The New Yorker covers: September 12, 2011

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.

Ana Juan
"Reflections"

And now, a few words from . . . Mel Brooks

Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.

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

"The House and the Tree," 1874, Paul Cézanne

Movie Posters, 2020: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

Today in the history of the American comic strip: July 9

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.

7.9.1921: Tony DiPreta is born in Stamford, Connecticut. Although he did not create either strip, he illustrated both Joe Palooka and Rex Morgan, M.D. for many years.

7.9.2020: The Washington Post reports that Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side (1979-1995), has published three new cartoons on his website, “with fans and fellow cartoonists rejoicing at his first fresh work in 25  years.”

Joe Palooka

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: October 1, 2001

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 and the fourth crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. The New Yorker has devoted several covers to the devastatingly horrific attacks and their aftermath.

Edward Sorel
"Street Scene"

And now, a few words from . . . Maimonides

Truth does not become more true by virtue of the fact that the whole world agrees with it, nor less so even if the whole world disagrees with it.

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

"Shaman and Apprentice," ca.1980-85, Norval Morrisseau 

Movie Posters, 1989: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!