The morning news., 1888-07-29
COMIC PAPERS.
Points About Some OF
Them.

Interesting Points About Some of
Them.
New YORK, July 2S Twelve years ago
there was not a single comic paper worthy
Of the name in the whole United States.
Now there are a number: The Wasp,
Jitdge, Puck, Life, TerdS Stftmgs, Time,
and Vanity Far, just about TO be issued.
All these are published in New York ex
cept the Wasp, which is a San Francisco
publication Puck initiated its form from
the Wasp, which had tinted cartoons and
was in existence several months before
Puck started. 1t was matter of surprise
to Euglishmen that Americans who lilled
their newspapers with jokes could not sup
port a comic paper. The experiment had
often been tried, but was unsuccessful.
PlmchiHeIo, the old Vanity Fair and n
dozen others were all failures, notwithstand-
ing the best American Misunderstanding
Artemus Ward-aud the cleverest cariGatu
rists Of the day contributed to their columns.
Although the Wasp was started before
F2ch it has not been so successful. In San
Francisco its field was narrower and it had
not the clever artists that Puck managed to
secure. keppler. its principal artist,
comes from Vienna. He was first a CON
fectioner, and then a variety actor. He
met while drawing at Frank Leslie's,
German printer named Schwarzmann. They
became partner and began the publication
of German itck in 1876. Then came the
English Puck in 1877, which was quite an
afterthought as neither koppier nor
Schwar2mann understood the Eng llsh Ian
guage. They engaged American writers to
edit it. After a years struggle IL was "a
success. The paper made money and is now
established on a firm basis 1t is, however, in
no sense an American publication. Polite
ally PitciS was for many years thoroughly
independent. During campaign 1t had
Democratic weeks and Republican
weeks alternately 1t changed its
policy, however, four years ago, sup
porting Cleveland through thick and
thin. Gillian, now of the Judge, who was
the chief cartoon artist OF Puck at that time,
came very prominently before the public
by drawing Blaine as "a tattOoed NAHUM
der instructions from his employers-as
Gillian is a staunch Republican.
The late James A. Wales was the founder
of the Jt,dge He was an artist on Puck
some of the best cartoons appearing in tuat
sheet being his. The Judge, for number
of years, was not prosperous, and changed
hands two or three times. AT length, w.
j. Arkoll of the Albany E0eniHg Journal,
purchased the paper and engaged Gillian
and Zimmerman as artists The Jtdge is
now on the high road to prosperity. 1t is
strictly Republican and I'rotectionist
four years years ago it was having pre-
carious existence, and would have died alto
Rether had il not been subsidized TO the OK
tent of S., 900 by republicans. IL is a very
different paper now, is admirably Cotton
up and its cartoons are pointed and clever,
and are executed ia the best style of cOlOred
lithographic art. The letter press, too is
often superior to that of other comic jour
nails.
Life, the black and white society comic
journal, grew out of college publication.
IL was very poor in every respect for some
time, but is now . model of Typographical
beauty. Mr. Mitchell, who is an artist
with some European experience and is also
n Harvard grad ate, is the principal pro-
prietor. While Life aims to hit the foiblos
and weaknesses OF fashion and society, il
docs not neglect politics. 1t favored Cleve-
land as against Blaine in the last campaign,
and is still his friend. Life is decidedly
paper of refinement and it is rare to find
any vulgarity In It's columns, which is more
than can be said of some Of the other comic
journals. TeDds SiHttgs, which is now
published in New York. was originally
started in Austin. Texas, by Alexander
Sweet and j. Amroy Knox. The Office was
afterward removed to New York There
is also u branch in London. Siftings is a
strictly comic paper and does not take
sides in politics, although it frequently has
funny cartoons on political subjects. Lake
Life, it sticks TO blnck and white in its pic
lures and does not seek 10 influence public
opinion except by making its readers
laugh.
lid Bits, now called Time, is a paper
very similar TO Life in character. II goes
in mainly for jokes and handles politics pic
torially in q somewhat lofty and gingery
manner. Whether political comic
papers have much influence on
public opinion is of course a question,
but it is certain that the comic cartoon
journals have famiiarized tn, great body
OF the people with the features and pecu-
liaritles Of prominent men, which has had
It's effect.
A comparison Of the American comic
journals with the English ones Is very
mucn in favor OF the former, especially IN
tho cartoons. Many Of those in Punch
Fam and Judy are to the American nbso-
lutely poutlcss, even allowing for his un-
familiarity with the foreign political sitlia-
ton. An artist like Ienniel, who has for
years drawn the cartoons in Punch, rarely
takes an idea from an outsider. There is Il
painful sameless about ais pictures. lie Is
nmtuently classical and never attempt, TO
touch the great mass OF the people. Tne
system Is different here Ideas and sugges-
tlons for cartoons frar those outside tho
staf are eagerly received and literally pn.d
for. Keppler, who Is certainly the most
effective cartoOnist in America, almost in
yariably makes use Of the suggestions Of
others Gillian, On tho other haul. is
very prolific in ideas, aud most Of his work
Is entirely original. B. Is. VALENTINE.