Jim Unger

Jim Unger
Born	James Frederick Unger (1937-01-21)21 January 1937 London, England
Died	26 May 2012(2012-05-26)(aged 75) Saanich, British Columbia,Canada
Nationality	Canadian
Area(s)	Cartoonist
Notable works	Herman
Awards	National Cartoonists SocietyNewspaper Panel Cartoon Award, 1982, 1987

James Frederick Unger(21 January 1937 – 26 May 2012) was a British-born Canadiancartoonist,best known for his syndicatedcomic stripHermanwhich ran for 18 years in 600 newspapers in 25 countries.

Early life

Unger was born in London, England, to Lillian Maud and James Unger.Unger served in theBritish Army,was enrolled as a Londonbobby,and worked as an insurance clerk and arepo manbefore emigrating to Canada in 1968 at the suggestion of one of his sisters.InMississauga, Ontariohe began his career as acartoonistat theMississauga Timesnewspaper. In 1974, asHermanbecame popular, Unger moved from Mississauga toOttawa, Ontario,bringing his parents and brother from Britain.

Retirement and return

Unger moved to theBahamasin 1984 and retired as a cartoonist in 1992. Unger's friends encouraged him to give up retirement. He said he would not have suggested it himself, but he liked the idea. On 2 June 1997,Hermanmade a comeback under theUnited Mediaumbrella."It gives me the opportunity to bring them up to date and to introduce Herman to a new generation," he said in the 31 May 1997, edition of theDetroit News.He did not expect to return to full-time cartooning but planned to add new material. Unger signed a long-term contract to bring ten years of classicHermanback to newspapers.He returned to Canada in his last years, settling in Saanich, British Columbia.

Intraca

Unger was a co-founder of Intraca with David Waisglass, creator ofFarcus.Intraca uses the humour of popular cartoons and motivational quotes to inform and boost employees with "positive daily business messages" on their computers.Hermancharacters are also found on workplace posters promoting safety and improved production.

Books

In 1990,Hermanbecame the first newspaper cartoon syndicated inEast Germany.Shortly afterward, Unger produced a new book,Herman: Over the Wall.He joked, "Six months later the (Berlin) Wall came down; I think that's what did it."

Awards

Unger received theNational Cartoonists Society's Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award twice (1982, 1987).

Death

Unger died in his sleep at his residence inSaanich, British Columbiaafter a period of ill health. He was predeceased by his brother Bob, who was a major influence for theHermancomic.Unger was survived by his two daughters, Karen Gooda and Jenny Hopkins, and four grandchildren as well as two sisters,Deborah and Shirley who were living in Canada, and brother Steve who was living in the UK.

External links

• NCS Awards
• Lambiek: Jim Unger