Day: May 11, 2004

Henry Martin is one of my favorite cartoonists. He drew cartoons for the New Yorker and other magazines for over 40 years. He’s not one of those names that immediately pop to mind when thinking about New Yorker cartoonists like Addams, Arno and Barsotti, but his gag writing and art influenced me a lot and continue to do so today.

Here’s a great article on Martin and his cartoons from his alma mater, Princeton.

And a wonderful heartfelt letter from his daughter, Ann M. Martin, author and creator of the Baby-sitters Club books among others.

I have two Martin books: “Good News, Bad News”, a collection of his business and office cartoons, and “Yak! Yak! Yak! Blah! Blah! Blah!” , a collection of marriage and family cartoons.” Both books are great examples of great gag writing!

There’s another book, “‘It’s a Sure Thing’: A Wry Look at Investing, Investors, and the World of Wall Street” by Robert Metz & George Stasen that includes Martin cartoons at the beginning of each chapter.

If you haven’t checked Martin’s cartoons out yet you’re missing some wonderful cartoons from an American master.