Comic Art Professional Society
Comic Art Professional Society
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Comic Art Professional Society

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Comic Art Professional Society

The Comic Art Professional Society (CAPS) is an organization of professional cartoonists in the United States. The organization's stated primary purposes are "to advance the ideals and standards of professional cartooning in its many forms", "to promote and foster a social, cultural and intellectual interchange among professional cartoonists of all types" and "to stimulate and encourage interest in and acceptance of the art of cartooning by aspiring cartoonists, students and the general public."

The Society was founded in June 1977 when cartoonists Sergio Aragones of Mad Magazine, Don Rico of Marvel Comics, and writer Mark Evanier sought to create a non-profit monthly social group for fellow members of the profession. They enjoyed each other's company and decided to meet on a regular basis. Membership is limited to established professional cartoonists, with a few exceptions of outstanding persons in affiliated fields. CAPS is not a guild or labor union. Charter members of the organization included Jack Kirby, Scott Shaw!, and William Stout. Stout created the CAPS logo based after the logo of the Steve Canyon newspaper comic strip.

"a non-profit social-type group that will meet every month. A great many of us toil in near isolation, utterly unaware of what (and who) is happening in our field. The primary goal of CAPS is to change that.” - From the original CAPS invitation

The membership meets the second Thursday of every month to discuss happenings in the comic art business, market news, state-of-the-industry reports, and often hear from guest speakers who are at the top of their profession. CAPS exists for cartoonists and writers to interact on a social basis. CAPS hosts other special events through the year that have included picnics, art auctions, Christmas parties, and an annual banquet at which an esteemed member of the comic art profession is honored with The Sergio Award. CAPS is not a fan organization.

The CAPS membership has often contributed their talents to various philanthropic endeavors, such as auctions of original artwork for charity. Many times this has included raising money to assist cartoonists in need.

In 1980, CAPS was involved in donating art to benefit Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

In 2010, CAPS hosted an art auction to benefit veteran comic artists Russ Heath and Ralph Reese.

In May 2012, CAPS hosted an original art auction to benefit the Hairy Cell Leukemia Foundation in remembrance of comic artist Dave Stevens.

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