Cartoonists Rights Network International Continues to Monitor the Loss of Cartoonists From Media Outlets Around the World

Via Index on Censorship:

"Cartoonists around the world continue to be subjected to censorship, imprisonment, violence, threats, harassment and, in the worst cases, even death. Although a small organisation, Cartoonists Rights Network International has had a big impact on challenging threats and abuses against editorial cartoonists worldwide.

"Since winning the 2019 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award for Campaigning in April, CRNI has, among other things, been monitoring the situation with Badiucao, a Chinese dissident cartoonist living in exile in Australia who this year revealed his identity after years of anonymity, Terry Anderson, deputy executive director of CRNI, tells Index.

"The Index award has so far helped the organisation raise its profile, as well as putting them in contact with allies. Since winning the 2019 Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award for Campaigning in April, they have, among other things, been monitoring the situation with Badiucao, a Chinese dissident cartoonist living in exile in Australia who this year revealed his identity after years of anonymity, Terry Anderson, deputy executive director of CRNI tells Index. The Index award has so far helped the organisation raise their profile, as well as putting them in contact with allies."

Rodolphe Töpffer: “The True Story of Monsieur Crépin" 1837

Rodolphe Töpffer (1799–1846) is considered the "father of the comic strip." He's the guy who created characters and narratives that were specialized to the graphic story. No drawing of famous figures from history or religion (like many of his predecessors in comics history did), these people with names like "Mr. Jabot, "Mr. Crépin" and "Dr. Festus" sprung out of his own imagination and were unique to his stories.

This all happened by accident. Or rather, accident of birth. Töpffer's eyesight was so bad he could not follow his father and become a painter. So he became a professor and doodled on the side. When friends saw his dashed-off doodles -- which were raw and scratchy due to his bad eyesight -- they encouraged him to publish.

Here is "The True Story of Monsieur Crépin,” first published in 1837, which is about a long-suffering father who is trying to find a tutor for his children. Chaos and hilarity ensues.

Hat tip to Print Magazine.

LAUGH PARADE May 1969: Desert Island Gags

Here are some desert island gags from LAUGH PARADE magazine, May 1969, Vol. 9 No. 3 issue. It was published by and copyright 1969 by Magazine Management Company, Inc.

"Shipwreck a cartoonist," the editor writes, "and he'll float a laugh."








Above: this one was my favorite. Hard to read the signature, but it looks like the cartoonist's name is Tann.












Above: a gag cartoon by Brad "Marmaduke" Anderson.




-- From an original post of October 7, 2010.

"Mine Son, the Sam-U-Rai" by Hubert Bermont

Here's a 1965 paperback full of Hokusai prints (this is a good thing) with "funny" captions by Hubert Bermont. The result, which places Jewish stereotyped dialogue into the mouths of these 19th century Japanese men and women, was published by Pocket Books. It's an oddity; a novelty paperback whose appeal has not aged well (to be kind). I hesitated sharing this, since it's offensive. But there was a time when a venture like this was considered "a book that will make money." Some humor ages well, some doesn't. I thought it was pretty interesting, as an historic piece.

Hubert Bermont, an NYU gradaute and a WWII veteran who was awarded the purple heart, was a lover of books. So much so, that he ran Brentano's Bookstores in Washington, DC from 1957 to 1967. He would become a consultant, writer, and publisher. He is best known for a series of books on (what else?) business consulting.

Mike Lynch Teaches History of Comics at the Institute of Art and Design at New England College

Announcement! OK, I just signed my contract so it's all official. I am now an adjunct lecturer!


I will be teaching comics history at the Institute of Art and Design at New England College (formerly the New Hampshire Institute of Art) beginning today. Looking forward to it! This is going to be fun.

Video: Drawing Perspective With David Chelsea: Floating Babies

Cartoonist David Chelsea has a time lapse video of him drawing a page of comics over a perspective grid. This is from a bonus disc included with his instructional book EXTREME PERSPECTIVE!, published by Watson-Guptill.

Here's David:

"I've been posting a series of Drawing Perspective with David Chelsea videos on my Patreon page for a while. Up to now they've all been animated lessons created in After Effects, but I decided to add some speed drawing demonstrations, and post them free on YouTube.

"Read the finished comic on my Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/posts/29365367 Then sign on as a supporter to see exclusive content!

"My first instructional video is on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41l0H...

"This perspective grid and hundreds more can be found on the bonus disc sold with my book EXTREME PERSPECTIVE! Get your copy here."

From the Dick Buchanan Files: Color Gag Cartoons 1942 - 1954

Dick Buchanan has pulled some rare color vintage gag cartoons from his tremendous Greenwich Village collection. These are essentially unseen since their publication and it's great of Dick to share them with us. Thanks and take it away, my friend!

---

COLOR GAG CARTOONS

(1942 – 1954)


Here is another collection of color gag cartoons, drawn by the leading cartoonists of the “Golden Age” of gag cartooning.


1. CHON DAY. Collier’s April 15, 1950.

2. STANLEY & JANICE BERENSTAIN. Collier’s September 9, 1950.

3. RUSSELL BROCKBANK. Punch July 6, 1953.

4. BARNEY TOBEY. Collier’s July 22, 1950.

5. STAN FINE. American Magazine August, 1954.

6. ED NOFZIGER. American Magazine July, 1950.

7. REAMER KELLER. Collier’s April 22, 1950.

8. TED KEY. Collier’s October 28, 1950.

9. PAT ROONEY. Collier’s April 15, 1950.

10. DAVE GERARD. Collier’s March 11, 1950.

11. WILLIAM von RIEGEN. Collier’s September 9, 1950.

12. KATE OSANN. Collier’s February 3, 1951.

13. FRANK ELKIN. American Magazine June, 1950.

14. CHARLES STRAUSS. Collier’s April 22, 1950.

15. JOHN M. PRICE. American Magazine March, 1942.