“Congratulations to Pablo for his well-deserved win!” says John Barber, Editor-in-Chief at IDW Publishing. “His art style – frenetic, organic, and whimsical – has been a perfect fit here at IDW, bringing life and vibrancy to the world of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and every single project graced by his pencil, pen, and brush.”

Hailing from Argentina, artist Pablo Tunica has built a reputation at IDW Publishing for his illustrative and coloring contributions to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise (TMNT Universe, plus his work on TMNT: Dimension X#1, Bebop & Rocksteady Destroy Everything #4, and TMNT / Ghostbusters 2), plus titles including Godzilla: Rage Across Time and Judge Dredd Annual.

Tunica tied for the award with Hamish Steele, writer/artist of Pantheon: The True Story of the Egyptian Deities.

The Manning Award, given out annually at San Diego Comic-Con International since 1982, is presented to a comics artist who, early in his or her career, shows a superior knowledge and ability in the art of creating comics. It is named for Russ Manning, the artist best known for his work on the Tarzan and Star Wars newspaper strips and the Magnus, Robot Fighter comic book.

Congratulations also to fellow Manning Award nominee, Campbell Whyte, graphic novelist of the debut title Home Time: Under the River, alongside all of this year’s Eisner Award nominees and winners, and hearty gratitude to the judges for honoring the work of Pablo Tunica, a true rising star.