A complete issue · 36 pages · 1918
Judge — July 13, 1918
# "Over the Top" — Judge, July 13, 1918 This cover illustrates the phrase "over the top," a WWI term for soldiers charging from trenches into enemy fire. The illustration shows a stylized female figure with rabbit ears, emerging triumphantly from dark, churning waters or smoke—likely representing the chaos of battle. Published in July 1918, near WWI's end, this appears to celebrate American military momentum or morale. The "Nation's Perpetual Smileage Book" subtitle suggests the magazine aims to boost public spirits during the war effort through humor and patriotic imagery. The rabbit ears may reference luck or resilience, common wartime symbols. The confident pose and bright upper figure contrasts sharply with the dark, turbulent forms below—visually reinforcing optimism amid conflict.
# Analysis This page from *Judge* magazine features a cartoon and article about humor preferences. The cartoon shows two people exchanging reading material—one asking for "six four-line jokes" while the other offers a "123 line article," illustrating different tastes in humor length. The accompanying article argues that humor comes in various lengths, and that neither long nor short humor is objectively superior. It references "Judge" (the magazine itself, personified) conducting pseudo-scientific research with "white laboratories" to determine optimal humor length for different ages and circumstances. The page includes a subscription offer at bottom left. The satire gently mocks both rigid preferences for specific humor formats and the magazine's self-promotional claims about having scientifically determined the "correct" humor mixture. It's primarily humorous commentary on reader preferences rather than political satire.
# Political Cartoon Analysis This John Conacher cartoon from *Judge* magazine depicts two German military figures (identifiable by their spiked Prussian helmets and uniforms) walking through a cemetery. One wears a cape and appears elderly or skeletal; the other is a uniformed officer. They're examining a gravestone marked "FRITZ," surrounded by skulls. The dialogue—"The American Army is a Joke, father" / "Yes, Willy, I'm afraid it's going to be a HUGE Joke!"—is darkly ironic satire. The German figures are dismissing American military strength, but the surrounding graveyard and skulls suggest their own devastating losses. The cartoon mocks German confidence while warning that American involvement would prove catastrophically costly for Germany. This likely dates to World War I era, when the U.S. was still neutral or newly involved.
