Here's a small selection of wordless cartoons that I've drawn.
Since I am what's called a "single panel gag cartoonist," the final product -- the gag cartoon -- has to do its work on a reader within 2 or 3 seconds. If you don't "get it" in less than 5 seconds, I haven't succeeded.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoBIjHJf7pZNlkMz-7osNfAPQlthn1fA1A9qeuTsV-oG9WNbzycuVPxvU7weVTMu1gR_Vw5-aTL6D4XhlgIfABeRu7M7NCXTuWXev1t-5lP4f1M5eL5PAsuvwsTveySaU3dwW2g/s400/1498web.jpg)
Above: this was drawn when there was a movement to allow cell phones on planes. The only solid black things here are the cell phones themselves, all in a left to right row. This one was held by a couple markets because it was funny, but no buys. My guess is that the cartoon worked within that 2 or 3 second timeframe. But, joking about weapons in planes is a no no.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uK9ZyjtR_9hmU310jriAlzVpvNQoSBR7-uPf-Mb2pERt15NyT_XhhvSMyb1bJRFz7hbTjIR0kVCJmVbiOW3p5Lo5wo1TGlwA=s0-d)
Above: a silent 3 panels. Click to supersize to see that's a tic tac toe game in the last drawing.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vUO3z_jncUylTo2FFc3_QGrCcbBuDJ-eggSOXGmkxwNXgoJ48pqk7PRPM6ECdkmhhAWKm5y6OKgV4KHoT-ZZqgTVF7U2gDmQ=s0-d)
Wordless cartoons are the most difficult. They have to focus on universally understood behavior. Above: unless you know about that plane with the shark teeth on it from WWII, then the reference is lost.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sFKJkjrEEOvbg7PkQ4jbSNvZEyRbMcDt_h3DMnDubI7QJ2nlrSL11mK7PsX3U-_T7oNxo9wSO_0Vg-bk_T5lKPetiqfGbJtQ=s0-d)
Above: I remember drawing this very fast to get it out in time.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_s7uScGJv4YdRzcxacP1Ed8hTHOolARYofkQOKzMBWXHvyvH3qe3d7ZpbN3Q60dEqw15vhu_IlC6Pz_9iTf-qH6x4CwJysb=s0-d)
Above: a snowblower cartoon. When I bought my first snowblower last year, I started drawing snowblower cartoons. Click to supersize this wordless cartoon.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tdOzufxRC_2PlL_WW54T2OYPjBpndSkf9hnrC-0HiX6IJqyVole5NBvluzH3qzvmA-OrzUGeSWJDJ3FNCUdTaw4-KrgI__CA=s0-d)
Above: sweet little old lady sweater v. hip guy tattoo.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uqh-pWWVzX4KJzDtpJRsZoPqSkYOxJ3JUG9tXN6e7-eLhumeMZpRwXsOq4EUUAAZxOy1zkH8MUnM1P9Lb9VNDKOcG9P2wdaQ=s0-d)
Oh hai! NYC trashed all of its "DON'T WALK" signs for the white hand/red hand universal signs a couple of years ago, so this came to mind.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vpNH_WzHEIgaLpiB_pPjSsvpHg4cRgUCHdagCMgwbuSi9wplDDyQYP4_BCen6PKpXaLB4UU986OsPFPtfzvyw_rNG5Qq8J5Q=s0-d)
I like drawing dogs with those simpy smiles on their faces. My mother always said, about our dear, sweet, beloved family dog Max, He may be dumb, but he's
sneaky!![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tVVjHpNEUivev9Qjz9Vc4UJA1CuW9IL6aUOBdMjivpX3sBkeg2udTAonLtYnX5VhWTr0-DA4HX9tjmHyzjfwUsuPKEcl_45w=s0-d)
Above: a subverted juxtaposition cartoon. This is more of a smile than a chuckle.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_u_NAZYxzJVbdK6mo7Qdt7GKEzA__JJQwMLDbPrtZ4nj0GH5cR4-eRe6YnSCLwOyo-NxuVLcGEMp7O9O7Y7_LZfbQzs7krdVg=s0-d)
Above: an old joke. If I was to put a word here, I would have the bird crying, "Mama!"
This is an edited version of a previous September 18, 2008 blog entry.