Berrill to Merrill, The Artists of Gil Thorp

Gil Thorp began on September 8, 1958 created, written, and drawn by Jack Berrill.

Berrill drew the strip for thirty-five years. Toward the end of his life Jack (or the syndicate) got a couple ghost artists to ease the work load on Jack. One of the ghost cartoonists was Warren Sattler who drew the strip in 1994-1995 it is said. Below is the strip dated March 6, 1995 which strikes me as Warren art (the girl in panel two).

Frank Bolle was also drafted to ghost the strip. He seems to have drawn the strip unsigned for the last half of 1995 from June 26 to December 9(?). Below is the August 5, 1995 issue, obviously by Bolle.

On December 18, 1995 Ray Burns began signing the strip and artists were allowed to put their names on it.

After five years Frank McLaughlin took on the art chores beginning January 8, 2001.

Frank Bolle followed on February 18, 2008 temporarily while the syndicate looked for a permanent replacement.

That new artist was Rod Whigham who began on April 7, 2009 and stayed with Gil for over 16 years.

Which brings us to today, September 30, 2024 and Rachel Merrill the new Gil Thorp artist.

Read Rachel Merrill and Henry Barajas’ Gil Thorp here.

3 thoughts on “Berrill to Merrill, The Artists of Gil Thorp

  1. A pleasure to know Jack Berrill from a distance, and to meet Frank Bolle and Ray Burns among many cartoonists, fans and friends at Jack’s funeral. Was editorial of international syndication at Tribune in Chicago (then TMS) 1994-99. Jack decided on understudies Warren Sattler, Frank and Ray and advised us. Smooth transitions. America, high school sports and coming of age has transformed since Jack created this enduring story in 1958. The strip is in capable hands with Rachel Merrill.

  2. Hooray, Rachel! I think I read Gil Thorp when I was in high school. If it was in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, I know I did because I read all the comic strips!

    With our family, there should be plenty of material!

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