B. Kliban

B. Kliban (1935-1990) was an American cartoonist and illustrator best known for his whimsically absurd cartoons and the creation of the popular "Cat" series. Born Bernard Kliban in Norwalk, Connecticut, he attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn but did not graduate. Kliban began his career working for various magazines and advertising agencies, but he gained widespread recognition in the 1960s and 1970s for his work published in Playboy magazine. His cartoons often featured cats, which became his trademark, and he published a book titled Cat in 1975, which was an instant success and led to several sequels, including Never Eat Anything Bigger Than Your Head & Other Drawings and Tiny Footprints. Kliban's cats were also licensed for a wide range of merchandise, from calendars to mugs to T-shirts, making them a cultural phenomenon. In addition to his cat-related work, Kliban published several other books of cartoons that showcased his offbeat humor and unique artistic style. His work has been compared to that of Saul Steinberg and R. Crumb, and he is considered a significant figure in the world of cartooning and illustration. Kliban's influence can be seen in the work of later cartoonists, such as Gary Larson and Bill Watterson. Despite his untimely death at the age of 55, Kliban's legacy continues to endure through his distinctive and enduring body of work.