BROTHER SEBASTIAN CARRIES ON by Chon Day

BROTHER SEBASTIAN was a regular cartoon created by the master cartoonist Chon Day (1907-2000) in Look Magazine beginning in 1954. Here are some of the cartoons from BROTHER SEBASTIAN CARRIES ON. There are two copyrights in the indicia: © 1959 by Mr. Day and © 1957, 1958, 1959 Cowles Magazines, Inc.


Chon Day is the master of the spare line and the spare black spotting, that draws your eye to what he wants you to see.

These were quiet cartoons about a quiet Monk. He never spoke. And he was rather silly.


The look on Brother Sebastian's face tells you he will win.


Again, making the cat a full inky black forces our eyes at the cause of Brother Sebastian's uncharacteristic laughter.



Maybe the above gag is too subtle for today, but I found it terrific.



Remember back in the 1950s and 60s, there would be those "Think" signs in offices?


Shades of Charles Schulz's Woodstock!


Above: another excellent gag, and the wonderful economy of line.


Above and below: Day can even mine some office gags and apply them to a monk's life.



Above: That's about how cold it's been here. I wonder if today people would write to Look Magazine, complaining about Sebastian's near-nudity.

Above: my favorite gag showing Brother Sebastian as being able to be mischievous and practical at the same time.

When he died in 2000, The Saturday Evening Post wrote:

The Post sadly regrets the passing of its longest-running cartoonist. Chon Day has been a regular fixture of the Post since 1948.

He was the master of the to-the-point punch line. We'll miss you, Chon.

"Give me the bad news, Doc. Am I going to live?"

"Oh, love is all right--if you like that sort of thing."

"What have you got against me, besides the fact that I married you?"

"I used to have low self-esteem, but hanging around with losers like you has cured me."

The above from Christopher Wheeler's Chon Day page.

Words Without Borders

Above: Life of Pahé details life from an African village to Paris. One of the best things I read.

I've really enjoyed the Words Without Borders site, where you can read comics from all over the world this month. They are all translated and presented for free.


Rabbit on the Road by Liniers is a travelogue of his road trip from Montreal to the Canadian Maritimes. Above: Prince Edward Island, a place I've vacationed at regularly for years. It was fun to see his interpretation.

Every piece is personal, and different.

Run Movie 6: The Duck written and drawn by Philippe Dupuy; a fanciful meeting between a runner and a duck.

Hat tips all around to Journalista and Comics Reporter for letting me know about this site.

More "Tetsu" Cartoons

Here are some more cartoons by "Tetsu." There has been some interest in this late French painter turned cartoonist after I posted about his passing last week. That post is here: Roger "Tetsu" Testu 1913-2008.

My thanks to James Sturm for his interest and contribution of these first two terrific cartoons.


Above: some things change, but some things don't. A striking comment and applicable in this day of global commercialization.

I found some more Tetsu gag cartoons in a couple of old paperbacks. Here they are:

I never thought about the time it must take a knight to disrobe and get into bed. Even if I did think of it, I never would've thought there was a gag in it!


Tetsu is able to capture character. Just these 3, "posing" for the cartoon with, really, no big gag, made me smile. Some of these characters reappear in his cartoons.


Above: one of my personal favorites, but it''s hard to see in this lousy reproduction. The pet store owner looks on as fish jump all over, from the 300F tank to the 450F tank, etc.


And here is the woman from the cartoon above (she was wearing the hat with the feathers). Again, it's her smile that nails the gag. Both naughty and charming at the same time.


Above: I'd like to attend the party they are going to ....




Above: several more artist gags. Tetsu tried to be an artist, both before and after the War, but he was not successful.


Body hair gags were his forte. I like this fellow's "don't even think about messing with me" look on his face; simple, and most aptly drawn.

Above: What does the monkey have in mind? Hmm. Again, it's the debonair smiles that struck me as wonderfully out of place and, therefore, funny.


These cartoons were scanned from FRENCH CARTOONS and MORE FRENCH CARTOONS, both edited by William Cole and Douglas McKee. They are copyrighted 1954 and 1955 by Mssrs. Cole and McKee. Originally published by Dell.

From the Cole and McKee-written introduction to FRENCH CARTOONS:

" ... In no other country does such a magnificent shower of cartoons offer itself every week. Those in this book were culled from about ten thousand that appeared in French newspapers and magazines between July 1952 and July 1953. To look at these two hundred cartoons is, we certainly hope, a pleasure. To look at ten thousand could not have been called anything but work.

"French cartoonists are classed as journalists professionally. Most of their work appears in such weekly newspaper as Ici-Paris, France-Dimanche, Samedi-Soir and Carrefour. In France, there are no magazines, like The New Yorker, The Saturday Evening Post and Collier's, that specialize in quality cartoons, but French newspapers publish them with a vengeance. Ici-Paris has a weekly four page spread of fifty or sixty cartoons, and five other weeklies carry two pages each with about twenty-five cartoons. The magazine Paris-Match, which corresponds to Life over here, devotes one page of every issue to the work of a cartoonist, and during the past year two daily newspapers have each carried a half-page of cartoons.

" ... Also remarkable is their constant wit and humor in the face of meager monetary returns. The highest price paid to the best-known cartoonists for the beat space in a newspaper is about $30. The majority of cartoonists get a maximum of $15 per drawing, and beginners only $7."

Some more on the FRENCH CARTOONS books here.

The ECC Cartoonbooks Club has a post about Roger Jean Lucien "Tetsu" Testu. There are several illustrations at the above link, as well as an excerpt from Who's Who in Satire and Humour by Hans Peter Muster.

BLONDIE by Roz Chast

Well, it's not really BLONDIE by the New Yorker's Roz Chast. It's actually an edition of RICHARD'S POOR ALMANAC drawn by good ol' Richard Thompson and reprinted for all of us in cyberland in his Comics Improved, Maybe blog entry.

His CUL DE SAC blog is a regular, funny read.

VCR Memories

Memories of way back when the idea of owning a movie or recording a TV show was new -- and everyone was debating VHS vs. Beta are shared in Johnny C.'s A Hole in the Head blog.

And there are contributions by a couple of cartoonists.
Above: Stephanie Piro talks about her favorite movie at A Hole in the Head blog.

Political Cartoonist/Animator Mark Fiore

KQED visits with political cartoonist Mark Fiore. This is a behind the scenes look at Mark creating an animated cartoon about Hillary Clinton's "emotional moment" before the 2008 New Hampshire primary.

Gus Arriola Video Interview

Sam Klemke generously shares with us a video interview with Gus Arriola he made eight years ago.

Roger "Tetsu" Testu 1913-2008

I didn't know Roger (alternately rederenced as Robert) Testu, a French cartoonist who passed away last week. But as soon as I saw "Tetsu," at Tom Spurgeon's Comics Reporter obituary, I knew his cartoon work.

In the corner of most all of his cartoons, was a neat, cursive "Tetsu" signature.


The bulk of the cartoons that I've seen by Tetsu are from the above slim Ace paperback titled FRENCH POSTCARDS, copyright 1954 Avon Publications, Inc. (The cover is by another cartoonist, "Bil.")


Born in Bourges, a year before the start of the Great War, Robert (some sources say "Roger") Tetsu was a painter until the 1950s, when he began to cartoon.


I have less than a dozen of his cartoons, but I remember his distinctive treatment of form and posture.


The stance in the above cartoon is just right to convey what our deep sea diver is up to. It's touches like this, combined with his depiction of "saucy antics ... from the country that made you-know-what famous" (that's actual back cover copy from this paperback book) that made Tetsu a cartoonist who sold well.


Hats add so much to a drawing. I wish people wore more hats.

His cartoon work appeared in Paris Match, and Sunday Here Paris. This meant that his cartoons were coming into the average 1950s Parisian home every week.


The put-upon slouch of the goldfish-buyer adds to the gag.


What surprises me personally is that I know his work from just a handful of his cartoons from an obscure American paperback. I wish I had some more to share.


A big tip of the hat to Dirk Deppey's Journalista!, where I first heard of Tetsu's passing. And Dirk further lets us know that "his work was also compiled in at least two cartoon albums, La Vie est Belle and La Vie à Deux."

12 Cartoon Rejections

Here at the Mike Lynch Cartoons blog, I try to be positive about cartooning -- particularly magazine cartooning. I've written about how cartooning requires a leap of faith in the beginning (The Cartooning Business); that selling one or two cartoons out of a batch of 10-15 cartoons is a good professional average (Cartoon Sales Batting Average); how to persevere, despite rejection (Mike Lynch College of Gag Cartoon Knowledge -- Rejection, Rejection, Rejection). But, occasionally, the Black Dog, as Churchill calls it, comes and gives you a nip, and you wind up in the doldrums.


Some people get depressed over the holidays. Cartoonists are no exception, seeing as rejection is all part of the profession. At least when we vent about it, it turns into a cartoon.

A number of Christmases ago, I mailed the above card to only a few cartoonist friends. All of these were true things that editors told me -- except for the last one. The last one is true, but it wasn't said by an editor. Here's the breakdown:

1. Standard rejection letter phrase.
2. A famous cartoon editor told me this face to face while looking at my work.
3. An advertising client who thought I'd lost it after loving my first batch of cartoons.
4. Better Homes and Gardens, etc.
5. My mother-in-law. And she has a point. Color cartoons are better.
6. Nothing like an editor who places his finger in your cartoony pie.
7. Esquire Magazine.
8. Rejection letter, Funny Times.
9. See #2
10. The New York Daily News.
11. Several clients. Yes, really. They underestimate their audiences.
12. My wife.

And there we have it! Gosh, whatta bitter person I am!!! I guess I drew back a nub after my encounter with the ol' Black Dog of Depression! You see why most people who want to cartoon professionally quit after an average of 6 months! Ha ha ha!

OK, now I get back to drawing ...

History of Trek Movie Merchandising

Over at Trekmovie, John Tunuto shows us stuff like the STAR TREK V THE FINAL FRONTIER MARSHMALLOW DISPENSER and STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE HAPPY MEALS as he counts down all the collectible ephemera related to the TREK movies in The History of Trek Movie Merchandising.

Photo: The Sexy Trekkie Adult.

"This Sexy Trekkie will take you where no one has gone before.

"A Red microfiber short dress with removable 'Go Where No Man Has Gone Before' button."

Some sad news: "We apologize for the inconvenience, but the product you're looking for is no longer available."

RENO by Dan Thompson

Just have to say hi to my friend Dan Thompson, a friend, as well as a cartoonist whose style I admire, for his new RENO Web comic adventure series debuting at the Zuda Comics site this month.

Dan is definitely channeling some serious old school Sickles black spotting and Crane action styles here, coupled with Dan's own dynamic line and great comic booky, eye popping colors.

Although I find the Zuda standard contract to be blatantly unfair, I'm glad that Dan's work is being showcased.

Ben Katchor's The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island

Ben Katchor has written the libretto for a new musical The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island. Previews began January 25th. If anyone goes to the Vineyard Theatre in Lower Manhattan to see it, I'd love to hear what the show is like.

2007 National Cartoonists Society Division Awards Submissions

Cartoonists are invited to submit their work (or the work of someone else) for consideration for one or more of the following National Cartoonists Society Division Awards:

TV ANIMATION

FEATURE ANIMATION

NEWSPAPER ILLUSTRATION

GAG CARTOONS

GREETING CARDS

NEWSPAPER COMIC STRIPS

NEWSPAPER PANEL CARTOONS

MAGAZINE FEATURE/MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION

BOOK ILLUSTRATION

EDITORIAL CARTOONS

ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION

COMIC BOOKS

NCS members, and non-members alike, are eligible.

You will need an NCS Division Awards Entry Form and a bio sheet. The submission invitation is at the NCS Web site here.

Only work published between the dates of December 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007 will be considered. Please submit published tear sheets when possible and document when and where the work was published.

Submissions must be submitted to their respective locations by February 23, 2008.

Each submission must be accompanied by the downloadable Entry Form and Bio Sheet on the submission invitation page.

Three finalists in each category will be announced at the National Cartoonists Society Web site.

An award plaque will be presented at a black tie dinner at the 62nd Annual Reubens Award Dinner on May 24, 2008.

Drawn in Black and White: Wee Pals and the Work of Morrie Turner,

A Tribute to Legendary African American Cartoonist Morrie Turner

In celebration of Black History Month, and ToonSeum’s newest exhibit Drawn in Black and White: Wee Pals and the Work of Morrie Turner, ToonSeum presents Drawn in Black and White: a panel discussion on African Americans in Cartoons and Comics

Featuring special guests:

• Morrie Turner, legendary creator of the comic strip Wee Pals
• Robb Armstrong, creator of the comic strip Jump Start
• Don Peoples, former editorial cartoonist, freelance illustrator and board member of ToonSeum

There will be a reception honoring Morrie Turner following the panel.

When: February 16th, 3:00pm

Where: ToonSeum, The Theater at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh,10 Children’s Way Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Cost: Admission to the panel discussion and reception are free

To view the exhibit Drawn in Black and White paid admission to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is required.

RSVP Recommended

Contact: Joe Wos at joe@toonseum.com or call 412-325-1060

Book signings, workshops and demonstrations from 12-3, February 16th.

To learn more about our exhibit and the work of Morrie Turner be sure to view the special feature on WQED's OnQ, Monday February 4th at 7:30 PM

Exhibit and event made possible by: Jean Schulz, The Charles M. Schulz Museum, The Cartoon Art Museum San Francisco, Rose Marie McDaniel, and The ToonSeum Drawing Board

Exhibit Curated by: Don Peoples and Joe Wos

Special Thanks to: Morrie Turner, Robb Armstrong, Don Peoples, Rob Stull, Karol Trachtenberg, Angela Seals, and the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and its staff.

Logo and design by Behar-Fingal Creative Advertising and Marketing

This is an invitation only, if you wish to be added to the ToonSeum mailing list email joe@toonseum.com to join.

Related: Morrie Turner Video Interview

Gus Arriola 1917-2007

Mark Evanier reports on the passing of Gus Arriola, the creator of the GORDO comic strip. Mr. Arriola died at his home after a long illness.

From the Associated Press story:

Arriola, who had suffered from Parkinson's disease for some time, died at home in Carmel with his wife, Mary Frances, by his side, according to publicist Alan Richman.

I'm thankful to R.C. Harvey for his book ACCIDENTAL AMBASSADOR GORDO THE COMIC ART OF GUS ARRIOLA which introduced me to Mr. Arriola's work. The cartoonist had a wonderful command of design, and light and dark. A gentle wit, a true cartoonist, a guy who made it all look easy.

Happy 96th Birthday, Creig Flessel!

Many happy returns to Creig Flessel, a guy who was in comics since a few days before the Golden Age!

According to Mark Evanier, he's scheduled to appear at this year's Wondercon!

Sooper Hippie, Fruitman, and Bunny's Back Pages (Harvey Comics, 1968 - '70)

For your Friday morning retro reading pleasure:


From the I'm Learning to Share blog comes Sooper Hippie, Fruitman, and Bunny! This was Harvey Comics' attempt, for two years beginning in 1968, to appeal to the Archie-buying audience. Lots of stories and art (uncredited).

part one

part two