7. The ‘Playboy’ Cartoonists
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Shel Silverstein
The first artist I’ll be speaking about is Shel Silverstein. I work in a daycare and I am constantly brainwashing the kids on Silverstein, one way or another. I love the wonderful paradox of Silverstein, artist of ‘Playboy’, man about town and Uncle Shel, beloved children’s book author. Not to mention the music he’s made for other people. Ever hear of a “A Boy Named Sue”? Shel. Or “Cover of the Rolling Stone”? Yep, Shel too. Though my personal faves are “I’m Being Eaten by a Boa Constrictor.” and “The Unicorn.”
Now his ‘Playboy’ cartoons are a whole different ball of wax. Hef just gave him money, to go where he wanted and to do cute, clever, cartoons about it. (Cartoons in this case means, one panel gag comics, as oppose to animations.) Talk about the perfect life. Shel’s cartoons really epitomized the free wheeling 60’s. Or at least what I’d imagined it to be.
His line goes with the flow and is not rigid in the least. His people are natural and normal. Check out Shel’s ever present hunch. But his humour is what I always loved best. All the Silverstein cartoons here are from an awesome book called “Playboy’s Silverstein Around the World.” Definitely a must for any adult comic fan.
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