In Teresa Burns Parkhurst’s cartoon, three elephants are in a couple’s living room. The middle elephant says something to the one who’s facing him, while the couple remains oblivious. “The elephant in the room” is a metaphor for an obvious and pressing problem no one wants to discuss, so I first came up with these…
Continue Reading…
Recent Posts
Anatomy of a Cartoon: Our Online Life
Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind the gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics take a look at our online life. Our online horizons have expanded as COVID drives more services and activities into cyberspace. Meetings, family reunions, and even visits to the doctor now take…
Continue Reading…
“Crossword Chest” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In Carolita Johnson’s cartoon, two shirtless men are walking together on the beach. The younger man has an armband tattoo around his left bicep. The older man has a crossword puzzle on his chest. The older man is speaking. I first imagined where the crossword clues might be tattooed: “The clues are on my tramp…
Continue Reading…
Anatomy of a Cartoon: Prison
Cartoon critics Phil Witte and Rex Hesner look behind the gags to debate what makes a cartoon tick. This week our intrepid critics take a look at jail time. The many months of Covid lockdown may seem like prison. Of course, real prison is far worse. Therefore, it may seem strange that cartoonists can extract…
Continue Reading…
“Panini Press” Caption Contest Commentary with Lawrence Wood
In E.S. Glenn’s cartoon, a panini press is saying something to a toaster. Judging from the swinging door, they appear to be in a commercial kitchen. The panini-press looks friendly and encouraging, so I first imagined he was trying to build up the smaller appliance’s self-esteem: “Are you kidding? I’d give anything to make bread…
Continue Reading…