You know, I think the clean-up time, fixing a pencil scan so it can be colored and printed will probably make some kind of inking an important part of the image creation process for as long as we use line art. Those of us whose pencils are messy will need the cleanup that occurs in the inking stage and depending on deadline pressures, even the cleanest pencilers may find themselves unable to keep up the pace.
With the web, however, I think we'll see an ever increasing variety of art styles used in comics. As long as it tells the story and serves the story, it could be anything from fully rendered Neal Adams pencils to kindergarten macaroni art.
Hey, I'm going a piece on Union of Heroes for my Artistic License column this month. Not doing redesigns, but drawing most of the characters and writing up an article on it. I think the translation quirks are part of the charm of the strip.

One thing I've noticed in comics is that everything comes back into fashion, at some point. Or, almost everything. I think good, bold inking will make a comeback like good storytelling did, following the pretty-pictures-the-don't-necessarily-advance-the-story-but-ooooh-look-how-grim-he-looks-with-spittle-shooting-out-of-his-mouth phase.
Adding line weight is something I have to consciously do, because I ink mostly with pens, but I really want the look of comic book inks on my work. Also, it helps in the coloring phase.
On a different topic, but one that I tend to harp on, from time to time when I'm talking art, I found a new "use" for the Union of Heroes webcomic. Facial expressions and hand gestures reference! Flip through it and I think you'll see what I mean. The photos are nicely lit and clear, and it doesn't hurt that the strip is fun to read.
I'll tell you another reason why comics have gone to "digital inking", by darkening finished pencils. Some of the younger artists turn in pencils that are so frickin clean and tight, they don't need any inking. They even pencil in the line weight variations. It made me sick standing in line for a portfolio review with my somewhat messy pencils at the San Diego ComiCon a few years back. Rat bastards...erasing as they draw! What's wrong with kids today???

And still, nowhere near as goofy as Skateman.

Hey, thanks for the mention, Scott!