From this week’s Weekly Editorial Cartoon E-mail:

I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news this week: This will be the last Weekly Editorial Cartoon E-mail, at least for a while. After much soul-searching, I’ve decided it’s time to take an extended sabbatical from editorial cartooning. Several factors went into this decision, from financial (it was never really about money, but, in these tough economic times, my toons aren’t even supporting my comic-book habit anymore) to practical (the progressive media outlets that have supported my work are going to be less hungry for toons critical of the Obama administration) to inspirational (I’m sure Obama will make his share of mistakes, but I doubt he’ll ever fuel my fire like W.) All considered, it seemed like the right time to make a clean break.

I’m not sure exactly what’s next. I’m hoping to publish a collection of my Bush-era toons. There’s also a graphic novel or two on the backburner, as well as a couple of kids’ books. And I would never rule out a return to editorial cartooning, if the right opportunity arises. I’m going to spend the rest of the year finishing up my current semester of grad school and enjoying the holidays. Then I’ll turn my attention to the hard question of “What’s next?”

Before signing off, I pass along a hearty “thank you” to all of you: the readers of this e-mail and the editors who have supported my work. It has been a pleasure!

With overwhelming voice, Americans have voted to move beyond the dark times of the past eight years. “Yes We Did.” Now, if the nation can just survive the next two months, 17 days, 20 hours, 1 minute and 50 seconds.

(Quick note: I’ll be out of town so no new cartoon next week. Toons resume Nov. 19.)

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Yes We Can” [Archive No. 0838]

With less than a week until Election Day, it’s starting to look more and more likely that the GOP will be cast “Back to the Wilderness” by voters. But beware: The last time Republicans were banished, they came back strong, first with their “Contract With America,” then with a scary brand of neoconservatism implanted on the born-again blank slate of George W. Bush. Lord only knows what they might come up with this time.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Back to the Wilderness” [Archive No. 0837]

Just thirteen days until United States citizens face “The Choice” (though early ballots are already in the mail). Have you made yours?

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “The Choice” [Archive No. 0836]

Yes, I’m sorry, but I had to dig into the archive this week. As much as I hate to go with a rerun this close to the election, I’m in the middle of grad school midterms and, well, the history of the Vietnam War trumps everything for a few days. I’ll return to Election 2008 soon, but, in the meantime, enjoy “All Tricks, No Treats” (color version) from 2006; it’s as accurate today as it was then (unless you happen to live on Wall Street).

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “All Tricks, No Treats” (color version) [Archive No. 0639b]

“That one?”

No, I don’t think John McCain had any racial intent when he oddly referred to Barack Obama as “that one” during last night’s debate. But it was dismissive and a poor choice of words, especially in light of McCain’s nasty anti-Obama ad, “The One,” from earlier this year. In debates, it’s often the little things that stick, and “That one” just might be that thing for this one. My latest toon, “What’s in an Article?,” reflects on the moment.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “What’s in an Article?” [Archive No. 0835]

The economic meltdown continues. This week’s take, “Money Talks,” is the latest in my dollar-bill series.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Money Talks” [Archive No. 0834]

I understand that deregulation, greed and mismanagement are major factors in the current economic crisis. But why are so few of the “experts” talking about a war, fought on credit, that’s already cost hundreds of billions — and that some believe will have a total economic impact of more than $3 TRILLION? It’s insane. This week’s toon, “Dollar Wise,” pokes at that question.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “Dollar Wise” [Archive No. 0833]

It’s not the actual destruction that makes us fear terrorists, it’s the chaos they introduce into the system. So imagine what the rest of the world thinks of the “First-World Terrorist,” who, driven by a radical faith in greed, lays waste to financial markets and threatens prosperity everywhere. Too bad Bush and his cronies didn’t launch a preemptive strike against those bastards.

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “First-World Terrorist” [Archive No. 0832]

Sarah Palin must be the final insult to poor Hillary. To be so close to breaking the ultimate glass ceiling, and to feel you were mistreated by the media, and then to see some gun-tottin’, Bible-thumpin’ hottie hockey mom, with even less experience than that punk you were supposed to have crushed, strut in using a ready-made “the media is sexist” defense … . Every time Palin evokes her name on the campaign trail, Hillary must die a thousand deaths.

When I first sketched this toon, I had Hillary saying something like “What have I begot?” But as I was looking at it on the art board, the final caption wrote itself. It’s the unspoken word that’s been in the background this entire whole campaign (and notice that it’s still unspoken). It seemed pretty obvious that’s “What Hillary Must Be Thinking.”

Links: Buy a hand-signed, 11×14 print of this cartoon | On the main site: “What Hillary Must Be Thinking” [Archive No. 0831]