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Cartoonist Couples – Updated

For the 4th of July cartoonist Liza Donnelly was joined by cartoonist Michael Maslin on her Substack for a Q&A from fans about their cartooning habits, their cartooning heroes, and The New Yorker history and more. The session is fun and informative with neither taking themselves too seriously.

Liza Donnelly and Michael Maslin

You do know that they are a married couple, right?

That got me trying to think of more cartoonist couples, past and present.

Dana Fradon and Ramona Fradon

Justin Green and Carol Tyler

Robert Crumb and Aline Kominsky

Aline Kominsky and Robert Crumb

Trina Robbins and Kim Deitch

Trina Robbins and Steve Leialoha

Walt Kelly and Selby Kelly

Coulton Waugh and Odin Burvik

Phil Davis and Martha Davis

Maya Devir and Yehuda Devir

Gregory D’Allessio and Hilda Terry

Gladys Parker and Stookie Allen

Bobby London and Shary Flenniken

Shary Flenniken and Bobby London, with Dan O’Neill

John Hambrock and Anne Morse Hambrock

Alan Dunn and Mary Petty

Mimi Pond and Wayne White

Dave Cockrum and Paty Greer

Though a few did, most of the above did not work together. Then there were couples where one was the cartoonist and the spouse was a writer, some worked together and some separately, I am putting those comics couples in a different category.

Bill Hoest and Bunny Hoest

Barbara Dale and Jim Dale

Shaenon Garrity and Andrew Farago

Terry Laban and Patty Laban

Jack and Carole Bender

Jack Bender and Carole Bender

Walt Simonson and Louise Jones Simonson

Jeff Jones and Louise Jones

Wendy Pini and Richard Pini

Herb Trimpe and Linda Fite

Chuck Jones and Marion Dern

Jack and Roz Kirby were an oddity to this group. While Roz had some limited art training her contribution to Jack’s comics was mostly spotting blacks and minor ink assists.

And which group does Stan And Jan Berenstain belong? Did Jan do any substantial drawing for the cartoons and books created by their partnership? Or just minor assists like drawing the dots on Mama Bear’s dress and the pattern on Papa Bear’s Shirt?

From Ted Dawson: This appears to be a signed piece by Jan Berenstain, an animation model sheet. If so, she definitely wasn’t just an art assistant.

I know I have overlooked other cartoonist couples. Help me out.

With the help of The Daily Cartoonist readers we have these additions:

Bill Griffith and Diane Noomin

Raina Telegemeier and Dave Roman

Eddie Campbell and Audrey Niffenegger

Warren Kremer and Grace Kremer

Wally Wood and Tatjana Wood

Kaja Foglio and Phil Foglio

Karl Kesel and Barbara Kesel

Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie

Ian Boothby & Pia Guerra

B. Kliban and M.K. Brown

Stuart Immonen and Kathryn Immonen

Batton Lash and Jackie Estrada

Len Wein and Glynnis Oliver

David Gallaher and Valerie D’Orazio

And I’ll add a couple more couples:

Frank Miller and Lynn Varley

Marv Wolfman and Michele Wolfman

Daredevil #129

feature image of Liza and Michael via Attempted Bloggery

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Comments 17

  1. Bill Griffith and Diane Noomin.

    1. Can’t believe that couple slipped my mind!

  2. If you want to include former spouses, then Raina Telegemeier and her ex, Dave Roman.

    1. Couples that didn’t last a lifetime count as there are at least a few of those on the list.

  3. Eddie Campbell and Audrey Niffenegger.

  4. It’s yet another category, but Harvey cartoonist Warren Kremer and Grace Kremer, one of the best letterers in the business.

    Wally Wood’s wife Tatjana was an awesome colorist.

  5. Do web comics count? If so, Kaja Foglio (writer) and Phil Foglio (artist) could be added for Girl Genius.

  6. Not *quite* both cartoonists per se, but both in the industry…

    Stuart and Kathryn Immonen
    Batton Lash (RIP) and Jackie Estrada
    Len Wein and Glynnis Oliver (now divorced)
    David Gallaher and Valerie D’Orazio (now divorced)
    Karl and Barbara Kesel (now divorced)

  7. Dennis, are you going to update the article proper? Asking for a bibliographer.

    1. The list has been updated with the couples cited by TDC commenters.

  8. I was certain I mentioned Carol Tyler and Justin Green, but don’t see my (alleged) comment or their names in your list. So there’s another one.

    1. Carol and Justin are the second names on the list proper right after Dana and Ramona, though I did list them in reverse order.

      1. Reading comprehension: not always my strong suit. Thanks, DD.

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