You’ve seen them. Even if you don't read a physical newspaper anymore, you’ve definitely scrolled past a sharp, ink-heavy image that made you either laugh or want to throw your phone across the room. That’s the power of the editorial cartoon. Specifically, creators com political cartoons have been the backbone of this "poke the bear" industry for decades.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a miracle they still exist.
Back in 1987, the world of syndication was basically a corporate monopoly where artists were treated like "indentured servants," to use a phrase from Pulitzer winner Mike Peters. Then came Rick Newcombe. He founded Creators Syndicate with a radical idea: the artists should actually own their work. It sounds obvious now, but back then, it was a revolution.
The Fight for Ownership at Creators Com Political Cartoons
Most people don’t realize that for a century, if you drew a famous character and died, the syndicate just hired a new "ghost" to keep the money rolling. Creators changed that. They started with big names like Johnny Hart (B.C.) and the legendary Herblock.
If you aren't familiar with Herblock, the guy was a titan. He’s the one who literally coined the term "McCarthyism." Having him join a fledgling syndicate was like a startup landing a tech giant.
This independence matters because a cartoonist who owns their work is a cartoonist who doesn't have to pull punches for a corporate boss. They can be as "vicious" as they want.
And they are.
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Why the Drawing Matters
A lot of people think political cartoons are just funny pictures. They aren't. They are condensed arguments. In an era where we are drowning in 2,000-word op-eds, a single panel from a guy like Michael Ramirez or Steve Breen can tell a whole story in three seconds.
It’s about the "visceral level," as Matt Bors from The Nib once put it. You feel a cartoon before you read it.
The roster at creators com political cartoons is intentionally diverse. You’ve got Michael Ramirez, who leans conservative and hits like a sledgehammer. Then you have voices like Pat Bagley or the late, great Herblock who pushed from different angles.
It's not about being "balanced." It's about being loud.
The Digital Shift: From Newsprint to Smartphones
The transition hasn't been easy. Newspapers are shrinking.
There used to be thousands of staff cartoonists. Now? There are maybe a hundred or so left in the U.S. with full-time gigs. That’s why syndication through sites like Creators is the only reason some of these artists can still pay their mortgages.
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The Meme Problem
People say memes killed the political cartoon. I disagree. Sorta.
Sure, anyone with a phone and a font app can make a meme. But a meme is usually a stolen photo with some text. A political cartoon is art. It’s a craft. When you look at the cross-hatching in a Gary Varvel piece or the caricatures by Chip Bok, you’re seeing years of anatomical study and political history mashed into one frame.
Memes are fast food. Cartoons are a home-cooked meal that might give you heartburn.
How to Actually Read These Things
If you go to the creators com political cartoons section today, don't just look for things you agree with. That's a trap.
The best way to engage with editorial art is to look for the symbols. Look at how they draw the "Everyman" or how they use light and shadow to make a politician look like a villain—or a hero.
- Check the symbols: Is there a donkey? An elephant? A vulture? These are the shorthand of the trade.
- The Caption: Sometimes the best cartoons have no words at all. Those are the hardest to draw.
- The "Ouch" Factor: If a cartoon makes you angry, it’s probably doing its job.
The Future of the Pen
What's next? Jack Newcombe, the current president of Creators, has talked about being "nimble." They’ve moved into podcasts, e-books, and digital subscriptions. They have to. The "funny pages" aren't where the kids are.
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But the need for satire? That isn't going anywhere.
As long as politicians say one thing and do another, we need people with ink-stained fingers to call them out. Whether you find them on a crumpled piece of paper or at creators com political cartoons on your tablet, these drawings are the front line of free speech.
They make us think. They make us argue. And occasionally, they make us change our minds.
Actionable Ways to Support the Craft
If you actually care about keeping this art form alive, don't just "like" a reposted image on social media. Go to the source.
Visit the official site. Subscribe to their newsletters. If an artist has a book out, buy it. The industry survives on pennies per click, and in a world of AI-generated sludge, human-made satire is a luxury we can't afford to lose. Start by following three cartoonists with different political views for a month. You’ll be surprised at how much more you learn about current events from a single panel than from a cable news shouting match.