Jack Markow

Jack Markow (1905–1983) was an American cartoonist and educator, best known for his gag cartoons in major magazines and his instructional books on cartooning. Born in London, he moved to New York City at age two and grew up there. After taking art courses at the High School of Commerce, his school magazine drawings led to a job doing layouts and paste-ups at the Fleishmann Yeast Company, where he also illustrated the company’s house organ. He later studied at the Art Students League.

Markow’s cartoons appeared in *The Saturday Evening Post*, *The New Yorker*, and other national magazines, as well as on greeting cards, calendars, and in advertising. For three years, he served as cartoon editor of *Argosy*. He was a long-time columnist for *Writer’s Digest* and *Cartoonist Profiles*, sharing practical advice with aspiring artists. His own instructional books on comic art became valued resources.

Active in comics from 1932 to 1962, his credited work spans titles such as *The American Legion*, *Ballyhoo*, *Joker*, and *Judge*. Though not known for a single famous character, his clean, witty style influenced a generation of cartoonists. Markow’s legacy rests on his dual career as a prolific magazine cartoonist and a generous teacher who helped demystify the craft.