Category: Cartooning

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Introduction to Cartooning, by Richard Taylor, 1947

There was a time — most of the 20th century, in fact — when it was possible for cartoonists to make a living as cartoonists. With few exceptions, those days are gone. Bill Waterson bowed out at just the right time, in late 1995, right before the decline of print media in general and newspapers in particular.

Ten years after the Richard Taylor book was published, the Famous Artists School introduced its cartooning correspondence course. It competed with the cartooning course from the Art Instruction Schools that Charles M. Schulz took. He later became an instructor at the school.

Here’s another good exhibit for me to see at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.

Now That’s What I Call Art!

I used this painting for a post last December, so of course the artist died weeks later.

Painting by Mort Künstler

Mort Künstler, Renowned Painter of Epic Historical Scenes, Dies at 97

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/07/arts/mort-kunstler-dead.html

As the NYTimes obituary points out, the renowned painter of historical scenes got his start with lurid illustrations for men’s magazines. What the obit doesn’t say is that one of Künstler’s earliest clients was Martin Goodman, publisher of Atlas Comics, later rebranded as Marvel Comics.

https://www.menspulpmags.com/an-interview-with-artist-mort-kunstler-part-1/

Painting by Mort Kunstler

It’s perhaps a stretch labeling Künstler as the “Godfather of Pulp Fiction Illustration,” as there were quite a few pulp magazine artists before him. The godfather of men’s magazines would probably be more accurate.

Künstler passed away less than a week from the 80th anniversary of the death of the outstanding pulp artist H.J. Ward at age 36. Ward’s wife was the model for all of the women in his paintings.

Painting by H.J. Ward

The Mighty Marvel Comics Universe Marches On!

The latest Fantastic Four reboot movie is coming, and this weekend the Falcon takes over for Captain America.

Is Cap’s shield made from indestructible Adamantium or energy-absorbing Vibranium? Both?

This is my idea of Cap.

Tales of Suspense #59 splash page

Joe Sinnott shall always be #1, but that was one incredible, masterful inking job done by Chic Stone.