Hy Eisman (March 27, 1927 - March 27, 2025) was an American cartoonist, who wrote and drew the Sunday strips of the Katzenjammer Kids and Popeye for several years.[1]
He has been in the comic strip field since 1950, working on such strips as Kerry Drake, Little Iodine and Bunny. In comic books, he was the last artist for Little Lulu before it was cancelled in 1984. He took over The Katzenjammer Kids in 1986, and the Popeye Sunday strip in 1994.
Eisman became a teacher at the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art in 1976. An extensive interview with Eisman on his career appeared in Hogan's Alley #15 (2007).
On December 28, 2008, Eisman was the first to introduce the character of Bluto to the Popeye Sunday page. Bluto then continued to appear as the twin brother of Brutus.
Eisman retired in 2022 at the age of 95, having done the Popeye Sundays for 28 consecutive years. He passed away on March 27, 2025, on his 98th birthday.
Awards[]
He won the 1983 National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Comic Book.