Here’s a funny cartoon by Bruce Eric Kaplan: BUY THIS CARTOON For a cartoon to be funny is essential, but for me, a great cartoon can also do more. It can present complicated ideas or uncomfortable truths in a way that people actually enjoy. Don’t get me wrong, funny for funny’s sake — like art…
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“Weird Diners” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
Ivan Ehlers’ cartoon is set in a restaurant, where a waiter with a menu in his hand is addressing two diners. They look like slugs, but because they don’t have eye stalks I’m assuming they’re alien life forms. All my captions are inspired by comments or suggestions that waiters make before taking orders. “Might I…
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“Office Clown” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In Kaamran Hafeez’s cartoon, a clown whose office furniture has been fashioned out of circus balloons is addressing a female colleague. I didn’t like my first idea—“I’m dressing for the job I want”—because some variation on that joke is submitted for every contest that features a character wearing inappropriate clothing. I expect to see a…
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Anatomy of a Cartoon: Vacation Travel
Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind the gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics take a look at vacations. Do you miss vacations? Do you even remember them? If vacation travel brings to mind exotic, fun-filled adventures or quiet moments in a cabin by a mountain…
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“Easy Money” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
This contest is so challenging, Bob Mankoff received an e-mail from a former editor at The Wall Street Journal asking for help deciphering Maddie Dai’s cartoon. Bob didn’t give him or me any hints, but it looks like a counterfeiting or forgery operation. Two men are seated at a table, busy at work. Hanging above…
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