R. Kikuo Johnson and Dash Shaw: On Rea Irvin’s 'The Smythes' – Zoom event

In this unique talk, co-editors R. Kikuo Johnson and Dash Shaw will discuss their new collection of The Smythes, an unsung masterpiece of cartooning by Rea Irvin, out from New York Review Comics.

Rea Irvin was The New Yorker’s first art editor and creator of the magazine’s iconic mascot, the butterfly enthusiast Eustace Tilly. In 1930, he ventured into new territory with the comic strip The Smythes. The Smythes—comprised of John, Margie, and their two forgettable children, Willie and Maudie—are a nice-ish family, restless in their social stature, and eager to climb a sometimes wobbly social ladder (a ladder made even wobblier by the Great Depression). Irvin’s distinct, graceful line renders the Smythes in all their glory and hilarity as they navigate ill-fated dinner parties with pompous socialites, fend off robbers dressed as Santa, and get chased out of restaurants by cleaver-wielding chefs.

This event is free and open to the public. Attendance via Zoom only. Please email comicssymposium@gmail.com to register.