Comic Strip of the Day

CSotD: Africa Screams

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Mike Peterson Published: February 1, 2011 1 minute 0 comments

There is a large raft of Egypt cartoons floating around right now, some of them totally cloth-eared, others obvious and some, the ones from a little closer to the scene, more focused on what it means to the rest of the region than what is actually happening there.

Well, what is actually happening there? South African cartoonist Jeremy Nell ("Jerm") hits the nail on the head with his usual blend of insight and irreverence.

Sometimes, in political cartooning, the urge to get a laff takes the political analysis way off course. Other times, the intent to analyze can suck the potential for humor right out of a cartoon.

I certainly don't want to suggest that a political cartoon needs to be humorous. Quite the opposite, in fact: If it's a choice between insight and humor, insight must be foremost, always.

But isn't it lovely when they come together?

Mike Peterson has posted his "Comic Strip of the Day" column every day since 2010. His opinions are his own, but we welcome comments either agreeing or in opposition.