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Read the full text of comments from editorial cartoonists across the country: www.tulsaworld.com/marlette

Editorial cartoonists from across the country lauded Doug Marlette on Wednesday as one of the profession's brightest stars, one who was able to combine humor and "gutsy" commentary on issues of the day.

He was also remembered as a mentor to younger cartoonists trying to make their way in a profession that is increasingly difficult.

Marlette, 57, died Tuesday in a single-vehicle accident on a highway near Holly Springs, Miss.

Marlette, the Tulsa World's editorial cartoonist since February 2006, had won a Pulitzer Prize in 1988 for his work. He also had worked at The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, New York Newsday and the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat.

Marlette wrote two novels and created the comic strip Kudzu. His work is nationally syndicated and has appeared in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times and The Washington Post.

When the crash occurred, Marlette was en route to Oxford High School to watch a rehearsal by students who were performing the play "Kudzu, A Southern Musical," based on his comic strip.

The driver, high school theater director John Davenport, 33, was treated and released.

Officials said the truck in which they were riding hydroplaned on the wet highway and struck

Marlette's close friend, noted author Pat Conroy, said: "I've known Doug since about 1976. . . . We talked every day of our lives. In fact, this morning I went down with my coffee and dialed his number just from habit."

Conroy, who wrote "The Prince of Tides" and "The Great Santini," among other books, lives in South Carolina.

"Here's the thing I'm most sorry about," Conroy said. "I think he would have changed the entire culture of journalism in Oklahoma if he had done what he wanted to do, which was live out his life in Oklahoma."

Just days before he died, Conroy said, Marlette told him that "he was going to Mississippi, that he fell in love with . . . these kids who were doing this play. He said it was wonderful watching high school kids skipping down the hall, singing something he wrote."

Cartoonists heap praise

The Tulsa World received dozens of comments in e-mails from editorial cartoonists regarding Doug Marlette's work and life. Here are excerpts from some of them:

"His work was bold and crisp. His ideas were gutsy and to the point. His passion was always evident. A true master of his craft. This is a terrible loss for the cartooning community."

-- Walt Handelsman, (N.Y.) Newsday

"Doug Marlette once wrote that the highest compliment a cartoonist could get was to be put on someone's refrigerator door. Once they died, he said, they ended up on that big refrigerator door in the sky. I'd like to think that somewhere Marlette is on the door of a very, very big fridge."

-- Stuart Carlson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"Our politics were far apart, but a good cartoon is a good cartoon, no matter what the politics. Doug's cartoons were good a lot more often than not. His loss is a tragedy for all of us."

--Larry Wright, The Detroit News

"Doug and I go back to '72 when we met at what was our first editorial cartoonist convention in D.C. He was the youngest cartoonist working for a major daily, The Charlotte Observer. A long, tall drink of water with big eager eyes and lots of energy, he kinda reminded me of a Labrador puppy.

"That image dissolved when I looked over his work, which was some of the most scathing stuff I saw all weekend.

"He had so much going on in his life and so much more to contribute to others. This is really sad."

-- Dwane Powell, The (Raleigh, N.C.) News and Observer

"This is really shocking. It is a significant loss to the world of cartooning. He was a respected member of our profession. There will be a conspicuous absence on the pages of American newspapers. I extend my sincere sympathies to his family."

-- Nick Anderson, The Houston Chronicle

"Doug Marlette was one of about maybe a dozen editorial cartoonists in America with a truly singular voice and artistic style. His death leaves a hole that will not be filled. . . . You'll never find another Doug Marlette."

-- Bob Englehart, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant

"Doug Marlette was a controversial editorial cartoonist, but his comic strip Kudzu was closer to my heart. Despite its religious subjects and Southern setting, both alien to this Midwestern skeptic, I was hooked.

"To me, nothing requires more creative talent than to suck in readers about topics they otherwise wouldn't care about."

-- Ted Rall, Universal Press Syndicate, president-elect, Association of American Editorial Cartoonists

"He always had something to say in his cartoons of substance and importance and never wasted his unique opportunity to say it with power, no-holds-barred punch and penmanship.

"He will be missed in a craft that sorely needed him, now more than ever."

-- Steve Benson, Arizona Republic

"I was never lucky enough to meet Doug, but he was one of the biggest reasons that I am an editorial cartoonist today. Many years ago, I can remember seeing Jimmy Bakker on the PTL Club, crying into the camera as his wife's mascara rolled with the tears down the side of her face.

"Bakker was waving a copy of a newspaper cartoon and asking his television flock to contact the newspaper and demand the demise of the cartoonist who had dared to depict Bakker in his cartoon.This poor man was so rattled by the drawing that he was shaking.

"Marlette had managed to reduce this TV preacher to tears with only a few drops of ink. It was at that moment that I knew that this fella named Marlette had the kind of job that I would like to have someday.

"Doug's talent seemed endless. His drawings were not only poignant, they were a treat to the eye. I've been behind the drawing board now for over 20 years and I know that Doug is a part of the inspiration that brought me here."

-- Randy Bish, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"I was fortunate to have first met Doug in the mid-1970s at the beginning of my career. I was just starting out at the student newspaper at the University of North Carolina, and Doug was at the Charlotte Observer. His enthusiasm for cartooning was palpable.

"What first struck me about his cartoons were the heavy, thick brush strokes he used, which meshed perfectly with his bold opinions. Doug's drawings reminded me of those of my first idol, Bill Mauldin. Both of them possessed a wicked sense of humor as well, and there was never a question about where they stood on the issues.

"His cartoons, and of course later, his cartoon strip, had a distinctly regional, southern flavor, making them even more unique. In short, Doug's cartoons represented all of the elements that a political cartoon should have. He was among the best, and he will be missed."

-- John Branch, San Antonio Express-News

"The cartooning world has suffered a great loss. Doug Marlette was a giant in the field of editorial cartooning. His cartoons were funny, courageous, compassionate and hard-hitting. If you were a politician or a fat cat, Doug was not afraid to get 'In Your Face,' as the title of his 1991 book so aptly put it.

"I didn't know Doug well but I spent time with him in Pittsburgh when he came through on a book tour. I also had the privilege of attending a book release party at his New York home when he worked for Newsday. His genuine warmth, southern charm and hospitality belied the venom he heaped on deserving targets in his political cartoons.

"On behalf of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC), I send heartfelt condolences to Doug's wife Melinda and his son Jackson. I also send sympathies to his friends and colleagues at the Tulsa World. He will be missed by journalists, cartoonists and cartoon lovers everywhere."

-- Rob Rogers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, AAEC President

"Doug was such an inspiration to young people who wanted to follow in his footsteps in this crazy profession of cartooning. There should be a 'DOUG MARLETTE' award for kids with that ambition. He will be missed."

-- Vic Harville, Stephens Media, Little Rock, Ark.

"Doug Marlette was a giant in our field- not only did he create brilliant editorial cartoons each week he also managed to produce the hilarious comic strip "Kudzu." His humor, his wit and his friendship will be greatly missed."

-- Robert Ariail, The State, Columbia, S.C.

"I was so saddened and bewildered at Doug Marlette's passing. We're never ready for life's orchestrations. Doug and I crossed paths several times. One incident was at a cartoonist gathering in New York and again in Memphis. Both times we briefly shook hands and talked a little about cartoon things. He was a well-mannered person but knew how to tell it like it is. I admired his work immensely.May his spirit live on."

-- Charles Boyce, creator of Compu-Toon

"I wanted to express my great sadness after hearing the news of Doug Marlette's passing. Though I never met him, I always admired his ability to convey his opinion on any subject with great clarity, creativity, humor, power and conviction. Doug's unflinching sense of justice was evident in every editorial cartoon, and has been inspirational to us all.

"Someone of Doug's caliber cannot be replaced, but we are fortunate to have the body of work that he left us. If we are wise, we will look at those cartoons from the past and learn from them, in the hopes of making the future a better place for us all.

"Again, my condolences to the Marlette family and Doug's friends and coworkers at the Tulsa World."

-- John Sherffius, Boulder (CO) Daily Camera