Tagged as: history

I’m struck by how many cartoonists were working in the same building. How times have changed.

The Boston Globe has an interesting story about how the Massachusetts Republicans tried to convince Li’l Abner creator Al Capp to run for the Senate. The difficulties that Massachusetts Republicans face in recruiting Senate candidates are nothing new. In 1970 they needed someone to challenge the young Senator Edward Kennedy, and they went so far […]

Fascinating story about a woman who approached famed cartoonist Winsor McCay to threaten a lawsuit against him if he didn’t pay her money. The woman claimed his wife had broken up her marriage and she was prepared to go to the press. Irene Lamkin showed up with a man at the dressing room door of […]

Another book that I think would be of interest to those of you who enjoy animation and historical aspects of the craft. “I Say, I Say … Son!”: A Tribute to Legendary Animators Bob, Chuck, and Tom McKimson is a book about Bob McKimson who was the original creator of Foghorn Leghorn, the Tasmanian Devil, […]

R.C. Harvey has an interesting write-up over on The Comics Journal about the trouble Milt Caniff would get into with editors over the women he drew – more accurately the plunging necklines he often drew.A little over a year later, Caniff made another foray into the forbidden territory. A woman called Fancy, another version of […]

Somehow I missed these from Mike Lynch who has posted six pages of photos of some of the biggest names from the Golden age of comics. Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five Part Six

University of Michigan Press is publishing “American Newspaper Comics, An Encyclopedic Reference Guide” by comic strip historian Allan Holtz. The book will be 624 pages with over 3,100 color and B&W comic strips.The description:From its earliest appearance in the 1890s, the newspaper comic strip has told the story of America, from the Irish ghetto of […]

Today marks the 258th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s “Join or Die” cartoon – often thought of as the first editorial cartoon in the Americas. It was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette as a rallying cry unity among the colonies.May the profession continue for many more years and cartoons with labels many more years beyond that.

Interesting historical photos post over at Retronaut. Hard to imagine this being acceptable today.“I?ve been the owner of these swimsuits since 1950. It was a fashion show held by the manufacturer in their showroom in Manhattan to present their new line, entitled ?the autograph suit.? It could be drawn on or signed and would not […]

Herald Journal comic page from 1947I found this Herald Journal comics page from 1947 from a link provided by Tom Spurgeon. I think Tom’s point was the use of the word “butthead” in the Archie comic strip. As I looked at the page, a couple of things strike me. Despite having a much large page […]

Russ Cochran is set to print a new publication called The Sunday Funnies – a monthly 32 page, 22″x16″ comic section containing historical Sunday pages going back to 1895. Features will include Gasoline Alley, Little Nemo, Krazy Kat among others. The publication starts shipping in November.From Russ’ website:Each issue of THE SUNDAY FUNNIES will be […]

Tom Deignan writes a guest column in the NJ Star-Ledger stating that Thomas Nast’s anti-Catholicism was a view of the times. Nast is nominated for the New Jersey Hall of Fame, but has come under heavy criticism due to his anti-Catholic, anti-Irish views.The truly shocking thing about Nast’s negative depictions of Catholics, as well as […]

Cool video found by Mike Lynch of Winsor McCay screening his first animation “Gertie the Dinosaur” to his fellow cartoonists. Mike writes:What was it like when Winsor McCay screened his animated film GERTIE THE DINOSAUR for his New York Tribune cartoonist pals? Allan Holtz shares this article from the February 23, 1914 Tribune. The film […]

The Comics Journal reviews Fantagraphics’ soon to be release of “Willie & Joe: Back Home” – the follow up book to the 700 page + “Willie & Joe: The WWII Years” collection. The first year or so of his post WWII strips continue to follow Willie and Joe in civilian life. Willie is back with […]

Brian Walker, comic authority and historian is releasing a new book entitled, “The Comics: The Complete Collection.” Looks like a great book. That bit of gone and long ago would not be news to Brian Walker, son of Mort Walker, the cartoonist who created “Beetle Bailey” and “Hi and Lois.” What he doesn’t know about […]