The New Yorker covers: November 11, 2013

Some of the politicians who have appeared on older covers of The New Yorker are cartoonish fabrications making campaign swings or holding news conferences. In recent years, though, real-life candidates and officeholders have made the cover, often in an unflattering light.

Barry Blitt
"Reboot"

And now, a few words from . . . George Orwell

Political language . . . is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.

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

"Girl with Apple Blossom," 1914, Carl Larsson

Movie Posters, 2026: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!

 

Today in the history of the American comic strip: September 2

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.

9.2.1946: Aggie Mack, a strip about a teenage girl, begins its run, which continued until 1972, by which time the title had been changed to Aggie. The comic was created by Hal Rasmusson. 

9.2.1966: Francis Herron dies in New York City, at 49. Working with Mike Roy, he created the Nero Wolfe strip, which ran from 1956 to 1972.

9.2.1972: Mikael Wulff is born. The Danish writer/artist is the co-creator (with Anders Morgenthaler) of Wumo (formerly Wulffmorgenthaler), which began appearing in American newspapers in 2013.

9.2.1991: Blondie readers learn that Blondie Bumstead, Dagwood Bumstead’s wife, plans to open a catering business with her friend Tootsie.

9.2.2018: One day before the late Mort Walker’s birthday, a Sunday installment of Hi and Lois pays tribute to Walker, who co-created the strip (with Dik Browne) in 1954.
 

 

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 3, 2005

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.

Chris Ware
"Hold Still"

And now, a few words from . . . P. J. O'Rourke

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.

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

"Artist's Wife and Daughter," ca. 1975, Norval Morrisseau

Movie Posters, 2025: Two adults, please, and a large popcorn!