For Illustration Friday, topic: Lesson.

Image via Wikipedia

I hope the kid in this cartoon learns the lesson that it’s okay to make a mistake, but it’s better to be mathematically correct.

Cartoon caption: Student and teacher look at chalkboard where kid has just written 3 plus 5 equals 7. Title: Mathematically Incorrect.

Interpretation: Obviously the title is a takeoff on the overused, and misused phrase, “politically incorrect.”

Also: Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, 2 Mother’s Day cartoons for you:

A talk radio Mother’s Day cartoon.

A political Mother’s Day cartoon.

More cartoons:

1. Glee, stop trying to teach us lessons.
2. Which came first, Democrats or Republicans?

Sergio Aragones at Carney's Hot Dogs

I’ve known Sergio for many years, through CAPS and NCS when I belonged to those clubs, and occasional cartoon get togethers. He really is a fascinating man – married three times, and was a real ladies man with starlets and others in Hollywood before that. He’s charming, and a big talker – but he has the creds, from MAD Magazine mostly. Of course, those were the days when MAD was monthly, not quarterly, and they took all the contributors (cartoonists and writers) on trips around the world every year! (As well they should, since they have a really awful old-fashioned and stingy Work for Hire contract.)

Anyway, Sergio has a studio up on hot Ojai, which I visited once, on a day spa trip up there. Very fun, and so is he.

I knew from seeing a thumbnail of this that this was one of his early drawings, and so it is – 1978. From the 99Cent Chef Blog, who is a character himself, doing a roundup of hot dogs in Los Angeles.

On a much sadder note,  one of the best editorial cartoonists in our generation, Paul Conrad, died last week. I didn’t know him as well as Sergio – only briefly met him at Impolitic, a gallery in Santa Monica that we both had our work in. Impolitic had great parties, and I think he came to most of them, although he didn’t seem interested in anyone, and just wanted to chat about his cartoons. He was a great talent.

More cartoons:

1. Seeing double at the ice cream bar.
2. Marty Murphy Memorial (and books.)

I do so many tech cartoons, I figure it’s time to get on Twitter and see what it’s all about.

Ya think?

This is why single panel cartoons and magazine cartoons are a dying breed. There are many cartoonists like him, using a style they learned 40 years ago, with the same type of 1950′s humor – ie, puns, a word twist, easy stuff. No thought or research required. Stuck in their own rut, afraid to try anything new. Whatever works, right?

I’m a pragmatic capitalist, so yeah, up to a point.

But it’s not art, and you’re not trying, and you don’t care, and I could never call you a good cartoonist. Even though I wish I had your income.

More cartoons:

1. Ask a cartoonist!
2. How many minority and women cartoonists are in the LA Times?

I decided to review the Comics instead of the Editorial Cartoons as I’m a little biased in that category. (My cartoon on Gocomics is Donna Barstow Editorial Cartoons. Snappy, huh?) And since, sadly, we only get paid by hits, I’m helping all the other guys by visiting their pages! Spread the hits!

I’ll only review the cartoons that I have some familiarity with or get an instant reaction to. (Sorry for grammar – this is a blog.)

This is an...interesting layout. Argyle Sweater, by Scott Hilburn.

Also, I rarely read cartoons one by one, so it’s not really fair to either me or the cartoonist if I can’t see a bunch of them. If I like a strip I like to devour it, and I much prefer reading them in book form, if at all possible. The cartoon book, if any, after my comment.

Adam@Home is drawn by a different artist now, no likey. It used to be one of my favorites. Adam looks dumb now and has a weak chin – so do all the other characters. Artist is unnamed – that’s the spirit, Universal!  Daily Cartoonist reports on it, with a lot of feedback, but he’s closed comments there, due to his silly rule of asking for real names. Lots of cartoonists defend the new artist there, which is not exactly unbiased, so take from it what you will. If you want to change the artist, people, IT’S NOT THE SAME CARTOON. Dumbbells. Book by the original cartoonist: Life Begins At 6:40 (An Adam Collection)

Argyle Sweater. Can’t read the lettering, so I don’t read it. Marty Murphy used to start screaming every time he talked about the panel. It’s very popular though, and Gocomics is always pimping it. Book:  The Argyle Sweater: A Cartoon Collection

Bad Reporter. Does anyone get it?

The Barn. I don’t read it, but I like the simplicity. Book: Cartoons by Ralph Hagen – Vol. 1

Basic Instructions. I forgot about this, saw it once before. Funny. I wonder if it’s syndicated. It’s a good alternative paper strip. Book:  Help Is on the Way: A Collection of Basic Instructions

Big Top gets hundreds of comments, I just noticed! Hate the lettering, & I don’t get it at all. Book:  Big Top book

Bliss. I read this in the LA Times, most of the time. I know all the grey wash is a “style” but it looks dreadful in print. New Yorker cartoonists are notorious for being terrified to ever change their style, for fear the editor will drop them. And…? It’s true! Mankoff only likes “stylish” styles. Book: Death By Laughter

Bottomliners. I’ve always liked the father-son team drawing style, but the writing is stale. I would read it if it was in our paper, though. Book: Blackboard cartooning for teachers

Bozo. Some of the gags make it, some don’t. I’d read it.

Brainwaves. I read Betsy Streeter in Funny Times. I like her style. Writing is sweet, rather than funny. Book: Brainwaves While U Wait

Brewster Rockit. Traditional comic book style, well done. He’s smart and funny, but I rarely read him in the paper. I’d read his book, though! Book: Brewster Rockit: Space Guy!

Geez Louise, I’m only done the B’s and it’s already been over an hour!Gocomics has hundreds of comics, so this will take a while…

More later.

More cartoons:

1. More One-Minute Book Reviews.
2. Nancy and Sluggo – Dogs, including Doxie