Stan Mack
Encyclopedia
Stan Mack is an American cartoonist
best known for his series, "Stan Mack's Real Life Funnies", which ran in The Village Voice
for over 20 years. His Adweek
comic strip, "Stan Mack’s Outtakes," covered the New York media scene. An early comic strip was "Mule's Diner," which ran in the National Lampoon.
Mack was born in Brooklyn
but grew up in Providence, Rhode Island
, and is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design
. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed at the USMA at West Point, in the Department of Social Sciences.
Before turning to cartooning, Mack was the art director for Book Week at the New York Herald Tribune, and art director of the Book and Education Department and The New York Times Sunday Magazine at The New York Times.
"Real Life Funnies" was notable for its semi-documentary feel: all dialog was culled from Mack's observations, and reported as "100% Guaranteed Overheard". He said of it: "This job gave me an excuse to accost people, to be pushy and aggressive. ... I learned to take notes on my shirt cuffs and walk backward in crowds. But most of all I learned to listen to what ordinary people have to say."
With his late partner Janet Bode, he cowrote several young adult nonfiction books, including Heartbreak and Roses, Hard Time, and For Better, For Worse; he has also created children’s picture books, the best known being 10 Bears in My Bed. In 1998, Mack wrote and illustrated The Story of the Jews: A 4,000 Year Adventure, a humorous cartoon look at the history of the Jews
. In his 2004 book Janet & Me: An Illustrated Story of Love and Loss, he wrote about his eighteen-year relationship with Bode and her eventual death from cancer.
Mack's latest book, with Susan Champlin, is Road to Revolution, the first of a series of historical graphic novels for young people.
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
best known for his series, "Stan Mack's Real Life Funnies", which ran in The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
for over 20 years. His Adweek
Adweek
Adweek is a weekly American advertising trade publication that was first published in 1978....
comic strip, "Stan Mack’s Outtakes," covered the New York media scene. An early comic strip was "Mule's Diner," which ran in the National Lampoon.
Mack was born in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
but grew up in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, and is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed at the USMA at West Point, in the Department of Social Sciences.
Before turning to cartooning, Mack was the art director for Book Week at the New York Herald Tribune, and art director of the Book and Education Department and The New York Times Sunday Magazine at The New York Times.
"Real Life Funnies" was notable for its semi-documentary feel: all dialog was culled from Mack's observations, and reported as "100% Guaranteed Overheard". He said of it: "This job gave me an excuse to accost people, to be pushy and aggressive. ... I learned to take notes on my shirt cuffs and walk backward in crowds. But most of all I learned to listen to what ordinary people have to say."
With his late partner Janet Bode, he cowrote several young adult nonfiction books, including Heartbreak and Roses, Hard Time, and For Better, For Worse; he has also created children’s picture books, the best known being 10 Bears in My Bed. In 1998, Mack wrote and illustrated The Story of the Jews: A 4,000 Year Adventure, a humorous cartoon look at the history of the Jews
Jews
The Jews , also known as the Jewish people, are a nation and ethnoreligious group originating in the Israelites or Hebrews of the Ancient Near East. The Jewish ethnicity, nationality, and religion are strongly interrelated, as Judaism is the traditional faith of the Jewish nation...
. In his 2004 book Janet & Me: An Illustrated Story of Love and Loss, he wrote about his eighteen-year relationship with Bode and her eventual death from cancer.
Mack's latest book, with Susan Champlin, is Road to Revolution, the first of a series of historical graphic novels for young people.
Sources
- National Association of Art Directors, Art Direction (Advertising Trade Publications, 1967).
External links
- Stan Mack's official website, a TV special of the same name.