🖋️ Karen Evans Receives Inkpot Award: A New Chapter in Cartooning Legacy

Karen Evans, acclaimed co-writer of the long-running comic strip Luann and current President of the National Cartoonists Society, was honored with an Inkpot Award at San Diego Comic-Con 2025 — exactly 20 years after her father, Luann creator Greg Evans, received the same distinction.

The ceremony marked a symbolic and emotional moment, celebrating not only Karen’s personal achievements but also a remarkable father-daughter legacy in comics.

👩‍🎨 Carrying on a Legacy: From Greg to Karen

Luann has been a staple of American newspaper comics since its debut in 1985, created by Greg Evans. Karen, Greg’s daughter, began collaborating with her father in the 2010s and gradually took on more creative control of the strip, bringing fresh perspectives and nuanced character development to the beloved comic.

Her storytelling blends humor with empathy, exploring the complexities of coming-of-age, family dynamics, and modern life. Karen’s voice helped evolve Luann from a light teen strip to a richer narrative that resonates across generations.

🏆 A Career of Leadership and Creativity

Beyond the daily strip, Karen Evans has made a name for herself as a leader in the comics industry. In her role as President of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS), she has championed inclusivity, education, and professional development for emerging cartoonists. Her advocacy work and behind-the-scenes efforts have earned her widespread respect.

Winning the Inkpot Award in 2025 affirms her growing influence—not just as the heir to a legacy, but as a powerhouse in her own right.

📚 The Evolution of 

Luann

Under Karen’s stewardship, Luann has addressed more complex themes—mental health, relationships, education, and identity—while maintaining its signature humor. She has introduced new characters and arcs that reflect today’s diverse cultural landscape, making the strip more relatable to younger audiences without alienating longtime readers.

Her collaborative method with Greg has been a rare and successful example of generational storytelling in syndicated comics.

🎖️ About the Inkpot Award

The Inkpot Award, presented annually at San Diego Comic-Con, recognizes individuals for their outstanding achievements in comics, animation, science fiction, and pop culture. Karen’s inclusion among the 2025 honorees is not only a nod to her creative talents, but also to her role in shaping the future of cartooning.

📌 A Voice for the Future

Karen Evans proves that legacy is not about imitation, but evolution. Her work shows that the comics industry thrives when new voices are empowered, and old traditions are reimagined. As Luann continues to grow under her pen, and as the NCS evolves under her leadership, Karen is clearly a force guiding comics into its next chapter.