Marvel Comics’ Ms. Marvel, by writer G. Willow Wilson of Seattle and artist Adrian Alphona, won the second annual Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics, presented at Long Beach Comic Expo in Long Beach, California.
The breakout character has become a fan-favorite and rookie member of the Avengers.
Wilson praised Ms. Marvel fans in an impassioned acceptance speech graciously thanking readers who make the book a success.
“This award is very special to me, not just because of its connection to Dwayne, but because of what it represents…it is something being kept alive by one thing only and that is the readers and the fans whose passion, whose cosplay, whose wonderful repartee on Tumblr and Twitter make this book such a joy to work on.”
Wilson continued, “You are the beating heart to this series. I would like to dedicate this award to them – to the readers – to the fans. They are the ones changing the face of this industry.”
Ms. Marvel is a groundbreaking heroine and now an international sensation. Kamala Khan was an ordinary girl from Jersey City – until she was suddenly empowered with Inhuman gifts. Kamala started going by the costumed code-name once used by her hero, Avenger Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel. Kamala recently joined the latest version of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
The Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity in Comics is named for McDuffie, a writer and producer of several comic books and animation series including Marvel’s Damage Control and Deathlok. He wrote stories for dozens of other comics, including, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Avengers Spotlight. McDuffie was co-founder of the Milestone Media universe of heroes.
Marvel Comics was also nominated for Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare and Natacha Bustos. Lunella Lafayette is a preteen super genius with Inhuman powers who teams up with this legendary lizard of Marvel’s past.
Ms. Marvel was also nominated for an Eisner award, what you might call the Oscars of comic books.
By Editor