Dave Berg (cartoonist): Difference between revisions

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Dave Berg (June 12, 1920 – May 17, 2002) was an American cartoonist best known for his five decades of contributions to Mad Magazine, where his feature The Lighter Side Of... became one of the publication's most enduring and popular series. Known for his realistic art style and gentle humor, Berg left a significant mark on American cartooning and humor.

Early Life

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Berg displayed artistic talent from an early age, attending Pratt Institute at just 12 years old. He later studied at Cooper Union before serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II.

In 1940, Berg began his professional career at Will Eisner's studio, contributing to the Quality Comics line. Over the next two decades, he worked for various publishers, including Dell Comics, Fawcett Publications, and Timely Comics (now Marvel Comics), where he collaborated with Stan Lee on titles such as Combat Kelly, The Ringo Kid, and Tessie the Typist. Berg also gained notoriety as a "good girl artist," contributing pinup-style gag cartoons to Humorama. His work during this period placed him alongside contemporaries like Bill Ward and Bill Wenzel.

Mad Magazine Career

Berg joined Mad Magazine in 1957, during Al Feldstein's tenure as editor. His early contributions focused on satirical takes on topics such as babysitting and baseball. In 1961, he launched The Lighter Side Of..., which became his signature feature. Each installment tackled an omnibus topic (e.g., "Noise," "Spectators," "Dog Owners") through short, multi-panel cartoons. In 1980, he transitioned to a multi-topic format, exploring diverse themes within each installment.

Style and Characters

Berg's art style stood out for its realism, and his characters often donned outdated wardrobes, creating a charming, nostalgic feel. He frequently caricatured himself as the hypochondriac Roger Kaputnik, who appeared alongside his family and other recurring characters. Berg also depicted his Mad colleagues, including William M. Gaines, Don Martin, and Al Jaffee, often lampooning office life.

Despite criticism of his lightweight gags and moralistic tone, The Lighter Side Of... became Mad's most popular feature for much of its run. Sixteen collections of the series were published as paperbacks between 1964 and 1987.

Other Work

Berg's talents extended beyond Mad. He contributed regularly to the Jewish children's magazine The Moshiach Times, creating religious-themed cartoons featuring the character Schlemiel, a bumbling figure used to illustrate Torah principles humorously. Berg also worked on comic strips such as Citizen Senior (1989–1993), Roger Kaputnik (1992), and Astronuts(1994).

Berg held an honorary doctorate in theology, which informed much of his later work. Despite his faith, his interactions with Mad's atheist publisher William M. Gaines were humorously irreverent; their banter, such as Berg's "God bless you" and Gaines' "Go to Hell," became legendary.

Legacy and Tributes

Berg contributed to Mad Magazine for 46 years, appearing in 368 issues. His final hand-drawn strip appeared in Mad#423, and his last written gags were illustrated posthumously by 18 Mad artists as a tribute. This send-off, published in Mad #427, featured the final contributions from Mad legends Jack Davis and George Woodbridge.

Between 2008 and 2017, Mad ran "The Darker Side of the Lighter Side", a feature where Berg's original art was paired with rewritten dialogue to create edgier humor.

Death

Dave Berg passed away at his home in Marina del Rey, California, on May 17, 2002, after a long battle with cancer. He was survived by his wife of 52 years, Vivian, and their two children, Mitch and Nancy.

Impact and Influence

Berg's work, particularly The Lighter Side Of..., is remembered for its unique combination of gentle humor, keen observation, and relatable themes. His influence extended to generations of readers and cartoonists, cementing his legacy as one of Mad Magazine's most iconic contributors.

Published works

Berg paperbacks
Year	Title	ISBN
1964	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at the U.S.A.	Template:ISBNT
1966	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at People	Template:ISBNT
1967	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at Things	Template:ISBNT
1969	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at Modern Thinking	Template:ISBNT
1971	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at Our Sick World	Template:ISBNT
1972	Mad's Dave Berg: My Friend God	Template:ISBNT
1973	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at Living	Template:ISBNT
1974	Mad's Dave Berg: Roger Kaputnik and God	Template:ISBNT
1975	Mad's Dave Berg Looks Around	Template:ISBNT
1977	Dave Berg: Mad Trash	Template:ISBNT
1977	Mad's Dave Berg Takes a Loving Look	Template:ISBNT
1979	Mad's Dave Berg Looks, Listens and Laughs	Template:ISBNT
1982	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at You	Template:ISBNT
1984	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at the Neighborhood	Template:ISBNT
1986	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at Our Planet	Template:ISBNT
1987	Mad's Dave Berg Looks at Today	Template:ISBNT

Berg hardcovers
Year	Title	ISBN
2013	Mad's Greatest Artists: Dave Berg: Five Decades of the Lighter Side of...	Template:ISBNT

External links

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-{{Short description|American cartoonist (1920–2002)}}
+'''Dave Berg''' (June 12, 1920 – May 17, 2002) was an American [[cartoonist]] best known for his five decades of contributions to ''[[Mad Magazine]]'', where his feature ''[[The Lighter Side Of...]]'' became one of the publication's most enduring and popular series. Known for his realistic art style and gentle humor, Berg left a significant mark on American cartooning and humor.
-{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
-{{Infobox artist
-| name          = Dave Berg
-| image         = Davebergself.jpg
-| image_size    = 250px
-| caption       = Self-portrait
-| birth_name    =
-| birth_date    = {{birth date|1920|6|12|}}<ref>"United States Social Security Death Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JTBK-FPG : accessed February 21, 2013), David Berg, May 17, 2002; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).</ref>
-| birth_place   = [[Brooklyn]], New York City
-| death_date    = {{death date and age|2002|5|17|1920|6|12}}
-| death_place   = [[Marina del Rey, California]], U.S.
-| nationality   = American
-| known_for     = [[Cartoonist]]
-| training      =
-| movement      =
-| notable_works = ''[[The Lighter Side of...]]''
-| patrons       =
-| awards        =
-| spouse        = Vivian (2 children)
-}}
-'''Dave Berg''' (June 12, 1920 in [[Brooklyn]] – May 17, 2002 in [[Marina del Rey, California]]) was an American [[cartoonist]], most noted for his five decades of work in ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' of which ''[[The Lighter Side of...]]'' was the most famous.
-==Early life==
+== Early Life ==
+Born in '''Brooklyn, New York''', Berg displayed artistic talent from an early age, attending '''Pratt Institute''' at just 12 years old. He later studied at '''Cooper Union''' before serving in the '''Army Air Forces''' during World War II.
-Berg showed early artistic talents, attending [[Pratt Institute]] when he was 12 years old, and later studying at [[Cooper Union]]. He served a period of time in the [[United States Army Air Forces|Army Air Forces]]. In 1940, he joined [[Will Eisner]]'s studio, where he wrote and drew for the [[Quality Comics]] line. Berg's work also appeared in [[Dell Comics]] and [[Fawcett Publications]], typically on humorous back-up features. Beginning in the mid-1940s, he worked for several years with [[Stan Lee]] on comic books at [[Timely Comics]] (now known as [[Marvel Comics]]), ranging from ''[[Combat Kelly]]'' and ''The [[Ringo Kid]]'' to ''Tessie the Typist''. He also freelanced for a half-dozen other companies, including [[EC Comics]]. Berg retains notoriety as a contributing “[[good girl art]]ist” during the 50s and 60s for such publications as editor Abe Goodman's ''[[Humorama]],'' rendering attractive women using pinup stylings generally in the form of one-panel humorous gags. Berg's body of contributions during this period rank him alongside recognized contemporaries such as [[Bill Ward (cartoonist)|Bill Ward]] and [[Bill Wenzel]]. Beginning in 1983, he worked for a Jewish children's magazine, ''The Moshiach Times''.<ref name=reuters>[http://slick.org/deathwatch/mailarchive/msg00759.html Whitcomb, Dan. "Mad Magazine Cartoonist Dave Berg, 81, Dies in L.A.", Reuters. May 24, 2002.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716192110/http://slick.org/deathwatch/mailarchive/msg00759.html |date=July 16, 2012 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.povonline.com/2002/News051602.htm Evanier, Mark. News from ME, May 17, 2002] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303014220/http://www.povonline.com/2002/News051602.htm |date=March 3, 2012 }}</ref>
+In 1940, Berg began his professional career at '''[[Will Eisner]]'s studio''', contributing to the Quality Comics line. Over the next two decades, he worked for various publishers, including '''[[Dell Comics]]''', '''Fawcett Publications''', and '''Timely Comics''' (now [[Marvel Comics]]), where he collaborated with '''Stan Lee''' on titles such as ''Combat Kelly'', ''The Ringo Kid'', and ''Tessie the Typist''. Berg also gained notoriety as a "good girl artist," contributing pinup-style gag cartoons to '''Humorama'''. His work during this period placed him alongside contemporaries like '''Bill Ward''' and '''[[Bill Wenzel]]'''.
-==''Mad''==
+== ''Mad Magazine'' Career ==
-Berg began at ''Mad'' in 1957, early in [[Al Feldstein]]'s term as editor. Berg had distinct facial features and was heavyset, so inducing Feldstein to write, ''Physically, Dave looks like he kept his nose to the grindstone a little too long, and the rest of his body in the steam room not long enough.''<ref>https://archive.org/details/madsdavebergloo00berg/page/n67/mode/2up MAD's Dave Berg looks at the U.S.A.,p.66.</ref>  For four years, he provided satirical looks at areas such as boating, babysitting, and baseball. In 1961, he started the magazine's [[The Lighter Side of...|"Lighter Side"]] feature, his most famous creation. Berg would take an omnibus topic (such as "Noise," "Spectators" or "Dog Owners") and deliver approximately 15 short multi-panel cartoons on the subject. Beginning in #218 (October 1980), he abandoned the thematic approach, and thereafter covered multiple topics in each article. Berg often included caricatures of his own family—headed by his cranky hypochondriac alter ego, Roger Kaputnik—as well as of the ''Mad'' editorial staff. Occasionally he drew fellow artists, including [[Don Martin (cartoonist)|Don Martin]] in #110 (April 1967) and [[Al Jaffee]] in #119 (June 1968).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mindsnackbooks.com/mad/mad_110.html|title = Mad #110}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.madmagazine.com/blog/2013/09/03/the-lighter-side-ofhobbies|title = The Lighter Side of...Hobbies|date = September 3, 2013}}</ref>
+Berg joined ''Mad Magazine'' in '''1957''', during '''Al Feldstein's''' tenure as editor. His early contributions focused on satirical takes on topics such as babysitting and baseball. In '''1961''', he launched ''The Lighter Side Of...'', which became his signature feature. Each installment tackled an omnibus topic (e.g., "Noise," "Spectators," "Dog Owners") through short, multi-panel cartoons. In '''1980''', he transitioned to a multi-topic format, exploring diverse themes within each installment.
-His artistic style made Berg one of the more realistic ''Mad'' artists, although his characters managed to sport garish early-1970s wardrobes well into the 1990s. The art chores for a 1993 article, "The First Day of School 30 Years Ago and Today", were split between Berg and [[Rick Tulka]], since Berg's old-fashioned appeal made him an ideal choice to depict the gentle nostalgia of 1963. The artist's lightweight gags and sometimes moralistic tone were roughly satirized by the ''[[National Lampoon (magazine)|National Lampoon]]'''s 1971 ''Mad'' parody, which included a hard-hatted conservative and a longhaired hippie finding their only common ground by choking and beating Berg. However, "The Lighter Side" had a long run as the magazine's most popular feature. ''Mad'' editor [[Nick Meglin]] often sketched layouts of "Lighter Side" panels. Sixteen original collections by Berg were published as paperbacks between 1964 and 1987.<ref name=reuters/>
+=== Style and Characters ===
+Berg's art style stood out for its realism, and his characters often donned outdated wardrobes, creating a charming, nostalgic feel. He frequently caricatured himself as the hypochondriac '''Roger Kaputnik''', who appeared alongside his family and other recurring characters. Berg also depicted his ''Mad'' colleagues, including '''[[William M. Gaines]]''', '''[[Don Martin (cartoonist)|Don Martin]]''', and '''[[Al Jaffee]]''', often lampooning office life.
-Berg held an honorary doctorate in theology. He produced regular religious-themed work for ''Moshiach Times'' and the [[B'nai Brith]] newsletter. His interaction with ''Mad'''s atheist publisher [[Bill Gaines]] was suitably irreverent: Berg would tell Gaines, "God bless you," and Gaines would reply, "Go to Hell."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moss |first=Charles |date=June 13, 2014 |title=At MAD Magazine, an Unlikely Rabbinic Figure |work=Tablet Magazine |url=https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/at-mad-magazine-an-unlikely-rabbinic-figure |access-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref>
+Despite criticism of his lightweight gags and moralistic tone, ''The Lighter Side Of...'' became ''Mad's'' most popular feature for much of its run. Sixteen collections of the series were published as paperbacks between '''1964''' and '''1987'''.
-Fellow ''Mad'' contributor [[Al Jaffee]] described Berg's unique personality in 2009: "Dave had a messianic complex of some sort. He was battling ... he had good and evil inside of him, clashing all the time. It was sad, in a sense, because he wanted to be taken very seriously, and you know, the staffers at ''Mad'' just didn't take anything seriously. Most of all, ourselves ... It came out in a lot of the things he did. He had a very moralistic personality ... He wrote a book called ''My Friend God''. And of course, if you write a book like that, you just know that the ''Mad'' staff is going to make fun of you. We would ask him questions like, "Dave, when did you and God become such good friends? Did you go to college together, or what?"<ref>Sacks, Mike, ''And Here's the Kicker'', Writer's Digest Books, 2009, p. 223</ref>
+== Other Work ==
+Berg's talents extended beyond ''Mad''. He contributed regularly to the '''Jewish children's magazine ''The Moshiach Times''''', creating religious-themed cartoons featuring the character '''Schlemiel''', a bumbling figure used to illustrate Torah principles humorously. Berg also worked on comic strips such as ''Citizen Senior'' (1989–1993), ''Roger Kaputnik'' (1992), and ''Astronuts''(1994).
-In this faith connection, Berg was additionally hired to contribute content to The Magazine For Jewish Children, The Moshiach Times, by Rabbi Dr. Dovid Sholom Pape. According to Pape: "He was a wonderful writer and humorist, and he had a great Jewish heart. I asked him to prepare a series of cartoons that would, in a humorous way, illustrate basic ideas in Torah. To do this, he invented a fat character called Schlemiel who would always misunderstand things, and then there would be a couple of boys who would correct him."<ref>{{cite web
+Berg held an honorary doctorate in theology, which informed much of his later work. Despite his faith, his interactions with ''Mad's'' atheist publisher '''William M. Gaines''' were humorously irreverent; their banter, such as Berg's "God bless you" and Gaines' "Go to Hell," became legendary.
- | last = Pape
- | first = Dovid Shalom
- | title = How Drawing Pictures Can Influence People
- | website = TheRebbe.org
- | publisher = Chabad.org
- | url = http://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/2643159/jewish/How-Drawing-Pictures-Can-Influence-People.htm
- | access-date = October 13, 2015 }}</ref> In 2002, Berg told an interviewer, "There was a psychiatrist who filed my ''Lighter Sides'' in categories. When a patient would tell him their troubles, he would pull out one of my sequences and say, 'See, it happens to everyone.'"<ref>The Mad Panic, issue 70, July 2002, pg 8</ref>
-His characters occasionally made their way into other artists' works, such as Kaputnik finding himself a patient in a [[Mort Drucker]] spoof of ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'', tagged "with apologies to Dave Berg".<ref>''Mad'' No. 281, September 1988.</ref>
+== Legacy and Tributes ==
+Berg contributed to ''Mad Magazine'' for '''46 years''', appearing in '''368 issues'''. His final hand-drawn strip appeared in ''Mad''#423, and his last written gags were illustrated posthumously by 18 ''Mad'' artists as a tribute. This send-off, published in ''Mad'' #427, featured the final contributions from ''Mad'' legends '''Jack Davis''' and '''George Woodbridge'''.
-Berg contributed to ''Mad'' for 46 years until his death, appearing in 368 issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://users.pfw.edu/slaubau/mad/madcontributor.htm|title=MAD Magazine Contributors}}</ref> His final hand-drawn strip appeared in Mad issue #423. His last set of "Lighter Side" strips, which had been written but not penciled, were illustrated after Berg's death by 18 of ''Mad'''s other artists as a final tribute; this affectionate send-off included the magazine's final new contributions from [[Jack Davis (cartoonist)|Jack Davis]] and [[George Woodbridge (illustrator)|George Woodbridge]]. This tribute appeared in Mad issue #427.
+Between 2008 and 2017, ''Mad'' ran '''"The Darker Side of the Lighter Side"''', a feature where Berg's original art was paired with rewritten dialogue to create edgier humor.
-Between 2008 and 2017, Berg's old ''Lighter Side'' gags were given rewritten word balloons with inappropriately "un-Berg-like" humor by longtime ''Mad'' writer [[Dick DeBartolo]] and other staffers, while the art was unchanged. The twelve installments of this irregular feature were called "The Darker Side of the Lighter Side."
+== Death ==
+Dave Berg passed away at his home in '''Marina del Rey, California''', on May 17, 2002, after a long battle with cancer. He was survived by his wife of 52 years, Vivian, and their two children, Mitch and Nancy.
-Berg's other work included the comic strips ''Citizen Senior'' (1989–93), ''Roger Kaputnik'' (1992) and ''Astronuts'' (1994).{{Citation needed|date=March 2023}}
+== Impact and Influence ==
+Berg's work, particularly ''The Lighter Side Of...'', is remembered for its unique combination of gentle humor, keen observation, and relatable themes. His influence extended to generations of readers and cartoonists, cementing his legacy as one of ''Mad Magazine's'' most iconic contributors.
-==Death==
-After a long battle with cancer, he died in his home in [[Marina del Rey, California]], shortly after midnight on May 17, 2002. Berg was survived by his wife of 52 years, Vivian, and their two children, Mitch and Nancy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-may-24-me-berg24-story.html|title=Dave Berg, 81; Writer, Artist for Mad Magazine|website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 24, 2002}}</ref>
 ==Published works==
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-==References==
-{{Reflist}}
 == External links ==
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 * [http://lambiek.net/artists/b/berg_david.htm Lambiek: Dave Berg]
 *[https://osucartoons.pastperfectonline.com/vocabulary?keyword=Berg%2C+Dave%2C+1920-2002&letter=B&searchtype=creator&showsearch=true Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum Art Database]
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-{{Mad magazine}}
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 {{DEFAULTSORT:Berg, Dave}}