A complete issue · 28 pages · 1917
Judge — October 6, 1917
# "Khaki the Universal" This October 1917 cartoon by Orson Lowell satirizes the widespread adoption of military uniforms during World War I. The image shows a woman seated while various military and civilian figures in khaki uniforms surround her—soldiers, officers, and apparently civilians who've adopted military dress. A small dog also wears khaki coloring. The satire appears to mock how pervasively military uniforms and "khaki" (the standard WWI uniform color) had infiltrated American society, extending even to civilians and animals. The "universal" in the title suggests that khaki had become so commonplace it was everywhere—a commentary on either militarization of civilian life or the fashion trend of adopting military styles during wartime. The cartoon likely critiques this trend as absurd or excessive.
# Judge Magazine, October 6, 1917 The left page features "How an American Fights," illustrating combat techniques with a soldier using a bayonet against an enemy. The accompanying text describes brutal hand-to-hand combat during what appears to be a skirmish involving Mexican forces ("five thousand Mexicans") and references a character named "Davy Crockett." The right page is a contents listing for Judge magazine's latest issue, which claims the "Largest Circulation of any Humorous Publication in America." It advertises various illustrated articles and cartoons on war-related topics, soldier life in France, and general humor content. The overall context reflects America's 1917 involvement in World War I, with content focused on military action, patriotism, and contemporary combat scenarios for a American readership.
# "The Coming Storm" This engraving depicts a figure (likely representing a political leader or statesman) standing on rocky ground near a burning tree, pointing toward a distant city with classical architecture and a statue. Dark storm clouds gather overhead with birds fleeing the scene. The imagery suggests impending political or social crisis—the burning tree symbolizes destruction, the fleeing birds represent panic or exodus, and the threatening storm clouds indicate danger ahead. The pointing gesture suggests warning or prophetic awareness of coming turmoil. Without additional context from the magazine's date and surrounding text, the specific political event or figure referenced remains unclear, though the cartoon employs typical Gilded Age satirical iconography warning of societal upheaval or governmental crisis.
