Meet the Cartoonist: Ken Benner

Tooning around in Strongsville, Ohio, is another of our favorite cartoonists—Ken Benner.

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Tooning around in Strongsville, Ohio, is another of our favorite cartoonists—Ken Benner.

“What did Dr. Phil say I did this time?”

From Jan/Feb 2007

“I have drawn for as long as I can remember,” says Ken, “equally as long I’ve been interested in cartoons.” The husband/wife dynamic is a recurring theme in Ken’s work, as in this cartoon and the gem below.

“Hey, I said I’d take the dog for a walk. I didn’t say where.”

From May/Jun 2004

Ken’s first experience with cartoons will resonate with baby boomers: He began by watching cartoon classics “such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and all the Warner Brothers cartoons. I loved Bugs Bunny’s irreverent humor.” Much like the irreverent humor of our golfer here. I don’t think this was a Warner Brothers inspiration, though. Ken has a miniature schnauzer named Louie. “Louie frequently finds his way into many of my gag cartoons. He’s that kind of dog.”

“You’ve been watching too many of those CSI shows.”

From Jan/Feb 2011

Whoa—chalk games have changed since I was a kid. Here’s that irreverent humor again. Ken’s cartoon hero is Charles Schultz, who he has studied extensively. “Even to this day it’s not a holiday for me until I watch the various Peanuts holiday specials on television.” Oh, thanks, Ken. Now I can’t get that piano tune out of my head….

“You should start weight lifting for your health. You can start by lifting your weight off the couch.”

From Jul/Aug 2009

Well, that’s blunt. And funny. Since the Post is big on medical information, we are also big on medical cartoons. Ken sold his first cartoon to a tennis magazine. “To show how long ago that was, the cartoon involved Mr. T. being a line judge.” I tried picturing that, but got a headache.

“My dad says that I’m so good, I don’t need to practice anymore.”

From Nov/Dec 2002

Heartwarming parental encouragement. Besides the schnauzer, Louie, Ken, and his wife Judy also have a son, Kenny, whom I suspect has “sort of” shown up in a few Post cartoons.

“I’d like a table near an exit. I’m meeting a blind date.”

From May/June 2007

A good cartoonist knows what you’re thinking even if you wouldn’t say it. Or maybe you would.

“Mr. Fixit, meet Mr. Broke it.”

From Jan/Feb 2008

“I have always considered being published in certain magazines as career milestones. The Saturday Evening Post is high on my list.” I can safely state that The Post is delighted to have some of the best cartoonists in the business—like Ken.


Look for Ken Benner and other great cartoonists in the pages of The Saturday Evening Post.

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Comments

  1. I continue to enjoy the Saturday Evening Post, but most of all, the cartoons. These by Ken Benner are great!
    Evelyn Long

  2. Ken is real pro and one of the best in the business and I’ve seen and admired his work for year. Keep us laughing, Ken.

  3. I’ve always enjoyed Ken’s cartoons. I met him years back at the grocery store. Ken’s as nice as his cartoons. Neat too that both of us ‘magazine cartoonists’ live here in Strongsville. Keep up the great work, Ken!!

  4. I like Ken’s work and his simple line work. I do pretty much the same type of work but I don’t sell mine . I give it away free to anyone that wants it . It is like a form of advertising for me. i have been drawing for over 55 years and have gone to five colleges . I’m retired and spend my time at the gym and visit relatives and draw cartoons and other things . I can’t use my right hand because of gout or whatever that causes the constant pain and won’t let me close my hand . But i draw left handed so that isn’t a problem . If you want to see a sample of my work go to facebook I have a couple that my wife put on it . Kenneth Bentley

  5. I love all these cartoons!!! I think that Mr. Benner is quite good and wish I had his ingenuity!!!!

  6. Most appreciate the last three of Mr. Benner’s showcased cartoons–although his dog-in-golf-bag “walker” is also quite amusing.
    Ken is yet another of the Post’s talented cartoonists–unique humorists.
    Thanks for the intro, Diana.

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