Comics Kingdom Proudly Celebrates our 2025 Reuben Awards Honorees and nominees
Each year, the National Cartoonists Society hosts the Reuben Awards to honor the best and brightest in the world of cartooning—and in 2025, we’re thrilled to share that several of our incredibly talented Comics Kingdom creators have been recognized among the industry’s top honors. From laugh-out-loud daily strips to thought-provoking panels, these artists continue to elevate the craft with every frame.
In this post, we’re spotlighting our Reuben Award nominees and honorees, celebrating the comics that earned them recognition, and giving you a closer look at the work that made them stand out. Join us in applauding their achievements—and relive some of their best moments below!
Chris Browne + Chance Browne: NCS Medal of Honor
Hi and Lois
Hi and Lois was created in 1954 by Mort Walker and Dik Browne, two of the most successful cartoonists in comic history. Provoking a strong emotional response from readers right from the beginning, it grew steadily in popularity, passing the 1,000-newspaper mark in 1982. It is continued today by their sons, writers Brian and Greg Walker and artist Chance Browne.
Hagar The Horrible
Hägar the Horrible broke all records when it was launched on Feb. 4, 1973, becoming the fastest growing comic strip ever. The strip was created by Hi and Lois artist Dik Browne in his basement art studio/laundry room in Connecticut. The strip’s title was the family nickname for Dik Browne, and the characters were loosely based on Dik’s family and friends.
John Kovaleski: NCS Silver T-Square Honoree
From giddy romps and imaginary adventures to tender bedtime moments and hilarious encounters with the rest of the world, “Daddy Daze” is a comic strip about the special relationship between a father and son.
Liniers: Newspaper Comic Strip
Join a world of wonderment as it spills from the inkwell of the singularly imaginative Liniers. Macanudo overflows with characters as varied as they are endearing. You’re just as likely to see them prancing across a dreamscape as walking down the street where you live.
Jeff Parker and Steve Kelley: Newspaper Comic Strip
Dustin
Each day, Dustin invites readers into the lives of the Kudlick family, who have welcomed the strips’ 23-year-old namesake back into the house after college for “just a little while.”
Dan Misdea: Gag Cartoons
TBD (Toons by Dan) is a curated collection of single-panel cartoons by award-winning cartoonist Dan Misdea. Featuring some of his best, worst, and weirdest ideas, this series includes never-before-seen cartoons, once rejected by The New Yorker and beyond.
Bob Weber + Scott Underwood: Variety and Entertainment
Slylock Fox and Comics for Kids takes readers on a daily adventure that delivers brain teasers and visual puzzles, art lessons and an opportunity to sharpen their keen deductive skills in a unique comic activity featuring a friendly cast of mystery-solving furry characters.
Wayno: Newspaper Panels
Bizarro is a comic panel where UFOs hover, dynamite sizzles, birds perch upside-down, and a slice of pie hides in every corner. Bizarro is the stage where cartoonists Wayno (one name only, please) and Dan Piraro present their eccentric worldview, sprinkled with cryptic secret symbols.
Congratulations and Best of Luck to all our Nominees! Looking forward to the Reuben Awards this weekend…