A place for laughs in Hell. Martínez de León’s cartoons: republican humour in the Spanish Civil War

Abstract

In this article, we analyse the cartoons of Andrés Martínez de León, published in El Sol during the Spanish Civil War. Despite the war’s brutality, humour emerged as a vital tool, serving both as propaganda and a connection to pre-war normalcy. Martínez de León’s cartoons exhibit sharp satire, offering profound insights into the conflict. Our primary goal is to resurrect the work of this influential Andalusian graphic journalist and explore the narrative and visual techniques he employed. Through content analysis, we uncover how humour became a daily means of resistance, providing solace and commentary amidst the chaos and fear of war.