Editorial cartoon

This early political cartoon by Ben Franklin was originally written for the French and Indian War, but was later recycled during the Revolutionary War

An editorial cartoon, also known as a political cartoon, is an illustration or comic strip containing a political or social message.

Editorial cartoons can be very diverse, but there is a certain established style among most of them. Most editorial cartoons use visual metaphors and caricatures to explain complicated political situtations, and thus sum up a current event with a humorous picture.

Over the years, certain common metaphors and symbols have been repeatedly used by many different cartoonists. Examples include the use of a donkey and elephant to represent the United States Democratic Party and United States Republican Party respectively, Uncle Sam to represent the United States, a bear to represent Russia, a dragon to represent China, and so forth.

In modern political cartooning a division has started to emerge between two styles of cartooning. The tradtional style, involving visual metaphors is described as the 'nasti' style, named after Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist generally considered to be the modern founder of political cartooning. The second style is a much more text heavy 'alti' style that tells a linear story, usually in comic strip format. This style is becoming more popular, especially among left wing cartoonists, but is often denounced by traditionalists as being little more editorial columns desguised as cartoons.

Editorial cartoons can usually be found on the editorial page of most newspapers, although a few, like Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury are sometimes found on the regular comics page.

Notable editoral cartoonists

• Steve Benson
• Brian Giovannini
• Bill Mauldin
• Thomas Nast
• Mike Peters
• Ted Rall
• Garry Trudeau
• Ann Telnaes

See also: Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning