Sunday, May 30, 2010

Funny Money: First Cartoon Sale To A Major Magazine

This was the first cartoon I sold to a major magazine under my pen name, "SWISS." In those days, the National Enquirer used seven or more gag toons (total) in each weekly issue by a variety of cartoonists and paid $300 apiece. There was lots of competition for those coveted spots.
A few weeks later, an attorney from Apple's ad agency called to purchase advertising rights to the funny drawing for another $500. Needless to say, I was overjoyed. You can tell how long ago this took place just by looking at the computer. When was the last time you saw a "puter" looking that clunky? It was April, 1983.
History buffs will have to forgive me for depicting a long blow instead of the crossbow which William Tell actually used (that is, if you buy into the legend, at all). And sticklers for perspective might wonder why the bow string is on the OTHER side of Tell's nose. Hahaha. Hey, I could barely hold a pen in those days, much less worry about perspective!
(The cartoon shown here is copyrighted by the artist...that would be me...and by the National Enquirer, and its unauthorized use is prohibited.)

2 comments:

  1. That was a lot of money back then.

    Marie

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    Replies
    1. Hi Maria! Am I actually 3 1/2 year late in responding? Yes, those were definitely nice paychecks back in '83...especially the for the reprint which required no extra work.

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