May 26th, 2013

Reporting From The Reubens, Day Two

by Steve Kelley and Jeff Parker

Another hilarious, rousing, suspenseful Reuben Awards Banquet has ended, and our congratulations go out to all the division award winners, and the big surprise of the night — we had a tie for “Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year” — both Rick Kirkman (“Baby Blues”) and Brian Crane (“Pickles”) took home a Reuben statuette after all the envelopes were opened.  The last and only time this has happened before was in 1968 when Johnny Hart (“BC”) and the colossal editorial cartoonist Pat Oliphant tied in the final judging.

As for the category Team Dustin was nominated for, Best Newspaper Comic Strip, Brian Bassett won for his delightful strip, “Red and Rover.”  Congratulations, Brian.  Well deserved!

You can find a list of all the winners, plus a nice pic of our two Reuben winners here http://www.reuben.org/2013/05/2013-reuben-awards-winners/ .

Here are a few photos from tonight’s black tie event.

All the awards lined up and awaiting the acceptance speeches.

Team Dustin corners “Zits'” Jim Borgman.

The Laughing Redhead, Teresa Roberts Logan (2011 greeting cards category nominee), and Steve, settle in at our ringside table. Post ceremony congratulations for Best Newspaper Comic Strip winner Brian Bassett (left), with Lincoln Peirce, of “Big Nate” fame, and Jim Borgman.

Best Editorial Cartoon Division Award Winner, the fantastic Jen Sorensen.  Her recitation of  “Oh, Canada”, Jen’s way of thanking the NCS Canadian chapter judges for this category, will be long remembered.

“Double dippers” (editorial cartoonists who also do comic strips), from left to right, yours truly, Steve, Jeff Stahler (“Moderately Confused”) and Gary Brookins (“Shoe” and “Pluggers”). Steve’s trying out some new material at the post awards show cocktail party, from left to right, the butt of everyone’s jokes all night long, former Seinfeld writer, and comedic genius Tom Gammill (“The Doozies”); along with writer, animator, and children’s book author/illustrator Mo Willems; Steve; and Gary Brookins. Look how much my longtime cartooning pal, Mark Szorady (“George”) and I have aged since first meeting in 1984 as very green cartoonists at a “how to get syndicated” seminar in NYC. Battle of the “Jeff vests”, Jeff Knurek, who draws the daily Jumble, and me.  BTW, my Mom made my comic strip vest.

Once again, thanks to all the NCS volunteers, staffers, and our emcee, the hilarious Jason Chatfield for another great Reuben awards show!

Tomorrow, we’ll be reporting on the Pittsburgh Cartoon Arts Festival and NCS Farewell “Speakeasy” Party.