The Comix Files: Bruce Bolinger

Nicktown, Pennsylvania cartoonist Bruce Bolinger was a subscriber to City Limits Gazette in the early 1990s. He contributed a great logo that was topical at the time-- the US Postal Service wanted the public to vote on whether to have a stamp with young or old Elvis.

Bruce also agreed to be interviewed. In both contributions he supplied CLG with beautiful originals inked on Denril.

Through a series of events one could not make up, I received a cold call in this era from one of my cartoonist heroes from the 1960s Mad days, Don Martin, due to Bruce's doing. We had a very strange and funny conversation. His wife Norma got on the line as well. Too long to explain here, but maybe I'll make it part of a stand-up routine next time I'm invited to speak at a comix deal. 

Anyway, it was an honor to have a cartoonist as accomplished and talented as Bolinger on board CLG to give the joint some class.

Mort Drucker

This year for Christmas my Mom gave me a book of selections from the pen of Mad cartoonist Mort Drucker. When I asked her how she knew I was a fan, she replied, "Are you kidding? I remember how you loved his work when you were growing up!"

It's true. I started reading Mad during the JFK years, and two of the magazine's artists in particular were a major influence for me, Don Martin and Mort Drucker.

A master of caricature, Drucker has a gift for capturing the character of celebrities and politicians like no one else. Widely imitated but always without equal, I have yet to see a would-be Drucker who doesn't look forced. The work of the original Mort looks effortless and graceful. And fearless.

Drucker was the one who usually drew the movie parodies that included songs "sung to the tune of ...," a device I loved when I was a regular Mad reader and later employed frequently in my own comix.

I do not believe Mort Drucker was a factor in the naming of Morty the Dog, unless it was subliminal.

Anyway, this a great book and well worth tracking down. Published 2012 by Running Press.