Mike Lynch Cartoons: From the Dick Buchanan Files: Humor Vs. Humour Part Two 1941-1960

Monday, May 23, 2022

From the Dick Buchanan Files: Humor Vs. Humour Part Two 1941-1960

While the culture between the States and Brits may have similarities, some things are different. Case in point: the sense of humor. Even the way they spell it is different. I remember I drew up a batch of gag cartoons for a British client which they loved. They wanted more so I sent another batch -- which they hated. We both credited that "separated by a common language" cultural difference as the reason why. I sent on a third batch, which they liked even better than the first. I could see no difference between all of these cartoons, but something about a third of them didn't work for them.

Well, let me step out of the way and hand this over to Dick Buchanan, who has a better explanation and some great cartoon examples comparing British Punch cartoon topics with American magazine cartoons. (He did this once before, if you recall.) Thanks and take it away, Dick!

HUMOR VS. HUMOUR Part Two
(1941 – 1960)

A while back the Cartoon Clip revisited the old question “What is the difference between American humor and British humour?” The Clip File presented clear examples of the difference with a collection of simple cartoons which showed how British and American cartoonists tackle identical subjects. The only conclusion reached was that British cartoonists have a high proclivity to use pseudonyms.

Feeling more examples may be needed to truly compare and contrast the different approaches to popular topics/tropes/clichés and whatnot, we have delved into The Cartoon Clip File once more and found some splendid cartoons to add to the previous collection, further illuminating, once and for all, the difference between American and British humor. Or so we hope . . . Take a look at these British single joke and American gag cartoons . . .

SHIP IN A BOTTLE

FRITZ WILKINSON. Collier’s March 15, 1941