Comic fans around the globe are grieving the loss of the legendary cartoonist Hy Eisman. His incredible contributions to comic strips like Popeye and The Katzenjammer Kids transformed the world of comics. Over his long career, he made a huge impact on the comic industry with his creative artwork and distinctive storytelling style.
The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art shared the heartbreaking news of his passing. Eisman taught at the school from 1976 until 2019. In a post on the school’s official social media, they announced that he died on March 27, which is especially poignant because it was also the day he would have turned 98 years old.
Remembering Hy EIsman and the legacy he created
In a Facebook post about Eisman’s passing, the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art shared that he was a well-known artist, a cherished teacher, and a close friend to many in the school community.
The post honored his skills and commitment to guiding young creators, which helped shape many generations of artists. The school highlighted that Eisman’s legacy will always be remembered, especially through the many students and fans who were inspired by his incredible work.
POPEYE, Animated Series (Cartoon), 1956-
Hy Eisman’s journey to becoming a legendary cartoonist
Eisman always dreamed of becoming a cartoonist. His love for drawing started when he saw a Fleischer Studio animator, who was his aunt’s tenant, create amazing art with just a pencil. After finishing his studies at the Art Career School in 1950, he kicked off his artistic journey by designing fonts and packaging, as well as making cartoons for a greeting card company.
During the 1950s and 1960s, Eisman created artwork for several titles published by the American Comic Group, including It Happened in New Jersey!, Kerry Drake, and Bringing Up Father. However, he became more well-known for his later work on comics like Little Iodine and Katzenjammer Kids, where he was the last artist from 1986 to 2006. His most notable project was Popeye, which he illustrated from 1994 until 2022.