Is it a flash of inspiration, or an agonizing search for an idea that shows up minutes before deadline? We want to know how the best editorial cartoonists create their best work. We look at dozens of cartoons every day from around the world and then invite a cartoonist to answer three questions about the creative process. This week, Poynter Online Visual Journalism faculty member Sara Quinn asked Mark Streeter, editorial cartoonist for the Savannah Morning News, what sparked the idea for these two cartoons, how the concept evolved, and why they worked.
Published August 7, 2003, Savannah Morning News
Published August 13, 2003, Savannah Morning News
What sparked the idea?
The idea was sparked simply by the physical contrast between Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger and the perfect setting of a California beach. The first cartoon showed the muscle-bound actor on the beach challenging the California governor with, “Hey, skinny! Your recall is showing!” This (subsequent) cartoon is actually Part II of the ‘Charles Atlas ad’ cartoon theme I came up with and tagged “to be continued….”
How did the concept evolve?
The cartoon evolved into at least a two-parter because, unlike the famous ads, we don’t know how this political drama will play out. The fact that Bill Clinton is advising Davis on the recall election made him the perfect “Charles Atlas” to Davis’ ‘skinny guy’ in the parody.
Why does it work?
I think it works because the analogy is good and the casting is so perfect. Nothing had to be forced.
Name: Mark Streeter
Publication: Savannah Morning News
Joined the paper: 1992, as the paper’s first official editorial cartoonist
Education: BFA in illustration, Savannah College of Art and Design
Also published in: The New York Times, USA Today
Something to know about him: He’s a third-generation newspaperman
Website: http://www.savannahnow.com/columnists/mstreeter/
