The reason why the 43-year-old Cole killed himself remains one of the greatest mysteries in 20th century American cartooning, according to journalist Paul Gravett.Gravett, Paul (August 31, 2008). "Jack Cole: Stretched To His Limits". Paul Gravett. Reprinted from Comic Book Marketplace (2001). Retrieved September 24, 2018.R. C. Harvey (2007), p. xx–xxi Cole was in the prime of a celebrated cartooning career, complete with praise for his sophisticated gag cartoons in Playboy, and gaining increasing visibility for his newspaper strip Betsy and Me. R. C. Harvey described the suicide as "one of the most baffling events in the history of cartooning".Ho, Oliver (February 11, 2010). "Borderland Speakeasy #3: Needle in the Eye". PopMatters. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
The reason why the 43-year-old Cole killed himself remains one of the greatest mysteries in 20th century American cartooning according to journalist Paul GravettGravett Paul (August 31 2008) "Jack Cole Stretched To His Limits" Paul Gravett Reprinted from Comic Book Marketplace (2001) Retrieved September 24 2018R C Harvey (2007) p xx–xxi Cole was in the prime of a celebrated cartooning career complete with praise for his sophisticated gag cartoons in Playboy and gaining increasing visibility for his newspaper strip Betsy and Me R C Harvey described the suicide as "one of the most baffling events in the history of cartooning"Ho Oliver (February 11 2010) "Borderland Speakeasy #3 Needle in the Eye" PopMatters Retrieved September 24 2018