The New Yorker covers: September 13, 2004

On September 11, 2001, Islamic terrorists launched suicide missions against the United States, using four hijacked airliners, two of which were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The third plane slammed into the Pentagon. The fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The New Yorker has devoted several covers to the devastatingly horrific attacks and their aftermath.

Istvan Banyai
"Déjà Vu"

And now, a few words from . . . Ernest Hemingway

There is no friend as loyal as a book.

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

"A Winter's Day," 1934, Konstantin Gorbatov

Movie Posters, 1966: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

Today in the history of the Americna comic strip: July 19

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.

7.19.1961: Terry LaBan, the co-creator (with his wife Patty LaBan) of Edge City, is born in Michigan. The strip followed the adventures of the Ardins, a Jewish family, from 2000 until 2016.

7.19.1982. Geech, a strip created by Jerry Bittle, premieres. From 1982 until 2003, it showcased small-town life, as exemplified in the fictional city of Grimace, Texas.

 

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 New Yorker covers: July 15, 1991

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.

Bob Knox
(covers untitled until February 1993)

And now, a few words from . . . J. M. Barrie

The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.

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

“Spring Ice,” 1915-16, Tom Thomson

Today in the history of the American comic strip: July 18

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.

7.18.1968: Mark O’Hare, the creator of Citizen Dog (1995-2001), is born in San Pedro, California. The strip focused on the antics of Mel and his male dog Fergus.

7.18.1983: George Lichty, creator of the long-running Grin and Bear It (1932-2015), dies in Santa Rosa, California. He was 78.
 

 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.