Political Cartoonists

Ever wonder who the old timers were and what drove them to do cartooning?

Why did they stick their necks out for ridicule or in some moments possible arrest?

What inspires the cartoonist who makes statements/opinions through political cartoons?

Who are these people? Is there a current issue today you wish to

show your opinion on? Why not do it through a cartoon?

Jackie Ormes

Torchy in HeartbeatsIn 1950, the Courier began an eight-page color comic insert. Jackie Ormes was asked to bring back Torchy, and she did, “Torchy in Heartbeats.” By this time Ormes was well-established, and she used her character as a great looking role model who also took on issues like sexism, racism, and the polluting of the environment.

She continued the cartoon strip until 1956.

June 26, 1948:In Ginger’s right hand is a fund-raising instruction booklet titled “Negro College Fund” and falling to the floor are cards that say “Pledge.” The United Negro College Fund started four years earlier to help finance such private schools as Tuskegee and Howard universities. Patty-Jo points out the injustice of substandard schools for children who live in the poorer black neighborhoods and argues for federal assistance. To be sure, this cartoon brings a serious message to the funny pages. But it would have been enjoyed for its satirical thrust, especially since the spokesperson is an unlikely one, a child as truth-teller, declaiming on a topic beyond her years.“Gosh—Thanks if you’re beggin’ for me—But how’s about getting our rich Uncle Sam to put good public schools all over so we can be trained fit for any college?”

September 4, 1937:Torchy Brown in "Dixie to Harlem” depicted the escapades of

a teenage country girl, starry-eyed and slightly wacky, abounding in pluck, optimism, and determination. Dinah

Dazzle, her friend’s cousin, visits from New York City, inspiring Torchy with fanciful daydreams. Here she heads

North by train to try her luck at the Cotton Club in Harlem, in a setup ripe for week after week of humorous scenes. While presenting a funny, entertaining story, this strip

reflected the real struggles of people moving from the South to the North. Ormes mocks the predicament of passing for

white as youthful Torchy puzzles in the southern train station whether to go in the direction of the “Colored”

arrow or to the more comfortable “White” section.

Torchy: Jackie's famous character with which she used to point out opinions. Ms. Ormes was a self taught cartoonist.

Below is Torchy the paper doll.

Herbert Lawrence Block, commonly known as Herblock (October 13, 1909 – October 7, 2001), was an American editorial cartoonist and author best

known for his commentary on national domestic and foreign policy from a liberal perspective.[1]

Paul Conrad

Paul Conrad, an American political cartoonist who distinguished himself in the 1970s by being named to President Richard Nixon’s infamous “enemies list,” did his best with his art to get under Nixon’s skin.  In the 1970s, Conrad was among cartoonists who chronicled Nixon’s troubles during his presidential demise via the Watergate scandal – Watergate being the office complex in Washington, DC where the attempted electronic bugging of Democratic Party headquarters would lead to a White House slush fund, an attempted cover up, and ultimately Nixon’s resignation from office.

Paul Conrad, Nixon in the spider web of Watergate.

Conrad also did some notable cartoons on Ronald Reagan.  In fact, he first took after Reagan in the 1960s when Reagan was governor of California.  Conrad’s cartoons often had Reagan in over his head, and he sometimes cast him as a

clown.  Los Angeles Times publisher Otis Chandler reportedly received a number of early-morning calls from Reagan or Nancy complaining of Conrad’s portrayals.

In the early 1990s, Conrad came after President Bill Clinton with a few hits as well.  “Clinton was a disappointment,” Conrad would later say.  “I mean, he became more of a Republican than most Republicans.  He sold out the Democratic party, as far as I can tell.”  One 1994 cartoon by Conrad, shown at right, has Clinton kow-towing to the Republican agenda, playing his saxophone into the Republican elephant’s trunk, with the caption, “Young man with a horn.”

Paul Conrad turned out more than 20,000 political cartoons in his career, many of which were syndicated by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and seen by millions.  In 1993, he was the subject of a PBS documentary, Drawing Fire.  After the 2008 election, he depicted Sarah Palin with a smoking machine gun in one hand as she held up the trunk of a slain Republican Party elephant in the other.  Paul Conrad died of natural causes in September 2010.  He was 86 years old.  He leaves behind an important time capsule of 50 years of political and social observation.

Nate Beeler

Nate Beeler, the award-winning editorial cartoonist for The Dispatch, has earned the reputation of being both a top-flight artist and first-rate journalist. Formerly the cartoonist for the Washington Examiner, he won the 2009 Thomas Nast Award from the Overseas Press Club and the 2008 Berryman Award from the National Press Foundation, among other awards.   Beeler, 31, is a native of Bexley and earned a journalism degree at American University. His cartoons have appeared in such publications as Time, Newsweek and USA Today.

Nate Beeler

Glenn McCoy

Glenn McCoy is an American conservative cartoonist, whose work includes the comic strip The Duplex and the daily panel he does with his brother Gary entitled The Flying McCoys. McCoy also produces editorial cartoons. All three cartoon features are syndicated by Universal Press Syndicate.[1]

Glenn McCoy was born in 1965 and began drawing at the age of 4 under the supervision of his older brother and grandfather. His interest in cartoons and daily strips caused him to work as a cartoonist in newspapers published in his grade school, high school and college. He graduated from Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and graphic design.

After graduation, McCoy started as an art director/editorial cartoonist for the Belleville News-Democrat in his hometown of Belleville, Illinois. He also began working for Playboy as a gag cartoonist in 1992. One year later he created his best-known comic strip—The Duplex.

Cartoon Project The subject matter is your choice. But please choose one that will

be acceptable for public viewing here at school? Ask me if you are not sure.

You are to create 2 different cartoons based on current matters that concern you.

Markers are you medium to work with. Paper will be provided and both cartoons are to be on the same

paper. With this assignment you are to write 2 paragraphs to be turned in

with each cartoon explaining your point of view and why you chose to create a cartoon about this.

Neatness of the art and the lettering are part of your grade. Be sure the copy does not get too close to the edge of the paper. I want to be able to frame these and need at least a ½ inch of space.

A few ideas to follow this slide of current cartoons:

Please note that the cartoons in this slide show do not necessairyl represent the views of your teacher. These were chosen to show various styles and opinions of cartoonist of today and yesteryear. They are meant to provoke your own thoughts and make you think about what is going on in our world today.

If you are stuck on finding an idea I suggest you watch the news, read it on line on the paper or where ever you can get resources that are reliable.

I am asking you to make an opinion and create 2 different cartoons to express your ideas. It must be about current matters that concern you, your parents, and peers. Please do not use this venue to create friction. It is only an avenue to voice an opinion not to stir up controversy.

Rubric:

1.  Is there a paragraph explaining the cartoon and is it written well (proper sentence structure)? 2. Does it fill the page?3. Is the lettering neat?4. Does the composition work well?5. Late?6. Does it cover a recent concern in the national or international news?7. Is it done neatly or was it rushed and sloppy?8. Are there ½ inch margins and a v border drawn?9. Is it on marker paper?10 .Do pencil marks show?