My First Hardcover Book in Decades

A short review of Cartoonist Bob Moran's book: "Bob"

In 2020 many of us became aware there was no “pandemic” right from the beginning. We looked out our windows and didn’t see piles of corpses. We ignored the ticker at the bottom of pretty much every “news” channel that cited supposed “case rates”. We went outside…anyway. We sneaked in close to others… anyway. We smiled, we refused masking, we walked out of businesses that were playing along after retorting we would never be back and, many of us looked for new heroes…anyway.

I was unaware of professional cartoonist Bob Moran until around the end of 2020 when I saw some of his work posted on other Substacks I subscribe to. I also listened to a podcast or two where Bob was interviewed by the host. Bob has become one of my favorite cartoonists in my 61 years on this earth. His ability to elicit an emotional response is uncanny. Some of his cartoons bring a tear to my eye, some give me a bit of PTSD, a few give me goose flesh like crazy, and many give me a feeling of hope.

If you are looking for a book that involves a lot of reading… you’re out of luck. Bob’s medium is cartoons, and from what I’ve gathered from listening to interviews, he’s not a man of many words, though he has in incredible amount to say. Bob speaks through his natural talent: drawing. Though the book “Bob” does have an introduction and a beautiful “For my parents” dedication, expect a story laid out in cartoons he drew from the beginning of the “pandemic” right up until sometime in 2024.

Two days ago I recieved a notice that I had a package from “across the pond”. I knew it was my long awaited book! I trudged to the post office and when the postal agent handed me the package I felt like I had been given a gift. I knew instantly I had received something to be treasured for the rest of my life, and something that (hopefully) will be handed down to loved ones. The weight of the book was incredible. I carried my treasure home and immediately ripped open the box. There it was, the iconic all black book with the title “Bob” on the front. If I remember correctly, Bob stated he didn’t want anything to distract from the content of the book and that’s why he chose to downplay any kind of pictures or fancy colors on the cover. Trust me, he nailed it. Right away I began turning every page with anticipation of the next incredible memory captured in cartoon colors and images that rang true with me 5 years ago and are just as poignant today. Each page is heavy, like art paper. The colors are vivid and beautiful. The book has a sewn binding which is almost unheard of anymore. (Most hardcover books have glued bindings and in most cases pages start falling out as the book ages). There are around 235 pages (give or take) of incredible, historical art. Anyway, I am thrilled. It is one of the most valuable possessions I have purchased and I truly hope all of you will take the time to order one if you can. I don’t know Bob and so I don’t get anything by urging you to buy a copy, but I can assure each of you that you will not be disappointed.

I can’t point to any “favorites” in the book because I love them all, but I’d like to share just a few of the cartoons that I find incredibly thought provoking and, in some cases, moving. Take your time to click on them and look at the details. The truth is in the details.

I had many others I wanted to add, but you get the idea. I’d like to put every one of the pictures in this post! Please keep in mind these are pictures I took of the illustrations in the book so many of the brilliant colors are “lost in translation” so to speak.

Anyway, if you can, please consider helping Bob continue to draw these amazing historical cartoons. He gave up almost everything, lost jobs, and was banned from posting his cartoons in publications he had worked for/with for years. The real heroes of 2020 were the ones that *from the beginning* were crying foul; Bob Moran is one of those and truly deserves our support.

Get his book HERE. It’s worth it. Put a copy on your coffee table so that your sleeping friends and family can crack it open. It’s a non-confrontational way to communicate where we’ve been and where we are going if we don’t wise up, *choose* courage, and stand up for ourselves, our children, and our posterity.