A Reuben of Cartoonists Part 1 Thursday August 6, 2026
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The rate at which the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) is setting up and staging events indicates they are aiming for 80 celebratory gatherings during their 80th Annual Reuben Conference and Awards season.
Many have already been held such as yesterday’s “studio visit with Bunny Hoest and John Reiner, co-creators of the beloved The Lockhorns,” which unfortunately I missed. But they have already uploaded the interview portion to the National Cartoonists Society’s YouTube channel!
The schedule for The Reubens Award weekend is quickly taking shape (the early bird discount ends today). The following is from the NCS newsletter (mailing list).
Thursday August 6, 2026
9am Moore Than Welcome Station
Registration is open! Be sure to stop by the Moore Than Welcome Station to get your badge, your t-shirt with art by Dee Fish, and a Goody Bag with art by Mark Parisi. Browse the swag table, say hello, and check out special 80th anniversary items!
⭐Thank you to our friends at CXC for sponsoring this year’s goody bags.
| 11am Welcome Luncheon |
| Food, friends, and fun! We kick off with a tasty brunch together overlooking the Columbus cityscape from the hotel. Raise a toast to old friends and make some new ones!After lunch, we’ll take a short charter bus ride to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum for the afternoon programs. |
1pm Opening Session
Celebration of 80 Years of Cartooning Excellence
We will gather in the impressive Schulz Auditorium of the Billy Ireland Museum and Cartoon Library with Special Guest Jennifer George (Chief Creative Officer of the Rube Goldberg Institute and Rube’s granddaughter), Head Curators from BICLM, and NCS President Karen Evans, speaking on legacy and the ongoing impact of cartooning, creating, and the NCS Community. This isn’t just a history lesson, it’s a celebration of where we’ve been, who we are, and the future of our craft.
2-5pm Afternoon Sessions and Billy Exhibits
Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum
After our Opening Session at the Museum, attendees can join breakout sessions and/or explore the Billy’s exhibits at their leisure: walk through the newly remodeled museum, explore the Chris Ware Exhibit, visit the 80 Years of NCS: Archives, view Reel Good Times: NCS footage, and have refreshments before we take buses back to the hotel at 5pm.
2pm Comic Lab Live: Actionable Advice in a Time of Change
Join hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar for a live recording of the ComicLab podcast, featuring special guests Dee Fish, Terri Libenson, and Jamar Nicholas discussing the craft, business, and creative challenges facing cartooning. With a focus on actionable advice you can apply to your work now, this vibrant conversation will also be presented post-conference to the entire Comic Lab podcast audience.
Our final session while at BICLM is at 3:10pm
Protecting Your Work: A Legal Panel for Cartoonists
Attorneys Patricia Sulser, Jeff Trexler, and Stu Rees, who understand creator rights, break down legal essentials every cartoonist should know. Topics include: safeguarding your intellectual property, understanding contract clauses, and protecting your work’s legacy. Leave with concrete strategies and resources—not just “hire a lawyer” but what to ask before you need one.
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