Happy Belated 81st to Hy Eisman

Hy Eisman, cartoonist and Kubert School instructor, celebrated his 81st birthday on March 27th.

Here's a brief history of Hy from Lambiek.net for those of yout that have no idea what a B-6 is:

Hy Eisman started as a greeting card artist and quickly went to creating his own newspaper cartoon feature 'It Happened in New Jersey'.

In the late 1950s he became an assistant to comic artists like Alfred Andriola ('Kerry Drake') and Vernon Greene ('Bringing up Father'). At the same time, he drew for comic books by Charlton (romance), ACG ('Adventures into the Unknown', 'Forbidden Worlds'), Marvel (romance), Harvey ('Blondie') and Western Publishing ('Nancy', 'Twilight Zone', 'Smokey Stover').

From 1967 to 1983 he illustrated the 'Little Iodine' series, which was originally created by Jimmy Hatlo.

In 1986 he took over 'The Katzenjammer Kids', the world's oldest continuing comic strip.

In 1994, Eisman added another comic legend to his repertoire when he started drawing the Sunday 'Popeye' strip.

Some cartoons for you to chew on

Steve Brodner's The Naked Campaign: Three-Legged Race

Here's the latest installment of Steve Brodner's video series The Naked Campaign, which he does every week for The New Yorker.

They each are pretty good, but this one is my favorite, b/c we see more drawing and painting on his part. Steve's one of my favorite illustrators, and I'm going to try to channel him when I'm off covering the Democratic and Republican conventions later this year, something that he's done numerous times for Esquire, The Progressive and the Village Voice.

Adrian Tomine's 'The Donger and Me'

Over on NPR, they are presenting Optic Nerve creator Adrian Tomine's 'The Donger and Me', an examination of the character from John Hughes lovably racist Sixteen Candles.

CNN's new comedy show is completely different from The Daily Show...NOT!

Having been accused by Republicans for years of not being balanced and presenting fake news, CNN will finally own up to it with their newest show, Not Just Another Cable News Show.

According to USA Today, Not Just Another Cable News Show will premiere April 5, and it'll be, "...an entertaining way to recall some of the more memorable moments captured on video," said Ken Jautz, executive vice president at CNN Worldwide.

That's right, CNN, having watched programs like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report skyrocket in popularity among younger views, decided that the best course for journalism was to take Time.com Washington editor and Wonkette founder Ana Marie Cox and noted Huffington Post contributor Rachel Sklar, and have them re-hash the first half hour of The Daily Show. Isn't this is the TV equivalent of having puppies on the front page of your newspaper?

I just hope it's as funny as CNN's only other successful comedy show, Nancy Grace.

Today's cartoons 3/26/08

Get'em while they're hot...Editorial Cartoonists' Signatures!!!!!

I just happened to be on eBay tonight to get reference for a cartoon I'm working on tomorrow (check back later), and I came across some intriguing items.

Maybe one day, when I'm more secure in my profession and have won some national awards, someone might be able to profit off my autograph on eBay, just as they seem to have done from these fine cartoonists:


First up is Mike Keefe, editorial cartoonist of the Denver Post. A Fischetti, National Headliners Club, Society of Professional Journalists and Best of the West winner, you can purchase his signature now for the introductory price of $3.99!!!


Next up is my buddy Jimmy Marguiles, the editorial cartoonist at The Record. Jimmy is also a winner of the National Headliner Award and Fischetti Editorial Cartoon Competition, and also has to his credit the Barryman Award from the National Press Foundation. Maybe that's why his signature is slightly more expensive than Mike's, but still a steal at $4.99!!!!


Last by not least we have another friend of mine, Steve Breen, the editorial cartoonist at the San Diego Union-Tribune. Steve has a lesson for both Mike and Jimmy; If you want to see your signature soar in value on eBay, draw a little sketch by it. That's why Steve's signature is highly demanded, and can be found on eBay for a steal at $25.00!!!

Happy bidding kids!

Today's cartoons

The launch of PolitickerCA, California's best source for local politics

Here are today's cartoons for the launched of the newest Politicker site, PolitickerCA.com. I can't tell you how psyched I am to do more California cartoons. Check for more later on during the week.

Here are some must-reads from day one:

Groups seeks investigation, of Eastwood, Shriver firings

Too important, too little coverage: California’s Budget Will Be the Story of 2008

Modern Cartoonist: The Naked Truth

You have to go and check out Daniel Clowes hand-lettered essay over on Fantagraphics website, which originally appeared as a bound-in booklet accompanying Eightball #18, originally published in 1997.

John McCain talks about the economy

Here's today's cartoon about our favorite Republican Presidential nominee, John McCain.

Check back later for some awesome news, and a couple of more cartoons.