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Hy Eisman – RIP

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D. D. Degg Updated: April 3, 2025 at 7:51 pm EDT 1 minute 11 comments

Comic strip and comic book cartoonistHy Eisman has passed away.

The Joe Kubert School, where Hy had been a teacher from 1976 to 2019,shared the sad news:

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of an incredibe artist, and a dear friend and instructor to many at the Joe Kubert School, Hy Eisman.

His artistry and mentorship has helped to shape generations of creators. Hy’s influence will continue to be felt by all who had the honor of learning from him and by fans who enjoyed his incredible work.

Hy Eisman started his lifelong career as a contributing cartoonist for Fort Pickett News (Fort Pickett [Virginia]) while in the U.S. Army during the last half of the 1940s. In 1950 he began drawing and writing for comic books. That phase of cartooning lasted forty years until 1991 and found him atACG, Archie, Charlton, Dell, Harvey, Western, and other comic book companies.

In 1953 Hy entered the newspaper comic strip realm with It Happened in New Jersey for the local Newark News. That was followed by 70 years of comic strips, mostly ghosting until The Katzenjammer Kids, until he retired in 2022.

It Happened in New Jersey 1953-1956

Kerry Drake 1957-1959

Bringing Up Father 1959-1961; 1964-1965

Mutt and Jeff 1963; 1965-1966

Little Iodine 1967-1983

The Katzenjammer Kids 1986-2006

Popeye 1994-2022

Then there was a number of comic strip proposals that didn’t get into newspapers.

_{Underdog andTennessee Tuxedo, two more unsuccessfully syndicated comic strips by Hy Eisman}

Of course Hy also wasin demand from commercial and advertising agencies amid all his comic work.

For much more on Hy go to thisHogan’s Alley magazine article form issue #15 (2009).

Then read abiographical article/interview with Hy from the Jewish Standard (2018).

AndEisman’s own website is a treasure trove of Hy lights.

Comments¹¹

1. Grant

   Not many can say they passed away on their 98th birthday.

   1. Håkan / Wakuran

      Passing generally comes with the lack of speech capacity.

      Impressive oeuvre, otherwise.

2. David Barsalou

   Hy Eisman was the last surviving artist ripped-off by Roy Lichtenstein.

3. Maher Younsi

   R.I.P , Hy Eisman .

4. Darryl Heine

   I wonder if the Underdog and Tennessee Tuxedo comic strips didn’t last long in some newspapers – Wish the Strippers Guide gave some spotlight on these as an OBSCURITY OF THE DAY entry

   1. D. D. Degg  (admin)

      As noted Underdog and Tennessee Tuxedo never made it into newspapers – they are not obscure, they are non-existent as published or syndicated comic strips.

5. Darryl Heine

   Off topic, has there recently been a rumor that Guy Gilchrist (former Nancy comic strip artist 1995-2018) may take over from Jim S. the Gasoline Alley comic strip before 2025 ends?

6. Joseph Nebus

   A shame to lose him; I hope he felt appreciated for his work.

   Something worth noting is that between The Katzenjammer Kids and Thimble Theater/Popeye, Hy Eisman was at the helm for two comic strips reaching their centennial. It’s plausible he’ll be the only person to ever do that.

7. Mark Marderosian

   Love his work. A cartoonist of the highest caliber. The posing and action lines were vibrant and dynamic. What an incredible career.

8. Fred Grandinetti

   When I told Hy Bluto never appeared in a Sunday page he put him in as Brutus’ twin brother. A very nice man and amazing talent.

9. Marc McKenzie

   Very saddened by the news of Hy’s passing, but also grateful to have met him and considered him a friend.

   At the party for his 90th birthday he gave me one of his LITTLE IODINE comics from the 1970s. It’s the perfect showcase of his skills.

   RIP, Hy.