The 10th Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics has announced its 5 finalists. According to the official press release, the winner will be honored at San Diego Comic Con International 2025. The Master of Ceremonies will be Phil LaMarr (Static Shock, Justice League), and the Keynote Speaker is scheduled to be Brandon Easton (Iyanu: Child of Wonder). Expect details for the 10th Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award ceremony to be revealed later this week when the full SDCC programming is announced.
New York Times best-selling author and Superman specialist, Mark Waid, has joined a selection committee of notable comic book professionals led by industry legend, Marv Wolfman. This prestigious prize has grown exponentially in esteem since it was established in 2015 in honor of Dwayne McDuffie (1962-2011), the legendary African-American comic book writer/editor and writer/producer of the animated 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.
More about Dwayne McDuffie: In His Own Words
The slogan for the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics is Mr. McDuffie’s own profound saying:
“From invisible to inevitable.”
Prolific writer/creator, Mark Waid, is “proud to be part of the DMADs”:
“As a medium and as a community—even removing from consideration the onslaught of bigotry and intolerance sweeping the U.S. as we speak—the world of comics has a responsibility to recognize, promote, and honor comics that not only employ great storytelling but are emblematic of the power of equality and inclusion. As creators, good work from anyone forces us to up our game. As readers, we’re all better off—and more entertained and educated—when we’re exposed to the widest possible variety of voices and viewpoints.”
Fan-favorite actor, Phil LaMarr, who worked extensively with Mr. McDuffie both in the title role of the animated Static Shock as well as the voice of John Stewart/Green Lantern on the animated Justice League, had this to say about his perennial involvement with the DMADs as MC of the awards’ ceremony:
“I am part of the DMADs because of gratitude. I am thankful that Dwayne McDuffie’s amazing skills made me enjoy being a comic book nerd and also gave me the opportunity to be a comic book hero! But even more importantly, Dwayne showed us that diversity is about equity and also about excellence. When you widen the available perspectives of characters, stories and creators in an industry, you make it better! That is why we are committed to honoring this genius and keeping his legacy going.”
And the nominees are:
Akogun: Brutalizer of Gods
Written by Murewa Ayodele
Illustrated by Dotun Akande
Alan Scott: Green Lantern
Written by Tim Sheridan
Illustrated by Cian Tormey
Call Me Iggy
Written by Jorge Auirre
Illustrated by Rafael Rosado
The Graphic History of Hip Hop
Written by Walter Greason
Illustrated by Tim Fielder
Recognized
Various Writers
Various Artists
English (US) · 