That 'image in your mind'

“Writing well means never having to say, ‘I guess you had to be there.’” ― Jef Mallett

Not to be confused with the founder of internet company Yahoo!, Mallett is  the creator and artist of the nationally-syndicated comic strip Frazz.   He also has authored several books for both kids and adults, including one I’ve enjoyed, Dangerous Dan. 

Mallett, who makes his home in Michigan, planned to be a nurse or an EMT, but both his athletic and artistic skills kept getting in the way.  A standout athlete in high school and college, he is an avid triathlete, having completed his first triathlon in 1981.  Since then he not only has participated in many more but also completed the grueling Iron Man competition. 

While drawing is his first artistic love, he also has long enjoyed writing and, in particular, putting the two together.  He has several award-winning comic strips and political cartoons to his credit – in each case where both the words and the images are powerfully presented.    A political cartoon, just like a political opinion piece, can and should be a powerful expression on behalf of a cause.  His own causes have ranged from Habitat for Humanity to support for the USO, which in turn supports U.S. Servicemen abroad.

“An opinion should be the result of thought,” he said,  “not a substitute for it.”

 Frazz by Jef Mallett

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