Editorial Cartoonists of the Atlanta Journal and Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) :: Lou Erickson (“Eric”) – Atlanta Journal Editorial Cartoonist, 1950–1982

“Liberia Flag Tanker” — Lou Erickson Original Editorial Cartoon with Two Overlays (Atlanta Journal, January 6, 1977)

Artist: Lou Erickson (Penciller)

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“Liberia Flag Tanker” — Lou Erickson Original Editorial Cartoon with Two Overlays (Atlanta Journal, January 6, 1977) Comic Art

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Additional Images:

LIBERIA FLAG TANKER (OVERLAY 1)

LIBERIA FLAG TANKER (OVERLAY 2)

The Atlanta Journal (Atlanta, Georgia) · Thu, Jan 6, 1977 · Page 14

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Artwork Details

Title:	“Liberia Flag Tanker” — Lou Erickson Original Editorial Cartoon with Two Overlays (Atlanta Journal, January 6, 1977)
Artist:	Lou Erickson (Penciller)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Sketch Card
For Sale Status:	NFS
Views:	28
Likes on CAF:	0 1
Comments:	0
Added to Site:	9/8/2025
Comic Art Archive:

Description

Artist: Lou “Eric” Erickson (1913–1990)
Medium: Pen and ink with production overlays (red ink applied for print effect)
Art Type: Published Editorial Cartoon
Date Published: January 6, 1977 — The Atlanta Journal, Page 14
Provenance: Original published cartoon with two surviving red-tone overlays and documented newspaper appearance

Description:
In this sharp satire, Erickson illustrates two sailors marooned on barrels in an endless sea of crude oil, one labeled “Liberia Tanker.” Their casual exchange — “Oh, nothin’ much. What’s new with you?” — darkly underscores the global impact of oil gluts and tanker disasters in the 1970s. The cartoon’s layered overlays add a blood-red visual of oil spilling across the page, an effect Erickson often used to dramatize political and economic crises.

Historical Context:
The piece ran in early January 1977, at a moment when America was wrestling with energy crises, tanker safety concerns, and debates over U.S. dependency on foreign oil. Liberia was then a major “flag of convenience” registry for oil tankers, many of which had poor safety and labor oversight. Erickson transforms this into a bleak but humorous seascape, situating Atlanta readers within a global conversation about oil politics, environmental risk, and America’s vulnerability on the high seas.

Publication Reference:

The Atlanta Journal (Atlanta, Georgia), January 6, 1977, Page 14 (documented newspaper clipping included).

Notes:

Full original cartoon survives with both red-tone overlays (#1 and #2).

Overlay usage gives a rare look into Erickson’s production process.

Thematically connects with Erickson’s broader 1970s editorial focus on energy, inflation, and U.S. foreign entanglements.

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