The New Yorker covers: July 22, 1985

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.

Edward Koren
(covers untitled until February 1993)

And now, a few words from . . . Abraham Lincoln

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.

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

"Banks of the Seine, Vétheuil," 1880, Claude Monet

Movie Posters, 1975: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

Today in the history of the American comic strip: September 10

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.

9.10.1904: Winsor McCay’s Dream of the Rarebit Fiend makes its debut. It had a recurring theme in which a character had a nightmare or other bizarre dream, usually after eating a Welsh rarebit: a cheese-on-toast dish.

9.10.1972: Joanie Caucus joins the Doonesbury cast. She later attended law school; worked on the John Anderson campaign and for Rep. Lacey Davenport; and married journalist Rick Redfern, with whom she had a son, Jeff.

9.10.1979: Joanie Caucus’ daughter, J.J., makes her first appearance in Garry Trudeau’s Doonesbury. "J.J." stands for Joan Junior.

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: November 3, 1975

October 31 is commonly associated with trick-or-treating, costume parties, haunted houses and jack-o’-lanterns, but Halloween also has religious roots as All Hallows' Eve, which precedes a Christian holy day honoring saints. The origins of the holiday are open to dispute. Just make sure you get the candy ready!

Eugène Mihaesco
(covers untitled until February 1993)

And now, a few words from . . . Jay Leno

We pick politicians by how they look on TV and Miss America on where she stands on the issues. Isn’t that a little backwards?

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

"Café Terrace at Night," 1889, Vincent Van Gogh

Movie Posters, 1987: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!