Sondermann
Encyclopedia
Sondermann is a cartoon character of the painter and cartoonist Bernd Pfarr, which appeared, until August 1994, in a column of the same name by the writer Simone Borowiak and, from 1987 to August 2004, regularly in the satirical magazine Titanic
. Model for the name was Gerhard Sondermann, the first publisher of Titanic.
Sondermann is a creation of an illustrator, who, as Bernd Pfarr himself once said, wants "to drive reality out of the pictures" .
Sondermann's world is populated by strange creatures:
Early Sondermann episodes mostly limited themselves on the master-servant-relationship between Sondermann and his chef. Out of this basic conflict, grew only over time the pandemonium of the above listed characters. According to writer Robert Gernhardt
, the character very quickly developed a "life of its own" (German: "Eigenleben"), for which even the editorial staff of Titanic was not prepared.
in collaboration with the magazine Comixene, the Frankfurter Rundschau
, and Spiegel Online
since 2004.
Titanic (magazine)
Titanic is a German monthly satirical magazine based in Frankfurt. It has a circulation of approximately 100,000.- History :Titanic was founded in 1979 by former contributors and editors of Pardon, a satirical monthly, which the group had left after conflicts with its publisher...
. Model for the name was Gerhard Sondermann, the first publisher of Titanic.
Sondermann is a creation of an illustrator, who, as Bernd Pfarr himself once said, wants "to drive reality out of the pictures" .
The comic
The world of Sondermann is subject to its own, individual laws: "Negro scrubbing" (German: "Negerschrubben") is a traditional ritual in Sondermann's company, Sondermann and his chef subdue their hunger by "huddling softly together" (German: "sich weich aneinander schmiegen"), consuming a Schnitzel or taking out the trash are common yoga exercises, and Sondermann defeats God (German: "den lieben Gott") in Tennis.Sondermann's world is populated by strange creatures:
- a neighbor, Schulze, who often "comes to detonate" (German: "zum Sprengen kommt");
- God, as mentioned above;
- the blowdryer-armed super hero Supererpel, who is not actually that heroic;
- the brothers Strittmatter, also neighbors of Sondermann, who are penguins and "detonate saurians in their spare time" (German: "in ihrer Freizeit Saurier sprengen");
- the by Sondermann for inexplicable reasons unbeloved Mr. Sharp, "lord over seven flies" (German: "Herr über sieben Fliegen"), also a penguin and "newest stallion" (German: "neuester Stecher") of Sondermann's mother;
- Herr Detlev Siehlbeck, who always carries a dead fish with him and expects that one pets it;
- the small dog Willi, whose "freethinking remarks about the preparation of his food" (German: "freigeistige Ausführungen der Zubereitung seines Fresschens betreffend") impress the Weltgeist so much that they cause metaphysical levitationMetaphysical levitationLevitation in paranormal context is the claimed rising of a human body into the air by mystical means. It is generally believed that there is, at present, no compelling evidence to suggest that paranormal levitation is a real phenomenon...
in it; - and not least Sondermann himself: accountant, single and eager to learn, with a pronounced artistic side, while not insusceptible for erotic or homoerotic attractions.
Early Sondermann episodes mostly limited themselves on the master-servant-relationship between Sondermann and his chef. Out of this basic conflict, grew only over time the pandemonium of the above listed characters. According to writer Robert Gernhardt
Robert Gernhardt
Robert Gernhardt was a German writer, painter, caricaturist and poet.-Life:Robert Gernhardt studied Painting and German in Stuttgart and Berlin. He was one of the regular contributors to the satirical magazine Pardon, where he did the section Welt im Spiegel together with F. K. Waechter and F. W...
, the character very quickly developed a "life of its own" (German: "Eigenleben"), for which even the editorial staff of Titanic was not prepared.
Sondermann as a comic prize
Sondermann is also an audience prize for comics named after Bernd Pfarr's character, which includes no money and is being awarded by and on the Frankfurt Book FairFrankfurt Book Fair
The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world's largest trade fair for books, based on the number of publishing companies represented. As to the number of visitors, the Turin Book Fair attracts about as many visitors, viz. some 300,000....
in collaboration with the magazine Comixene, the Frankfurter Rundschau
Frankfurter Rundschau
The Frankfurter Rundschau is a German daily newspaper, based in Frankfurt am Main. It is published every day but Sunday as a city, two regional and one nationwide issues and offers an online edition as well as an e-paper...
, and Spiegel Online
Spiegel Online
Spiegel Online , the online version of German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel, is one the most visited news websites written in the German language.- Company :...
since 2004.
Recipients 2004
- International comic: Asterix and the Class ActAsterix and the Class ActAsterix and the Class Act is officially the thirty-second album of the Asterix comic book series, by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo , published in 2003. Unlike the other Asterix books it is a compilation of short stories, rather than one long story...
by Albert UderzoAlbert UderzoAlbert Uderzo is a French comic book artist, and scriptwriter. He is best known for his work on the Astérix series, but also drew other comics such as Oumpah-pah, also in collaboration with René Goscinny.-Early life:...
and René GoscinnyRené GoscinnyRené Goscinny was a French comics editor and writer, who is best known for the comic book Astérix, which he created with illustrator Albert Uderzo, and for his work on the comic series Lucky Luke with Morris and Iznogoud with Jean Tabary.-Early life:Goscinny was born in Paris in 1926, to a family... - Domestic comic: Nichtlustig 2 by Joscha Sauer
- International mangaMangaManga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
/manhwaManhwaManhwa is the general Korean term for comics and print cartoons . Outside of Korea, the term usually refers specifically to South Korean comics. The term, along with manga, is a cognate of the Chinese manhua...
: Angel SanctuaryAngel Sanctuaryis a shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Kaori Yuki. Originally serialized in Hana to Yume from February 1995 to February 2001, the chapters were collected and published in twenty tankōbon volumes by Hakusensha; the first volume was released in 1997 and the final volume was published in...
by Kaori YukiKaori Yukiis a female Japanese manga artist best known for her gothic manga such as Earl Cain, its sequel Godchild, and Angel Sanctuary. Yuki debuted in 1987 with which ran in the manga anthology Bessatsu Hana to Yume published by Hakusensha. Her work is typically serialized in one of Hakusensha's two shōjo... - Domestic manga: Without Identity by Sascha Schätzchen
- Newcomer 2004: Joscha Sauer (Nichtlustig 2)
Recipients 2005
- International comic: Onkel Dagobert by Don RosaDon RosaKeno Don Hugo Rosa, known simply as Don Rosa, is an American comic book writer and illustrator known for his stories about Scrooge McDuck, Donald Duck and other characters created by Carl Barks for Disney comics, such as The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck.-Early life:Don Rosa's grandfather,...
- Domestic comic: Die Chronik der Unsterblichen by Wolfgang HohlbeinWolfgang HohlbeinWolfgang Hohlbein is a German writer of science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction who lives near Neuss, North Rhine-Westphalia. His wife, Heike, is also a writer and often works with her husband. She often comes up with the story ideas and therefore is generally credited as co-author...
, Benjamin von Eckartsberg and Thomas von Kummant - International manga/manhwa: One PieceOne Pieceis a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
by Eiichiro OdaEiichiro Odais a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of One Piece.-Early life:As a child, Oda was inspired by Akira Toriyama's works and aspired to become a manga artist. He recalls that his interest in pirates was probably sparked by the popular TV animation series titled Vicky the Viking... - Domestic manga: Dystopia by Judith Park
- Cartoon: Shit happens! by Ralph Ruthe
- Newcomer 2005: Arne Bellstorf (Acht, neun, zehn)
- Bernd-Pfarr-special-prize for comical art: Rudi Hurzlmeier
Recipients 2006
- International comic: Sin CitySin CitySin City is the title for a series of neo-noir comics by Frank Miller. The first story originally appeared in "Dark Horse Presents Fifth Anniversary Special" , and continued in Dark Horse Presents #51–62 from May 1991 to June 1992, under the title of Sin City, serialized in thirteen parts. Several...
by Frank MillerFrank Miller (comics)Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300... - Domestic comic: Adolf – der Bonker by Walter MoersWalter MoersWalter Moers is one of the best-known and commercially most successful German comic creators and authors.-Life and work:...
- International manga/manhwa: Shinshi Doumei Cross by Arina TanemuraArina Tanemurais a Japanese manga artist who mainly does shōjo manga. Her debut work was a one-shot work titled , which was later reprinted in her anthology work Short-Tempered Melancholic. Tanemura gained fame with the 1997 publication of I.O.N, a high school romance with a supernatural twist...
- Domestic manga: Jibun-Jishin by Nina Werner
- Cartoon: Shit happens! by Ralph Ruthe
- Newcomer 2006: Moki (Asleep in a foreign place)
- Bernd-Pfarr-special-prize for comical art: Greser & Lenz
Recipients 2007
- International comic: Calvin & Hobbes by Bill WattersonBill WattersonWilliam Boyd Watterson II , known as Bill Watterson, is an American cartoonist and the author of the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes...
- Domestic comic: Cash – I see a darkness by Reinhard Kleist
- International manga/manhwa: Death NoteDeath Noteis a manga created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and manga artist Takeshi Obata. The main character is Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a supernatural notebook, the "Death Note", dropped on Earth by a god of death, or a shinigami, named Ryuk...
by Takeshi ObataTakeshi Obatais a Japanese manga artist. He works as the artist in collaboration with a writer. He has also mentored several manga artists, including Kentaro Yabuki of Black Cat fame, Nobuhiro Watsuki of Rurouni Kenshin and Busou Renkin, and Yusuke Murata of Eyeshield 21.He originally became noticed in 1985...
and Tsugumi Ōba - Domestic manga: Gothic Sports by Anike Hage
- Cartoon: Shit happens! by Ralph Ruthe
- Newcomer 2007: Dirk Schwieger
- Bernd-Pfarr-special-prize for comical art: Rattelschneck (Stulli, das Pausenbrot)
Recipients 2008
- International comic: Prinz Eisenherz by Hal Foster
- Domestic comic: Die Sache mit Sorge by Isabel Kreitz
- International manga/manhwa: Volume 44 of One PieceOne Pieceis a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
by Eiichiro OdaEiichiro Odais a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of One Piece.-Early life:As a child, Oda was inspired by Akira Toriyama's works and aspired to become a manga artist. He recalls that his interest in pirates was probably sparked by the popular TV animation series titled Vicky the Viking... - Domestic manga: Stupid Story 1 by Anna Hollmann
- Cartoon: Shit happens! by Ralph Ruthe
- Newcomer 2008: Barbara Yelin
- Bernd-Pfarr-special-prize for comical art: Stephan Rürup
Recipients 2009
- International comic: Der Dunkle Turm by Jae LeeJae LeeJae Lee is an American comic book artist best known for his work on Inhumans and The Sentry, both with Paul Jenkins.-Career:Lee first rose to prominence in the industry for his work on Marvel's Namor the Sub-Mariner, Inhumans , and The Sentry, as well as his creator-owned character Hellshock at...
et al. (illustration), Peter DavidPeter DavidPeter Allen David , often abbreviated PAD, is an American writer of comic books, novels, television, movies and video games...
and Robin FurthRobin FurthRobin Furth is the personal research assistant to Stephen King and the author of Stephen King's The Dark Tower: A Complete Concordance, which was published by Scribner on December 5, 2006...
(text), based on The Dark TowerThe Dark Tower (series)The Dark Tower is a series of books written by American author Stephen King, which incorporates themes from multiple genres, including fantasy, science fantasy, horror and western. It describes a "Gunslinger" and his quest toward a tower, the nature of which is both physical and metaphorical. King...
by Stephen KingStephen KingStephen Edwin King is an American author of contemporary horror, suspense, science fiction and fantasy fiction. His books have sold more than 350 million copies and have been adapted into a number of feature films, television movies and comic books... - Domestic comic: Prototyp by Ralf KönigRalf KönigRalf König is one of the best known and most commercially successful German comic book creators. His books have been translated into many languages...
- International manga/manhwa: Volume 48 of One PieceOne Pieceis a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997; the individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 64th volume released as...
by Eiichiro OdaEiichiro Odais a Japanese manga artist, best known as the creator of One Piece.-Early life:As a child, Oda was inspired by Akira Toriyama's works and aspired to become a manga artist. He recalls that his interest in pirates was probably sparked by the popular TV animation series titled Vicky the Viking... - Domestic manga: Stupid Story 2 by Anna Hollmann
- Cartoon: Nichtlustig 4 by Joscha Sauer
- Newcomer 2009: Michael Meier
- Bernd-Pfarr-special-prize for comical art: KamagurkaKamagurkaKamagurka, aka Luc Zeebroek, is a Belgian cartoonist, playwright and television producer, known for the absurd nature of his work. He has a big variety of comic figures, but "Bert en Bobje" are the most well-known...