John Dempsey in Playboy: Office Party Exposé

Perhaps you've heard that Playboy is no longer publishing nudes as of the current March issue. What you may not have heard is that the magazine is no longer publishing cartoons either. This is sad and surprising news, since Hugh Hefner was an aspiring cartoonist at one time and he always championed the art form in his magazine. The quality of Playboy's cartoons varied quite a bit, but there was often excellent work there.

John Dempsey's cartoons were a staple of the magazine. They were frequently set in nudist colonies and other places where little clothing was worn, however improbably. An example of his original art currently on eBay exposes what allegedly goes on at office Christmas parties. This gag pretends to be a knowing commentary on male privilege in the executive suite, but ultimately it's a working-class male fantasy about the boss's power and politics.

John Dempsey, "Jenkins, have you ever wondered why your promotions in this
company haven't kept pace with everyone else's?"
Original art, Playboy, circa 1969 (January?)

John Dempsey, "Jenkins, have you ever wondered why your promotions in this
company haven't kept pace with everyone else's?"
Original art, Playboy, circa 1969 (January?)

John Dempsey's signature

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JOHN-DEMPSEY-Signed-c-1969-Watercolor-Cartoon-LISTED-/270149583341?pt=Art_Paintings&hash=item3ee62b81ed

Note:  See reminiscences on the Playboy cartoon by Mike Lynch and Michael Maslin.

For further reading, try The Playboy Revamp Continues: How The Magazine Is Redrawing Its Cartoon Lines, Too.

I've had occasion to muse on Playboy cartoons in the past as well.

01797