One of the toughest tasks for the cartoonist is the problem of coming up with jokes for their cartoon drawings. For those facing such a challenge, this book offers a course in setting up cartoon gags. Topics covered include: the set-ups and punch lines; visual characterizations; setting up conflicts; "hooks" and premises; finding resource materials; and tips for drawing comic lettering and dialogue balloons. It also explores the differences between cartoons in comic strips and in animated films and provides complete demonstrations for laying out a comic strip joke.