2015 –M.F.K. by Nilah Magruder.

Phil LaMarr, who worked extensively with Mr. McDuffie as the voice of Virgil/Static on Static Shock and of John Stewart/Green Lantern on Justice League, returns as Master of Ceremonies, this time online. "After a year that was unprecedented in so many negative ways, I look forward to the chance the DMADs will give us to look back on 2020 and celebrate these wonderful artistic achievements that not only bring us joy, but by their intention and existence, help move us forward as a society."

Continuing as Director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics, Will J. Watkins emphasizes its necessity: "This award, like the man for whom it is named, has proven itself to be a game changer. As we've all had to contend with the shadow of racism, injustice and intolerance looming over us, it's so important that we again get to use this award to shine a light on diverse voices and say that they matter."

Mr. McDuffie's widow, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie, puts this year's award in perspective: "At this staggeringly tumultuous and conversely glorious time, as the first female, the first African-American female, the first South Asian American, African-American female has historically become the Vice President of The United States of America, I couldn't be more proud of this award in my husband's name that celebrates and spotlights creative work by and about the diversity that is humanity."

To find out the winner, watch the ceremony this Saturday, 20th February starting at 9pm EST/6pm PST or 2am on Sunday, 21st February GMT on the DMAD's official facebook page:

The Dwayne McDuffie Award For Diversity In Comics was established in 2014 in honour of Dwayne McDuffie (1962-2011), the legendary African-American comic book writer/editor and writer/producer of Static Shock, Justice League, and Ben 10: Alien Force & Ultimate Alien, who famously co-founded Milestone Media, the most successful minority-owned comic book company in the history of the industry, which recently announced development of a Static feature film produced by Black Panther co-star, Michael B. Jordan.

The 2020 Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics' selection committee, led by industry legend, Marv Wolfman, consists of nine 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 writing/drawing Sensational Wonder Woman, the multi-award winning adaptation Neil Gaiman's Snow, Glass, Apples, and art for The Sandman, The Vampire Diaries, The Clock, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, The Walking Dead, and hundreds of other comics. She also illustrated Stan Lee's New York Times best-selling autobiography Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible Stan Lee. 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 a former editor for Disney and DC Comics. She can be heard on Publishers Weekly's weekly podcast More To Come and the weekly livestream Comic Beat Insider.

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, 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 the Executive Editor for Heavy Metal, the seminal illustrated magazine and company for science fiction, fantasy, and horror. He was featured in the 2017 History Channel documentary series, Superheroes Decoded and served as Senior Editor for Lion Forge Comics, spearheading Catalyst Prime, the multicultural superhero comic book imprint. Joseph's first job in the comic book industry was at Milestone Media, the groundbreaking publisher of inclusive superhero stories.

Kevin Rubio is a writer/producer who has contributed to Justice League Action, Avengers Assemble, Thunderbirds Are Go!, Green Lantern: The Animated Series 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, PRODIGAL for Genre 19 and writer of GREEN LANTERN for DC Comics. He is also the head writer and showrunner of Marvel's Avengers Black Panther's Quest as well as a writer-producer on such hit series as LEVERAGE, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT and POWER: BOOK II: GHOST and executive producer of the podcast sci-fi anthology series GEOFFREY THORNE'S DREAMNASIUM.

Will J. Watkins (Director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics) is a freelance 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 comics store. He's currently a writer on Freeform's MOTHERLAND: FORT SALEM.

Matt Wayne has written for many highly-regarded animation projects, including Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles, Cannon Busters, Niko and the Sword of Light, the Emmy-nominated Hellboy Animated: Sword of Storms, and Hello Kitty: Supercute Adventures. His comics work includes Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Static/Black Lightning, and writing 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.

Dwayne's widow, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie, is a twice Emmy-nominated animation writer, best known by fans for her work on Hasbro's My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Cartoon Network's Ben 10 franchise, and the Star Wars' parody short film, Troops, aka the internet's very first viral video before there even was such a term for it. She is committed to continuing her late husband's legacy through this award and other endeavors made possible in part by The Dwayne McDuffie Fund.