Man: Cartoonist copied drawing from 2006

WARREN, N.J., May 23 (UPI) -- A Warren, N.J., man claims a cartoonist for The New Yorker copied a political cartoon he posted on his Web site in 2006.

Jon Rau said the similarities between his drawing and a Harry Bliss cartoon that appeared in the April 21 issue of the magazine are "just too great," the New York Post reported Friday.

Rau's cartoon, which has been on his Web site, iwillkickyourassforworldpeace.com, since 2006, features a man approaching the reception desk for "Hollywood Rehab" and being asked by the receptionist, "And the name of your referring publicist?"

Bliss's creation depicts a woman at the reception desk of "Hollywood Rehabilitation Clinic" and a male receptionist asking, "Were you referred to us by your doctor or your publicist?"

"I understand there's a ton of ideas out there, but there are too many similarities with this," Rau said.

New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff downplayed the similarities between the cartoons, saying the magazine receives about 500 submissions every week and often "two different artists will produce a very similar idea."

The accusation comes just days after Bliss was accused of aping late comic book artist Jack Kirby for a caption contest in the New Yorker. Bliss later said the image was meant as a tribute to Kirby.