Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics examine the drawing behind some favorite cartoons. Every budding cartoonist faces a dilemma: the tools are at hand, coffee’s on, and the ideas are brimming over –- now what? Sure, the gag’s great…
Continue Reading…
Recent Posts
Anatomy of a Cartoon: Drawing a Fine Line
“Cave Couple” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In Mick Stevens’ drawing of a prehistoric couple sitting in a modern-day living room, the man is saying something to the woman. Seeing the large framed paintings in the background made me think of cave paintings, so I had the man asking, “Why do they frame their paintings?” I then imagined the man struggling to…
Continue Reading…
“Moneybag” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In Charles Barsotti’s drawing, a large bag of money relaxes on a tropical island with a drink in one hand and a cellphone in the other. He’s wearing sunglasses, smiling, and saying something into the phone. My first idea—“Money talking”—completely ignored the setting, and the setting’s always important. Tropical resorts like the Cayman Islands are…
Continue Reading…
Anatomy of a Cartoon: Mother’s Day
Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics examine cartoons about dear old Mom. Mother’s Day—a day dedicated to the person we love most … or at least the person we have the strongest feelings toward. Naturally, many cartoons feature mothers….
Continue Reading…