Not meaning to downplay the efforts of the other National Cartoonists Society deserving nominees for Cartoonist of the Year, but I can’t remember being happier on hearing who won The Reuben than I was when Lynda Barry was named today.
I am overjoyed by this recognition of Lynda’s talent.
She makes me happy.
I have never met her except through her books, and by way of video and audio and print interviews, but just a photo of Lynda makes me smile. She is such a lovely person.
But that didn’t win her The Reuben. A highlight of 2019 was Lynda’s Making Comics book.
And then there was being declared a genius when she received a 2019 MacArthur Fellowship.
From the National Cartoonists Society:
The recipient of the cartooning profession’s highest honor, the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year is chosen by a secret ballot of the members of the National Cartoonists Society. The NCS is pleased to announce this year’s winner is celebrated cartoonist, author, and teacher, Lynda Barry.
In graciously accepting the award, Barry said, “One of the things that’s so beautiful about comics is that whatever may be missing from your world, you might be able to find it in comics.” And in thanking her students, she remarked, “The other beautiful thing about comics is they’re really opening up to other people and other worlds that people bring with them.” Barry also cited The Family Circus creator Bil Keane as a direct influence on her as a cartoonist and as a human being because, as she put it, “the world of The Family Circus loved me and welcomed me, and there was something about love in that comic that really stuck with me.”
NCS President Jason Chatfield commented, “We’re so thrilled to be able to honor Lynda and her work in this way. She is a treasure, and we’re lucky to be able to enjoy her wit, wisdom and artistic talent. She is a great light in dark times.”
Congratulations to Lynda! A truly great cartoonist and an amazingly relevant voice in or weird ongoing story.