Yesterday the cartooning world lost a giant in the industry — syndicated cartoonist, playwright, author, Mell Lazarus. Mell started his syndicated cartooning career in 1957 with his strip Miss Peach, and later drew Momma, which still runs today. Mell was a great friend to all cartoonists, and Patrick last saw him two weeks ago an L.A. chapter meeting of the National Cartoonists Society. Today’s Washington Post has a tribute to Mell with a quote from Patrick, “Mell was always the coolest, smartest, funniest, kindest, classiest, most charming guy in the room. And he looked great in a tux. I admired him as a cartoonist, and even more so for his humanity. I will miss him madly.”
Patrick created a tribute to Mell and his Momma in the May 30, 2015, MUTTS strip pictured above.
The cartoonists will be gathering this weekend in Memphis for Cartoonists United for St. Jude. Mell’s presence will be sorely missed.
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