At a glance
■ The free exhibits “Looking Backward, Looking Forward: U.S. Immigration in Cartoons and Comics” and “Cartoon Couture” continue through April 15 at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University, Sullivant Hall, 1813 N. High St. Hours: 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Call 614-2920538, or visit cartoons. osu.edu. of the Statue of Liberty: In addition to “huddled masses,” the statue now beckons those with desirable resumes and good credit reports.
The exhibit does not turn a blind eye to historical cartoons presenting immigrants in offensive or stereotypical terms, such as Louis Dalrymple’s “The High Tide of Immigration — A National Menace” (1903). Contemporary cartoons expressing concerns about immigration policies are also included.
“We did try to take a balanced approach,” Robb said.
The contentiousness of the subject is embodied in F. Victor Gillam’s “The Immigrant” (1903), in which a new arrival to the United States is surrounded by opinionated Lilliputians who argue over the merits of immigration.
Also on view at the museum is a far less political — but equally engaging — exhibit: “Cartoon Couture” imaginatively tracks clothing and style as rendered on the funny pages.
Highlights included fashion-focused installments of the comic strip “Brenda Starr,” as well as New Yorker magazine panels by Helen Hokinson and Barbara Shermund, both with droll takes on evolving styles. An edition of the comic strip “Mopsy” features the chic heroine sending a Valentine’s Day card to herself.
Two glass cases present an assortment of paper dolls, with cut-out figures of characters such as Blondie, Little Orphan Annie and Nancy — the last of the three a decidedly square character who likely would have little patience for fussing over the finer things.