The Maisie Kukoc Award for Comics Inspiration rewards a self-publisher of small-press, hand-made comics (sometimes called "mini-comics"), on the basis of merit and financial need.

The 2009 Kukoc Award was awarded to Vanessa Davis at Guapo Comics and Coffee on Friday, April 17th, 2009, coinciding with the Stumptown Comics Fest in Portland, OR, and included a cash prize of $450.

Nominees were be chosen by a distinguished panel of cartoonists, educators, journalists, publishers, and retailers, and was voted on by readers of mini-comics. Eligible comics for the 2009 Kukoc Award had to be published between April 2008 and March 2009, and be at least partially hand-made by the cartoonist. Email reklaw@slowwave.com if you read mini-comics and want to be sent a ballot for next year.

Prize money for 2009 was generously donated by The Center for Cartoon Studies, Sparkplug Comic Books, Tugboat Press, Bodega Distribution, and several anonymous donors. The award is coordinated by Jesse Reklaw.