Welcome to Issue #454 of New York Cartoons. I’m writing this to you from the St Nell’s Comedy Writers Residency in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. I’m at the pointy end of a book deadline and I’ve got to shut myself off from the world and get it done… so, clearly, I’ve decided to procrastinate by writing to you.
When I arrived on Saturday, I was met with one in a slew of Hell Gigs I’ve gritted my teeth through over the years. I wrote it up below, but here’s a little sip:
Anatomy of a Hell Gig
The sweat was dripping down my back like a leaking tap. As I opened my mouth to deliver my next joke, I got a ringing in my left ear. I don’t know if it was tinnitus or God’s way of giving me the light.
The ‘audience’ was watching a football game with comedy as background noise; the world’s most depressing elevator music. Dry-tongued, I stammered through the first twelve words before she cut me off, “I like your shoes!” The ensuing silence went for what felt like a holiday weekend. “My shoes,” I repeated. “They’re boots!” Someone yelled from the next table over. I opened my mouth to respond— Just then, a touchdown was scored and the ruddy-faced smattering of drunks leapt from their plastic chairs in elation, hollering and clinking mugs over their love handles and chicken wings. An old woman in a moon boot wobbled in off the street and leaned against a high top. I turned towards her and we locked eyes. She took one look at the desperate scene before clicking her tongue and limping back into the night.
The following is a page from my private journal. It’s a little different from the things I usually share— it’s more raw and unfiltered. I’m more honest. I write these entries down for myself before I misremember the shape of the emotions. I vacuum up all the details. Probably too many details. I hope you like it. (Part of me hopes you don’t.)
Some of you have been writing in letting me know you can’t necessarily support my work with a subscription, but would like the option of making a one-off donation or ‘tip’ instead. I’d be very grateful for either if you can afford it. The best way to do that securely would be through Venmo (@jasonchatfield) or my PayPal at: Pal.me/jasonchatfield
An Artist Spotlight on Sergio Aragonés
Also this week I shone my desk lamp on one of the greatest cartoonists of all time. I’ve been reading his work my entire life, and I’ve been writing this piece for a long time, and adding to it as I go.
I think it’s especially pertinent that I share the story of a fellow US immigrant who came to the US from his home country to try and make it as a cartoonist, and completely overshot his goal to become one of the greatest of all time. I have bottomless admiration for him both as an artist and as a person. I hope you enjoy.
My favourite living cartoonist.
If you’ve ever opened a copy of MAD Magazine and found yourself laughing at the tiny doodles crammed into every available margin, then you’ve experienced the boundless genius of Sergio Aragonés. It’s not hyperbole to say that Sergio is quite possibly the most prolific cartoonist who ever lived, and certainly one of the most beloved. For over sixty years, he’s been the secret sauce that makes MAD feel alive on every page.
There aren’t enough days in a lifetime to share with you all the artists that have inspired me at one time or another, but from time to time, I’ll be turning my drawing table lamp to spotlight an artist you might like if you enjoy my work.
The long-running comic strip, Beetle Bailey, celebrated its 75th Anniversary with a big blowout party for the Walker family at King Features’ headquarters in New York. Drinks were clinked, backs were slapped, Books were lifted and gifted. It was quite a night. Both the 75th anniversary book and the redux of the Lexicon of Comicana were big hits— they’re both available now.
Tom Gammill rigs the raffle to sneak another copy of the book under his blazer.
Ahead of the big celebrations…
I got to hop around New York with 2024 Cartoonist of the Year/Reuben Winner Hilary B. Price, working on new stand-up material together. It was a crazy amount of fun— she’s got a great act and is opening for Kelsey Flynn on October 4th at the Parlor Room.
I also got to catch up with my old pals the Roths while everyone was in town. Arnie and Caroline were the actual very first New Yorkers I ever met when I first visited NYC in 2006. They were very welcoming, and are no doubt the reason I got the bug for living here in the first place.
They rolled out the Australian tablecloth for me and put up some streamers for my birthday. I was gifted the new Beetle Bailey Book. Three times.
L-R: Dummy, Hilary B. Price (Rhymes With Orange), Arnold Roth (Punch/New Yorker), Caroline Roth, Wayno (Bizarro), Tom Gammill (Simpsons/Seinelf/Curb), Jeff “Jeffy” Keane (Family Circus) Photo by Sandy Gillis
The walls on their entryway have to be ogled to be believed… a zillion of the greatest cartoonists and illustrators who have ever dipped a pen in ink have gifted them a personalised cartoon. I would spend more time poring over these than anything I see at The Met. Everyone from David Levine to Ed Sorel and Jeff MacNelly is here.
Speaking of cartoonists…
I received my copy of The Lockhorns in the mail from my friends Bunny Hoest and John Reiner. It’s packed to the gills with hilarious gags and great illustrations… Oh, and there’s a special little cameo in there from someone you might recognize.
It was an honour to blurb this book for John and Bunny. When my boots first hit Long Island on that very same inaugural trip in 2006, they welcomed me into their home with open arms and an open bar. I can’t tell you what it means to be immortalised by John and Bunny in a strip! Life Goal unlocked.
With Satire in the Crosshairs…
NCS ACE-Award-winner and cartoon enthusiast, Jake Tapper mused last week that he may need to return to his past career as a cartoonist on Late Night with Seth Meyers... He did a quick sketch of Seth (pretty good, too!) live on air and shared a few anecdotes. I got to meet Tapper in 2018 at the Reuben Awards when he picked up his big prize. His name was added to a prestigious list that includes Carol Burnett, Hugh Hefner, Jackie Gleason, John Updike, Al Roker, Denis Leary, Weird Al Yankovic and others.
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answered their curious questions like, “How do the animals make their shells?” describing how these beautiful outer layers can be many creatures’ homes over the course of their time in the sea.
You can make a donation to the Inkwell Foundation (which is a 401(c)(3) non-profit) by clicking the link here.
The SketchbookI’m sharing with youthis week is a selection of the sketches I did of peoples’ dogs as gifts this past week. If you have a friend with a dog, send me a photo and I’ll draw them into the book for you.
This is Toby. It was Toby’s birthday last week. Happy Birthday, Toby.
Know a young cartoonist who could use a leg-up?
The National Cartoonists Society Foundation announced that it’s now accepting applications for the 2025-26 Jay Kennedy Memorial Scholarship. Please share this information with your network - Art Schools, Universities/Colleges, and students that may be eligible.
Applications must be submitted by December 20, 2025!
The annual Jay Kennedy Scholarship, in memory of the late King Features editor, was funded by an initial grant from the Hearst Foundation / King Features Syndicate and additional generous donations from Jerry Scott, Jim Borgman, Patrick McDonnell and many other prominent cartoonists. Submissions are adjudicated by the board of directors of the National Cartoonists Society Foundation, and an awardee is chosen from a field of the best college cartoonists. The recipient is announced in April and honoured at the annual NCS Reuben Awards Convention attended by many of the world’s leading cartoonists.
Applicants must be students at a 4-year college in the United States, Canada or Mexico who will be a Junior or Senior during the upcoming academic year. Applicants do not have to be art majors to be eligible for this scholarship.
If you’re new here, or you haven’t had a moment to wander back through the archives of profound genius I’ve shared up to this point, take a peek at the following scribblings:
Thanks for another look at places I wish I was in and people I wish I knew. Just so you know, it was Wayno who put me onto your work and your life among the ink-stained wretches. Interesting that so many cartoonists have other gigs: Wayno's is music, yours (and obviously several others') is standup.
Wonderful
Thanks for another look at places I wish I was in and people I wish I knew. Just so you know, it was Wayno who put me onto your work and your life among the ink-stained wretches. Interesting that so many cartoonists have other gigs: Wayno's is music, yours (and obviously several others') is standup.