Hy Eisman: A Legacy in Ink, A Life in Laughter
Hy Eisman, a prolific and influential American cartoonist whose career spanned more than seven decades, died March 27, 2025, on his 98th birthday. According to his family, he used his silver pen until the end. Eisman was an extraordinary talent and our dear friend and treasured colleague. His impact on the comic arts and his nurturing spirit will forever inspire future generations of artists and readers alike.
Colleagues recall with fondness Hy’s humility and kindness, his willingness to mentor young artists, and his unending enthusiasm for storytelling. His studio was often filled with sketches, jokes, and a sense of camaraderie that endeared him to everyone fortunate enough to work alongside him.
But Hy Eisman’s legacy at King Features extends beyond his incredible body of work—it lies equally in the memories of his generosity, patience, and genuine care for his craft and colleagues.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Hy’s family, friends, and countless fans. We at King Features Syndicate celebrate his extraordinary life and are grateful for the joy and humor he so generously shared with us all.
Career Highlights
- Popeye and The Katzenjammer Kids: Eisman is best known for his work on two of the longest-running and most iconic comic strips: Popeye and The Katzenjammer Kids. He began drawing Popeye Sunday strips in 1994 and continued until 2022, making him one of the longest-serving artists on that property. He was the last cartoonist to work on The Katzenjammer Kids, drawing it from 1986 until its conclusion in 2006.
- Comic Book Work: Earlier in his career, he worked for various comic book publishers, including Marvel (then Timely) and DC Comics, as well as for companies like Dell and Gold Key. He worked on an array of titles, among them Nancy, The Munsters, and Little Lulu, showcasing his versatility across humor and licensed comics.
- Teaching: Eisman was also a beloved instructor at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in New Jersey, where he mentored generations of young cartoonists. Through this role, his impact on the industry extended well beyond his own work.
Awards and Recognition - National Cartoonists Society (NCS): Eisman received several honors from the NCS, including the 2018 Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to cartooning.
- Inkpot Award: He also received an Inkpot Award from San Diego Comic-Con, further acknowledging his influence on the medium.
Legacy
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Hy Eisman’s legacy is rooted in both preservation and evolution. He preserved the voices of early American comics like Popeye and The Katzenjammer Kids, breathing new life into classic characters while respecting their history. At the same time, he nurtured new talent, ensuring the craft of cartooning would thrive beyond his era. His longevity in the industry and his deep understanding of its traditions made him a living link between the golden age of comics and the modern era. Even in his later years, Eisman was known for his kindness, professionalism, and dedication to storytelling. His work continues to influence cartoonists, educators, and comics enthusiasts alike.
Here’s the timeline of Hy Eisman’s life and career:
- 1927: Born in Paterson, New Jersey.
- 1955: Began working on comic books, including titles like Nancy and The Munsters.
- 1962: He started working on Little Lulu and began his association with King Features Syndicate.
- 1965: Took over the Little Iodine comic strip, created initially by Jimmy Hatlo.
- 1975: Received the NCS Award for Best Comic Book Cartoonist for the 1st time
- 1976: Began instructing at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art.
- 1986: Became the cartoonist for The Katzenjammer Kids, the longest-running comic strip in history.
- 1994: Took over the Sunday Popeye comic strip, continuing the legacy of the iconic sailor.
- 1994: Received the NCS Award for Best Comic Book Cartoonist for the 2nd time
- 2006: The Katzenjammer Kids was retired; Eisman was the final cartoonist to work on the strip.
- 2012: Received the Inkpot Award at San Diego Comic-Con for his contributions to the field of comics.
- 2018: Honored with the Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cartoonists Society.
- 2022: Concluded his work on the Sunday Popeye strip, capping nearly 30 years on the title.
- 2025: Passed away at the age of 98, leaving a legacy as a master cartoonist, teacher, and steward of classic comic characters.
The Wisdom of Hy
On his early inspiration from comic strips:
“When I first saw comic strips in the newspaper, I was hooked. I read Dick Tracy when I was 5. Since I was unable to actually read at the time, I would make up my own words because Gould was such a good visual storyteller.”
On the importance of passion in pursuing a career in comics:
“There was nothing else that I could really do. I had no other real plans. That is what I tell my students—you must have a fire in your belly.”
https://www.hoganmag.com/blog/getting-hy-on-comics-a-profile-of-hy-eisman
On his traditional approach to creating comics:
“I’m the only one at the school, including the janitor, who doesn’t know what to do on a computer.”
On having a Plan B:
“They kept telling me, you have to have the plan B. It’s not gonna work; you gotta have a plan B. And so years later, I came up with a plan B, which was: make sure the plan A works.”
https://www.yiddishbookcenter.org/collections/oral-histories/interviews/woh-fi-0001402/hy-eisman-2021
