David Gilbert is the creator and cartoonist behind Buckles, a comic strip that debuted on March 25, 1996 and ended its run on March 21, 2021. The strip focused on the life of Buckles, a naive and cheerful dog, and explored his interactions with his owner Paul, other animals, and his environment. The comic was known for its humorous take on the perspective and daily activities of pets, particularly dogs. Gilbert’s work has been appreciated for its charming character designs and light-hearted storytelling.

Gilbert visited the Hearst Animation Offices in 1996 while I was art director. The purpose of the visit was, I believe, to discuss the possibility of doing an animated version of the delightful strip. I was not privy to the negotiations, but the project did not go forward. I did, however, spend some time with the talented cartoonist and he seemed delighted to see my collection of original cartoon art.

Posted below are some sketches from David Gilbert. Buckles is depicted on the upper right.

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