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Camera-ready comic art drawing for Gordo

Object Details

Description (Brief)
This pen-and-ink drawing prepared for the Gordo newspaper comic strip shows Gordo’s nephew ruining the gifts Gordo is bringing his date by trying to explain them scientifically.
Gustavo "Gus" Arriola (1917-2008) was a Mexican American comic artist and animator. He was born in Arizona, and raised by his older sister in a Spanish-speaking home. His first jobs included preparing animation art for Screen Gems and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Arriola's strip, which debuted in 1941, promoted a better understanding of Mexican culture and environmental concerns. The strip was suspended during World War II until 1943, when Arriola began drawing again from his military station. He remained the sole artist and writer on the strip for its entire run.
Gordo (1941-1985) was a strip about a Mexican dirt farmer, drawn with stereotyped attributes. After complaints from his public about his style and message Arriola altered the character to offer a more realistic representation. The strip’s subject was presented as a continuous narrative with daily gags. In later years it included features about Aztec and Mexican history and culture, as well as political and environmental commentary.
Location
Currently not on view
Data Source
National Museum of American History
graphic artist
Arriola, Gus
publisher
United Feature Syndicate, Inc.
author
Lizer, Anna
date made
1966-08-21
Credit Line
Newspaper Comics Council, Inc., New York, NY
Physical Description
paper (overall material)
ink (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 42.5 cm x 61.1 cm; 16 3/4 in x 24 1/16 in
Object Name
drawing
Object Type
Drawings
Other Terms
drawing; Pen and Ink

Featured In

  • Comic Art
  • Comic Art:References
Comic art by Gus Arriola, Gordo (Copyright Universal Uclick)
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