Benjamin Franklin’s Cartoons – Tools of Political Satire
The Pennsylvania Gazette was the first newspaper to publish Benjamin Franklin’s political cartoon “Join or Die” in 1754. Benjamin Franklin was an American with many “firsts.” His interest in politics was borne of his passion for the new world he lived in. Through his cartoons, Benjamin Franklin effected a confrontation of issues he considered important to fellow colonists. In the early colonial days, Benjamin Franklin used cartoons to encourage colonists to break from British rule. Cartoons provided a way Read the rest of this entry »

Modern day Batman fans may not realize that the Batman character has been around for more than 70 years – before Cable Television even existed. His first appearance came during the Golden Age of Comic Books in the pages of Detective Comics 27 in May 1939. Around a year later, Batman 1 was published. It was at this time that Catwoman, the Joker and Alfred Pennyworth were created, as well.

During the Silver Age of Comic Books (1956-1970), the Batman comic series added some science-fiction flavor to its story, introducing characters like Mr. Freeze, Betty Kane and the original Bat-Girl. In 1966, Batman made its transition to the TV with Batman: The Movie in 1966 and Batman (TV series) from 1966-1968. During the 1970s, writers Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams gave Batman somewhat of a makeover, giving the comic book series more of the darker tone that it had during the 1940s. In addition to recreating the Joker as an unpredictable killer who would murder people at the drop of a hat, the pair also created a new villain, Ra’s al Ghul. By October 1986, the Batman title reached its 400th issue and had become a tremendously popular brand.

Today, there are more than a dozen movies and animated films based on the Batman series. Additionally, the Batman series – having earned a total of 1,449,683,452 – is the fourth highest-grossing film series in North America.

Mad magazine made it’s debut in 1952 originally as a comic book. It was almost written in its by Harvey Kurtzman, an editor and cartoonist who was best described by the New York Times as “being one of the most important figures in post-war America.” It was later upon his insistence that MAD be switched over to a magazine format. By doing this it removed them from the CCA, or Comics Code Authority, which policed comics to make sure the “code of ethics” was maintained, thus censoring comics greatly.

MAD magazine, free of the CCA, was now able to become Read the rest of this entry »

Brenda Starr, ace reporter and one of the original comic book heroines first appeared in 1940. Created by writer Dale Messick, the comic was initially published under the name “Brenda Starr, Reporter” and told the story of the fearless red-head and her many adventures as a journalist for the fictional newspaper “The Flash”.

A far cry from the ‘damsels in distress’ women featured in the comics at that time, Brenda was the prototype of today’s working woman. During her long run in the comics, Brenda traveled to exotic locales, had many romantic misadventures and Read the rest of this entry »

The Yellow Kid was an American comic strip, starring the first real comic character in U.S. newspapers. The series, also known as Hogan’s Alley, was drawn by Richard F. Outcault.

The Yellow Kid was set into the ghetto of turn of the century New York City. The titular “Kid” was an unnamed bald, snaggle-toothed child who wore an oversize yellow nightshirt and interacted with various other quirky characters. The series was popular for taking conventions that had Read the rest of this entry »

“It’s easy to become a father, but being one is harder rather” is a quote from Germany’s posthumously coined, “Grandfather of Comics”, Wilhelm Bush. If you have never heard this name, but love comics, it’s time for a meet and greet, because you have the famous artist, drawer, sculptor, poet and vegetarian, Wilhelm Bush, to thank for every chuckle and grin. Born in 1832, Wilhelm Bush is often referred to as one of the inventors of the modern comic strip because he drew characters and then added clever and wildly funny satirical Read the rest of this entry »