GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

June 2, 2008

How huge is the cultural impact of the Grand Theft Auto IV launch? 

So huge that even a bastion of old-school literacy like The New Yorker paid heed to the GTA IV release with this cartoon from the May 19th issue.

 

 

Comments

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

What? I... uh... I have nothing to say about this. I mean, its the New Yorker. This is so disturbingly unexpected. I'm speechless.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Heh :)

Humour aside, that could seriously be me in 50 years...  (replace GTA IV with GTA XL tho)

-- mostly harmless

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

I don't get it...

What's the joke?

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

It was an old guy who got the game.

---------------------------------

So speak I, some random guy.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

I think the fact that the game is being given by a child is also part of the joke...

But yes, not very funny

-- mostly harmless

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

The joke is the New Yorker is staffed by people without the slightest bit of knowledge about videogames, and should be retired by now.

That they precisely name the game, and it's 4th installement, is pretty much a feat for these guys.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

lol, I agree. It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where they made fun of the New Yorker comics for not making any sense.

Haha, turns out they were right, lol.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Oh the new Yorker... when will your comics ever be funny?

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

It's like a window into my own home.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Not funny on its own, but when looked at as a New Yorker comic about GTAIV, then it is somewhat chuckle worthy.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

I get the distinct impression that this cartoon was created by someone as old as The New Yorker itself.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

It's funny because it's absurd.  An underage purchasing a GTA game for his grandfather, for whom it is the best present ever.  Obviously, in real life the opposite would be true.  

Another humoruos point is that he calls the game "Number Four" and uses the unabbreviated title, something characteristic of grandmas and grandpas who come shopping for games at big stores for their grandchildren. 

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

No, no, no, obviously the old guy is actually the kid's brother. The guy games so much that it made him prematurely old, just like those Canadian ParticipACTION people said.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

OMG now that makes senes :D

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Elaine: Look at this cartoon in the New Yorker, I don't get this.

Jerry: I don't either.

Elaine: And you're on the fringe of the humor business.

George comes in

George: Hey!

Elaine: Hey! George look at this.

George: That's cute.

Elaine: You got it?

George: No , never mind.

Elaine: Come on , We're two intelligent people here. We can figure this out. Now we got a dog and a cat in an office.

Jerry: It looks like my accountant's office but there's no pets working there.

Elaine: The cat is saying " I've enjoyed reading your E-mail".

George: Maybe it's got something to do with that 42 in the corner.

Elaine: It's a page number.

George: Well , I can't crack this one.

--

Next day at the New Yorker

Mr. Elinoff: So, J. Peterman wants to hire some of our cartoonists to illustrate your catalog?

Elaine: Well we're hoping that if perhaps that the catalog is a little funnier ,people won't be so quick to return the clothes ha ha....For example.. I..I really do....Well I love this one.

Elaine shows him the cartoon

Mr. Elinoff: Oh! yeah... That's a rather clever jab at inter office politics don't you think.

Elaine: Ahan, Ahan....yeah...Euh but, Why is it that the, that the animals enjoy reading the email?

Mr. Elinoff: Well Miss Benes . Cartoons are like gossamer and one doesn't dissect gossamer. heh..hemm..

Elaine; Well you don't have to dissect if you can just tell me. Why this is suppose to be funny?

Mr. Elinoff: Ha! It's merely a commentary on contemporary mores. (slides the magazine to her)

Elaine: But, what is the comment. (she slides the magazine back to him)

Mr. Elinoff: It's a slice of life.

Elaine: No it isn't.

Mr. Elinoff: Pun?

Elaine: I don,t think so.

Mr Elinoff: Vorshtein?

Elaine: That's not a word.....You have no idea what this means do you?

Mr Elinoff: No.

Elaine: Then why did you print it.

Mr. Elinoff: I liked the kitty.

Elaine: (gets up) You know what? you people should be ashamed of yourself, you know ya doodle a couple of bears at a cocktail party talking about the stock market. You think you're doing comedy.

Mr. Elinoff: Actually that's not bad..

Elaine: Oh! really (laughs) well you know..... I have others

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Denise you are censoring me. GTA is a blight on society and must be stopped. But you and your gaming goons cannot see that since you are taking it from the industry... hard.

GP: This is a faux Jack.... Note the misspellings. And Jack is nastier without being crude.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Don't feed the trolls, kids.

It's pretty funny when you get an equal mix of people saying they both don't like and don't get the comic.

(I also did not like the comic. Its knees were way too pointy.)

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

When posting on a private website you have to follow the rules, so if you break the rules I have no problem with you getting cut short.

Also I am no fan of GTA however there are bigger things to be worried about in this world and bigger things to put your time and money to. Hows about you go and donate some time and money for all those poor chines people who's familys have been destoryed by a natural cause and not something that isnt even real like people being warped by video games.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

"Jack THompson, Ace Attorney"

I believe that what we have here is an attempt at satire, and not the genuine article. At least, I don't recall him having used "Ace Attorney" as his job title in the past.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

LOL, I just read "Jack Thompson", and I reacted...

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The cynical side of videogames (spanish only): http://thelostlevel.blogspot.com/

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Irony much? THen again you never have grasped that conept.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

In all respects I got more laughs at people believing my comment was real then the comic... I thought I laid the sarcasm and crudness on a bit thick.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

I think it's possible Jack Thomspon has realized that the only way he's going to be able to keep practicing law is through "Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney" so the title suits him well.

"I\'m your worst nightmare..."

You might be if you were actually successful.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Oh Jesus Jack, just shut up and stop acting like a God damned 3 year old.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Way to insult three year olds. Not cool.

 

-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

In regards to the cartoon, I guess I get the joke, but it just comes off as very dull. They should get Jack Thompson to do these things, as I've never read observations as witty and truly hilarious as his. (that was sarcasm, for those unable to discern things like that. Like Jack Thompson! Zing!) 

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Expect Jack to be here more often when he's unemployed.  Not that he really works anyway.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

YAY! Our very own 'Village Idiot'!!!

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Hmmm... isnt that a little too prestigous for him? Id just leave him at "guy drunk on corner" if he gets disbarred.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

I don't think you fools are aware of the damage GTA can cause to children and their famalies, whatever, ignorance is bliss.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Seems fake giving the lack of the / and it isn't signed.

Regardless, I've palyed and own every last GTA game that has come out save for GTA4, my family and myself are just fine.

-kurisu7885

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

If anyone around here is ignorant it's you. For one thing you claim to be a threat to us and the industry we support. This was laughable even before you only had two more days of being an attorney, on a leash, I might add. You're "facts" are often downright lies, and some that aren't are merely twisted versions of the truth. Most notably, the famous APA study finding "causation" between video games and violence. If you look very carefully at said study you'll find no mention of cause, causal, or casuation. Dennis even talked to a representative about it who refuted your claim!

We are not the ignorant ones, you are.

Though I do second kurisu7885's sceptiscism. The screenname seems identical to the one JT uses, but the lack of slashes seem suspect. Maybe he found a better proxy? Oh well, it doesn't change what I said.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Yes, we're the fools, keep telling yourself that Jack, you oafish man-child. Ah, how great it must be to actually delude oneself into thinking they're somehow always right/superior to their "enemies" (when in reality it's more of the opposite, at least in your case).

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

If ignorance is  bliss, the you are more holier than God himself, dumbass. And the only damage caused by GTA4 was againts yourself. Way to go, idiot.

tic toc tic toc... what it´s that sound?

It´s the countdown until June 4th... Enjoy you disbarrement.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

What can GTA do to families? Entertain them? Oh nooo. Seriously though, I didn't even know who Jack Thompson was until about two years ago. I had heard about him in some of my gaming mags but dissmissed him as a whiny old woman whose life is so aweful he's got to force it on everyone else (that is what I think of all those holier than thou freaks). And what do you know, I was dead on! Seriously though, does he really have a family? I'm starting to think they're made up, after all, I can't imagine someone being such a selfish piece of garbage that they would ignore their family just to cuss out a bunch of people who play videogames because he has no thumbs and feels jealous(humor). Seriously, do what you think we aren't and get a life. Practice what you preach, then preach what you practice. I have better things to do than dwell in this site until I pass out.

 

-GRIZZAM PRIME(c)is property of the U.S. Marine Corp. Wetworks Dept., and also The Incredible Hulk-GRIZZAM PRIME is not to be associated with GRIZZAM 512 or any other GRIZZAM entity under penalty of law, so sayith ZARATHOS.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Jack, if that really is Jack, I do feel sorry for you.

I've felt annoyance, anger and apathy towards you, I've seen you be arrogent, insulting, plain stupid, but never sorry for you. It's clear that it's all going downhill for you career wise, and you seem to have lost the 'pep' of your previous trolling on this message board. And as much as I dislike how you treat people and your seeming quest against games.

I do honestly feel sorry that this had to happen.

However, you can't ignore the fact that what is happening is a direct result of you being disrespectful to people, especially CEOs, Laywers, Judges etc. You've gone along and simply ignored anyone else's opinions, and have reduced people to tears many times, and I'd wager that you don't care how negetively you've affected people. And you can't let it go un-noticed that you've hurt the people in the world more than 99% of people who play games have. We've never broken fax machines as a result of harrassment, we've never made people cry in court rooms. We're the ones who've been exposed to violent media, and we're fine. Why have you done these things?

It seems clear to me, and probably over millions of people, that tomorrow is completely fair for you, and should have happened long ago. Good luck.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

Elaine: Come on , We're two intelligent people here. We can figure this out. Now we got a dog and a cat in an office.

Jerry: It looks like my accountant's office but there's no pets working there.

Elaine: The cat is saying " I've enjoyed reading your E-mail".

George: Maybe it's got something to do with that 42 in the corner .

Elaine: It's a page number.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

 

I don't get it at all

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------

IMA FIRIN MAH LASER!!!

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

I love teh cock.

Re: GTA IV Cartoon in The New Yorker

FAKE!!!

I AM A LOST SOUL, CONDEMNED TO HAUNT THE DREAMS OF JOHN BRUCE "JACK" THOMPSON UNTIL HIS CRUSADE AGAINST VIDEO GAMES ENDS. SOMEONE, PLEASE! END MY SUFFERING!

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GamePolitics ShoutBox

Posted 09/05/08 at 01:50am
Flamespeak: To be fair, if you dismiss video games as contributors to violence in youth, it is hypocritical to say they cause heroism.
Posted 09/04/08 at 09:21pm
Tarosan: @gamepolitics has he actually lost his job or is on the verge of being disgraced forever?
Posted 09/04/08 at 09:21pm
HalfShadow: If either of you waste good music on him, I swear I will kill you.
Posted 09/04/08 at 09:19pm
Tarosan: I shall blare out "We are Champions" as soon as he gets sacked and post a celebration video on Youtube :P
Posted 09/04/08 at 07:45pm
King of Fiji: @Austin: Go try "I'm Going Slightly Mad" it describes Jack 's mind greatly. xD
Posted 09/04/08 at 07:25pm
Austin_Lewis: @King and Grizzam: I'm going to stand on my mansion's front porch with my Les Paul and Marshall half stack and play both.
Posted 09/04/08 at 07:17pm
ZippyDSMlee: gamepolitics: loseign the bar dose. mostly, hecan still sit in with other lawyers tho..
Posted 09/04/08 at 06:51pm
gamepolitics: He has no job to lose...
Posted 09/04/08 at 06:16pm
King of Fiji: @GRIZZAM PRIME: Instead of the standard "We Are the Champions" might I suggest trying "Hammer to Fall" instead? :D
Posted 09/04/08 at 05:49pm
GRIZZAM PRIME: Jack's disbarment...I already have the giant speakers and the Queen CD rigged up...
Posted 09/04/08 at 04:40pm
Tarosan: I'm hoping Jack loses his job in two weeks... the stupidity in his posts is just well DUMB
Posted 09/04/08 at 03:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: Bannign is stupid,but regulating things for the use by the..er.. "mature" is not so bad.
Posted 09/04/08 at 03:01pm
ZippyDSMlee: SimonBob:and if he was drunk he would be a bad shot, at least at range(8+feet). 20+ proof needs to be reserved for 25ish+ year old while 5-12% beer and wine be approved for 18+.
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:59pm
ZippyDSMlee: SimonBob: why? a 6 pack or 2 would be enough to get anyone drunk, theres no point is banning the harder stuff. sipping the harder stuff in small shot glasses having about. 15oz of it is alot better than drinking 10 12oz cans in a row..... and if he wa
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:53pm
SimonBob: You guys suck at this. The article says Gill drank "2 to 7 drinks a day, including the day of the shooting" and not one of you
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:53pm
SimonBob: countered me with "obviously they should ban alcohol." (And hey, I'm all for criminalizing anything over 100 proof.)
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:49pm
sortableturnip: I remember some woman died from sniffing a man's armpit...ban deoderant! ban armpits!!
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:48pm
sortableturnip: No more gas? Does that mean I have to hold in my farts?
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:27pm
PHOENIXZERO: Pencils too! The kiddies could go out imitating the Joker and want to show people a magic trick! Heck, ban the Dark Knight!
Posted 09/04/08 at 02:18pm
JustChris: @barra: damn, that just reminded me of the lady that died from too much water in a radio-hosted contest.
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