Amazingly, much of the best cartoon work was done early on…
“Amazingly, much of the best cartoon work was done early on in the medium's history. The early cartoonists, with no path before them, produced work of such sophistication, wit, and beauty that it increasingly seems to me that cartoon evolution is working backward. Comic strips are moving toward a primordial goo rather than away from it . . . Not only can comics be more than we're getting today. but the comics already have been more than we're getting today.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Early cartoonists created sophisticated, witty work, suggesting modern comics may be regressing toward simpler forms.
In simple terms: Old comics were deep; new ones can be shallow.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth and originality in modern comics.
Themes
art
history
media
creativity
Mood
analytical
nostalgic
Type
critical
historical
When to use this quote
- comic creation
- art criticism
- media studies
- creative writing
- animation
Key Concepts
sophistication
regression
innovation
medium evolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines artistic depth in comics?
- Can modern creators revive early sophistication?
A Different Perspective
Nostalgia can bias perception of current quality.