The New Yorker covers: April 22 & 29, 2024

Over the years, there have been many magazines whose covers have featured the work of highly talented artists and illustrators. But probably no magazine has had more varied and memorable covers, over a longer period of time, than The New Yorker, which was founded in 1925.

Ana Juan
"Clickbait"

The (old) Down East covers: October 1968

Ever since its founding in 1954, Down East has billed itself as “the magazine of Maine.” There are other Maine-centered mags, but Down East remains the most prominent of the bunch. Nowadays, the Rockport-based monthly features glossy, memorable cover photos, but there's a lot to be said for the charming, old-timey look of covers from the publication’s early decades.

Carroll Thayer Berry, "Howe Hill, Camden"

Movie Posters, 1948: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

"What is art but a way of seeing?" Saul Bellow

"Jenness House, Truro," 1934, Edward Hopper

Today in the history of the American comic strip: October 17

American cartoonists and writers may not have invented the comic strip, but some argue that the comics, as we know them today, are an American creation. Clearly, the United States has played an outsize role in the development of this underappreciated art form.

10.17.1914: Jerry Siegel, who, with Joe Shuster, co-created Superman as a comic book hero, is born. Superman later appeared in a newspaper comic strip titled, appropriately, Superman.

10.17.1920: John Prentice is born in Whitney, Texas. He took over Rip Kirby (1946-1999) following the death of creator Alex Raymond. Prentice received a Newspaper Comic Strip award from the National Cartoonists Society in 1966 and again in 1967 and 1986.

10.17.1943: In Terry and the Pirates (1934-1973), Col. Flip Corkin, U.S. Army Air Forces, lectures newly commissioned fighter pilot Terry Lee on "The Pilot's Creed.” Corkin emphasized the need to consider all those who developed and maintain his plane, remember those killed in the war to date, and respect military bureaucracy. The episode was read aloud in Congress and entered into the Congressional Record.

10.17.1959: Created by Sidney Smith, The Gumps draws to a close after a 42-year run. The strip focused on the domestic lives of an ordinary family, the Gumps.

 

Most of the information listed here from one day to the next comes from two online sites -- Wikipedia, and Don Markstein's Toonopedia -- as well as 100 Years of American Newspaper Comics, edited by Maurice Horn. Note that my focus is on American newspaper comic strips (and the occasional foreign strip that gained popularity in the United States). Thus, comic books and exclusively online comics are not included here.

The birth of an artist: October 17

 

Childe Hassam
October 17, 1859

The New Yorker covers: February 2, 2015

Eustace Tilley (above), a cover illustration by Rea Irvin, has long been the mascot of The New Yorker. Eustace graced the first issue of the magazine when it appeared on February 21, 1925, and he has appeared on many covers since then, usually in February. In recent years, he has been depicted or commemorated in many different ways.

Bruce McCall
"Moving Day"