The National Cartoonists Society has announced the three finalists for this year's Reuben Award, the cartooning field's answer to the Oscar. The candidates are:
Stephan Pastis, creator of Pearls Before Swine
Brian Crane, creator of Pickles
Tom Richmond, MAD Magazine caricaturist and current NCS President
The Reuben Award, named for legendary cartoonist Rube Goldberg, has been awarded since 1946. This year's ceremony will take place on May 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the fourth consecutive nomination for Pastis, and the first since 2006 for Crane. Only a few outstanding cartoonists have received two Reubens -- Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes), Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts), Chester Gould (Dick Tracy), Dik Browne (Hagar the Horrible, Hi And Lois), Gary Larson (The Far Side), Jeff MacNelly (Shoe), Milton Caniff (Steve Canyon), Pat Oliphant (editorial cartoons) -- but an amendment made to the rules about a decade ago disqualifies past winners from ever being nominated again.
Stephan Pastis, creator of Pearls Before Swine
Brian Crane, creator of Pickles
Tom Richmond, MAD Magazine caricaturist and current NCS President
The Reuben Award, named for legendary cartoonist Rube Goldberg, has been awarded since 1946. This year's ceremony will take place on May 26 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is the fourth consecutive nomination for Pastis, and the first since 2006 for Crane. Only a few outstanding cartoonists have received two Reubens -- Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes), Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts), Chester Gould (Dick Tracy), Dik Browne (Hagar the Horrible, Hi And Lois), Gary Larson (The Far Side), Jeff MacNelly (Shoe), Milton Caniff (Steve Canyon), Pat Oliphant (editorial cartoons) -- but an amendment made to the rules about a decade ago disqualifies past winners from ever being nominated again.