STORY BY DR. JOSHUA SHERMAN • IMAGES COURTESY HARRY BLISS
Harry Bliss is an internationally acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator, best known for his memorable covers and cartoons featured in The New Yorker. His distinctive artistic style, marked by its sharp wit and nuanced commentary on human nature, has made Bliss a household name. He has also garnered a dedicated global following through his syndicated comic strip, Bliss, which appears in publications worldwide. Throughout his prolific career, Bliss has illustrated over twenty beloved children’ s books, including bestsellers like Diary of a Worm and Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken.
Deeply connected to Vermont and its creative institutions, Bliss has spent significant time cultivating artistic communities within the region, most notably with the Center for Cartoon Studies( CCS) in White River Junction, Vermont. In fact, he founded a residency program for emerging graphic novelists, entitled“ The Cornish CCS Fellowship for Graphic Novelists” in nearby Cornish, New Hampshire. This fellowship underscores Bliss’ s
commitment to nurturing new talent and preserving the vibrant storytelling traditions within the graphic arts community.
Bliss’ s newest work, You Can Never Die, published by Celadon Books, is a poignant and humorous graphic memoir exploring themes of loss, love, creativity, and personal evolution. The memoir centers around his profound relationship with his dog,
Penny, whose companionship over 17 years deeply influenced his life and art. Blending sharply crafted essays with beautifully rendered cartoons and sketches, Bliss offers readers an intimate glimpse into his personal and artistic journey, underscored by reflections on family, mentorship, and the complexities of life’ s transitions. Recently, Bliss toured Vermont to promote You Can Never Die, engaging audiences with intimate discussions
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