Playboy cartoonist, political satirist, screenwriter and children’s book author – this is the amazing art of Jules Feiffer.
While his art style might not have been immediately attractive to me, i’m glad to have read Out of Line: The Art of Jules Feiffer, because it’s introduced me to an artist and writer that I found extremely easy to admire. You quickly realise that his deceptively simple line-work adds an accessible and comic quality to what is often serious political satire, social commentary and controversial (for the time) opinion.
Introduced by the late film director Mike Nichols (with whom he collaborated on several theatre productions) and with text by Martha Fay, this particularly enjoyable book tells of Feiffer’s rise to stardom, starting as an apprentice for the godfather of comics Will Eisner, progressing to regular contributor to The Village Voice, to writer of screenplays, Playboy cartoonist and children’s book author.
Feiffer’s reflections on his 70 year career are refreshingly frank and unpretentious, as are the familiar insecurities regarding his work. Martha Fay has delivered a book that offers a genuine sense of the New York publishing scene during the 50s, 60s and 70s, plus Feiffer’s progression to becoming a renowned satirist and public figure.
It’s fitting tribute and perfect introduction to the work of a genuinely smart and witty illustrator/writer, which I highly recommend.