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'''David Wiley Miller''' (born April 15, 1951) is an American [[cartoonist]] best known for creating the popular syndicated comic strip ''Non Sequitur'', characterized by its wry wit and social satire. Miller, who signs his work simply as ''Wiley'', is notable for being the only cartoonist to win the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) divisional awards in both the comic strip and comic panel categories. | |||
[[ | |||
== Early Life and Education == | |||
David Wiley Miller was born on '''April 15, 1951''', in '''Burbank, California'''. He studied art at '''Virginia Commonwealth University''' and later worked for several '''educational film studios''' in Hollywood before transitioning to newspaper illustration and editorial cartooning. | |||
== | == Career == | ||
=='' | === Early Work === | ||
Miller began his professional career as an '''[[editorial cartoonist]]''' and staff artist in '''1976''' at the ''Greensboro News & Record'' in North Carolina. By '''1978''', he had moved to the ''Santa Rosa Press Democrat'' in California, where he continued working in editorial cartooning. His first syndicated comic strip, ''Fenton'', was launched in '''1982''' but was short-lived.<ref>Bouchard, Stephanie. "Cartoonist finds Maine a creative turn-on." ''Maine Sunday Telegram'' (Portland, Maine) February 20, 2005, page G1.</ref> | |||
In 1991, | === ''Non Sequitur'' (1991 – Present) === | ||
In '''1991''', Miller launched ''Non Sequitur'', a comic strip known for its blend of '''[[political satire]]''', '''absurd humor''', and '''[[social commentary]]'''. The strip quickly gained widespread acclaim and was eventually syndicated to over '''700 newspapers''' globally. ''Non Sequitur''<nowiki/>'s style evolved over time, shifting from one-off panels with political undertones to a more traditional comic format with recurring characters, such as Danae, Lucy, and Captain Eddie. | |||
'''Innovations in Comic Strip Format:''' | |||
* In '''1994''', Miller pioneered the use of '''process color''' in comic strips. | |||
* In '''1995''', he developed a '''dual format''' that allowed a single cartoon to be used both as a panel and a strip, giving editors more flexibility. | |||
== | === 2019 Controversy === | ||
In '''February 2019''', ''Non Sequitur'' was dropped by several major newspapers, including ''The Boston Globe'', ''Chicago Tribune'', and ''Los Angeles Times'', after a '''hidden profane message''' directed at President '''Donald Trump''' appeared in the February 10 edition. Miller claimed the message was an accidental oversight, but a since-deleted tweet suggested he had knowingly left the message as an “Easter egg.” Andrews McMeel Syndication later issued an apology for failing to catch the profanity during the editorial process. | |||
== Artistic Style and Influence == | |||
Miller’s artistic style combines '''minimalist line work''' with sharp, often '''philosophical''' humor. His work frequently critiques '''politics''', '''cultural trends''', and '''societal norms''' while maintaining a focus on human nature and everyday life. The Maine setting in some of his strips, including characters like '''Offshore Flo''', was inspired by his time living in the state. | |||
== Awards and Recognition == | |||
Miller’s work has received significant acclaim throughout his career, including: | |||
* '''1988''': California Newspaper Publishers Association – Best Editorial Cartoonist | |||
* '''1991''': '''Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award''' for Editorial Cartooning | |||
* '''1992''': '''National Cartoonists Society Newspaper Comic Strip Award''' | |||
* '''1995, 1996, 1998''': '''NCS Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award''' | |||
* '''2013''': '''Reuben Award''' for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year | |||
''Non Sequitur'' remains the only cartoon to win both the '''Comic Strip''' and '''Comic Panel''' categories from the National Cartoonists Society. | |||
== Bibliography == | |||
Miller has authored several collections of his ''Non Sequitur'' works and other humorous books, including: | |||
* ''Dead Lawyers and Other Pleasant Thoughts'' (1993) | |||
* ''The Non Sequitur Survival Guide for the Nineties'' (1995) | |||
* ''Non Sequitur’s Beastly Things'' (1999) | |||
* ''The Legal Lampoon'' (2002) | |||
* ''Why We’ll Never Understand Each Other'' (2003) | |||
* ''Lucy and Danae: Something Silly This Way Comes'' (2005) | |||
* ''Homer, the Reluctant Soul'' (2005) | |||
* ''Extraordinary Adventures Of Ordinary Basil'' (2006) | |||
'' | == Personal Life == | ||
In '''2004''', Miller and his wife, '''Victoria Coviello''', moved from '''Santa Barbara, California''' to '''Kennebunkport, Maine''' before later relocating to '''Palmetto, Georgia'''. Miller has often spoken about how '''New England’s climate and culture''' inspired characters and settings in his comic strip. | |||
== Legacy and Impact == | |||
David Wiley Miller has made a lasting mark in the world of editorial and comic strip art. His blend of '''social commentary''', '''political satire''', and '''innovative artistic techniques''' has influenced the medium and set new standards for creative flexibility in newspaper comics. His work continues to engage readers through both humor and thoughtful reflection on contemporary issues. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Wiley}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Miller, Wiley}} | ||
[[Category:1951 births]] | [[Category:1951 births]] | ||
| Line 62: | Line 64: | ||
[[Category:Virginia Commonwealth University alumni]] | [[Category:Virginia Commonwealth University alumni]] | ||
[[Category:San Francisco Examiner people]] | [[Category:San Francisco Examiner people]] | ||
<references /> | |||
==External links== | |||
*[http://lambiek.net/artists/w/wiley.htm Wiley biography] on Lambiek Comiclopedia | |||
*[http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/bio.phtml Wiley Miller bio] on GoComics | |||
*[http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=499 Wiley Miller, February 2007 interview] Universal Press Syndicate | |||
Latest revision as of 22:09, 3 January 2025
David Wiley Miller (born April 15, 1951) is an American cartoonist best known for creating the popular syndicated comic strip Non Sequitur, characterized by its wry wit and social satire. Miller, who signs his work simply as Wiley, is notable for being the only cartoonist to win the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) divisional awards in both the comic strip and comic panel categories.
Early Life and Education
David Wiley Miller was born on April 15, 1951, in Burbank, California. He studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University and later worked for several educational film studios in Hollywood before transitioning to newspaper illustration and editorial cartooning.
Career
Early Work
Miller began his professional career as an editorial cartoonist and staff artist in 1976 at the Greensboro News & Record in North Carolina. By 1978, he had moved to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat in California, where he continued working in editorial cartooning. His first syndicated comic strip, Fenton, was launched in 1982 but was short-lived.[1]
Non Sequitur (1991 – Present)
In 1991, Miller launched Non Sequitur, a comic strip known for its blend of political satire, absurd humor, and social commentary. The strip quickly gained widespread acclaim and was eventually syndicated to over 700 newspapers globally. Non Sequitur's style evolved over time, shifting from one-off panels with political undertones to a more traditional comic format with recurring characters, such as Danae, Lucy, and Captain Eddie.
Innovations in Comic Strip Format:
- In 1994, Miller pioneered the use of process color in comic strips.
- In 1995, he developed a dual format that allowed a single cartoon to be used both as a panel and a strip, giving editors more flexibility.
2019 Controversy
In February 2019, Non Sequitur was dropped by several major newspapers, including The Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, and Los Angeles Times, after a hidden profane message directed at President Donald Trump appeared in the February 10 edition. Miller claimed the message was an accidental oversight, but a since-deleted tweet suggested he had knowingly left the message as an “Easter egg.” Andrews McMeel Syndication later issued an apology for failing to catch the profanity during the editorial process.
Artistic Style and Influence
Miller’s artistic style combines minimalist line work with sharp, often philosophical humor. His work frequently critiques politics, cultural trends, and societal norms while maintaining a focus on human nature and everyday life. The Maine setting in some of his strips, including characters like Offshore Flo, was inspired by his time living in the state.
Awards and Recognition
Miller’s work has received significant acclaim throughout his career, including:
- 1988: California Newspaper Publishers Association – Best Editorial Cartoonist
- 1991: Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award for Editorial Cartooning
- 1992: National Cartoonists Society Newspaper Comic Strip Award
- 1995, 1996, 1998: NCS Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award
- 2013: Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year
Non Sequitur remains the only cartoon to win both the Comic Strip and Comic Panel categories from the National Cartoonists Society.
Bibliography
Miller has authored several collections of his Non Sequitur works and other humorous books, including:
- Dead Lawyers and Other Pleasant Thoughts (1993)
- The Non Sequitur Survival Guide for the Nineties (1995)
- Non Sequitur’s Beastly Things (1999)
- The Legal Lampoon (2002)
- Why We’ll Never Understand Each Other (2003)
- Lucy and Danae: Something Silly This Way Comes (2005)
- Homer, the Reluctant Soul (2005)
- Extraordinary Adventures Of Ordinary Basil (2006)
Personal Life
In 2004, Miller and his wife, Victoria Coviello, moved from Santa Barbara, California to Kennebunkport, Maine before later relocating to Palmetto, Georgia. Miller has often spoken about how New England’s climate and culture inspired characters and settings in his comic strip.
Legacy and Impact
David Wiley Miller has made a lasting mark in the world of editorial and comic strip art. His blend of social commentary, political satire, and innovative artistic techniques has influenced the medium and set new standards for creative flexibility in newspaper comics. His work continues to engage readers through both humor and thoughtful reflection on contemporary issues.
References
- ↑ Bouchard, Stephanie. "Cartoonist finds Maine a creative turn-on." Maine Sunday Telegram (Portland, Maine) February 20, 2005, page G1.
External links
- Wiley biography on Lambiek Comiclopedia
- Wiley Miller bio on GoComics
- Wiley Miller, February 2007 interview Universal Press Syndicate