By Gary Martin
Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for more than 30 years. His illustrations appear in the Rag on Sundays, chronicling life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. See them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com
Listen to Rag Radio’s interview with Gary Martin — HERE.
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Sometimes, a cartoon that is meant to be funny, or even just ironic, actually ends up being sad – even tragic. This is one of those times. In fact, it points to the possibility that we should not have an “Earth Day” at all, since the majority of Earthlings do little or nothing to protect it, much less improve it, but do a great deal to “damage” it.
And I put “damage” in quotes because we can’t really damage the Earth itself; even if we had a nuclear war and annihilated 99% of the human race (and 99%-100% of other species) , the Earth could and would eventually “repair” itself, even if it took millions of years. What we are ACTUALLY doing is reducing the ability of HUMANS (and other species) to SURVIVE on the planet.
But our species has become so selfish and short-sighted that we don’t (or won’t) see this, and simply continue to make our long-term survival less and less likely.
And that is a tragedy.
A good cartoon should make you chuckle or think., sometimes both. It has no other obligation beyond that.
Martoonerville illustrations succeeds on this mission every week.
A welcome diversion.
Sad
So sad, but true. Thanks, Gary!
😢😢😢
That’s really kind of brilliant. So pretty and then you really look at it. Thanks as always Gary.
a wake up call
Love the idea of bombs made of Crayola crayons.
Sad but true…
I’m starting to believe we’re not worth saving.
Paul Ehrlich agrees.
Spot on, Gary. Damn!
Unfortunately…sad BUT true 😔
Sad illustration of our earth today…
This just annoying. Every living creature on earth exists by eating other creatures, by competing for territory, resources and reproduction. That is LIFE! The planet is lifeless rock and water.
But the vast majority of those creatures don’t have weapons made specifically for killing large numbers of their fellow creatures. And, we are not fighting wars over food or resources to keep us alive.
“Every living creature on earth exists by eating other creatures, by competing for territory, resources and reproduction. That is LIFE!”
Then perhaps I’m either DEAD or Not of This Earth, as I do none of those things.
“The planet is lifeless rock and water.”
Nope, our Earth is a veritable living planet (hence fit for consumption by Galactus…): the deep biosphere extends at least 21 km below the sea bed, may account for ~15% of the total terrestrial biosphere, and is largely responsible for our atmosphere’s oxygen content. I’d hardly call that lifeless — but then as mentioned above I might be dead, so whadda I know?
But then where does life come from?
The Martian’s look is masterful. The guitar, I imagine, a life raft? The whole piece very thoughtful. Thank you.
End of times….🙂
burning fossil fuels, massive deforestation, industrial pollution, unsustainable agriculture , ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, hatred of windmills, unnecessary wars — yeah, way to go, earthlings! {Particularly love the Seussian yellow fish floating off into space, Gary!)
Sad and scary…You create a way to share what we are thinking…
Nailed it!