The Cartoon!st - May-Jun 2016

THE 70TH ANNUAL REUBEN AWARDS WEEKEND

Briefings from the Jovial Office . . . by Bill Morrison

Memphis Mop-Up

The 70th Annual Reuben Awards Weekend at the historic Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn., was by all accounts a huge success! I’ve received nothing but back slaps, thumbs-up, and general accolades with comments ranging from “You knocked it out of the park!” to “Best Reuben weekend ever!” It’s been gratifying to know that my first Reuben weekend as president was such a hit! But before you start thinking “Man, Bill’s getting an ego the size of Popeye’s monthly spinach bill!” I hasten to add that it took the hard work, time, and talent of many people and the financial assistance of several organizations to make it all unfold so beautifully. Recognition, kudos, and general praise follows.

The weekend began a day earlier than usual on Thursday, May 26, at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where 60 or so cartoonists accompanied by their significant others spent the afternoon touring the amazing facility and drawing

cartoons for the patients.

That same evening, cartoonists whose work appears in the Memphis Commercial Appeal and a few essential others were employed to entertain local patrons and raise money for St. Jude at a gala dinner that included a silent art auction and cartoon improv show.

Meanwhile, the cartoonists who weren’t working the fundraiser were treated to barbecue on Beale Street where they also drew cartoons that St. Jude will use to raise additional funds in the weeks and months to come. These events were a huge success and once all the tallies are in we expect to have raised in the neighborhood of $100,000 for the hospital. None of this would have been possible without the Kal-Elian efforts of NCS Foundation President Steve McGarry and “Cartooning for Kids” program director Rick Stromoski!

And for those of you who came to Memphis a day early to participate in all the St. Jude events, and to those who donated original cartoons and drawings

for the art auction, we really can’t thank you enough. The fine people at St. Jude were so thrilled and gratified to have our participation, and thanks to you a strong bond was forged between this incredible hospital and the NCS. Through the NCSF we will continue to aid St. Jude in their fight to end childhood cancer.

Thanks also to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, who presented Steve McGarry and me with a proclamation designating Thursday, May 26, 2016 as National Cartoonists Society Day in Memphis! How cool is that?

Friday morning saw the beginning of a fully-packed slate of seminars that lasted throughout the weekend. I’m grateful to our speakers, Doug Little and Joe Sliger of Wacom, Luke McGarry, Jeff Smith, Terry Moore, Maria Scrivan, Lynn Johnston, Deborah Peyton, Jan Eliot, Matt Diffee, Paul Coker Jr., David Apatoff, Jenny Robb, and Sergio Aragonés! Much appreciation also goes to Joe McGarry who provided tech assistance to his brother Luke, and to Nick Meglin who hosted the Paul Coker session. By the way, Paul Coker Jr.’s appearance was sponsored by Paul Gerrish of Rochester Electronics, so we’re very grateful to Paul for helping us to have the other Paul at the Reubens! Also, sincere

While there are photos of Elvis Presley reading copies of Betty and Veronica and Jughead comic books, much rarer is a photo from his appearance 60 years ago at the 1956 Memphis Reuben Weekend. David Folkman’s Brownie camera ran out of film just as Elvis took the stage, save for this one (newly hand-colored) shot.

NCS BOARD

Honorary Chairman

Mort Walker President

Bill Morrison 805-579-9827

First Vice President

Jason Chatfield

Second Vice President

“The Cartoon!st” is the official publication of the National Cartoonists Society, P.O. Box 592927 Orlando, FL 32859-2927. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the NCS. Entire contents ©2016 National Cartoonists Society, except where other copyrights are designated.

The Cartoon!st needs your news, opinions, drawings and photos. Address all materials to: Frank Pauer, 53 Beverly Place, Dayton, OH 45419. Phone: 937-296-0502 home, 937-229-3934 days. Email: fpauer1@udayton.edu

Deadline for the next issue: August 5

Hilary Price 413-586-0223

Third Vice President

Darrin Bell 510-205-8592 Secretary

John Kovaleski 717-334-5926 Treasurer

John Hambrock 262-658-2676

Membership Chairman

Sean Parkes 480-626-2702

National Representative

Ed Steckley 413-478-4314

NCS COMMITTEES

The Cartoon!st

Frank Pauer 937-229-3934 fpauer1@udayton.edu

Ethics Steve McGarry mac@stevemcgarry.com

Education Rob Smith Jr. (rob@robsmithjr.com)

Greeting Card Contracts

Carla Ventresca 615-480-7931

NCS FOUNDATION President Steve McGarry 714-593-0514 mac@stevemcgarry.com

For questions about accounting, membership, database and dues renewals, contact:

National Cartoonists Society P.O. Box 592927 Orlando, FL 32859-2927 407-994-6703 info@reuben.org

ED STECKLEY

thanks goes to seminar co-coordinator John Hambrock for being on hand to make sure everyone had whatever they needed, and to our audio/visual wizard and seminar co-coordinator John Lotshaw, without whom we would not have been able to hear the speakers speaking or see all their brilliant images on the screen.

Our goodie bags were sponsored by Jim McDermott and Strathmore Paper and stuffed to the gills by Bongo Comics, MAD Magazine/DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, Drew and Lisa Aquilina and Green Pieces Cartoon Studio, Dick Blick, Jose Rodriguez and David Tomaselli, Jet Pens, John Hambrock, and Graphitti Designs. Thanks to all who contributed!

Speaking of the kings of comic book Tshirts, Graphitti Designs printed our shirts this year and the artwork (which also appeared on the banquet program cover) was courtesy of Ed Steckley with design by Serban Cristescu and yours truly. Thanks to Ed and Serban for doing a fantastic job even though there was no fee!

And speaking of working for free, a standing ovation please for Tom Richmond who constantly put aside paying jobs to create little things like the Reuben brochure cover (most caricatures ever on a brochure cover, according to Tom) the Cartoonists United for St. Jude Kids poster (22 caricatures of the attending cartoonists PLUS their characters and a comic page background) and a beautiful rendering of the famed Million Dollar Quartet for the art auction!

The Reuben Journal was a real chart-topper this year and we have David Folkman and Mike Mikula to thank for another spectacular production!

Despite a torrential downpour that kept us from enjoying the Peabody Hotel rooftop and it’s magnificent views of the city, the Friday Welcome Party was a phenomenal success and the beautiful art deco Skyway room was the perfect setting for great food, drink, and conversation. Thanks so much to Rocky Shepard, Brendan Burford, and the wonderful folks at King Features Syndicate for hosting this fabulously memorable event!

Our traditional Reuben Breakfast Buffet was made possible by our good friends at both Creators Syndicate and the Washington Post News Media Services. Applause,

applause to Alan Shearer and Amy Lago of Washington Post and Rick Newcombe and Jack Newcombe of Creators for that sumptuous morning feast!

The Reuben Awards show on Saturday night was spectacularly entertaining and uplifting, and we have several people to thank for that, beginning with our master of ceremonies, the irrepressible Mo Willems! In addition to being a charming and witty host, Mo assembled a Reuben show production team to help with the opening video, the live musical number, and the extra special inspirational celebrity video shout-outs. Megathanks to Tom Gammill and Peter Lurye who wrote and recorded the “Chapter Wars” song that opened the second half of the show, as well as the “Chapter Wars Lip-Synch

Art Players”: Drew Aquilina, Sandra Bell Lundy, Jason Chatfield, Matt Diffee, Chad Frye, Lynn Johnston, Alice Gammill, Henry Gammill, Tom Gammill, Jeff Keane, Deborah Peyton, Maria Scrivan, David Silverman, Ed Steckley, Tom Stemmle, Rick Stromoski, Sam Viviano, Brian Walker, Robb Wiggin, Mo Willems, and yours truly. Thanks also to Gabrielle Richmond for helping with the Elephant and Piggy costumes and guiding their inhabitants to the stage, and to Marie Stemmle for being backstage to wipe the strawberry pie from husband Tom’s face! Muchas gracias to Jason Chatfield who conceived, directed and starred in the opening video, Mo, Hilary Price, Matt Diffee, and Luke McGarry, who facilitated the celebrity videos, and of course the celebrities themselves: Elizabeth Banks, Jack Black, John Cho, Tony Hale, Mark Hamill, Rachel Maddow, Julianne Moore, Al Roker, Kristen Schaal, Matt Walsh and Weird Al Yankovic!

I’d also like to thank our presenters of the evening, especially those who bestowed special awards; Steve McGarry who presented the Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship Award to Tex Minos, Jeff Bacon who gave the Silver T-Square to

A clarification regarding my Cartoon!st article on The Medal of Honor Awards (March-April, 2016): It has come to my attention, and I agree, that a sentence regarding Mort Walker stated: “He remains the only person to have ever won the two Awards for being top cartoonist of the year.”

Bruce Higdon, and Nick Meglin who honored Paul Coker Jr. with the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award.

Special thanks also to Anna Richmond for helping with the seating chart! An error by the hotel staff scrambled the table numbers a bit so some tables were not where they were intended, but thanks to Anna everyone was seated with the correct people!

And please be upstanding for our Reuben show director, Ed Steckley for a phenomenal job! In addition to all the pre-Reuben time spent preparing slides and videos, working with the emcee, the band, etc., Ed also took the time to create the caricatures of all our Reuben presenters that were up on the screen during their introductions!

We capped the weekend off on Sunday night with an incredible private rock and roll costume party at Elvis Presley’s Graceland! We toured Graceland mansion at our leisure, ate a delicious backyard barbecue dinner fit for The King (including fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches!) and were free to roam around Elvis’s car museum, private planes, memorabilia archives and gift shops! Special thanks to Ed and Heather Steckley who designed and created decorations and table favors to give the atmosphere an extra shot of 50’s fun! And a big Elvis Presley-style “Thank you! Thank you very much!” to Doug Little and Joe Sliger and our friends at Wacom for sponsoring this rockin’ event!

Special thanks goes to Latisha Moore and her M Team associates Kricket and Bobby Barnwell for troubleshooting, problem solving, and generally always being at the ready whenever something needed doing. I know Latisha gets paid to manage the weekend, but she and her team often went above and beyond to make the whole weekend really special, and I greatly appreciate it.

Another person who did way more than I (or he) ever expected is Greg Cravens! Being a Memphis local, Greg

It would have been better stated as: “Mort Walker remains the only person to have ever won two styles of award for being top cartoonist in 1953.” This fact remains an interesting historical anomaly!

—Tom Stemmle

The St. Jude events were a huge success and once all the tallies are in we expect to have raised in the neighborhood of $100,000 for the hospital.

Mell Lazarus, 1927-2016

Cartoonist

Miss Peach (1957–2002); Momma (1970–present)

Wee Women and Li’l Ones (succeeded on both by Jim Whiting); Pauline McPeril (with Jack Rickard)

Author

The Boss Is Crazy, Too (Dial, 1963); The Neighborhood Watch (Doubleday, 1986)

President of the National Cartoonists Society for two consecutive terms, 1989-1993

Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year for Miss Peach, 1981

NCS Silver Reuben Award for Newspaper Strip, Humor for Miss Peach, 1973, 1979

NCS Silver T-Square Award, 2000

NCS Medal of Honor recipient, 2016

Actor, screenwriter, one-time editor at Al Capp’s Toby Press, Mensa member, raconteur

Survived by his wife Sally, three daughters Marjorie, Susan and Cathy, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He loved the NCS. In an interview Mell said, “We have the best club in the world. They’re all terrific guys and girls. It’s a body of people like no other industry. They all become relatives very fast.”

He was the debonair guy across the room who always had a circle of people around him laughing…

The charming model of reverence and irreverence that helped mold the NCS into the group we love…

The great thinker and giver who’d spend ten minutes writing his comic strip and 10,000 hours writing our Reuben journal…

The visionary who knew that if he could lock all the Reuben attendees on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, everyone would go to the seminars instead of wandering off shopping…

He was the grand historian who remembered all the stories of the greats and the champion of all the newcomers who wanted to be great.

Best of all, Mell was my friend. The buddy who was always there. The compassionate counselor who, time after time, leaned across the table and said the words that will continue to inspire and guide me the rest of my days:

“I have a week of strips due tomorrow afternoon and I haven’t even started them yet.”

c athy G u I sew I te

Ifirst met Mell when we both had features with the New York Herald Tribune Syndicate. Those were halcyon days indeed. Editor Harry Welker was open to unusual experimental features which is why Mell’s Miss Peach immediately appealed to him.

Arnold Roth’s Poor Arnold’s Almanac and my weird looking Tall Tales soon came on board.  Johnny Hart’s B.C. and Wizard were breaking records and a great sense of camaraderie came over us on the rare occasions when we all came to town. Mell was truly admired by each of us. His characters in Miss Peach were so beautifully developed. Later, when I moved into New York City I met with Mell on a number of occasions for drinks and dinner. Mell was soft spoken and the best listener. I was flattered occasionally when he’d say, "Are you going to use that wisecrack? If not, I can."

I think anyone who knew Mell will miss him terribly. I know I will and do.

Ifirst met Mell at the Friday night cocktail party of the Hollywood Reubens. He walked in with Sergio and my heart skipped a beat — I got the same rush seeing those two guys as when I first met Mort Walker when I was 12.

My writing partner Max Pross and I were shooting an early episode of our “Learn to Draw” YouTube series and we wanted them to react to my comic strip The Doozies that was, at the time, appearing in four newspapers. (Boy, those were the days!)

Mell said, “Turn on the camera” and then looked at the strip and said, “You draw this piece of crap?!” It was the perfect reaction, and only took one take.

I, of course, wanted to talk to him more, but he was not interested, he had to get to the bar and talk to his real friends — cartoonists.

Later that weekend I met Jenny Robb at Cathy Guisewite’s Sunday afternoon party. I told her I really wanted to meet Mell again, see his famous piano and possibly shoot another episode of “Learn to Draw.”

Jenny said, “Leave it to me,” and got us an invitation to go out to dinner with him and Cathy Guisewite the following night. (Obviously Mell would have preferred that it was just him with Cathy and Jenny but, sadly, I was part of the deal). As a lifetime subscriber to Cartoonists PROfiles I had lots of questions to ask Mell, starting with Jud Hurd, the publisher of PROfiles (“He had a beautiful wife”), Walt Kelly (“He liked to bang telephone operators”), Al Capp (“Boy, he’d bang anything that moves.”).

When I asked about Marge Devine, his face really lit up. He didn’t mention anything about banging but went on and on about what a great person she was and a savior to the NCS. After dinner, Jenny and I went back to Mell’s and had drinks, and Mell and I smoked the first of many cigars together. (Mell quit smoking when he got Alzheimer’s disease — he literally forgot he smoked. That’s when I quit too.) Around 2 a.m. I told Mell I had to go home, as I had to work in the morning. Mell said, “You don’t work, you’re a TV writer.” He was kind of right about that.

A few days later Max and I went to

Mell’s house and shot the second of many episodes of “Learn to Draw” featuring Mell. That also began my regular dinners with him. These started when Sally was working as a lawyer in Northern California and away a few days a week. She’d go up there on Monday. By Wednesday Mell would be ready for company and I’d come over and we’d go out to a nearby restaurant where Mell always knew the owner and was a big celebrity. One Wednesday I called Mell and said, “Should we have dinner together tonight?” He said, “That’s okay — Sally’s in town,” and hung up the phone without saying good bye.

A few minutes later Mell called back a little sheepish and said, “Uh ... Sally thinks you should come over here for dinner tonight.”

The fact is, when Sally was in town he didn’t need other people hanging around, and I knew that and politely declined. But he insisted, and so began another tradition of regular meals at their house cooked by Sally. (“Really? I can stay for dinner? I don’t want to be any trouble, Mrs. Lazarus,” is what I would usually say.)

Dinner at their house would always start the same. Mell would be cranky and say he was getting sick of drawing and was ready to switch careers. But by the end of the night (and a few scotches) he’d be laughing and joking and saying “This is the greatest profession we’re in. What an amazing group of people!” Mell really loved the NCS and I was so proud when he wrote my letter of recommendation in 2009, his “first full-membership recommendation in many years.” I have a copy of that letter hanging in my office.

I would say Mell was like a father figure to me, but the fact is, Mell thought I was older than him. Seriously. He saw me as this paunchy older guy with gray hair and glasses, and he was still middle-aged, writing jokes about his 65-year-old Momma.

One of the last conversations I had with Mell was a few days before he died. He was in hospice and he couldn’t speak and his eyes were closed.

I got up close and whispered, “Hey Mell, when I get to Heaven will you introduce me to Marge Devine?“ He lifted his eyebrows and laughed.

The first time I met Mell was in 1985 at a Newspaper Features Council meeting in San Francisco. Luann had just launched and I toted around a piece of paper with my character up in the corner, seeking autographs. Here’s Mell’s.

A few years later, he called me about his idea to create NCS Chapters — San Diego would be one of them. That call lasted over an hour, with Mell graciously taking time to answer a still-green cartoonist’s many questions about syndicate relations, staying on deadline and writing a comic strip over the long haul. Mell was the most generous, kind, smart and genuinely witty man I have ever met.

G re G e vans

The fun in life is diminished! Mell Lazarus has left us. He always brought fun and pleasure with him. He was a great humanitarian and a great cartoonist. That is not an unusual combination … but he also possessed wisdom and business acumen (all combinations that are more rare than a pitcher who can hit) and was always willing to share his talents, advice and help with others.

Along with Larry Katzman and Lynn Johnston, Mell was instrumental in saving the NCS from extinction and/or worse. “Worse” would have been a lack of extinction — but, without Mell. He was one of our most successful presidents.

His economical graphic style and concise, brilliantly written, speech balloons were masterful.

Most admirable was his bravery when confronted with a terrible disease and its effects, which he dealt with in his usual civilized, sophisticated manner.

He always got the joke. Then, improved it.

It’s too sad that Mell is gone but it is good, great luck to have known him.

rnold r oth

There are so many great, joyous and fun-filled moments one experienced being in Mell Lazarus’ company. Two lasting memories happened in 2010 at the Reuben-on-the-Hudson Weekend in Jersey City, and in 2013 at the Las Vegas Reuben Weekend.

The New Jersey Reuben memory began when I heard the unmistakable Lazarus voice, still tinged with husky, yet soft, unmistakable Brooklyn tones yell, “Hey Kid!” He had just arrived, and I gave him the usual Reuben Weekend cartoon hug. He said, “C’mon Kid, let’s go!” I said, "Go where?" He said, “The Hospitality Suite! I’ll be damned if I’m paying these %#$*!!@ hotel bar prices!” Up the elevator we went, me still clutching my %#$*!!@ hotel-bar-priced single-malt Scotch.

We toasted each other and began chatting and chatting and sipping and chatting and sipping. Not a lot of time ever seemed to go by when talking to Mell, because it was always such an effortless, delightful exercise. Whether it was me asking him questions, or him giving the true story about some well-known, yet steeped-in-myth happening in NCS history or famed member of the Society, Mell would relate his remembrances in perfect sentences, using a varied vocabulary laced with perfect — and very salty — profanity for needed emphasis. He was a raconteur of the highest order.

After what seemed to be not

too long a time, I happened to look at my watch through now very hazy eyes. I blurted out, “Mell! Holy %#$*!!@!! It’s quarter to FOUR!” He stared at me in his trademark calm, collected way and then calmly yelled (only Mell could calmly yell), “What are you? Some kinda’ %#$*!!@ wimp?”

Three years later, at the Vegas Reuben Weekend, a bunch of cartoonists were sitting on the many couches that graced the lobby. Mell was among them and was sitting directly across from me. There was a lull in the conversations that were going on, and suddenly I felt something hit my shoes. I looked to see Mell hitting them with his cane. I leaned forward and said, “Yeah, Mell, what do you want?” He leaned forward and said, “You are one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met!” I stared at him and said nothing — I was waiting for a punch line, or a welldelivered insult. He then leaned back on the couch with a smile on his face; there wasn’t going to be a punch line. I tried to say, “Thank you, Mell,” but I was choked up. I was finally able to rasp, “Thank you, Mell. That means everything to me — and back attcha’!”

You never knew what Mell was going to say. Usually it was witty and exactly correct. Sometimes it was very poignant. How lucky we all were to know this extremely intelligent man with a down-toearth manner!

I adored him. I miss him. And I’ll never forget him.

t om s temmle

Cartoonist. Writer. Mensch.

Years ago Mell called during his annual tussle with writing the Reuben Journal. “You should be doing some of this crap,” he said. The next day a FedEx arrived. Writing with and being edited by Mell was a thrill. I started flying out for marathon “work” sessions. My best efforts were elevated to “not bad” after Mell excised needless words and precisely repositioned those that survived his editing.

David Folkman’s images lead to marvelous tangents. Mell knew every single cartoonist that had ever lived not named Honore Daumier. The backstories to his stories had backstories. We smoked cigars and rewarded our efforts with Scotch. Lucca lingered for praise and to have her dog’s body rubbed. There was only room in each Journal for about a tenth of the fun we had writing it.

In 2000, my father came down with bladder cancer similar to what almost got Mell in 1997. Like Mell, my dad had a tough choice: Remove the tumor or remove the organ that had the tumor. The latter, a urostomy, would leave my father with an external bag.

One night Mell called Dad out of the blue. He was as practical (cut the thing out of you that’s got all the damn cancer) as he was compassionate, (I know it’s a tough thing for a man, having this damn bag, but really, how many more orgies were you planning on?) Best bedside manner ever.

Dad and Mell called each other, “bag buddies.” Though they never met, each always asked after the other’s health. Meanwhile, I was in love. Mell and Sally came to D.C. and at dinner I could tell they were both smitten too. People in love love people in love.  Mell long ago came to admire any cartoonist smart enough to share the company of a beautiful lawyer. Sally decreed, “You need to marry that woman immediately.”

Well, almost immediately. Sally and Mell shared their instructions for a happy marriage: Say “I love you” and kiss each other every ten minutes. I was around enough to know they walked the walk.

MELL

Beginning in eighth grade, I wrote to my favorite cartoonists, asking for original comic strips (I heard you could do that); Milton Caniff was the first to respond with an autographed Steve Canyon! Walt Kelly, Rube Goldberg, Charles Schulz and Alfred Andriola also sent signed strips. I proudly exhibited them in my school’s display case.

As a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology, I continued my pursuit of originals, including Mell Lazarus’ Miss Peach. A few months later, he wrote back: “Many thanks for your letter (which I just found behind the radiator). An original drawing is en route.” An autographed Sunday page arrived the following week.

My editorial cartoons were published in the college paper. After being promoted to Graphic Arts Editor, I cajoled my favorite cartoonists into doing a special drawing for the paper. Charles Schulz, Milton Caniff, Mort Walker, Ferd Johnson (Moon Mullins), Al Smith (Mutt & Jeff) and Johnny Hart generously contributed. I also exhibited my growing collection of originals in the college library, which became an annual event.

In the summer of 1966, I wrote to Mell with the same request. His response was that he’d be happy to do the drawing. Included was a note from his secretary (a college student herself): “The reason this letter was not dropped behind a radiator was because there is no radiator to drop it behind, and besides I’m very efficient.”

I gave Mell a call (his phone number and home address were stamped on the back of the Miss Peach Sunday page). He later remarked, “It was one of the biggest

mistakes I ever made.” However, he did invite me to come visit.

While he was inking his drawing (it eventually graced the paper’s entire front page, in full color), I glanced around his studio and lo and behold, there indeed was no radiator for a letter to drop behind.

Earlier that year, Johnny Hart was in Rochester entertaining the crowd at my show. I told Mell about it and asked if he’d be interested in presenting a “chalk-

talk” next year. He cheerfully responded, “Of course!”

In April of 1967, Mell attended the opening of The International Exhibition of Comic Strip Art at the Louvre, which also displayed his originals. He then had to fly home from Paris in order to catch a flight the following day (at his own expense) to get to Rochester.

Although Mell’s presentation was heavily promoted on campus, less than 50 students and faculty showed up. As reported in the paper, “It was embarrassing to Mr. Lazarus and humiliating to David Folkman.”

Fifty years later, I still owe Mell for that peccadillo. He’ll be my mentor, guiding light, cherished friend and nitpicky Reuben Journal Editor . . . forever!

Those who knew Mell over the years knew him to be dashing, clever, the consummate host and a fierce defender of cartooning and cartoonists. What is less known is Mell’s dog training abilities.

If you were privileged to be a house guest of Mell and Sally’s, you often found your socks disappearing from your room, only to reappear in neat little piles somewhere else on the grounds. This was the work of their lovely Golden Retriever named Lucca. Mell got such a kick out of these festivities, I am convinced he taught Lucca to do this ... you had to hold your socks close when you stayed with Mell and Sally.

d av I d f olkman

Photo above: Mell Lazarus sketching a caricature of college student David Folkman, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1967.

The first time I spent any time with Mell was when I was tasked with picking him up at the airport and taking him to the upcoming Reuben hotel in Scottsdale. The first thing he said to me was, “Where’s the nearest FedEx?” He had just finished his dailies on the plane, and needed to ship them to the syndicate. Of course, I was intimately familiar with the FedEx cargo office at the airport from my weekly dashes there from my studio. He was duly impressed, and I knew we were kindred spirits.

Mostly, my memories of Mell are nothing flashy: watching Jeopardy! on TV with him; sitting on his veranda with a drink, listening to the coyotes late at night, while he told stories of his exploits in the business — or trading stories about troop visits, or just shoptalk.

My “first saved message” on my voice mail is an encouraging one Mell left for me several years ago, which I’ve never erased. It’s comforting to know that, whenever I need to, I can hear Mell’s voice.

r I ck k I

rkman

The NCS used to have art auctions to benefit the Milt Gross Fund and Mell and Sally would graciously open their beautiful mid-century ranch home for these starstudded events. I met Mell for the first time at one of these gatherings in the mid-1990’s and I couldn’t believe how gracious and welcoming he was. I had only recently joined the NCS and nobody outside of the Simpsons universe knew who I was. But Mell knew I was an NCS member, and thus a professional cartoonist, and it didn’t matter to him that I was a newcomer with few cartoonist bona fides to my name. This giant in the world of cartooning treated me as a complete equal. I’ve never forgotten that and I always try

Mell was president when I first joined the NCS, and he will always represent to me everything that is special and magical about this night and this organization.

Mell, in his tuxedo, was so cool, so classy, charming, worldly, smart and funny.  We were all hipper just being in the room with him. Mell made you feel that we were more than just cartoonists, that we were artists, poets, philosophers.

Other than my beloved Aunt Clara, Mell was the only person who I was happy to kiss, who had a beard.

P atr I ck m c d onnell

on stage in Memphis before presenting a Silver Reuben category award

to emulate Mell when I meet a young newcomer to the field.

Over the years I was fortunate to develop a friendship with Mell and Sally and every time we had the occasion to get together was a complete joy.

In January of this year, a group of Southern California cartoonists and family members gathered in Studio City to honor Mell for his incredible lifetime of achievement. One of the best things about being president of the NCS is that you get to honor the legends of our craft, and that night I had the privilege of presenting the Medal of Honor to Mell. It’s an experience that I treasure and will never forget.

Memphis was .. .

BLUES CITY CAFE SUN RECORDS TH E

PEABODY DUCKS SERGIO ARAGONÉ S

GIBSON GUITARS NATIONAL CIVIL RIGHTS

MUSEUM DUCKMASTER MO WILLEM S

THE NCS REUBEN WEEKEND WELCOM E

PARTY DEBORAH PEYTON ROCKABILLY

PAUL COKER JR. MEMPHIS ROCK N SOUL

MUSEUM FAREWELL PARTY BLUES TH E

SILVER T-SQUARE GUS’S WORLD FAMOUS

FRIED CHICKEN LYNN JOHNSTON LIV E

MUSIC JEFF SMITH THE NCS REUB EN

AWARDS BANQUET TERRY MOORE THE

R ENDEZVOUS THE PEABODY MARI A

SCRIVAN DAVID APATOFF BEALE STREET

BRUCE HIGDON CENTRAL BBQ MATT

DIFFEE MISSISSIPPI RIVER ST. JUD E

CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL STAX

MUSEUM OF AMERICAN SOUL MUSIC

WACOM JAN ELIOT THE NCS BREAKFAS T

BUFFET THE SKYWAY ROOM KARAOK E

JENNY ROBB GRACELAND THE MILTO N

CANIFF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWAR D

LUKE MCGARRY and something called…

The 70 th Annual Reuben Awards

Weekend

Reuben Weekend photos by David Folkman St. Jude Children’s Hospital photos by Molly Stromoski With a handful or more from Rich Diesslin, Chad Frye, Marie Stemmle and Ann Telnaes, with our many thanks

Andy Eng

Stephanie Gladden Phil Judd

Todd CLark

George Karalias and Bob Englehart

Keith Robinson

Sergio Aragonés with Amy Lago

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

Around the Lobby

Mike Luckovich

Brain and Diana Crane with Matthew and Katrina Crane

Megan Kucker with The Peabody Hotel’s Duckmaster

Mark Parisi

Vicky Smart with Bob Rich

Nick Galifianakis

Lynn Johnston and Paul Lucas

B.J. Higdon

Tom Stiglich and John Rose

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

St. Jude Children ’ s Research Hospital

No matter who you are, cartoons have impacted your life at some point. It might have been the favorite storybook your parent read to you when you were small, the comic strip first discovered when you started to explore the Sunday funnies, or the cartoon video you watched over and over again. Was it the comic book you loved as a teen or the animated show that gave you the memes and catchphrases you shared with your classmates? It’s the birthday card you treasure, the editorial cartoon you share on social media, the animated DVD that your own child insists you constantly watch together.

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

To be able to make your livelihood doing something you love is one of life’s great gifts and, by that measure, the members of the National Cartoonists Society are fortunate people indeed. We get to conjure the worlds of our imagination, populate them with the characters we create, and share these visions with the world at large. Cartooning is such an accessible art form. We can communicate our ideas with a few strokes of our pen, speaking a universal language … and hopefully, our work will somehow resonate with someone somewhere.

All too often, though, it is all too easy to lose sight of how lucky we are to work

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

in our chosen profession. Mired in deadlines, grappling with concepts, the magic becomes mundane. It’s just a job … a reasonably cool one, perhaps … but just a job. Until something happens that reminds you just what a privilege it is to do this for a living..

This past Memorial Day weekend, more than 60 NCS cartoonists, armed with goodie bags overflowing with books and toys and crayons, gathered at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis to draw for the patients and their families. For more than three hours, we sat and sketched and chatted with some 250

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

St. Jude Children ’ s Research Hospital

Gala and Auction Fundraiser

kids and it was a humbling, moving and truly rewarding experience. To be able to bring a little happiness and pleasure to these kids and take their minds off their health battles for a little while, just by using meager gifts and talents we all too often take for granted, served to remind every one of us how lucky we are to do what we do.

—Steve McGarry, President,  National Cartoonists Society Foundation

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

Tori, Donna and Lexa Tatulli

Michael Davis and Terri Libenson

Jeff Keane

Jean Schulz and Tom Stemmle

Marie Stemmle and Arlene Fell

Kristin Gottschalk and Hilary Price

Richard Heimlich

Bunny Hoest and Ann Telnaes

Peter Gallagher

Pauline Goldberg with her son Stephen

John Killian

Speakers and Seminars

Jeff Smith

Jan Eliot Maria Scrivan

Terry Moore

Jenny Robb

Nick Meglin, in conversation with Paul Coker Jr.

Lynn Johnston

Matt Diffee

… and making sure that everything runs smoothly: from the back of the room, the tireless John Lotshaw.

Sergio Aragonés

Deborah Peyton

David Apatoff

Luke McGarry

Paul Coker Jr. adds his autograph to Anna Richmond’s MAD purse.

Jeff Smith shares a sneak preview of his new Bone adventure.

David Tomaselli and Jose Villena bookend Sergio after his presentation.

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

The Annual70th Reuben Awards Banquet

Steve Martino, director The Peanuts Movie, receives the award for Feature Animation from David Silverman.

Terri Libenson accepts the Newspaper Comic Strip Award for The Pajama Diaries.

Tex Minos receives the Jay Kennedy Scholarship Award from NCS Founda tion president Steve McGarry.

Michael Ramirez, Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year

Ann Telnaes receives the Editorial Cartoon Award from Mike Peters.

NCS triple threat: Anton Emdin garners three Silver Reuben Awards for Advertising/Product Illustration (with presenter Jason Chatfield), Newspaper Illustration, and Magazine/Feature Illustration (with Tom Richmond).

Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievemant Award recipient Paul Coker Jr. receives congratulations from MADmen Nick Meglin and Sam Viviano.

Bruce Higdon receives the NCS Silver T-Square from presenter Jeff Bacon.

Master of ceremonies Mo Willems

Bill and Kayre Morrison deliver the president’s welcome.

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

Dawn and Daryll Collins

The Richmonds: Victoria, Anna, Tom, Gabrielle and Tom

Michael Ramirez chats with Amy Lago

Megan Kucker and Sandy Gillis

Michael Ramirez with James Allen

BIlly Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum’s Jenny Robb with King Features’ Brendan Burford

Tea Fougner John Sheppard

Robb and Crystal Armstrong

Drew and Lisa Aquilina

Stephan Pastis

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

Jason and Sophie Chatfield with Mike and Margo Luckovich

Frank Pauer

O’Connell

During a break, Paul Coker Jr. chats with Mo Willems and Rose Marie McDaniel

Brian Walker and Abby Gross

Arlene and Paul Fell

John Kovaleski and Daryl Cagle

Sharon Kopstein with BIll LaRocque

Dan Nakrosis with his neice Athena Nakrosis

Rachel and Charles Kochman

Mike and Marian Peters

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

Robb Armstrong

Bill Janocha

Eddie Pittman

Tom and Marie Stemmle

Maria Scrivan

David Apatoff

Bruce Higdon

John Hambrock

Tom Gammill

Paul Coker Jr.

Anton Emdin celebrates his Silver Reuben trifecta with his wife Ash Kinchin

Chad Frye Tom Stiglich and David Yontz

Steve and Deborah McGarry

David and Barbara Frye

Bunny Hoest with Dave Jungreis

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend and About

Out

Jason Chatfield with past president RIck Stromoski

Jan Eliot, Lynn Johnston and Rose Marie McDaniel

Rob and Amber Harrell

Kit Lively

Megan Kucker and Mark Simon

Guy Parsons with Dave Whamond

Peaco Todd

Jeff Bacon

Bonnie and Frank Mariani

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

On Friday morning, Honoary Duckmaster Mo WiIlems, along with his characters Elephant and Piggy, helped lead the procession of the famous Peabody ducks to the lobby fountain.

Julie Tait Paul Fell Karen Evans

James Allen

Kevin Segall Bob Harvey

Pay Byrnes Angie Jordan Bill Beard

Steve McGarry (with Jeff Keane) addresses the Saturday morning business meeting about the cartoonists’ participation at St. Jude Children’s Hospital alongside the NCS board. From left: John Kovaleski, Ed Steckley, Darrin Bell, John Hambrock, Keane, McGarry, Bill Morrison, Jason Chatfield and Hilary Price.

Tom Stemmle with Barbara Dale

Wayno Terri Libenson Darrin Bell

Sergio Aragonés adds a drawing to a paneled pair of pants from Mark Simon.

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend Karaoke

Christine Potchernick

BIg Nate’s Lincoln Peirce

Sharing a lobby laugh are Ted Lay, Jan Eliot and Rick Kirkman Mandela Smith with Kennedy Scholarship winner Tex Minos Robin, Andrew Farago and Shaenon Garrity

Taking turns at the mic included Luke McGarry, Guy Gilchrist and Jason Chatfield

Bill and Kayre Morrison duet. Right, the evening belonged to Elvis fan, singer Kaley Parham — and her dad, Keelan, pitched in a number or two as well.

Katherine Hambrock Andy Sareyan

Bill Holbrook

BIll Janocha with author Eddy Zeno

John Read

First-timer Jason Platt with his wife Erin

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

The tour of St. Jude’s hospital was eye-opening for me. When we walked through the hallway filled with the children’s artwork, there was an entire wall filled with patients my age. I can’t imagine having to go through moving to Memphis, chemo, surgeries, and the fear of everything. When the tour ended, the kids were so excited to meet all the artists and have their sketchbooks filled up. One of the girls asked for the Disney character on her blanket and when she saw the finished drawing, her face lit up and her parents couldn’t say thank you enough. The hospital was a great thing for me to see because it reminded me that cartoons aren’t just a fun thing to fill up my notebooks with during a boring lecture at school — they can actually help people who really need it. The parents looked beside themselves with fear and worry, but as soon as they saw their kids’ smiles, I could clearly see that they were cheered up. The whole day doubled my passion for cartooning — the experience was incredibly rewarding and helped me realize how much of an impact cartooning can have.

—Athena

Nakrosis

Lydia Geissman Joe McGarry

Anne-Marie Allen

Mark Tatulli Bruce Higdon Tim Oliphant

Brian Walker and Abby Gross with Tom and Anna Richmond

Greg Cravens with Dan McConnell

Cady Lane Scott

Farewell Party at Graceland

The 70th Annual REUBEN Award Weekend

Memphis, from Page 3

volunteered early on to help us in any way he could, and both Steve McGarry and I took shameless advantage of that offer! Greg received and stored dozens upon dozens of boxes at his home and delivered them to the hotel and to St. Jude at the necessary times, saving us a ton of money in hotel storage and delivery fees. Greg was also instrumental in drumming up enthusiasm for the weekend throughout the better part of the past year with several delightful columns in the Cartoon!st! He even drove Kayre and me to the airport after the weekend was over! I literally can’t thank Greg and his wife Paula for their longsuffering generosity!

Thanks, Memphis!

Join us Memorial Day Weekend 2017 for the 71st Annual Reuben Awards!

I can’t forget your NCS Board of Directors: Jason Chatfield, Hilary Price, John Hambrock, Darrin Bell, John Kovaleski, Sean Parkes and Ed Steckley for their support and guidance. You and I are fortunate to have such a dedicated team working on our behalf. And finally, I want to thank my incredible wife, Kayre! I didn’t include her in the thank-you’s for any of the previously listed events because I would have been mentioning her name over and over again. Kayre planned the Welcome Party, the Saturday Breakfast, the Reuben Banquet, The President’s Party, and the Graceland Farewell Party, selecting all the menus, creating the table decorations (not including those done by Heather for the Graceland tables), travelling to Memphis in advance to meet with the hotel and Graceland staff and caterers to go over all the details, etc. etc. I’ve received so many compliments about the food and fun at all our communal meals and parties, and Kayre deserves the credit for all of it!

My heartfelt thanks to all the folks I mentioned and more that participated in even the smallest way! The weekend was such a huge hit because of all of you! Plans are underway for next year’s Reuben weekend, though I’m not quite ready to announce the location. Once I have a hotel secured I’ll make an announcement (probably in this column next issue!) I don’t know how we’ll be able top Memphis, but we’ll give it our best shot!

Over and out,

Bill Morrison

Members were asked to draw and sign a large canvas banner supplied by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital that would be later auctioned as part of “Cartoonists United for St. Jude’s Kids.”

Paul Fung Jr., 1923-2 016

Paul Fung Jr., best known for his 40-year stint as a comic book artist — and especially for Blondie — died April, 8 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He was 93.

Born in Seattle, Wash., on March 9, 1923, he started drawing at the age of 3, and at 4 years old appeared in “Our Gang” comedies. Paul was introduced into movie shorts by Robert Ripley of “Believe It or Not” fame, after Ripley made a drawing of Paul seemingly come to life as a Chinese child character. He also did radio children’s shows before becoming a New York Yankee team mascot at the age of 13, serving alongside the likes of Lefty Gomez, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio during the 1936-39 seasons.

He graduated from Pratt Institute prior to entering WWII where he flew with Gen. Chennault as a camera technician, earning two Bronze Battle Stars.

After the war, he worked in ad agencies in various capacities before joining King Features Syndicate special service department in 1949. He went on to draw the Blondie comic books for 40 years. He contributed to many other features that included Popeye, Rocky & Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle, Hong Kong Phooey and Mutt and Jeff. Paul estimated that over the course of his career he drew more than 500 comic books.

Stan Burdick, cartoonist and founder of the Hague Cartoon Museum in Hague , N.Y., died in Ticonderoga, N.Y., on Friday, April 22, 2016.

He was born on March 2, 1926 in Westerly, R.I. As a 17-year-old, he won one of the monthly cartoon contests in The Open Road for Boys magazine — “finally beat Henry Boltinoff,” Stan once wrote.

Following graduation from Salem College in West Virginia, Stan began a 17-year career with the YMCA that took him from locations across the East to Sandusky, Ohio. This affiliation with the Y also led him to the (Hague) Silver Bay Association, where he called square dances for more than 50 years.

In 1968, Stan left the YMCA, and he and his wife Cathie purchased American Squaredance Magazine,

During this period he also performed duties as a sketch artist for the New York City Police.

He was recognized with a NCS Silver Reuben Award as Best Comic Book Artist in 1964, and Best Comic Book Artist–Humor in 1980.

Paul was heavily involved in local civic groups as a member of the Lions, Masons and Shriners. He served as a member for 25 years as a Supreme Counselor of the Ancient Scottish Rite, the VFW, American Legion and for a short time the Elks, where he donated his artistic abilities making posters to support local fundraising causes.

complished traveling caller. He called in every U.S. state, all the Canadian provinces, and 20 countries abroad.

After the Burdicks sold the magazine in 1991, they retired to their cottage at Silver Bay. Stan continued his lifelong hobby of cartooning, drawing editorial cartoons for several newspapers. He also taught area children to draw in various area venues.

A longtime collector, He was the director of the Hague Cartoon Museum, which he established in 1998. The Museum moved from Hague to Ticonderoga in 2003, and then was donated to the Toonseum in Pittsburgh in 2009.

which they published and edited for 23 years. In the heyday of club square dancing, Stan was an ac-

Stan celebrated his 90th birthday in March by going out to dinner with his wife and son, which was his nextto-last outing. His goal had been to celebrate his 60th anniversary with Cathie and then his 90th birthday; He accomplished both.

Stan Burdick, 1926-2 016

Anatol Kovarsky, 1919-2 016

Anatol Kovarsky, an artist and illustrator who contributed to The New Yorker from the late 1940s through the 1960s, died on June 1 at his home in Manhattan. He was 97.

Kovarsky produced nearly 300 — mostly captionless — cartoons for the magazine, the first of which appeared on March 1, 1947. He also drew 40 covers, which Art News once called “wry and often beautiful excursions into pattern, color, movement and American life.”

Anatoly Mironovich Kovarsky was born on April 6, 1919, in Moscow. After the Russian Revolution, his family settled in Poland. Sent to Vienna to study economics, Kovarsky shifted his attention to art and took lessons from a drawing master on the side. He later studied in the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris.

As the German Army advanced on Paris, he fled to Casablanca, and then in December 1941 emigrated to the United States.

He enlisted in the Army and served as a cartographer and translator, and was later assigned to draw cartoons for the publications Stars and Stripes and Yank.

He studied painting at Columbia University and the Art Students League, and also began submitting cartoons to The New Yorker and The New York Herald Tribune

He never fully abandoned painting, and an exhibition of his work was shown in a solo show in Manhattan in 1956. In the late 1960s, Kovarsky began concentrating on painting full time.

Alfred A. Knopf published a collection of his cartoons, Kovarsky’s World, in 1956.

In a 2013 profile, Michael Maslin wrote, “Sitting next to Kovarsky on a living room sofa, surveying the living room walls lined with his paintings, the hallway beyond, with paintings stored in racks, I said to Kovarsky, ’You have done so much work’ to which he replied, ’I am told,’ he said, ’that there are 600 paintings here. I would like to do more.’”

Frank Modell, 1917-2 016

Frank Modell, who contributed more than 1,400 cartoons to The New Yorker over a 50-year career with the magazine died May 27 at his home in Guilford, Conn. He was 98.

Described as the quintessential gag cartoonist, Modell also produced six covers for The New Yorker, drew for Playboy, wrote and illustrated children’s books, tried Off-Broadway acting, and “did a bit part in a Woody Allen movie.”

A collection of his work, Stop Trying to Cheer Me Up! was published in 1978.

Born in Philadelphia on Sept. 6, 1917, Modell began to draw at 6 when he was quarantined with scarlet fever.

His art would make him popular with classmates. “It wasn’t so much the art I enjoyed,” he wrote in Stop Trying to Cheer Me Up! “It was the visibility I was getting.”

After graduating from the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, he was drafted and served in Europe during World War II.

“All that time I was sending cartoon ideas to The New Yorker magazine,” he wrote on his website. “When the war was over, I married, got divorced, and joined the New Yorker staff.”

Initially hired as an assistant to the magazine’s art editor, James Geraghty, Modell’s first cartoon appeared in the issue of July 20, 1946. His cartoons and covers would appear for the next 50 years.

“As for his art, Frank was a cartoonist’s cartoonist,” wrote fellow New Yorker cartoonist Michael Maslin. “He drew with confidence and grace and joy. There’s nothing quite like a Modell character in motion. A Modell drawing exudes humor — we’re laughing before we’ve even reached the caption. Seeing his work was like spotting the man himself across the room at a New Yorker party: it always made me happy.”

“And stop trying to cheer me up!”

Between the Lines

By Jerry Dumas

Cartoonists, many of them, are practical jokers. Everyone knows that.

This time around, it must have been Bob Gustafson’s idea. The luncheon was held at Bob’s house in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and Bob was the only one who could have done it.

For some years Bob had written and drawn the comic strip Tillie the Toiler, but now Bob was done with that and he had come to work as a gag writer and office assistant to Mort Walker. Bob Gus was a big, jovial guy, a tennis player and golfer, and had been a glider pilot during World War II.

Among the cartoonists invited that day were Mort, John Cullen Murphy, Dick Cavalli, Dik Browne, Bill Yates, Frank Johnson, Jack Tippet and Curt Swan. There was one more — Bob’s neighbor, a chemist from England with a lovely accent and a quick mind. His name was something like Alf. Let’s call him Alf. But Bob introduced him as comic strip cartoonist Reg Smythe, who created Andy Capp.

Nobody knew what the creator of Andy Capp really looked like — this was in the mid 1960’s — and if we hadn’t met a foreign cartoonist at a meeting somewhere or seen a photo, we were clueless. Mort and I were in on the joke, but I’m not sure who else was.

Bob and I and Mort met with Alf ahead of time and gave him a few pointers on cartooning, but he really didn’t need any help.

Over drinks there were questions like: “Say, Reg, what kind of ink do you English guys use?”

Alf would be properly vague, as most cartoonists are prone to be:

“Oh, likely same as you blighters, black and waterproof, Higgins, probably.”

Mort seized on a quiet moment to begin this exchange:

“Reg, where did you get the idea for Andy Capp? You got it from Beetle Bailey, didn’t you?”

Alf: “Well, here now, I don’t know where you get that.”

Mort: “Beetle’s lazy, Andy’s lazy. Beetle won’t take orders,

Pittsburgh’s ToonSeum has two ongoing exhibits. “Captain America: 75 Years of the Sentinel of Liberty,” features pages of original artwork by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, co-creators of the character, with other work by a number of legendary artists. Also featured are rare comic books and an assortment of other memorabilia. The exhibit runs through August 14. Also on display is work by the nation’s leading editorial cartoonists that examines the current presidential campaign. The show, “This Campaign is Yuuuge! Cartoonists Tackle the 2016 Presidential Race,” runs through Aug. 28, and features more than

Andy won’t take orders.”

Everybody was now just looking on. They seemed to know. Everyone except Dik Browne, who looked furious. His entire face was red.

Mort: “Worst of all — the cap. Down over the eyes. You stole that directly from me. Just like Beetle, we never see Andy’s eyes.”

Alf: “Oh, I say now . . .”

Dik Browne, livid, launched himself out of his chair. “Mort! Come with me!”

Mort and Dik went into the kitchen, where Dik walked in circles, waving his arms, shouting in a croaking way, barely in control of himself. From the entire tirade, I only made out two words: “Unbelievable behavior!”

During all this, Mort, having quickly decided that it was past time to clue Dik in, was attempting to convince him that the whole thing was a joke. Finally Bob Gus entered the ring and managed to get Dik to stop, take a breath and listen.

A minute later Dik re-joined the group — and stunned us. He was recovered. His shirt was tucked in. He wore a huge smile and danced a little jig.

“I knew it was a joke the whole time,” he said. None of us looking on believed him. But you never know.

■ ■ ■

Besides his comic strip work for more than 50 years (Sam’s Strip, Sam and Silo, Hi and Lois, Beetle Bailey, and others), Jerry has had two books published by Houghton, and contributed to Smithsonian, The New York Times and The New Yorker.

At the Museums

50 original cartoons, prints and sketches on this year’s race for president.

The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum presents “Good Grief! Children and Comics,” which examines the history, role and tensions of child characters in strips and comic books. The exhibit spans the history of American comics, and includes well-known titles such as Peanuts, Little Orphan Annie, Calvin and Hobbes, Dennis the

Menace, and Little Lulu. Also, in 2014 Locust Moon published Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream, a huge, full-color anthology featuring work by 100 artists. Each was asked to create a new version of Winsor McCay’s famous strip, resulting in a rich and diverse collection of homages. The exhibit presents original artwork from the book, and features, among others Peter Bagge, David Mack, Paul Pope and Carla Speed McNeil. The exhibit will also include McCay originals from Ireland collection. Both exhibits run through Oct. 23.

Florida

Mark Simon marksimonbooks@yahoo.com

The Florida Chapter ended April with a hugely successful event at the Florida Children’s Hospital. We had 13 artists and some family members show up to draw for the kids in the ER. At one point, we outnumbered the patients.

We had so many artists that we left the staff with piles of extra drawings to give to more kids who arrived after we left. We were so busy we didn’t even see the one teen girl who freaked out (not because of us), took off all her clothes and ran around the ER. Seriously, none of us even knew it happened.

Brystal Cauthen was asked to draw for a lady in the adult ward. She had been there for three weeks and had never smiled. When she saw Brystal’s art, she laughed out loud, which shocked the nurses.

Afterwards, we all went for dinner and drinks at The Brass Tap in Orlando. We were not asked to leave, so obviously we weren’t happy enough.

One of our members, George Pieper Jr., was profiled in a huge article in the Village News. The NCS and our mandate to draw for hospitalized kids was also mentioned.

Since we have been so jealous of the Southern California Chapter with their own logo, our own Jeff Parker has created a new logo for us. At least we think he created it. It may have just been a scan of a daily drawing board accident that he can now write off.

We are in the planning stage for our big summer event, “The Art of Florida Cartoonists.” This is a full day event taking place in the country’s largest comic shop, Gods & Monsters, on Saturday, July 16. We will have book signings, an art show, a panel discussion open to the public and party at the bar in the back. (Yes, this cool place has their own bar.)

We are looking for cartoonists who have lived, worked or been to school in Florida to submit their original art to be included in the

gallery show. It will be up for a month. Contact Mark Simon if you’re interested in being a part of it.

Pittsburgh Wayno

studio@wayno.com

This report may be short on words, but it represents big news for our Chapter.

We’re pleased to welcome Howard Bender and Teresa Roberts Logan to the NCS Pittsburgh Chapter.

Howard, a native Pittsburgher, has returned to the Pittsburgh area after a long and happy tenure with the New Jersey Chapter. We thank Tom Stemmle for making the introduction. We’ll try to live up to the NJ standards! Howard has even moved to the same neighborhood as Dave Klug and Wayno, so we’re sure to get up to some mischief together.

And the multi-talented “Laughing Redhead” herself, Teresa will join us in August, leaving the DC Chapter as Chapter Chair. Teresa’s energy and enthusiasm are sure to add greatly to our group.

Following the Chapter Chair meeting in Memphis, we’ve decided to offer “known asso-

ciates” Chapter memberships, and are currently discussing the dues structure and benefits of participating at the Associate level, designing a Chapter logo, and working on a special membership card for our Associates. We have a mailing list of nearly 100 cartoonists in the area, so we hope to sign up quite a few of our hometown artists and writers.

Great Lakes

Polly

Keener

pollytoon@aol.com

Great Lakes Chapter members are delighted to have two Silver Reuben division award winners this year: Terri Libenson for Pajama Diaries in the Newspaper Comic Strip Division, and Jim Benton for the Greeting Card Division. Hooray for Terri and Jim!

Terri was drafted by Mo Willems, the guest Duckmaster at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, to dress up in a Piggie costume, a character from Willems’ books, to help greet the children. She said it was a sweaty, clunky hour in the costume but worth it just to see the embarrassed expressions on her daughters’ faces.

Quite a few Great Lakes Chapter folks took part in the St. Jude cartoon event held in conjunction with Reuben Weekend. The list of participants included Tom Batiuk, Daryll Collins, Rich Diesslin, Jerry Dowling, Rob Harrell, Jeff Knurek, Frank Pauer and possibly others. Attendees from the chapter for other Reuben festivities included Dawn Collins, Geri Dowling, Terri Libenson’s husband, Mike, and their two daughters, plus Jenny Robb, Jason Platt and Jeff Smith.

Ed Black had planned to attend but was felled by an attack of Influenza A and complications that kept him hospitalized for six days. He is still recuperating at home; he’d probably love to have a card from friends.

GLC members Jim Benton, Mark Szorady, Polly Keener, Chip Sansom, and others remembered May 5, Cartoonists Day, in their cartoons this year.

Jim even created a National Cartoonists Day website for it — www. nationalcartoonists day.com. He did a handsome banner with parts of strips that have featured the Cartoonists Day logo created by Ken Alvine years ago, and invites NCS members to contribute content or ideas to the website. The holiday is listed in the national register

NCS members living in an area served by a regional chapter should contact the chairman, or contact national representative Ed Steckley at 413-478-4314.. Chairmen, please send news, photos, artwork and information about your chapter to The Cartoon!st, in care of Frank Pauer, 53 Beverly Place, Dayton, OH 45419, or fpauer1@udayton.edu. Deadline for the next issue is August 5.

In Memphis, Jason Platt meets Sergio Aragonés

Drawing at Florida’s Children’s Hospital were, back row from left, Rob Smith Jr., Brystal Cauthen, Dana Summers, George Pieper Jr., Alex Saviuk and Bill Haus. Front: Heather Worley, John Hurst, Dom Carola, Eric Sweetman, Mark Simon, Mike Conrad and Christian Slade — and below, at dinner.

of holidays, so send your Cartoonists Day cartoons and ideas to Jim Benton!

And, speaking of cartooning classics, there are two terrific exhibits at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum in Columbus. They are “Little Nemo: Dream another Dream” and “Good Grief! Children and Comics.” The shows run through Oct. 23. The “Little Nemo” exhibit includes originals by Winsor McCay and work of other artists’ homages to McCay. The other exhibit “examines the history, role, and tensions of child characters in comic strips and comic books.” Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, Little Lulu and many other famous, as well as lesserknown treats, are in this fun exhibit.

Dr. Lucy Caswell, Professor Emerita and founding curator of the Cartoon Library, has a new research award named for her: The Lucy Shelton Caswell Research Award. If the Library can raise $35,000, the Will and Ann Eisner Family Foundation will match the amount to “establish an endowment that will generate funds to be used for the Research Award to provide funding for scholars to travel to Columbus and use the BICLM collections for research and publishing.”

The Great Lakes Chapter looks forward to an August lunch meeting at the glorious Cleveland Main Library to see exhibits of political cartoons, Shakespeare folios, and Superman collections, with a special celebration of Chip and Art Sansom’s 50 years of The Born Loser All NCS members and friends are welcome! Call Polly Keener for details.

Finally, Tom Batiuk announces that Roses in December is a finalist for the Ohioanna Book Award in fiction. Also, Roses and volume 4 of The Complete Funky Winkerbean are both up for Eisner Awards at Comic-Con in San Diego. Congratulations, Tom!

Long Island

Adrian Sinnott 631-547-0778

This Spring’s semester had me teaching on Thursday afternoons so I could only make short appearances at our lunches. To keep order during the monthly chow down, I called in a back-up fearless leader, Joe Vissichelli. Many thanks to Joe for seeing that we weren’t asked to leave and never come back.

For the May meeting, we led off with a very sad toast to our great friend, Mell Lazarus. Mell was very special to the BTG, as well as the entire NCS. He and Sally joined us for our international excursions to the Cartoon Festival in Rathdrum, Ireland back in 1996 and again when we went to the festival at St. Just le Martel via London and Paris in 2000. We’ll dearly miss his great humor and smiling face.

At lunch, we were thrilled to welcome Sy and Simmy Barry back. They had missed a few meetings due to Simmy’s bout with a

short illness but it was wonderful to see she is in top form. I’m sure Simmy would love to hear from all her friends in the NCS.

It was also time for members to pick up their art from the extended BTG 50th Anniversary show at the Huntington Library. While the show was at the

one cartoonist walked away as the winner in three separate categories: Anton Emdin, the Berndt Toast Gang’s long-distance Australian member, supremely talented cartoonist and all-round good guy won the advertising/ product illustration, newspaper illustration and magazine illustration categories. And we also want to congratulate our own Ray Alma, nominee in the advertising/product illustration category.

Next on our busy calendar was Eternalcon, Long Island’s comic-con. Organizer John Rosas called and offered us a table in the “Artist’s Alley” right next to that famous BTG member, Joe Giella! We were surrounded by examples of Long Island’s finest cartoonists, including Ray Alma, Sy Barry with his son, Dan, Joe Giella with his son, Dan, Bunny Hoest, Van Howell (back for a short visit from his new home in Australia) and new member, Mark Saskin. We spent the day promoting the work of the Gang, including Bunny’s most recent book (see the back page) and talking with some of the exhibitors about joining the Gang.

And, since it’s June, it’s time for the annual “Bunny Bash” — much more on that in the next issue.

Society of Illustrators, we were approached by Laurene Tesoriero, Art Gallery Coordinator for the Huntington Public Library, through the helpful hand of BTG member, Helen MurdockPrep. They were very interested in having the Gang exhibit at the library and the timing was perfect. Picking up the art from the Society, I drove it all out to the library. We had a great time with an artists’ reception and an interview in the Times Beacon Record newspaper. Read it at tbrnewsmedia.com/cartoonistshowcase-opens-in-huntington/

There was more good news at the lunch when we brought out a cake to surprise Sandy Kossin on his 90th birthday. Unlike a previous meeting, the candles didn’t set off the smoke detectors this time around. We’re all hoping to be even half as active as Sandy when we hit that milestone and still be able to blow out all those candles.

Then, of course, some of the Gang flew out to Memphis for the Reuben Weekend. Bunny Hoest and John Reiner, Andy Eng and Christine Krauss rounded out the BTG contingent this year.

For the first time in the history of the NCS,

North Central

Paul Fell pfell@nebr.rr.com

Report by Mike Edholm

Yes, yes — the rumors are all true. MAD Magazine (well, some of it and that’s more than enough) will be touching down in the metropolis of Omaha for a touch of “MADness” at The Kaneko.

KANEKO — a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to exploring and encouraging the creative process and how it impacts our lives — will host “MAD About Storytelling,” a discussion panel with the creative talents behind the long-running magazine.

The event will include a lively and entertaining discussion panel with art director Sam Viviano, writer Desmond Devlin, and illustrator Tom Richmond. The panel is part of KANEKO’s ongoing storytelling exhibit, which explores the creative process of storytelling.

Tickets for the August 12 event are $10 for general admission and free for KANEKO Members. For more information, see thekaneko.org/mad

Left, Sandy Kossin at the Berndt Toast Gang’s 50th anniversary show and, above, on the occassion marking his 90th birthday.

Long Island’s Berndt Toast Gang members staff the table at, appropriately enough, Long Island’s Eternal-Con.

Washington, D.C.

Carolyn Belefski

Mark Fiore was awarded the Herblock Prize in a ceremony at the Library of Congress on May 24. His win marks a modern turn in the political cartoon field with his contribution of animated cartoons. Mark Shields, a well-known political columnist, gave a lecture about Herb Block and provided commentary on this year’s presidential election. Mike Rhode, Joe Sutliff, Amy Lago, Donna Lewis, Sara Duke, Teresa Roberts Logan, Matt Wuerker, Steve Artley, Michael Cavna, Ann Telnaes, Carolyn Belefski and Eric Shansby were some of the cartoonists present to represent the local community at the event.

On May 25, several NCS members gathered at the Newseum to celebrate cartoonist Angelo Lopez and his Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Cartoons. Lopez’s comics are published weekly in San Francisco’s Philippines Today newspaper.

We asked him to write about his experience, and he wrote that, “It was a wonderful time. I was very honored to be in the company of such great journalists. I got a chance to meet the jurors and talk to a lot of great local cartoonists in the D.C. area.

Southeastern John Sheppard shepart@aol.com

The Southeast Chapter of the NCS was very well represented with a huge contingent of cartoonists. In addition to myself, there was Tim Oliphant, Bruce Higdon, Greg Cravens, John Rose, Tom Heintjes, Bill Holbrook, James Allen, John Read, Mike Luckovich, John Lotshaw, Guy Gilchrist, Stephanie Gladden, Rich Powell, Dan Thompson, Grey Blackwell, Vicky Smart, Nick Meglin and Daryl Cagle. I’m sure the SEC had the largest contingent of folks in Memphis ... take that NCS LA!! We may not wear plaid but we swarm when necessary.

This bunch also included three nominees for a Silver Reuben award: Rich Powell, Bill Holbrook and Mike Lukovich! Sadly they were all beaten out by Anton Emdin, or least it seemed like everyone was beaten out by the very talented guy from Down Under. Additionally, Bruce Higdon was the recipient of the Silver T-Square Award this year for all his work, time and effort in entertaining our troops stateside and overseas. He has led numerous groups of cartoonists into some very real hot spots, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, to draw for the troops.

John Lotshaw was busier than a cartoonist with a bunch of new pads and pens. John filmed every seminar and presentation given and had to lug the equipment from venue

“The Kennedys have been lifelong heroes of mine and I’ve always been inspired by their collective work for social justice for this country. When I get nervous I tend to talk fast and interrupt people before they finish talking, so I was very conscious of not doing that.

“Ethel Kennedy wasn’t able to make it, but it was still a thrill to meet Kerry Kennedy, one of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy’s daughters. Kerry is a human rights lawyer and a very nice person. She talked easily with all of the winners.”

And congrats to Ann Telnaes on winning the Silver Reuben for Editorial Cartooning at the Reuben Awards in Memphis. Ann creates animated cartoons, for which some controversy arose late last year when a cartoon of hers responded to Ted Cruz’s ad featuring his daughters. In 2001, she became the second woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for editorial cartooning. Thank you, Ann, for showcasing the DC chapter at this year’s Reuben Awards.

to venue. Another huge contribution to this weekend’s success was Greg Cravens. He was the contact point and mail drop for numerous NCS related projects. He also led the now infamous Paintball Wars on Friday morning! No cartoonists were harmed — well maybe just a little — in the making of the paintball event. We’re also planning to be well represented at the upcoming Heroes Con in Charlotte.

Texas

Hector Cantu HDCantu@aol.com

The Texas Chapter was invited to put on a three-day cartooning workshop at a Mansfield middle school near Dallas-Fort Worth.

Chapter members Joe Silva, Kyle Reynolds and Eddie Medina in May talked to kids from kindergarten to fourth grade about the history of cartooning, then delved into studio practices and cartooning lessons to help the kids create their own comics.

“I had such a great time and after the positive experience, we are looking at other ways to extend our outreach to children

and come up with a more solid curriculum,” Reynolds said.

The event was so successful that teachers asked for permission to use photos of our members with kids in the school yearbook. Yee-haw, y’all!

Chapter member Kevin Middleton helped organize a “Fun Art” exhibit of Austin-area artists and cartoonists.

“Like fine art, Fun Art is all about being individual, having something interesting to say, and saying it in your own voice,” artist Theresa Bayer says of her “Fun Art” concept. “No angst, no snobbery, no credentials in Fun Art. All it requires is daily practice and a passion for wackiness.”

In addition to Middleton and Bayer, other artists exhibiting at Austin’s Howson Branch Library included Scott Byers, Sam Hurt, Svetlana Novikova and Milburn Taylor.

Kit Lively (MAD, National Lampoon) has joined the Texas Chapter as a full NCS member. New chapter members include Mark Stokes (Zombie Boy) and Richard Dominguez (El Gato Negro).

At the Newseum are Mike Rhode, Lisa Reeber,  Angelo Lopez, Sara Duke, Carolyn Belefski and  Teresa Roberts Logan

Herblock Prize recipient Mark Fiore with Steve Artley and Derrick Perkins

In the classroom, Kyle Reynolds with his grade-school graphic novelists

Twenty-five years after the first black and white issue of Jeff Smith’s selfpublished comic book BONE appeared on comic shop shelves — and over a decade since the concluding chapter — comes a new (and completely superfluous, according to Jeff) adventure featuring the Bone cousins. The 32-page story, titled BONE: Coda , appears in a new volume of the same name and will ship this month. The issue will focus on the cousins and Bartleby the Baby Rat Creature as they travel across a desert in their rickety cow cart back to Boneville. Also included is the complete text of The BONE Companion fully illustrated for the first time, written by award-winning comics historian Stephen Weiner. The volume will also include behind-the-scenes photos, as well as information from Jeff about the making of the series and an afterword by the author.

As part of Lyon BD, a comics festival in Lyon, France, organizers unveiled the longest comic ever, topping previous efforts set in 2011 and 2014. The latest effort came in at 1,625 meters (more than 5,300 feet) long, with some 1,600 panels on display along the sides of a tunnel in the center of town. Written and drawn in a traditional format by the French cartoonist Jibé, panels were enlarged to a 1x1 square meter format by more than 200 students. The story centered around a young girl who, thanks to a magic pencil, travels through time across Europe from the Ice Age to the year 10,000. The Festival’s organizers expect the record to be ratified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Bunny Hoest recently held a book signing for The Trouble With You is That You Judge Food Too Much By its Taste , a new collection of panels from The Lockhorns . The newly published collection of 120 classic Lockhorns’ comics were especially chosen by Bunny. “The Lockhorns is pure satire of married life,” she writes. “They show us how foolish it is to be unkind to the people we love.” Look for the $12.99 paperback on Amazon. … On exhibit at The New-York Historical Society is “The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems,” which brings together original art, sketches, and inspirational drawings from Willems’ most popular series, plus stand-alone classics such as  Leonardo the Terrible Monster and That is NOT a Good Idea! Since the publication of  Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!  in 2003, Willems has amassed an impressive list of  New York Times  best-selling adventures that have garnered him three Caldecott Honors, two Geisel Medals, five Geisel Honors, and an inaugural spot in the Picture Book Hall of Fame. Previous to his publishing career, this year’s Reuben Award master of ceremonies won six Emmy Awards for his writing on PBS’s Sesame Street, created the Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City, and was the head writer for Codename: Kids Next Door. He has also written two musicals based on his books, both

commissioned by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. “The Art and Whimsy of Mo Willems,” runs through Sept. 25. … Drawn from more than 76,000 images relating to World War I, the Library of Congress has mounted a new exhibit of cartoons and illustrations from the Great War (1914-1918). On display in the Graphic Arts Galleries of the Jefferson Building, the exhibit showcases posters, cartoons, fine art prints and drawings that chronicle the massive international conflict from its onset through its aftermath. There are two completely different presentations: The first will be on view from May 7 through Oct. 22, 2016, and the second presentation will be on view from Oct. 31, 2016, through May 6, 2017. This online version of the exhibition reflects all of the art that appears in the Gallery during the year.

Laurie Triefeldt has released a pair of new coloring books for the adult in our inner child. Elegant Tea Party Coloring Book contains 70 intricate and absorbing illustrations of cups, saucers, teapots, muffins, and flowers — have a cup of tea, ease your tensions, and reinvigorate your creativity. Also new, “find your private place in the enchanting world” of Laurie’s Boudoir Coloring Book , with intricate images of elegant ladies, vanity tables, perfume, make up and flowers. Both are printed on thick, high-quality paper, printed on only one side with no bleed-through, and perforated pages let you share and preserve your creative work. … For the first time, Dick Tracy met Dick Tracy parody Fearless Fosdick in a late June week-long sequence in the long-running Dick Tracy , the strip. Tracy teamed up with Fosdick, a parody of Chester Gould’s Dick Tracy, who was created in 1942 and appeared intermittently as a strip-within-a-strip in Al Capp’s Li’l Abner . The two meet to battle Evil-Eye Fleegle, another character from Capp’s strip. The current Tracy is written by Mike Curtis and drawn by Joe Staton.