Anatomy of a Cartoon

Anatomy of a Cartoon: Valentine’s Day

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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 Valentine’s Day. February 14—for some a day of love, for others a day of regret and disappointment. Such a broad range of emotions inspires cartoonists to consider Valentine’s Day…
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Anatomy of a Cartoon: The Vegetarian Option

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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 vegans and vegetarians. Vegetarianism and its stricter cousin, veganism, are gaining adherents as never before, embraced not just by college students and artsy types but by middle America. Exhibit…
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Anatomy of a Cartoon: The Anxiety of Christmas

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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 holiday anxiety. ‘Tis the season of gifts, decorations, and family. Wreaths, adorned trees, and twinkling lights announce that homes are celebrating a mashup of traditions that seems to consume…
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Anatomy of a Cartoon: Thanksgiving Themes

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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 Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving-themed images provide plenty of material for cartoonists to work with: turkeys, Pilgrims, family dinners, the Macy’s parade, football on T.V. And, like any good storyteller writing fiction,…
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