Journalistic cartoons: what are they, examples and characteristics

Surely you have to recognize this type of cartoons that usually appear in the newspapers and that have a certain kind of graphic and sarcastic humor in these, reflecting an important situation that many people do not want to discuss or that make it seem like something banal, when it is necessary to take into account account. So it expresses itself in the only way it can universally draw people's attention: comedy.

It is for this reason that these cartoons become a prominent factor in newspapers and magazines and, in a way, their ace under the manga to be able to bring up a topic that impacts the public in a way that generates an emotion in them and they want to find out more by respect. For this reason it is even considered as an almost essential source of visual communication.

But, How much do you know about newspaper cartoons? In this article we will be portraying everything you need to know about this artistic visual genre that can be more informative than many communication portals.

What are newspaper cartoons?

They are considered an iconographic element to express opinions, originating from the journalistic genre, where opinions are presented, feelings or events from the interpretive point of view of the artist or a certain audience, in order to convey a message not direct. Reason why a sarcastic and burlesque tone is used, the main idea of ​​the graphics exposed in the cartoons is to generate a reflection, since it is done from a critical position.

Generally, events corresponding to current political, economic or social issues are presented that they are enveloping a locality or that it is resounding in the world, both positive and negative (mostly they focus on this last point). They are also known as vignettes, and some artists may make use of short comics, strips, or progressive frames to relate the topic of interest.

The main basis of these cartoons is to carry a direct message or an observation to the public, which is generally tried to hide or minimize, through artistic representations of involved characters or fictitious situations that can serve as an example of complexity of the matter. Other times it is used to ridicule a situation or the actions of a character in a satirical way, since it shows somehow "the worst side of everything and everyone" but without losing humor.

Characteristics of journalistic cartoons

Since you know conceptually what a newspaper cartoon is about, we are going to know its characteristics, function and other details to take into account.

1. Location

Typically, these unique vignettes, comics, or caricatures are always located on the same site as the article page (even on the same body break or at a specific blade angle) and contain the same font and drawing size and type, font style and tone. message.

2. Purpose

They regularly carry the same message to the audience: a critical reflection on bureaucratic, economic or that can directly and indirectly affect individuals but are also often unknown to they.

3. Historical continuity

You will be able to find the cartoons almost in real time representations of current events or the monitoring of a specific topic that attracts attention. So it is not strange that it looks like a comic with updated chapters in each new edition of the newspaper.

4. Exaggeration

The magnification of the features, discourses, characteristics, behaviors and elements present in the main theme is one of the most recognized attributes of journalistic cartoons and precisely what most captures the attention of the public. This is done to add a more burlesque tone and take advantage of the stereotypes present.

5. Author's signature

It is essential that each vignette bears the name of the author who has prepared it, it can be a form, an element or sign as 'anonymous'. A curious fact is that few actually put their real name, instead they use a pseudonym.

6. They have a certain posture

Although they have an element of entertainment and fun, the truth is that these are positioned in strategically in the sections where opinions of world situations are usually developed or generated current. So, the exposed information fulfills this purpose.

7. Subjective element

Despite representing a real and everyday situation, all the elements present are subject to vision subjective of the author, so it is of free interpretation for others and can be taken from different points of view. sight.

8. Look for influence

Precisely because it is a subjective element, it is completely free from a neutral position, in usual terms, it seeks to generate empathy, disapproval, argumentation or impact on the reader.

9. Information reception

As they are issues that occur at the present time or that are followed up on it, it is necessary that both the Readers like the artist need to know the points to be covered and their degree of impact on the society.

10. Resources used

These cartoons are very particular due to the type of expression used in it, the best known are:

• Hyperbole (exaggeration of traits)

• Metaphors (figurative references to explain the present situation)

• Ironies (Contradictions to the actions shown by the characters)

• Animalization (Giving animal traits to a person)

• Comparison (resembling one situation to another or one person to another)

11. Gestures and expressions

If it is about representing characters performing actions or showing a somewhat dark side of them, the cartoonists focus on facial expressions and movements to enhance the implicit message left in the image. This resource is used especially when there is no text in the cartoon, but only the drawing is presented.

12. Colors used

In most cases, especially those that are printed for physical newspapers or magazines, a palette of Monochromatic colors, in this way the message is easier to understand and the viewer is not overloaded with other elements distractors. However, it is also common to see these vignettes in full color (usually in digital editions) or with a single line of color that becomes the artist's personal stamp.

13. Messages

We emphasize once again that the purpose of these cartoons is to convey a message to the audience, which can be both explicit as implicit, since it is intended to be of free interpretation for those who read it but emphasizing the subject to be discussed and the personal opinion of the artist.

In this way you can find compromising phrases, sarcasm, ironies, hidden messages or present symbologies that are not overlooked by those who understand the reference.

14. Setting

There are illustrators who prefer to portray subjects based on the context or environment in which it takes place, instead of giving prominence to those involved. Therefore we can see almost irrelevant characters, but with a very suggestive environment, which is the main focus that wants to be exposed.

Examples of newspaper cartoons

Meet some of the most common examples where you can find cartoons or journalistic vignettes.

1. Shoe

Pedro León Zapata was one of the most recognized cartoonists in Venezuela, starting his career in 1965 until his death in 2015. In his illustrations, political issues could be seen as the main focus in Venezuelan daily life, as well as the discrepancy between his promises and his actions.

Here is one of his vignettes, sharpening the hypocrisy of much of society.

2. Coronavirus

This cartoon was put anonymously in February 2020, by the newspaper Dánes Jyllands Posten, which caused a lot of controversy since in a symbolic and direct way the origin of this disease is implied in the streets of China. Even the newspaper found itself being sued for defamation, although the request to remove the cartoon and offer an apology was rejected by the newspaper.

As we can see, the journalistic cartoon is not without controversy and being the object of criticism and even censorship.

3. Finally free

Julio César González, better known as ‘Matador’ is one of the Colombian cartoonists with the longest trajectory and renown in the country, whose art is even recognized internationally. In this vignette we can appreciate in an exaggerated way how we will be and will be before our freedom after the pandemic.

During the Covid-19 crisis, many cartoonists have found material to illustrate the miseries of society.

4. Brexit: the ship sinks

This is a 2016 cartoon by Ben Garrison, a political cartoonist who makes illustrations on controversial issues from the world of world politics. In this case it reflects the great scandal of the separation of the United Kingdom from the European Union. Although this cartoonist himself has been involved in various accusations of racism and ultra-rightism.

5. Corruption in the World Cup

2014 was a tough year for the International Federation of Associated Soccer (FIFA) as a scandal was revealed by embezzlement of funds by various businessmen, players and managers who are members of the organization and teams football players. This cartoon is a work of the Brazilian cartoonist Dalcio Machado, delving into the wound of these alleged corrupt plots in the world of football.

6. Wikileaks

The emails released from Wikileaks were global news that even today continues to sound with much strength, as compromising conversations from various political leaders emerged American. This 2010 cartoon by Osvaldo Gutierrez Gómez represents a severe blow to the apparent "perfect" image of the US government.

Do you have a favorite newspaper cartoonist?