Today, I’ve got an exciting announcement to make!
But it also comes with an ask for your help. (Below).
I’m always looking for new ways to communicate on issues surrounding democracy and politics that break through, stick, and spread: Books, newsletters, tweet threads, whiteboards. Even paintings.
And I’m always looking for new media to use: Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, Substack.
At the same time, I’m deeply concerned about the decline of journalism across the country. That decline contributes to the broader decline of democracy.
And that decline is eroding the conversation in numerous ways: Fewer papers. Fewer reporters. Fewer investigations. More paywalls. And less robust editorial pages and columnist content (offering wise perspective and context for daily events).
And what’s one other important element that is disappearing? One which traditionally provided memorable and easily shareable perspectives on the day’s events—often cutting through the clutter of long articles and columns?
The editorial cartoon. Cartoons are now among the first things to go as newspapers cut back.
And that’s a real loss.
Especially when a single cartoon can, when done right, break through with a viewership/readership more than anything else. And can spread like wildfire. A good editorial cartoon can add clarifying imagery or palpable emotion to a moment, or a story, that cuts through the clutter and complexity in a matter of seconds.
Announcement!
SO, today I’m announcing a partnership with an editorial cartoonist I’ve been a fan of for a long time. His name is Kevin Necessary, and for years, he generated phenomenal work as the editorial cartoonist for the Cincinnati Enquirer. His cartoons have been featured in Politico, The Week, and USA Today. Over the years, I’ve seen many of them go viral to a national audience.
Well, Kevin and I sat down recently and decided that even as newspapers cut down on work like his, we need more of it, not less.
Think of how powerfully a good cartoon might capture Nikki Haley’s indefensible comments about the cause of the Civil War. Or Elise Stefanik’s outrageous words about “hostages.” Or the injustice of gerrymandering, or Trump’s stance that he is immune for all crimes.
On the flip side, think of how a cartoon can capture the inspiration of everyday democracy champions (like the Issue 1 advocates here in Ohio last year). Or frame a message as powerfully as any TV ad of speech could: (here’s an example of a meme that did this so well re Issue 1–went viral immediately):
With his creative talent, my social media footprint and our collective democracy ideas, Kevin and I want to generate and disseminate content on issues like these again and again. Timely, “sticky” content that complements and amplifies important messages and spreads quickly. That will strike people in a different and more memorable way than tweets or podcasts or, yes, even my whiteboards (gasp!).
Want some examples?
Here’s one Kevin did about the voter drop box debate in Ohio:
And here are two he did about the gerrymandering fiasco in Ohio:
Our goal is to generate at least one cartoon a week and disseminate them out into the world. If there’s sufficient interest, we’d love to do more.
And this is where you come in.
The revenue model that will allow us to do this professional work consistently, and get it out there, will come from paid subscriptions to Substack.
Of course, to get the widest distribution possible, the end product (cartoons) will be distributed to ALL through multiple fora. Not just paid subscribers. We want these cartoons out there!
But paid subscribers here—you will be the ones allowing us to do the work. And we hope you will be among the first to share it.
We also will provide paid subscribers with an insider look at this work—the drafts and sketches that led to the ultimate cartoons we put out there. And we will solicit your ideas on topics you’d like us to consider as content for future cartoons.
And if we receive sufficient paid subscriptions, we will not only be able to generate these cartoons, but churn them out at least once or twice a week—and on the hottest and most timely national topics of the day.
In this complicated and crazy environment we’re in, we think (and hope) that this is one other way to break through on a consistent basis.
So, if you’re not already a paid subscriber, will you help us launch this into the world?
Please sign up below to do so.
And I will keep you posted on whether we generate sufficient support to move forward in a sustained way.
Thank you for your consideration.
What a great idea. I think it will be money well spent. Highway billboards? Bus sides? Get the message out with laughter.
I truly cannot become a paid subscriber, but if I had the wherewithal, I would. I LOVE political cartoons ... they say as much with few or no words as a 1,000-word essay can! Thank you!