Bob Bindig - The Mischievous Twin Bears

Bob Bindig (1920-2007), besides being a comic strip historian extraordinaire, was one of the nicest guys that you'd ever find in this hobby of ours. I knew Bob for around 20 years, but first met him in person at the 2001 OSU cartoon conference. It was a pleasure to finally meet the man, the myth, the legend!

Bob was drafted as a medic in WWII, but spent the majority of his time in Korea, working for the military government. It was during that time that he drew his first (and only) comic strip! The Mischievous Twin Bears, a wordless comic strip, ran in a Korean newspaper. Bob drew the strip in Korean fashion, from right-to-left. This piece is from 1946. There's a real Disneyesque quality to the artwork.

When Bob came back to the states, he made his career in advertising art. He retired back in the 80s, but was pulled out of retirement by the folks at Bob's Big Boy. Bob (Bindig; not the Bob of Big Boy), drew the adventures of Big Boy in the restaurant's comic give away for 10 years. Bob also created the mascot for the minor league Buffalo Bison.

Bob Bindig was a true gentleman and scholar. It's my pleasure and honor to have this piece in my collection.