The first survey dedicated to the work of the McKimson brothers, this book offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the upper echelon of 20th-century animation and examines the creative process behind the making of numerous popular characters and classic programs. Featuring original artwork from the golden age of animation, this book includes a wealth of material from many professional archives–screen captures, original drawings, reproductions of animation cels, illustrations from comic books, lobby cards, and other ephemera from the author's collection–while surveying the careers of three groundbreaking animators whose credits include Looney Tunes, the Pink Panther, and Mr. Magoo. Beginning in the 1920s and then tracing the brothers' work together at Warner Brothers Cartoons in the following decades, this history details Robert McKimson's creation of such beloved characters as Foghorn Leghorn, the Tasmanian Devil, and Speedy Gonzales; Tom McKimson's work at Warner Brothers, Dell Comics, and Golden Books; and Chuck McKimson's long career working in comic books and then later at Pacific Title, creating animated film titles and commercials, including his award-winning work on Music Man, Cleopatra, and The Sound of Music.

Author Biography

Robert McKimson Jr. is the son of Bob McKimson, a legendary animator. A licensee of Warner Bros. Consumer Products and the possessor of an extensive collection of his father's and uncles' work, he has given lectures all over the world about his famous family of animators. He lives in St. Johns, Florida. John Kricfalusi, better known as John K., is an animator and the creator of the Ren & Stimpy Show. He lives in Los Angeles. Darrell Van Citters is the Supervising Director at Renegade Animation, and the author of Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol: The Making of the First Animated Christmas Special.