Anatomy of a Cartoon: The Dog Days of Summer

Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics take a look at those last sweltering days of summer.

The last half of August gathers in anxiety as it hurtles towards Labor Day. Last minute vacations are hastily arranged as the frenetic countdown to the school year begins. The cities empty out in a joyless diaspora resulting in traffic gridlock and overwhelmed airports.

Our eagle-eyed cartoonists are keen observers of this annual phenomena. As chroniclers of the human condition, their quills are extra-sharp when it comes to the dog days of August.

Roz Chast establishes an overview of Manhattan’s summer cauldron in her three-word gem published in—when else?—late August a few years ago.

The intense city heat drives many below ground. People start coming unglued. Jack Ziegler captures one fellow’s novel approach to climate change.

Note Jack’s technique of wavy outlines to emphasis the fully-dressed commuter’s suffering.

Zachary Kanin imagines even superheroes have trouble beating the heat. Superman’s relief is palpable as he hovers in the cool slipstream of an AC window unit. The flapping tell-tale strips and breeze lines help convince us the Man of Steel is aloft.

Summer is time for vacation. Sometimes the destination fantasy exceeds arrival reality. Mike Twohy captures an extreme example at the beach. The scene is deftly executed with lively action swirling around the out-of-place businessman. The striped beach towel is a nice touch, including his sun-hatted wife absorbed in a best-selling summer read.

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Mike Twohy cartoons

The idea of camping is generally at odds with the actual experience. Glossy brochures don’t show the stinging mosquitos or the brazen raccoons. Michael Crawford’s urbane couple has had just about enough…100 proof libations notwithstanding. And as one can tell from the wooden platform and high-end tent, these tenderfeet aren’t exactly roughing it.

Speaking of high octane libations, Jack Ziegler cuts to the heart of a budget-priced cruise with this brilliant cross-section of main attractions. Anything not labeled “bar” resembles establishments found at a down-at-the-heels strip mall.

Spirits fail to soar in even the most inspiring locales; Venice has missed the mark with this grumpy family. Once again, Jack Ziegler works his cartoon magic to create a real sense of place. His satire of the American tourist family is conveyed in the details: baseball caps, loud shorts, the unfolded map, neck-strapped camera. Even the jaundiced gondolier had to take another look.

The big winner during summer’s wane are those crafty canine companions. They know the usual rules are relaxed and the suds are flowing. Tantalizing opportunities abound as in Kim Warp’s back deck barbecue scene. We imagine #10 has had a few cold ones and is a tad unsure of his abilities. The artist captures Fido’s laser-like focus with the repeated thought-balloon line. Dog days indeed.

David Sipress nails our theme with his apt caption in this next cartoon.

Finally that last August day rolls around. Christopher Weyant emphasizes the inevitable with a sign-towing biplane. The distant perspective on the final beach day feels wistful. Tomorrow all will be gone except for the tufts of grass clinging to the dunes.

Yes, Old Man Summer blazed by fast. The dazed sunbathers in Mick Stevens’ scene can’t believe it either. The recreational items at the pool’s now-empty bottom look forlorn.

It’s only right that Roz Chast bookends our narrative with the fall ritual of school supply shopping. No activity more fully transitions a kid away from summer dreams than a depressing trip for pens and protractors. It’s…really…over.