The Evolution of Dark Humor in Cartoons
Dark humor in cartoons has evolved significantly over the years, reflecting societal changes and pushing the boundaries of comedic expression. This form of humor, which finds comedy in subjects typically considered serious or taboo, has deep historical roots and has undergone various transformations in the cartooning medium . Early Origins The foundations of dark humor can be traced back to ancient literature . For instance, Aristophanes, a playwright from ancient Greece, infused his comedies with satirical and often dark elements, addressing themes like war and societal norms through humor . Similarly, works such as François Rabelais's Pantagruel (1532) and Jonathan Swift's Gulliver’s Travels (1726) employed dark humor to critique society and human nature. 19th and Early 20th Centuries In the 19th century, dark humor began to permeate various art forms, including cartoons. Artists like Charles Addams , who contributed to The New Yorker from the 1930s to the 1980s,...