AMAZON

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

In Memory of Doug Marlette


Doug Marlette, cartoonist and humorist, died today in a car accident in Mississippi. He was 57 years old. I think that most people know Marlette as an author and playwright and Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist for the Tulsa World, the Observer, the Tallahassee Democrat, New York Newsday and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. His cartoons often had a religious or theological orientation:

I will remember him best as creator of the comic strip, Kudzu, especially the preacher in it, Rev. Will B. Dunn:

I have laughed at the Rev. Dunn and the other Kudzu characters since I first encountered them while in seminary more than twenty years ago. I have used them as examples in sermons I’ve preached and classes I’ve taught. And I have learned from Marlette’s comic strip.

One Kudzu comic from which I truly learned featured the Rev. Will B. Dunn standing in his pulpit and praying to God for a “sign.” Suddenly there is a puff of smoke and beside Rev. Dunn is a traffic sign that reads “No Parking.” And Dunn responds, “That isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

I shall miss Doug Marlette, his editorial cartoons, the writings, and the comic strip, Kudzu. The world has lost an important philosopher and observer of the human condition.

Thank you, Doug. May you rest in peace.

13 comments:

  1. Sudden deaths are so unfair in the sense that there is no time to prepare the family. 'Tis sad...

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  2. I hadn't read that yet, Nick. Thank you for letting us know.

    Hugs,
    Laurie

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  3. I remember the Kudzu comic you described. I thought it had some nuances that perhaps only pastors can understand.

    I was not aware that Marlette had a Pulitzer Prize for his editorial cartooning. Sometimes I find it strange and a bit disheartening that I learn how accomplished and fascinating someone like Marlette was only when I read his death notice.

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  4. ` Man, I hate to be less cheery when I'm in a good mood. Darn you Marlette for dying!

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  5. How sad...a man who made people laugh without being crude going so soon.

    I love jokes about religion because I believe we are meant to laugh...and I love being with people who make me laugh.

    Rest in peace, Doug Marlette.

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  6. How sad...a man who made people laugh without being crude going so soon.

    I love jokes about religion because I believe we are meant to laugh...and I love being with people who make me laugh.

    Rest in peace, Doug Marlette.

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  7. Hi Nick ~~ Sorry to hear of the death of a humourist who brightened peoples
    lives. And too young and so sudden.
    Thank you Nick for your comments.
    The Wings story was anice one - such a brave bird. Glad you enjoyed it and the pics.
    Take care, Best Wishes, Merle.

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  8. He was brilliant! I didn't know he'd passed on. I'm really sorry to hear this.

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  9. i've never read the kudzu comic but from the strip you described, it sounds like something i would have enjoyed..shall look them up..

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  10. The world just got a little bit dimmer without Doug, but at least he's left us his excellent Kudzu comics and his work will live on. I've always enjoyed reading those and am sad to see his life cut short so soon. Thanks for the post otherwise I'd not have heard.

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  11. i'm a rabid and devoted fan of his editorial cartoons, and i followed kudzu off and on, but i didn't know about the books until i read his obituary. i'm adding them to the list of books i have yet to read.

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