Mort Walker, BEETLE BAILEY, HI and LOIS cartoonist: Mr. Media Radio Interview (Rewind)

Summary: (Originally broadcast November 29, 2007) Mort Walker is the dean and—in some ways—the curator of American cartoonists. Best known for his long-running strips “Beetle Bailey” and “Hi & Lois,” Walker, 84, is also a bedrock member of the National Cartoonists Society, and he’s the founder and energy behind the National Cartoon Museum. This is the third time I’ve had the pleasure of Mort’s company over the last 20 years. I enjoy interviewing him because he says what’s on his mind, and what’s on his mind is never dull. But just in case my questions aren’t sharp enough for this American comic strip master, I’ve called in reinforcements. Ray Billingsley, creator of the “Curtis” strip and an old friend of Walker’s, kindly contributed questions today. So did a newer member of the fraternity, Mark Tatulli, creator of “Heart of the City” and America’s fastest-growing new strip, “LIO.”