Tom Tomorrow Wins Herblock Prize!

[klook]

21. Great news!! I've followed his work for close to 30 years, starting with the "Processed World" days.

I discovered an issue of Processed World at a newsstand and, as a disgruntled office drone, was instantly absorbed. The articles and artwork were funny, subversive, fascinating, and sometimes poignant. There was even fiction and poetry, as well as a regular column called "Tales Of Toil." (One I remember in particular was written by somebody who worked in the returns department of the Del Monte fruit co. They'd get these opened cans mailed from unhappy customers to the home office in plastic bags, filled with rotting malodorous fruit. The poor slobs who handled these returns would send apologetic form letters to the customers, with coupons entitling them to discounts on future purchases, gagging as they handled and disposed of the damaged goods.)

Great news for those who haven't seen PW before -- the entire run is available online at the Internet Archive!

For example, in issue #16 (April 1986), there are several early Tom Tomorrow gems. Sometimes they're labeled as "This Modern World," and sometimes just untitled panels. The style is familiar -- corny enthusiastic workers, hilariously serious authority figures, plenty of references to improved medical technology to keep workers productive and docile -- all bitingly lampooned as only TT can. Well worth a look.

Here's his cover art for issues 17 (August 1986) and 22 (July 1988):


Over the years, I've been thrilled to see him move into the more overtly political arena, and am very happy he now has so many fans.

Hats off to Dan Perkins, a real American treasure!