The National Cartoonists Society will bring together some of the most celebrated names in comics and graphic novels at the NCS Cartoonist Showcase, taking place in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Hosted by the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and the Wexner Center for the Arts, the public event is being organized in collaboration with the National Cartoonists Society, Scholastic’s Graphix imprint and Cartoon Crossroads Columbus.
Running from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the program will feature presentations, live drawing sessions, artist signings and opportunities for visitors to meet creators working across graphic novels, comic strips and comic books.
The showcase will be held in conjunction with the 80th Reuben Awards and National Cartoonists Society Conference in Columbus.
Graphix Creators Take the Stage
A major part of the family-friendly program will be “Graphix Presents: Comics, Courage and Creativity,” scheduled from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Mershon Auditorium.
The program will feature bestselling and award-winning creators:
- Jim Benton, creator of It’s Happy Bunny
- Jamar Nicholas, creator of Leon the Extraordinary
- Dav Pilkey, creator of Dog Man and Captain Underpants
- Maria Scrivan, creator of Nat Enough
- Raina Telgemeier, creator of Smile
Each artist will take the stage for an individual spotlight presentation, sharing the creative journey behind their work and discussing how personal experiences, humor and imagination are transformed into visual stories.
The audience will also receive exclusive previews of upcoming graphic novels before their official publication. Artist signings and meet-and-greet sessions will follow from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
From Real-Life Experiences to Humor and Creativity
Each creator will explore a different aspect of comics and visual storytelling during the Graphix program.
Raina Telgemeier will discuss drawing inspiration from real-life experiences, while Jim Benton will focus on the art of creating humor.
Maria Scrivan will examine how awkward or challenging moments can be transformed into engaging stories, and Jamar Nicholas will explore heroes, hamsters and the large problems faced by his characters.
Dav Pilkey will present a session celebrating neurodiversity and creativity, drawing on his experiences as the creator of the internationally successful Dog Man and Captain Underpants series.
Special Presentations by Colleen Doran and Cathy Guisewite
The program at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a featured presentation by award-winning cartoonist, illustrator and writer Colleen Doran.
Known for her work on titles including A Distant Soil, The Sandman and American Gods, Doran will discuss her career and creative work in comics and illustration.
At 5:00 p.m., legendary cartoonist Cathy Guisewite will participate in a special conversation celebrating the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking comic strip, Cathy.
First published in 1976, Cathy became widely recognized for its humorous observations on work, relationships, everyday pressures and social expectations.
Meet Cartoonists from the National Cartoonists Society
Throughout the afternoon, approximately 40 cartoonists from the National Cartoonists Society will participate in signings, meet-and-greet sessions and photo opportunities in the public areas of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and Mershon Auditorium.
Attendees will receive a commemorative sketchbook in which they can collect signatures and original sketches from participating artists.
The event will offer visitors a rare opportunity to engage directly with professionals working across comic strips, graphic novels, editorial cartooning, illustration and animation.
Museum Exhibitions Open to Visitors
Visitors will also be able to explore the galleries of the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum during the showcase.
Exhibitions will include “Chris Ware: Life is Complicated,” focusing on the work of one of the most influential figures in contemporary comics, as well as the museum’s newly renovated permanent collection exhibition, “The Story of Comics.”
Programs taking place at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum will be free and open to the public.
Events held inside Mershon Auditorium, including the special Graphix presentations, will require tickets.
Tickets are priced at $10 for the general public and $8 for Wexner Center members. Admission includes access to the program and the Dav Pilkey meet-and-greet and book-signing session.
Proceeds from ticket sales will support the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum’s education programs.
Advance registration is required for the special presentations, as seating is limited.
Part of the National Cartoonists Society’s 80th Anniversary
The NCS Cartoonist Showcase forms part of the National Cartoonists Society’s 80th anniversary celebrations.
Founded in 1946, the NCS is one of the world’s longest-established professional organizations representing cartoonists, comic artists, illustrators and animation professionals.
The organization’s annual conference and Reuben Awards events will take place in Columbus from August 6 to August 8, 2026, with the 80th Reuben Awards ceremony scheduled for August 7.
Event: NCS Cartoonist Showcase
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Time: 1:00–6:00 p.m.
Venue: Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum and Mershon Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio
BICLM programs: Free admission
Mershon Auditorium: $10 general admission, $8 for Wexner Center members
Registration: Advance booking required for limited-capacity presentations
Source: National Cartoonists Society
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