The Ephemerist

This week’s Humo features a cover by Jeroom combines references to articles on near-death experiences and on the attitudes of Belgians towards money. It’s not a subtle cartoon (after all, this is Jeroom), but it’s a good one nevertheless.

Not so according to Disney’s local legal eagles. They are investigating if and how they can take action against this cover, which “goes to far”, according to spokesman Gil van Laer (in De Morgen).

(just to be on the safe side : cartoon © 2008, Jeroom; Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Eyore and Piglet, their likenesses and representation © Disney)

Morgan “Super Size Me” Spurlock is at it again with “What Would Jesus Buy ?“, in which he follows the reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir on a cross-country mission to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse. Judging from the trailer, this reverend Billy is one over the top character (I can hear critics all over the world sigh, “well, only in America…”), but his message is true nevertheless : shops and stores all over the world have gone bonkers with Christmas. Flower shops in my community have been putting up decorations since september !

Spurlock is not the only one who feels this has gone too far. Flemish radio hosts Peeters & Pichal have launched a campaign, together with media weekly Humo, to motivate shop owners to leave off the cheer until December 15. And cartoonist Jeroom created a sticker for that purpose, shown above (saying “For God’s sake, no Christmas stuff until December 15 !”).

I for one couldn’t agree more, and so, here’s an English version. Put it on your website, and spread the word.

With one week to go in the Tour de France (in which, incidentally, the soap seems to be winning instead of the sport), I thought it would be nice to draw your attention to Flemish illustrator Jeroom’s Tour De France Panorama which he drew for Humo Magazine.

It’s completely for you to enjoy on the Humo Tour De France Website, with Jeroom’s unique combination of boring infographics and quirky absurdity.