The National Cartoonists Society has revealed the nominees for the 2025 Reuben Division Awards, which honor excellence in the art of cartooning. The winners will be announced on August 7 in Columbus, Ohio, during the 80th edition of the awards. Voting among NCS members will take place in May, covering 13 categories ranging from advertising to animation and comic strips.
Digital tools in animation and editorial cartooning 🎨
Nominations in categories such as animation and editorial cartooning reflect the technical evolution of the industry. Many artists use software like Clip Studio Paint or Procreate for digital inking, while tweening and 2D rigging have streamlined production. In the press, the use of graphics tablets and styluses allows for quick adjustments and direct integration into editorial workflows. The NCS does not specify tools, but the final quality depends on the author's skill, not the medium.
The drama of choosing between pencil and optical mouse ✏️
For the strip cartoonist, the toughest decision is not between cross-hatching and nib pens, but whether the coffee will spill on the tablet or on the paper sketch. While the nominees await the verdict, fans debate whether a digital stroke counts as cheating or as evolution. The truth is, whoever wins, the NCS will continue to reward talent, even if the real prize is not having to correct by hand.