This year’s Harvey Awards Hall of Fame inductees include “Mutts” creator and cartoonist Patrick McDonnell, who was honored Friday night at the Harvey Awards ceremony at New York Comic Con.
“I’ve loved comics all my life,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I am honored and thrilled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame named after Harvey Kurtzman, one of the true masters of our unique art form. I am extremely grateful for this award.”
McDonnell’s multi-award-winning Mutts comic debuted on September 5, 1994 and has appeared in 20 newspapers and more than 700 newspapers over the past 30 years. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Mads follows Earl the dog and Mooch the cat as they interact with each other, their humans, and the animals in their neighborhood.
Mutts Daily Strip, October 10, 2025
Following the news that McDonnell was a new Hall of Famer, his collaborators couldn’t help but praise him.
“Patrick McDonnell’s Mutts comics are an integral part of the comics pages of hundreds of newspapers and digital content publishers around the world,” said CJ Kettler, president of King Features Syndicate. “With more than 70 million copies in circulation, Mutts is woven into the fabric of our readers’ daily habits. For 31 years, Mutts is a story of humor, heart, and artistic storytelling that depicts the lives and inner musings of Mooch, Earl, and all the characters who stand in for our own beloved pets.
“Patrick is a unique figure in the world of comics. In addition to his daily newspaper featuring the Mads character and his own book, Patrick is a fine art painter who has worked with both Jane Goodall and the Dalai Lama, and focuses on issues he cares deeply about, such as wildlife conservation, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship,” Kettler continued. “We are honored to partner with Patrick McDonnell, a champion and accomplished comic who uses his extraordinary talent to entertain, uplift, and advocate for important social issues.”
Abrams Comic Arts Editor-in-Chief Charles Cockman said, “Charles M. Schulz called Mads “one of the greatest comic strips of all time.” Jules Pfeiffer said, “Not since Little Nemo in Slumberland has such a gentle, respectful spirit been given to the pages of a comic book.” So who am I to ask a hero? ”
“I first learned of Patrick McDonnell’s work for the New York Times when he was illustrating a spot for Russell Baker’s Observer column. I have also been a regular reader of Mats from the beginning, but I never imagined that Patrick and I would work together and become close friends in the process.”
“Patrick’s work is a legacy rooted in kindness, humility, and compassion,” said Gina Huntzinger, executive director of the Schulz Museum. “His work as a director and advisor at the Schulz Museum dates back to its founding and has been integral to every step of our efforts.”
In addition to daily strips, McDonnell has also created multiple books, gifts, apparel, and more. He has collaborated with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the late Dr. Jane Goodall, Eckhart Tolle, and poet Daniel Radinsky, among others. In 2023, inspired by his love for Marvel superheroes, he collaborated with Marvel Comics to create The Super Hero’s Journey.
“I’ve had the honor of publishing several books with him, including Abrams ComicArts’ listed “The Art of Nothing,” “The Super Hero’s Journey,” and “Breaking the Chains,” and each one has been a great experience,” Cockman said. “Some people say you should never meet your heroes, but I don’t think so. Patrick McDonnell is everything you want in a hero, friend, and comic book artist. He’s the best.” surely. “You’re kind.” Of course. “I respect you.” 100 percent. But I would also like to add some inspiration.
“It’s one thing to be talented, but it’s even better to inspire others to be better through your work,” he said. “I learned the importance of that not only by reading Mads’ book, but also by knowing Patrick. He leads by example, and as a result, we are all better people because of him.”
“Patrick’s Matz comics were born out of his deep love for the art of cartoons (particularly Peanuts and Crazy Cat) and his love for all animals and our beautiful world,” said Karen O’Connell, Matz’s business manager and McDonnell’s wife. “Mads has taken Patrick on an incredible journey, both in life and work. Through his work, he has given voice to the voiceless, amplified the voices of some of the most caring and inspiring people on earth, and taken their messages to new audiences. And I’m very lucky, too. Patrick happens to be an amazing vegan chef!”
Mr. McDonnell has used his platform to raise approximately $200,000 for local animal shelters and rescue organizations and has supported hundreds of animal and environmental-focused nonprofits through direct financial donations, in-kind donations, and crowdfunding campaigns. Mutts’ website lists more than $90,000 in donations to these important advocacy organizations.
“We are so lucky that Patrick McDonnell, who has been delighting legions of comics fans for more than a decade, has decided to channel his formidable talent into sharing the same warmth and laughter with our youngest children by creating picture books, while maintaining his commitment to the rigor of his daily strips,” said Andrea Spooner, editorial director of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
“Twenty years later, Patrick has given us a treasure trove of more than a dozen acclaimed, best-selling and beloved stories that have deeply impacted generations of readers with messages of kindness, gratitude, and compassion. His work creating Mats has perfected the art of telling satisfying miniature stories in just three panels, allowing him to expertly craft picture books with a minimum of words and a maximum of heart,” Spooner continued.
“From a beautiful meditation on friendship in her debut novel, The Gift of Nothing, to a hilarious celebration of life’s happy coincidences in A Perfectly Messed-Up Story, to a breathtaking biographical tribute to the great Jane Goodall in her Caldecott Medal-winning Me…Jane, Patrick, Patrick’s work simply and brilliantly captures the playfulness of childhood and the joy of living in the moment,” she said.
“It is very fitting that in the year he is inducted into the Harvey Hall of Fame, we should celebrate the 20th anniversary of his entry into the field of children’s books. A new edition of The Gift of Nothing and an all-new sister edition, The Gift of Everything, will be published. In fact, everything Patrick McDonnell creates is a true gift for all ages.”
McDonnell is currently on a national tour. The Gift of Everything and The Gift of Nothing Anniversary Edition are available wherever books are sold.
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Stay tuned to The Beat for more coverage of NYCC ’25.
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