Cartoonists – – Gag and Op-Ed, Old and New

A Profile of Gag Cartoonist Jeff Keate (1912- 1995)

Robert Jefferson Keate, who signed his work Jeff Keate, was a prolific cartoonist whose work appeared in many national American magazines in mid-20th century America.

He was born March 10, 1912, so this Sunday is his 112th birthday. He was from Western Canada, and he moved east to the States. By the time he was 33 years old, he was living and working in New York City, and on his way to being one of the most published gag cartoonists.

Mike Lynch and Dick Buchanan present a profile of Jeff Keate and a gallery of his cartoons.

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The War on Gaza

In response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the resurgence of interest in Joe Sacco’s seminal work, Fantagraphics is proud to announce a new edition of the groundbreaking graphic novel Palestine, along with the introduction of a compelling new weekly comic by Joe Sacco on TCJ.com, titled “The War on Gaza.”

Joe Sacco, a long-time graphic journalist, continues his reporting.

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Zoom Program: New Yorker Cartoonist Bob Eckstein

Footnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums is a collection of the greatest and most beloved museums of North America, illustrated and explored through fun and fascinating anecdotes. Curated by Bob Eckstein, author of the New York Times bestseller Footnotes from the World’s Greatest Bookstores, this delightful twist on an art history book shows these institutes in a way not seen before, illustrated in a lush and idealized style.

A virtual program with cartoonist/illustrator Bob Eckstein – May 29, 2024.

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One Furious Woman and a Hatchet

« In 1900, she bought from a Medicine Lodge hardware store the implement that became both her weapon and her symbol — a hatchet — and at the age of fifty-four sallied forth on a smashing campaign that carried her across the country, shouting: ‘Smash! Smash! For Jesus’ sake, Smash!’ »

These days I’ve been reading Ardent Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition (1973) by John Kobler. I didn’t know much about the temperance movement in general, but what surprised me most is how intimately it was tied to suffragette activism. It’s in Ardent Spirits that I came across the fascinating character of Carry Nation.

“Redscraper” profiles the early 20th Century temperance promoter, illustrated by contemporary cartoons.

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The Welton’s Restaurant Menu and Wine List

The menu and wine list covers, front and back, for Welton’s Restaurant of Worcester, Massachusetts, circa 1947, are designed by none other than cartoonist William Steig. Such a menu would no doubt be hard if not impossible to find today. Nevertheless, a giclee print reproduction can readily be had for $25 from Vintage Menu Art.

Attempted Bloggery presents background and a supersized look at a rare William Steig illustration.

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Bringing Humor to Ski Culture

Ryan Stolp, creator of the comic “Lift Lines,” wants his satire to encourage skiers to appreciate the quirks of ski town culture, rather than ridicule it.

Stolp, whose panels run three times a week in the Jackson Hole Daily, says most of his cartoon ideas originate as jokes with friends or overheard at a bar after a drink or two when the sense of the absurd is heightened. Not that he feels Jackson’s absurdity needs much augmentation.

Ski magazine interviews cartoonist Ryan Stolp creator of the Lift Lines panel.

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Re-imagining Helen Hokinson

Summer Pierre, who has contributed to The New Yorker‘s (online) Culture Desk since 2018, is offering a booklet of 20 cartoons inspired by the late great Helen Hokinson’s work.

The Cartoonists, God Bless ‘Em! 20 cartoons about the comics life all drawn hastily from the work of the great Helen E. Hokinson!

Michael Maslin at Ink Spill has details of Summer Pierre‘s pamphlet.

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_{feature image is a self-portrait by George Lichtenstein}