Mar
19
2026
John Darkow's cartoon twists the March Madness tournament bracket into a lineup of global headaches, from gas prices spiking due to Strait of Hormuz tensions and Venezuela instability, to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Measles outbreaks and climate change join the fray, alongside Cuba relations, Epstein files, ICE policies, and long TSA lines. The scene shows a couple at a table, with the man fretting that it's not just March Madness to worry about—April Anger and May Mayhem loom. A potted daisy and a striped cat add a touch of domestic normalcy to the absurd bracket of woes. This piece captures the relentless parade of news cycle disasters, using at least six tags like March Madness, Strait of Hormuz, Venezuela, measles, gas prices, and Gaza.



























