A Reuben of Cartoonists – Aftermath
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The Reuben Award weekend has come and gone and across the socials (Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, etc.) a wonderful array of photos and anecdotes from the celebratory convention are appearing. Far too many to link to, but there are some entertaining blogs and Substacks The Daily Cartoonist can direct readers.
Cartoonist Dee Fish enjoyed the convention from start to finish and takes us along for the fun in a three part mini-series of photos and with additional commentary and art: Part One, Part Two, Part Three.
Alex Garcia was there and has already posted to the Comics Kingdom blog.
The awards night itself was a joy. The 80s theme gave everyone an excuse to have a little fun, and the King Features team showed up ready for it. Huge shout out to Jason Chatfield, Karen Evans, Dee Parson, Francis Bonnet, Chuck Dillon, Will Henry, Greg and Brian Walker, Jeff Keane, and everyone who helped make the weekend possible.
Jason Chatfield had the very definition of a bittersweet evening in his poignant description of his night.
At the end of the evening, the category was called: Best Book Illustrator for 2025, presented by Patrick McDonnell, creator of Mutts, a man who understands dogs better than almost anyone alive. He opened the envelope and read my name. Twenty-four years, and I’d never won one of these things from any organisation. The whole room stood up. I don’t remember walking to the podium.
I thanked my co-author, Scott Dooley. I thanked my publisher. And then I told the room the truth: that this book was a love letter to my boy, that two hours earlier I’d found out he was gone, forever. That the award was his. It will only ever be his.
Finally Nate Fakes takes us through the entire weekend from arrival to departure with a wonderful annotated photo gallery. And somewhere there just has to be … there must be … yes! there’s the photo:
feature image from the Berndt Toast Gang Facebook page
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