John Reiner, whose work is perhaps most recognized daily on “The Lockhorns”, is an accomplished illustrator whose work has been appreciated by agencies and clients for years. In this wide-ranging interview, John talks about his mentors and inspiration and in particular about caricature, style and a lifetime of learning.

Frank Power: Tell us about this group of caricatures.
John R: Over the years I try to keep my hand in doing caricature because I really don’t do that in day-to-day work. Every so often, when I bump into one of our colleagues, I’ll sketch an outline, do a little detail and put it in my sketchbook.

Several of these are still pencils. Do you finish them off and then send them to the subject?
Yeah, I used to do that. Interestingly enough, it started in the 80’s, when Bill Hoest was (NCS) president and he asked me to take over the newsletter. So I thought that we were a society of people who draw – we shouldn’t have to use photographs. Since I was the editor – and nobody else was really contributing – I starting doing caricatures. That was where my interested started. I’d given most of them away, or course. It’s something that I still do today just for fun.
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We have introduced our new online store. Our store will be offering a variety of products from the new Howard Huge Collectibles line. Also coming soon will be Howard Huge plush stuffed St. Bernard.

The constant friction in the couple’s daily life started in 1968 with the comic cartoonist Bill Hoest and his wife, Bunny. Hoest also produced Laugh Parade and Howard Huge for Parade magazine, and the newspaper comics Agatha Crumm and What A Guy!

Since the death of her husband in 1988, Bunny Hoest has been making sure the laughter lives on with the help of her assistant, artist John Reiner who has helped carry on the legacy of these great comics.