But there were still times when creator/writer/artist CARTOONIST TOM WILSON nailed it. He could be charming, poignant, and sincere. Ziggy did have a lot of love. I think that as our Nation got (or thought it was getting) cooler, hipper, edgier,and more mean spirited (all the while pretending that it was just sarcasm, wit, and "realness") we jettisoned the simple and gentle smile. I bet the only connection the 'young-uns' have with Ziggy was in the episode of Seinfeld where Elaine comes up with her cartoon idea for the New Yorker and mentions the little bald guy - - Z. Oh well.
Ziggy was a nice cartoon character; somebody you would have wanted for a friend. I always loved his little dog FUZZ as well. And though Mr. Wilson's son has been doing the panel for some years now, it is still sad to see TOM WILSON's passing.
For his wikipedia entry click: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Wilson_(cartoonist)
TOM WILSON- - Born: August 1, 1931 Died: September 16, 2011
Your creation lives on Mr. W... we will indeed "See you in the Funny Papers"
Good summary of Ziggy. Although not my favorite, I'm glad his son will ensure Ziggy continues.
ReplyDeleteWhat YOU SAID, Spoiler.... Ziggy to me was/is kind of like Marmaduke, Family Circus, Dennis the Menace, (maybe even the departed: Mr. Tweedy) those "old familiar friends"... the one-panel cartoon that might not have been (or still isn't) always laugh-out-loud funny... but just comforting that it's there in the newspaper...cept' now, there's no thing any more called a Daily Newspaper that people (kids) anxiously await to read... The FUNNY PAGES are going the way of the type-writer, wrist-watch, and phone-booth. Alas.
ReplyDeletePlease let me know if you will be joining us for this year's Countdown to Halloween. If so, please include a link to your blog so I can add it to the list of participants.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
John Rozum (universalrobots@aol.com)
Hello John,
ReplyDeleteYES...MOST ASSUREDLY... I will get right on that...It's slipped my mind...duh...
best,
r/e
He'll be missed. Any cartoonist who can slug it out with a daily strip for that long deserves my admiration. I heard Tom Jr. speak at Toonfest in Marceline about 6 years ago. He spoke very highly of his father.
ReplyDeleteYup! what you said Mike... and YOU...as my favorite cartoonist..ought to know!
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about Ziggy, the more I've got to admit, I liked a lot more of 'em than I thought. Corny, simple, but just decent...just good-natured old-fashioned smiles.
best,
r/e