My eyes went wide. I watched Lynn walk by and then I turned to the others at my table (who included Chad Carpenter, creator of the hysterical Tundra and the entire clan from B.C., Johnny Hart’s family). I chuckled and said to them, “Lynn Johnston knows my NAME!” That’s it. That was my only thought. Pride of personal acknowledgement.

 

The evening was awesome! The Reuben ceremony is really well produced with lots of comic videos and bits by some of the funniest people you’ll ever meet. This show should be broadcast (and so should the Annie Awards… Just sayin’.). It’s much more entertaining than the Emmy or Oscar events. Where else do you get to see Cathy Guisewite (Cathy) screeching a duet with Elvis?

 

Just so you don’t think hanging with this group is only for cartoonists, it’s also for animators. I met Butch Hartman (Fairly Oddparents, TUFF Puppy) this year, David Silverman (Simpsons) is a member, so is Simpsons writer Tom Gammill.

Plus, a huge number of series and features have come from comic strips. Garfield has won 4 Emmy awards, is entering the 4^th season of his latest series and has spawned two feature films. Peanuts has produced innumerable specials that we all watch every year as well as a number of animated features. Beetle Bailey has produced over 50 animated TV cartoons, Grimmy has had his own series, and so has Baldo (which I landed a distribution deal for recently).  Even Marmaduke has had his own feature. There is a big connection between comics and animation.

If you want to join this family of cartoonists (and why wouldn’t you?!), check out the eligibility online at www.Reuben.org. It is the most fun you’ll have hanging out with creative people with your pants on and without getting paid.