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The Gargoyle, the University of Michigan's official humor magazine, was founded in February 1909. Its founder and first editor-in-chief, Lee A. White, eventually became editor of the Detroit News and helped found La Choy Foods. The Gargoyle was initially a literary magazine featuring stories, articles, and pictures, with a back section devoted to comedy.
In the 1920s and 30s, a period during which it was selected as America's Outstanding College Comic Magazine, Gargoyle was published monthly during the school year. The decrease in male students because of World War II resulted in the first woman, Olga Gruhzit, becoming editor of Gargoyle in 1942. In 1944, at the height of the war, Gargoyle briefly ceased publication, only to return in the fall of 1945.
Gargoyle was declared dead in 1950 when the Board in Control of Student Publications took offense to the "Smooth Gargoyle" issue. Publication continued off campus for a year, and when Gargoyle returned the next year, literary pieces were discontinued and the focus became solely humor. During the 1950s the magazine acquired a counterculture reputation, promoting everything from co-ed housing to Vietnam War protests. In response to the advent of Playboy and the sexual revolution of the '60s, Gargoyle became progressively more risque. While sex, illegal drugs, and otherwise raunchy jokes have been common fare in issues of the Gargoyle since the 1970s, the magazine has generally tried (successfully or otherwise) to maintain a level of intelligence and artistry in its humor.
Though the Gargoyle was very successful in the '60's, it faded in and out of existence in the early and mid-'70s and eventually returned to consistent publication in 1979. The magazine has been forced off-campus (in 1950) and shut down completely (1960-61, 1997) as the result of editorial and financial conflicts with the Board for Student Publications (previously the Board in Control of Student Publications). At one time the magazine was sold for prices varying from fifty cents to two dollars, but currently the magazine is distributed for free in Ann Arbor, all revenue being generated by advertisements, subscriptions, and merchandise.
The Gargoyle has had a few brushes with wider fame in its century of existence. Art editor Phil Zaret's satirical cartoon, "Kill a Commie for Christ Man", originally published in the Gargoyle in 1967, became extremely popular during the Vietnam War and was re-published by college publications throughout the United States. The magazine also published two pieces by a young Arthur Miller in the 1930s and a special Peanuts comic was drawn, unsolicited, for the Gargoyle staff by Charles Schulz in 1962.
Famous Alumni Include:
In the 1920s and 30s, a period during which it was selected as America's Outstanding College Comic Magazine, Gargoyle was published monthly during the school year. The decrease in male students because of World War II resulted in the first woman, Olga Gruhzit, becoming editor of Gargoyle in 1942. In 1944, at the height of the war, Gargoyle briefly ceased publication, only to return in the fall of 1945.
Gargoyle was declared dead in 1950 when the Board in Control of Student Publications took offense to the "Smooth Gargoyle" issue. Publication continued off campus for a year, and when Gargoyle returned the next year, literary pieces were discontinued and the focus became solely humor. During the 1950s the magazine acquired a counterculture reputation, promoting everything from co-ed housing to Vietnam War protests. In response to the advent of Playboy and the sexual revolution of the '60s, Gargoyle became progressively more risque. While sex, illegal drugs, and otherwise raunchy jokes have been common fare in issues of the Gargoyle since the 1970s, the magazine has generally tried (successfully or otherwise) to maintain a level of intelligence and artistry in its humor.
Though the Gargoyle was very successful in the '60's, it faded in and out of existence in the early and mid-'70s and eventually returned to consistent publication in 1979. The magazine has been forced off-campus (in 1950) and shut down completely (1960-61, 1997) as the result of editorial and financial conflicts with the Board for Student Publications (previously the Board in Control of Student Publications). At one time the magazine was sold for prices varying from fifty cents to two dollars, but currently the magazine is distributed for free in Ann Arbor, all revenue being generated by advertisements, subscriptions, and merchandise.
The Gargoyle has had a few brushes with wider fame in its century of existence. Art editor Phil Zaret's satirical cartoon, "Kill a Commie for Christ Man", originally published in the Gargoyle in 1967, became extremely popular during the Vietnam War and was re-published by college publications throughout the United States. The magazine also published two pieces by a young Arthur Miller in the 1930s and a special Peanuts comic was drawn, unsolicited, for the Gargoyle staff by Charles Schulz in 1962.
Famous Alumni Include:
- Lee Blaser, cartoonist
- Mark Dancey, cartoonist/editor (Motorbooty)
- Lloyd Dangle, cartoonist (Troubletown)
- Jerry Ellison, cartoonist
- Max Hodge, television screenwriter/director/producer
- Lawrence Kasdan, screenwriter/director
- Terry LaBan, cartoonist (Edge City)
- George Lichty, cartoonist (Grin and Bear It)
- Allen Milgrom, cartoonist/editor (Marvel Comics)
- Arthur Miller, playwright
- David Newman, screenwriter
- Robert Shaye, producer (New Line Cinema)
- Paul Showers, journalist (New York Times)
- Fred Ziv, screenwriter/producer
- Larry Brilliant, philanthropist
Bring the Gargoyle Magazine with you on Spring Break Cancun 2010 to share funny stories and articles with college friends from all over.
There are famous Cornell alumnus that have moved to Las Vegas, including a Las Vegas DUI Attorney, poker players and other celebrities that made their trek after college.
Michigan Gargoyle fans contribute Promotional
Gargoyle readers will want to look up different Detroit Moving Companies prior to signing any agreement for moving services.
