Reading · Finding Dee Fish

2026 is the 80th anniversary of the National Cartoonists Society, and this was just celebrated this last weekend in Columbus, Ohio! The NCS Conference and Reuben Awards was an AMAZING experience I am still riding high from and likely will be doing so for DAYS, if not longer.

This art, by. me, was used on tumblers gifted to ALL attendees! WOOT!

It’s hard to put into words how much I adore these events, the people I’ve met through this organization, and everything surrounding this past weekend, but I’ll make a MINOR effort to do so, here in blog form.

Arriving Wednesday afternoon before everything kicked off on Thursday morning, I got to meet up with old friends and make plenty of NEW ones!

George Gant of “BEWARE OF TODDLER”, Brad Guigar of “Evil Inc.”, And ME of “Finding… ME.” lol

Jerry Scott, of Baby Blues, Zits, and Nancy fame!

Judy Sladky, who is just REALLY GOOD FRIENDS with Snoopy, in spite of them NEVER being seen in the same place at the same time. Make of that what you will. ;)

I met CATHY FRICKIN’ GUISEWITE and my EYES WERE CLOSED for the selfie!?! AACK!!!!

Cathy Guisewite knew who I was… AND liked the strip. I was sailing from that point forward, and it only got better from there. I also met Jean Schulz in the elevator, who ALSO knew who I was and liked the comic. (Though I failed to secure a selfie! RATS)

On Thursday, we all took buses from the hotel to the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum for a series of talks, one of which I was a panelist for. A special, LIVE episode of COMIC LAB with Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett!

It was a delightful (reference intended) experience I have been looking forward to for a VERY long time. I got to tell a lot of fun stories, including how I came up with the now-infamous “Green Goblin/Squatty Potty” strip, which got a LOT of laughs and comments throughout the weekend.

Pic stolen from Terri Libenson, (On the far left), with me, Jamar Nicholas, Dave & Brad! This was RIGHT around when I made the “Squaty Potty” joke that became a weird meme at the event.

If you’ve never been to the BILLY, and you love comics and cartoons, you MUST make plans. It’s an astounding place I wish I could visit at least once a week. Seriously.

DOUBLE DEE IN THE HOUSE! Dee Parson, of ROSEBUDS fame, some cat, and me!

After that, it was the 80s night WELCOME PARTY, where lots of us slipped into our most RADICAL threads and partied, as Heidi spun the hits as DJ and later hosted a Karaoke party!

For those about to RAWK, Heidi salutes you!

NEXT UP… the Opening Night Party and MORE!!!

2026 NCS Conference & Reuben Awards - 1 of 3

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