Women (Cartoonists) Laughing

As good as Liza Donnelly is at being a cartoonist she has proven herself just as adept at researching and writing about the history of women cartoonists, specializing in those who stood and stand shoulder to shoulder with the cartooning men of The New Yorker. Her Funny Ladies and Very Funny Ladies warrant shelf space along side Trina Robbins’ various “herstories” and any of Brian Walker’s histories of comic art.

So when Liza has a new project going we all know it is worth our while, and maybe a few bucks.

WOMEN LAUGHING is a documentary about the diverse women cartoonists who have graced the pages of The New Yorker from the first issue to the present day, as well as a fun, insightful journey into how women’s humor reflects their struggles and helps us to see differently.

In WOMEN LAUGHING, New Yorker cartoonist Liza Donnelly sets out to explore her lifelong passion for humor and cartooning by talking with, and sometimes drawing with, other funny women.

Steven Heller interviewed Liza about the Women Laughing documentary:

Liza, you are the author of Funny Ladies, a history of the women cartoonists at The New Yorker from 1925–2005, and a sequel, Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists. Is this film documentary an extension of the book, or a totally different experience?
My publisher agreed to publish a sequel in 2022 called Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker’s Women Cartoonists, with two new chapters, and a foreword by David Remnick (editor-in-chief) and Emma Allen (cartoon editor). The documentary is indeed an extension of the book, and will have some about the past, but it will be a totally different experience. In the documentary, I want to go deep in conversation with contemporary women cartoonists and talk about the creative process and what motivates them. I also want to know from them if they believe their work can have an impact on change. Also, I plan to draw with my colleagues!

With two weeks to go Lisa’s Women Laughing Kickstarter is two-thirds of the way to the goal.

Maybe your kind support can help see it over the finish line.