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The best comics in the world were once unknown to everyone outside of the people who created it. Now with new comics competing against the best new comics from all over the world, it's hard to stand out sometimes. So that's why initiatives such as the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity In Comics are so important. Ahead of an awards ceremony later this month at Comic-Con International: San Diego, the nominees for the prestigious award are now public. 

"Now more than ever it’s critical to ensure Dwayne’s legacy of excellence, humanity and truthfulness in storytelling is never forgotten," says the awards' continuing director Will J. Watkins. "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."

The awards are named after the late Dwayne McDuffie, the revolutionary renaissance man of comics and animation who created or co-created everything from Static and Damage Control to the pioneering Milestone Comics company. 

The nominees for the 11th Annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics are:

• Crownsville by Rodney Barnes & Elia Bonetti
• Age 11 by Rosena Fung
• Ra! Ta! Ma! Cue! by Howie Shia
• Okchundang Candy by Jung-Soon Goo
• Flip by Ngozi Ukazi

These nominees were chosen by a selection committee comprised of Watkins, Dr. Eve L. Ewing, Marv Wolfman, Colleen Doran, Heidi MacDonald, Jamal Igle, Kevin Rubio, Geoffrey Thorne, Eric Wallace, and Matt Wayne.

"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," says Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie, the widow of Dwayne McDuffie.

Related: There is now a Dwayne McDuffie Genius Grant Award (as there should be!)

The past winners of the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics are Call Me Iggy, Aya Claws Come Out, Ripple Effects, Adora and the Distance, They Called Us Enemy, Archival Quality, Leon: Protector of the Playground, Upgrade Soul, Ms. Marvel, and M.F.K..

"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," McDuffie continues, "and I’m looking forward to seeing what this next batch of creators does to make me proud."

The winners will be announced in a ceremony scheduled for Friday, July 24 at Comic-Con International: San Diego. The event, scheduled for 1 PM Pacific Time in Room 4, will include a keynote speech by actor J. August Richards (Angel, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), who portrayed the late Dwayne McDuffie's version of Deathlok in the MCU.

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