The campers in Benjamin Schwartz’s cartoon are in their sleeping bags. They’ve been awakened by a bear, who’s performing a stand-up routine just outside their tent. The male camper is reaching into his backpack for his cellphone, and his girlfriend is saying something to him. I first made references to killing and dying, words that…
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Recent Posts
Anatomy of a Cartoon: Cabin Fever
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 cabin fever. “Home, Sweet Home” has taken on new meaning during the pandemic. Introverts are quietly exulting while their extroverted counterparts are climbing the walls. Relationships are being…
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What’s the Point? Cartoon Humor and Deeper Meaning
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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