insider
May
29
2021
Cartoons like this one from John Darkow hit the mark on Memorial Day themes, showing a uniformed man kneeling in grass under a tree, touching a stone marked 'FALLEN' with a cross and an American flag attached. The inscription quotes Harry S. Truman on the unrepayable debt to heroic men and valiant women in service, capturing sacrifice, duty, honoring, remembrance, and mourning. It's a straightforward nod to those in the military who gave everything, without any bells or whistles—just the quiet reality of loss. Tags like trnd fit because these images circulate widely around holidays, reminding folks of the cost behind the barbecues. In the syndication game, pieces evoking pure patriotism without controversy spread easily, blending respect with a touch of solemn humor in the exaggerated features.
Apr
12
2019
Esquivel's cartoon features a yellow smiley face stamped with footprints labeled Iran, FARC, China, Hezbollah, Russia, and Cuba from Maduro's walking legs. It highlights geopolitical ties in Venezuela through simple satire. Tags like socialism and communism underscore the alliances shown.
Mar
13
2019
Arcadio Esquivel's 2019 cartoon captures Maduro in a red jacket, paintbrush in hand dripping black over a yellow Venezuela sign, with a red bucket bearing the communist hammer and sickle symbol. The black background dominates, broken only by a jagged white area where the figure stands. Tags such as Venezuela, Communism, Socialism, Politician, Latin America, and Maduro underscore the image's focus on political turmoil. The artwork uses stark contrasts to highlight themes of expanding crisis, with the man's mustache and attire clearly evoking the Venezuelan leader. Dry humor emerges in the literal painting of darkness, a nod to real blackouts plaguing the nation under socialist policies.
Feb
20
2019
Steve Sack draws an infinity snow cartoon where a bundled-up character pilots a red snowblower along a massive infinity symbol sculpted from snow, with snowflakes dotting the blue sky. The endless snow removal setup delivers perpetual winter humor, as the figure's downcast expression underscores the futility. This Minnesota-based satire from the Star Tribune captures the relentless nature of blizzards, turning seasonal drudgery into visual wit. Infinite snowfall becomes a loop of comedy, perfect for sharing amid winter storms. Sack's clean lines and simple composition make the infinity loop a standout symbol of never-ending chores.
