Congratulations Sy Barry!!!

Details regarding an award recognizing the esteemed long-serving artist of the Phantom comic strip, Sy Barry, has been announced in a post on the National Cartoonists Society website.

The 79th Reuben Awards of the National Cartoonists Society is scheduled to take place on the 15th of August 2025, in Boston, USA. Sy Barry, distinguished for his remarkable tenure of over 33 years illustrating Phantom comic strips for King Features Syndicate and countless comic book covers, will be awarded the Elzie Segar Award.

The National Cartoonists Society (NCS) emerged from informal gatherings of cartoonists who entertained troops during World War II. Finding camaraderie and a shared passion, these artists formalized their association on the 1st of March 1946, in New York City, USA. Initially known as The Cartoonists Society, it quickly evolved into the National Cartoonists Society, reflecting its growing membership and ambitions. The organization’s early days were marked by a spirit of mutual support and a desire to elevate the art of cartooning. Esteemed cartoonist Rube Goldberg was elected as the first president, setting a precedent for leadership within the profession.

It aims to foster social, cultural, and intellectual exchange among cartoonists working across various fields, including comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons, animation, illustration, and more. Beyond its members, the NCS is dedicated to stimulating and encouraging interest in cartooning among aspiring artists, students, educational institutions, and the broader public.

A highlight of the National Cartoonists Society’s activities is the annual Reuben Awards, which honor outstanding achievements in the field. The most prestigious of these is the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year, considered the highest honor bestowed by the profession. Introduced in 1954 and named after the society’s first president, Rube Goldberg, the award recognizes exceptional talent and contribution to the art form. In addition to the Reuben, the NCS presents Divisional Awards acknowledging excellence in specific areas of cartooning.

Sy Barry will be receiving the Elzie Segar Award, a prestigious honor in the world of cartooning, named after E.C. Segar, the creator of Popeye. The award was created in 1971 by the National Cartoonists Society, described as being presented to a person who has made a unique and outstanding contribution to the profession of cartooning. It recognizes individuals whose work has had a significant and lasting impact on the art form.

Notable past winners of the Elzie Segar Award including:

Charles Schulz (creator of Peanuts)
Bil Keane (creator of The Family Circus)
Al Capp (creator of Li’l Abner)
Bill Gallo (best known for his cartoons about sports for the New York Daily News)
Mort Walker (creator of Beetle Bailey)

Sy Barry, much loved by readers with thirty-three years of service on the Phantom comic strip, he’s the longest-running artist on the Phantom, as well as being the most influential. Lee Falk describing him as the most technically accurate artist of all who worked on the strip, gifted with a special talent for layout and considered by the entire comic industry as one of the greatest inkers.