Life, 1928-12-28 · page 35 of 37
Life — December 28, 1928 — page 35: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is primarily **promotional copy** for *Life* magazine itself, not a political cartoon. The text is a tongue-in-cheek mission statement describing what *Life* offers readers. The key satirical point: *Life* explicitly disclaims any pretension to serious intellectual value. It won't make you "masterful" or socially successful—it's purely entertainment. The implied satire targets: - **Pretentious magazine readers** who carry publications to signal status - **Serious journalism** (the text dismisses topics like "reparations" and war news to newspapers) - **Self-improvement culture** of the era The tone is self-aware humor: *Life* is *admittedly* frivolous, dedicated to funny pictures and humorous writing. The subscription offer ($5/year) closes the pitch. The small illustration appears to show a flying creature (unclear what), likely accompanying a joke or humorous piece typical of the magazine's content.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
to show you anything but a good time. Reading it won’t make you masterful and carrying it around under your arm won’t stamp you as an intellectual or a social success. If you want to read, there are plenty of good books; if you must know about reparations and who killed whom you had better consult the daily papers. All LIFE can do is amuse you, wherever and when- ever you need amusing. Mostly pictures—good pictures—mostly funny—by the leading artists. And the best short cracks by the best humorous writers in America. LIFE is dedicated to fami- lies with a sense of humor. LIFE’S only mottois, @ “Tt’s all in fun!” Isa > "s Send me LIFE for one year. My five dollars herewith. comicbooks.com