David Messer

{{short description|Australian cartoonist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2015}}

{{Use Australian English|date=August 2015}}

{{BLP sources|date=March 2011}}

David Messer is an Australian cartoonist.{{cite news |author=Luke Davies |title=Hergé and me |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/herg-and-me-20111201-1o7jw.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 December 2011 |access-date=2015-03-07 }} He is best known for his comic book adaptations of Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Tempest, both published in Australia by Random House in late 2005.{{Citation | author1=Jensen, Michael P | title=Comic Book Shakespeare, Part II.(William Shakespeare)(Critical essay) | journal=Shakespeare Newsletter | publication-date=2007-03-22 | volume=57 | issue=1 | pages=2(6) | issn=0037-3214 }}{{Citation | author1=Jensen, Michael P | title=Comic Book Shakespeare, Part III.(Critical essay) | journal=Shakespeare Newsletter | publication-date=2007-09-22 | volume=57 | issue=2 | pages=42(7) | issn=0037-3214 }} Each book features the full text, complete with footnotes, and close to 1,000 illustrated panels per book. He has produced a full-colour version of Romeo and Juliet.

Other books he has illustrated include Malcolm Knox's humorous history of Australia, Australia in 1788 Words or Less, Paul Clitheroe's Make Your Fortune by 40 and Why Should I? (a guide to the law for children). Messer has also contributed cartoons and illustrations to numerous newspapers and magazines, including The Spectator in the UK, and The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, and The Bulletin in Australia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/behind_the_lines/about_the_artists|title=About the artists {{!}} National Museum of Australia|website=www.nma.gov.au|access-date=2016-06-27}}

Messer has been reviewing books for The Sydney Morning Herald since at least 2006.{{cite news |author=David Messer |title=Struck by Lightning |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/book-reviews/struck-by-lightning/2006/08/09/1154802931951.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=9 August 2006 |access-date=2015-03-07 }}{{cite news |author=David Messer |title=How drugs help some musicians to make music |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/how-drugs-help-some-musicians-to-make-music-20140811-102n4n.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=15 August 2014 |access-date=2015-03-07 }}