As is evident in these selections, the British cartoonist Henry Mayo Bateman (1887-1970) was a major influence on Harvey Kurtzman. Bateman was most famous for his "The Man Who..." series, such as "The Man Who Lit Up at the Snooker Table" (below) and "The Boy Who Breathed on the Glass at the British Museum." The cover of Bad Language (1992) reprinted Bateman's watercolor "The Man Who Asked for a Double Scotch in the Grand Pump Room at Bath" (1931).
I had never realized the connection between Bateman and Kurtzman before. Thanks! Just discovering the treasure chest that is your blog. I put a link to it in my "Woozy Links" section on my relatively new blog, Cole's Comics (a study of Jack Cole's work). I'll be spending a lot of time reading your blog.... amazing articles. The cultural connections are spot-on, and delightful. Thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeletePaul:
ReplyDeleteCole's Comics looks swell and snappy. I've added it to the links at right.
Ah, Bateman! I recall that Kurtzman published Bateman in one of the post-MAD magazines. Very difficult to find Bateman -- the NYPL has some of the books. I had hoped that Dover would someday bring out a book of reprints.
ReplyDeleteAnyone wanting to find out more about Bateman should check out the Cartoon Museum, London's upcoming exhibition - 'H. M. Bateman: The Man Who Went Mad on Paper' - opens 11 April 2012. If you can't get to it there is a catalogue - you will be able to order it online. There will also be a book of his strips called 'Mimodrames'. These will be the only books on Bateman in print.
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