Time for a Bigger Trophy Case

Best-selling thriller writer David Morrell, creator of the fictional Vietnam War veteran John James Rambo and father of the modern action novel, was the astonished recipient recently of the legendary Inkpot Award, given to him during the Comic-Con International convention, held in San Diego, California. The annual four-day event is dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms. More than 125,000 people attended this year’s sold-out gathering.

A co-founder of the International Thriller Writers organization, Morrell has written more than two dozen books, including First Blood (1972), which launched the fictional powerhouse Rambo (portrayed in a series of films by Sylvester Stallone). His blockbuster novel The Brotherhood of the Rose (1984) was developed into a popular NBC-TV mini-series that was broadcast after the Super Bowl game in 1989. He is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Bram Stoker Award, given to him most recently for his 2005 novel, Creepers. Morrell’s new six-part comic book series, Captain America: The Chosen, is set to debut from Marvel Comics in September 2007.

The Inkpot Award was presented to Morrell by fellow novelist and former Dick Tracy writer Max Allan Collins during a “Spotlight Interview” session. “During the interview, a Comic-Con representative came into the room,” Morrell recalls, “when Max stopped the interview, gave me a big smile and a wink, and said, ‘You’re going to like this!’ It was an utter surprise, as well as an exceptional honor.”

Since 1974, Comic-Con International has bestowed the Inkpot Award in recognition of outstanding contributions having been made to the fields of comic books, comic strips, animation, science fiction, and other popular culture fields. Past recipients include Collins, Ray Bradbury, George Lucas, Frank Miller, Steven Spielberg, Harlan Ellison, Matt Groening, Gahan Wilson, Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Francis Ford Coppola, Mickey Spillane, Rod Serling, and others.

For a huge comics fan like me, it’s a real pleasure to see one of my favorite thriller novelists be given this commendation.

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Also making a splash during Comic-Con: the teaser poster for Whiteout, the Kate Beckinsale film being made from Greg Rucka’s 1998 graphic novel of the same name. Whiteout rolls out in 2008. More from from Crimespree Cinema.