Mark Bryant. Profession: cartoon historian.

Yes they exist: cartoon historians. Thanks to their work and research we are able to consult reference works about cartoons and we can look at history in a different context: looking at history through cartoons and caricature.
A few weeks ago I bought another excellent book by Mark Bryant: World War II in Cartoons. And some other books of him are on my wish list. I'll mail to Santa Claus asking him if he wants to bring me some of the books in the list below.

Dr Mark Bryant was bom in Dorset, is a philosophy graduate of London University and has a PhD in history from the University of Kent. After more than a decade in literary and academic book publishing he turned freelance in 1987, working as an editor, writer, journalist. lecturer and exhibition curator. Honorary Secretary of the British Cartoonists Association for nine years, he is a former director of the London Press Club (of which he was Secretary for eight years). He has organised cartoon exhibitions, given lectures on the history of cartoons and served on the jury of international cartoon competitions in the UK, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Nepal, Poland, Slovakia, Turkey, Yugoslavia and elsewhere and is the author of several books. He has also edited/compiled more than 30 short-story and cartoon collections (amongst other books), including MAC’s Year (since 1990), 25 Years of MAC,The Complete Colonel Blimp, Vicky’s Supermac, H. M. Bateman, Nicolas Bentley and The Comic Cruikshank. He lives in London.

Mark was so kind to send me his (impressive) bibliography. In futere articles on this blog, I hope to present some of this books in detail.

Wars of Empire in Cartoons by Mark Bryant. The story of the wars of the British Empire told in cartoons published at the time, using drawings from both sides. . ‘A splendid book…a feast of informative and enjoyable material’ (Military Historical Society)
160pp, 300 colour and B&W cartoons, 230 x 320mm, £16.99 HB

Napoleonic Wars in Cartoons by Mark Bryant. The story of the Napoleonic Wars told in cartoons published at the time, using drawings from both sides160pp, 300 colour and B&W cartoons, 230 x 320mm, £18.99 HB

World War I in Cartoons by Mark Bryant. The story of the First World War told in cartoons published at the time, using drawings form both sides. 'Wonderful' (Times Educational Supplement). 160pp, 300 colour and B&W cartoons, 230 x 320mm, £16.99 HB

World War II in Cartoons by Mark Bryant. The story of the Second World War told in cartoons published at the time, from both the Allied and Axis points of view. 'Magnificent' (Steve Bell). 160pp, 300 colour and B&W cartoons, 230 x 320mm, £16.99 HB
The World War II in Cartoons book has now been translated into French and Spanish and published by Hugo & Cie (France) and Editorial Libsa (Spain). The French edition of the WW1 book should also be out soon.

Dictionary of British Cartoonists & Caricaturists 1730-1980 by Mark Bryant & Simon Heneage. Biographical dictionary detailing life and work of over 500 artists from Hogarth to Matt. ‘Wonderful’ (George Melly), ‘Erudite, comprehensive and elegantly witty’ (Rt Hon. Lord Baker of Dorking), ‘ A splendid guide by two experts on the subject’ (Rt Hon. Michael Foot). 272pp, 150 B&W cartoons, 148 x 210mm, £50.00 HB



Dictionary of 20th-Century British Cartoonists & Caricaturists by Mark Bryant. Biographical dictionary detailing life and work of c.500 artists. 'An excellent and much-needed book...an indispensable book for all those interested in cartoon art and graphic illustration' (Rt Hon. Lord Baker of Dorking). 272pp, 100 B&W cartoons, 162 x 240mm, £50.00 HB


Illingworth’s War in Cartoons: One Hundred of his Greatest Drawings from the Daily Mail, 1939-45 (Foreword by Lord Baker). Classic Daily Mail cartoons of the Second World War. 148pp, more than 100 B&W cartoons, 252 x 190mm, !4.99 HB

God in Cartoons by Mark Bryant. A fascinating pictorial survey of Christianity in all its aspects that was one of the Methodist Recorder's 'Books for Christmas'. 'This is not just an anthology: it is an excellent primer on the Church's issues from Genesis to Revelations, presented in a most refreshing modern accessible format...This book is so comprehensive and informative that it could almost be regarded as a non-alphabetical starter Christian dictionary...A truly distinguished book' (European Christian Bookstore Journal). 128pp, 150 B&W cartoons, 155 x 234mm, £6.99 PB



Learn more:
Cartoonbooks.co.uk
World War I in cartoons