The Boomer Cartooner Feiffer

Inspired by his hero of the political comic, Walt Kelly author of Pogo, Jules Feiffer had the drive, but not the penmanship. He developed a loose style, mostly "out of ignorance" according to the artist. But that loose style and open white space has captured a specific atmosphere of malaise mixed with merriment that makes his work so unique. This interview from Studio 360 gives insight to his decision to give up lambasting the political and cultural landscape in America.
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I, too, was a Pogoholic and a keen advocate for Candidate Pogo in his ill-fated but gallant run for the presidency during the 50's, when Senator Malarkey frightened the stuffings out of nearly everyone in the Okeefenokee Swamp. Difficult times, recently revisited.

The whole quote was poignant and engraved in my mind, posited by Kelly in one of his brilliant prefaces: "And when at last with tiny blasts on tinny trumpets we finally meet the enemy, not only will he be ours, he will be us."

— Jan Adkins

Not having grown up with Feiffer, I only saw his later work, and although it took me a while to warm up to it I appreciated the uniqueness of his skill and approach, even if I didn't necessarily share his politics.

Chesterton said a century ago that politicians were at a point where they were too caricaturish to be caricatured. Sound familiar? I think every generation starts with idealism and ends up in frustration. So it is not surprising when political cartoonists, who are often so much more idealistic, decide to exit the battle. But Feiffer will be one of the last ones of his kind - as newspaper markets shrink they don't want to alienate readers with unpopular opinions, so the editorial page cartoons are often gags which could have come from a Leno monologue.

Feiffer's new book, which is referred to in the interview, does indeed reflect a new and richer drawing style, and it looks great - almost like he's been reinvigorated.

— November 10, 2006 at 03:13 PM