Bulldog Nation has lost one of its all-time great characters with the death of legendary cartoonist Jack Davis.
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He was known for his artwork appearing in Mad Magazine and hundreds of University of Georgia Bulldog caricatures.
As a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia (which he attended on the G.I. Bill after three years in the U.S. Navy), he continued to produce innumerable billboards and other artwork celebrating the “Dawgs” throughout his life. Davis honed his skills at UGA drawing for The Red & Black, the student newspaper, and Bullsheet, an Athens humor publication. During his career he provided artwork and illustrations for a multitude of movie posters, books and magazines including Time and TV Guide.
He also dabbled in movie posters and album cover art, and wrote, drew and edited a comic book known as Yak Yak in 1961 for Dell Comics, according to UGA officials.
He remained with its editors William M. Gaines, Albert B. Feldstein and Harvey Kurtzman when they launched Mad in 1952. His long relationship with the Georgia athletics program began in 1948 when he drew head football coach Wally Butts for the front and back of that year’s media guide.
Davis attended the University of Georgia on the G.I. Bill before decamping to NY to make his name as an illustrator.
His work was highlighted in a 2012 exhibit at the Georgia Museum of Art, where his work in black-and-white drawings was highlighted.
Davis’s funeral is expected to be held on Friday on St. Simon’s Island.
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Davis is survived by his wife, Dena, of St. Simons, Georgia, as well as a daughter and a son. “His work was both timely and timeless”.
