11th annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics

For Immediate Release:

The 11^th Annual

DWAYNE McDUFFIE AWARD FOR DIVERSITY IN COMICS

Is Now Open for Submissions

With USA Today and New York Times best-selling author,

Dr. Eve L. Ewing Joining the Selection Committee

The 11^th annual “Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics” is now accepting submissions at DwayneMcDuffie.com. The deadline is May 1, 2026 for comics published during the 2025 calendar year.

USA Today and New York Times best-selling author, scholar, and comic book writer, Dr. Eve L. Ewing joins 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.”

world of comics has a responsibility to recognize, promote, and honor comics that not only

Dr. Eve L. Ewing is a writer, scholar, and cultural organizer who is an associate professor in the Department of Race, Diaspora, and Indigeneity at the University of Chicago. She is a USA Today and New York Timesbest-selling author, has published poetry, nonfiction work, a novel for young readers, and co-authored a play. In addition, her work has been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and many other venues. She has written several projects for Marvel Comics, most notably, Ironheart, Black Panther, and Exceptional X-Men, and is currently writing X-Men United. She is also proud to be a co-owner of Build Coffee & Books on Chicago’s South Side.

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:

“The DMADs are continuing the legendary effection of Dwayne McDuffie and keeping diversity and representation alive in comics and in this country.”

Continuing Director of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics, Will J. Watkins, reminded us of the significance of representation, embodied by this award:

"Now more than ever it's critical to ensure Dwayne’s legacy of excellence, humanity and truthfulness in storytelling is never forgotten. For the last 10 years, the DMAD has been able to highlight, elevate, and create more space to celebrate the work of a wide variety of diverse comic book creators. We plan to do that for this 11th year, another 10 years, and beyond."

Mr. McDuffie’s widow, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie, emphasized the importance of the DMADs to emerging talent:

“The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics annually focuses attention on diverse creators and inclusive content—that’s the attention of both readers and the industry too. I’m proud to be able to say that our past winners and nominees have gone on to advance their careers in comics and animation thanks to the DMADs, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this next batch of creators does to make me proud.”