A series of 3 photo-filled blog posts all about our weekend at the NCS Conference and Reuben Awards! ANYwho, hope you enjoy: PART 1: findingdee.substack.com/p/2026-ncs-c... PART 2: findingdee.substack.com/p/2026-ncs-c... PART 3: findingdee.substack.com/p/2026-ncs-r...

2026 NCS Conference & Reuben Awards

PART ONE

findingdee.substack.com

Heidi and I might have actually discovered our bizarre obsession with watching these kinds of videos independently of each other, but we are BOTH fairly obsessed with the gross things. lol

Well, I may not have won, but it's still an AMAZING event with amazing people, I'm having a great time and am being made to feel VERY much like a winner. And thankfully, I prepared this strip in ADVANCE to post tonight. Lol

I love cats. I did not WANT cats, but now that we have them, I can't get them away from me. Lol

It's been quite a while since I last had laser hair removal, but it was never QUITE as painful as I was imagining it to be. Except for maybe right under my nose. Ouch!

Columbus, WE ARE IN YOU!!!

It was 4 years ago today that Heidi brought home 2 wee kittens, calling me at work to warn me not to freak out. Lol. The narrative was tweaked a smidge for comedy, but here is the ballad of Lucipurr Morningpaws and his sister Mewsikeen, and how they joined the comic strip.

PEEPS! If you're coming to the NCS Conference, be ready to ROCK OUT & spread the word!!! @katiecandraw.bsky.social @danacorn.bsky.social @bradguigar.com @davekellett.bsky.social @loosepartsguy.bsky.social @geogantart.com @suprdee2.com @jamarnicholas.bsky.social @wayno.bsky.social

Hey there, folks! If you want to watch ME, Jamar Nicholas, and Terri Libenson on COMIC LAB LIVE, register for the livestream TODAY!

Brad Guigar@bradguigar.com · 6d ago

Today's the last day to get your tickets to the ComicLab livestream event! Details ▶️ nationalcartoonists.com/2026-livestr... Our guests will be @jamarnicholas.bsky.social, @findingdeefish.bsky.social, and @terrilibenson.bsky.social 🎟️ Tickets are just $12! Get yours now!

With the official announcement that Heidi will be DJing The National Cartoonists Society 80s night party AND Cartoonist Karaoke... Running some fun, karaoke themed strips seems exceedingly appropriate. 🎤🎵🎶

Hey there, everyone! If you're gonna be in Columbus this week for the NATIONAL CARTOONISTS SOCIETY Reuben Awards & Conference, we have some TOTALLY RADICAL NEWS!!! On Thursday night, HEIDI will be DJing an epic 80s night party from 5 to 7! And then, from 7 to 9, it's CARTOONIST KARAOKE!!!

You can watch the upcoming ComicLab LIVE show on livestream! Details ▶️ nationalcartoonists.com/2026-livestr... Our guests will be @jamarnicholas.bsky.social, @findingdeefish.bsky.social, and @terrilibenson.bsky.social 🎟️ Tickets are just $12! Get yours by Tuesday!

So, with the NCS Reuben Awards THIS Friday... my Imposter Syndrome is making her presence known. She is, however, a smidge less aggressive than years past. Fingers remain crossed this status HOLDS as we get closer.

This was my first attempt at homaging an EC/Tales from the Crypt Comic almost 10 years ago, now. I really need to do an new one of these at some point.

Right now, EVERYTHING I own feels like it fits like this. Ugh lol

So, no spoilers, but we REALLY liked Spider-Man: Brand New Day!

What Brad said!!!

Brad Guigar@bradguigar.com · 2w ago

If you're unable to make it to Columbus for ComicLab LIVE, you can catch the livestream! Details ▶️ nationalcartoonists.com/2026-livestr... Our guests will be @jamarnicholas.bsky.social, @findingdeefish.bsky.social, and @terrilibenson.bsky.social Tickets are just $12! Get yours by Tuesday!

I've really been wanting to lose a little weight prior to the NCS Conference next week. Emphasis on "wanting". My Gut Goblin has been... loud. Lol

When I saw this weird @$$ Shick commercial years ago, I HAD to make a strip about it. I've attached a screen grab of what I was goofing on for context. WHO DOES THIS!?!?! lol The actual commercial: youtu.be/2ed_b1GJ0GQ?...

I've had keys somehow work their way INTO the lining of the purse at the bottom. They are aggressive about being down there. lol

Obey the will of DEEstro and back FINDING DEE on Patreon today for early strips, exclusive drawing videos, behind-the-scenes art, and MORE! patreon.com/bigpondcomics

OMG, This book is gonna be awesome!

Dave Kellett@davekellett.bsky.social · 2w ago

Pals! Today I'm Kickstarting my new book, ANATOMY OF MONSTERS! And hot dang it's the perfect book for folks who love monsters & myths & creatures & cryptids! It's so dang fun and goofy: It's my favorite book in the whole series! >--JOIN US! --> www.kickstarter.com/projects/sma... <<

After plucking more than 2 or 3 hairs by myself, my arm will just refuse to obey the signals from my brain. As such, if I want to have my brows managed WELL for things like... say... an upcoming fancy dress party... then I am going to have to submit to Heidi's tender mercies. I am afeered. lol

While the influence isn't always visible in FINDING DEE, I really adored the work of Todd McFarlane when I first discovered his work back in junior high and still do. As such, I finally decided to try a more DIRECT homage to his work, doing my level-best to match the style of his SPAWN era.

Usually, I TRY and brace at least ONE finger against the console of the car when I'm trying to use the touch screen, but it's still super easy to call the wrong number or choose the wrong song. lol

Heidi just gave me a much needed bangs trim. As such, this strip became relevant to repost. Lol

While I will still get the occasional lick ambush, it's rare for a full on lick ATTACK these days. My forever puppy doesn't have that kind of infinite puppy energy anymore. Lol

Once upon a time, I was an unbreakable immortal who would fall down for a joke or do random tuck-and-rolls for the fun of it. Now, my warranty is long past expired, and I can hurt myself by turning my head "wrong". Le sigh.

Heidi is, and remains, a loving wackadoo, and I adore her for it. Plus, I DO boop her tongue when she yawns, so I'm not innocent here. lol patreon.com/bigpondcomics

This strip is one of those “Frankensteined” stories, which is to say that it’s pieced together from a BUNCH of conversations between Heidi and I over time. The hangar breaking with the shirt getting stuck was the most recent thing that inspired me to put all the ideas together in one strip, however.