Sad news to hear that Heinz Edelmann died back on July 21st.

Heinz Edelmann was the designer of probably my all-time favorite movie, Yellow Submarine.  This movie is the zero point of my whole creative vision.  It’s what I used as my source material when I set upon developing my cartooning style.

Heinz’ designs are credited as the X-factor that made that movie as special as it was, and what got the Beatles on board after fearing it would turn out corny and cheesy like they thought their TV series was.

My Dad taped a TV broadcast of Yellow Submarine when I was a kid and I watched it over and over and over and over, studying it for layers of meaning, artistry, and vision.

I had heard Beatles music before, but it was repeated viewings of Yellow Submarine that made me connect the dots, get the whole picture, and realize just how vital and important The Beatles were as both a creative and cultural force.

“I’ve never admitted this before, but my cousin is the Bluebird of Happiness!”
-Chief Blue Meanie

Tags: art, beatles, obituary, yellow submarine