Perfect Nonsense: Chaotic Comics and Goofy Games of George Carlson by: George Carlson, Daniel F. Yezbick
Hardcover. Seattle, Fantagraphics Books, 1st, 2014, Book: Very Good, Dust Jacket: None, Hardcover in pictorial covers with a die-cut hole for title. 316 pages in color and b&w. Perfect Nonsense tells the complete story behind one of the most innovative and under-rated Golden Age artists, classic children's illustrators, and nonsense poets in American history. For more than 50 years, George Carlson created thousands of distinctive and dynamic cartoons, comics, riddles, and games that thrilled both children and adults with their fanciful spirit and nonsensical humor. Perfect Nonsense focuses on Carlson's prolific work as a gag cartoonist, children's illustrator, commercial designer, and art instructor from 1907 to just before World War II. Decades before his celebrated Jingle Jangle Comics, Carlson forever altered the nature of children's publishing during his tenure as chief artist and designer for the pioneering children's pulp, John Martins Book. Carlson turned the magazine itself into a toy, filled with seasonal games, holiday cut-outs, curious crosswords, graphic exercises, puzzles, riddles, rebuses, and more. Clean copy.