Emma White
Andrew Marlton (born in Bega, New South Wales) is an award-winning Australian cartoonist, illustrator, writer, and satirical performer best known under the pseudonym First Dog on the Moon. Recognized for his charmingly absurd animal characters, poignant social critiques, and hand-drawn cartooning style, Marlton has become one of Australia’s most beloved and influential satirists. He served as a regular cartoonist for Crikey from 2007 to 2014 and has been creating editorial cartoons for Guardian Australia since then. In addition to his online presence, Marlton has expanded his work into print, performance, radio, and educational outreach.
Infobox: Andrew Marlton (First Dog on the Moon)
Full Name: Andrew Marlton
Pen Name: First Dog on the Moon
Born: Bega, New South Wales, Australia
Residence: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Nationality: Australian
Occupation: Cartoonist, Illustrator, Satirical Performer, Writer
Education: Art School (incomplete), Yarralumla Primary School
Genres: Satire, Political Commentary, Children’s Literature
Notable Works: First Dog on the Moon series, The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens, Cartoobs and Other Typos
Publications: Crikey (2007–2014), Guardian Australia (2014–present)
Notable Characters: Brenda the Civil Disobedience Penguin, Ken the Hen, Warren the Water Buffalo
Awards: Walkley Award for Best Cartoon (2012), MoAD Political Cartooning Award (2011)
Early Life and Inspirations
Marlton grew up in Canberra and attended Yarralumla Primary School. Reflecting on his youth, he has described himself as “a miserable teenager, but I still had something to live for. I had feminism, Dungeons & Dragons and the Ramones. Not necessarily in that order.” His upbringing was shaped by his mother, Paddy, a feminist, unionist, and art teacher whose values helped shape Marlton’s views on equity, justice, and creativity. Paddy instilled a deep appreciation for critical thinking, artistic freedom, and social responsibility, often involving Andrew in community projects and art workshops from a young age.
As a child, Marlton spent hours sketching animals, comics, and fantastical scenes inspired by science fiction novels and role-playing games. He developed a passion for storytelling through both words and pictures, often sharing hand-drawn cartoons with classmates and neighbours. By high school, he was creating zines and humorous pamphlets that satirized school events and political issues, foreshadowing his future in political cartooning.
After working at community radio station 2XX in the early 1980s—where he learned the basics of scripting, sound editing, and live broadcast—he briefly attended art school. Though he dropped out before completing his studies, the experience deepened his skills in illustration, life drawing, and mixed media techniques. He initially pursued careers in acting and painting, performing in local theatre productions and exhibiting paintings in group shows, before ultimately turning to cartooning. This transition allowed him to blend storytelling, visual art, and activism in a medium that was both immediate and impactful.
Marlton coined the term “anarcho-marsupialist” to describe his political views—an irreverent yet pointed critique of mainstream politics and a nod to his animal-centric art style. He has said, “Patriarchy (and capitalism) still need to be dismantled… I now see my role as the guy who is going to draw the cartoons about the people who are going to do it.” His fusion of whimsy and rebellion has resonated with audiences across generations, particularly among those who see humor as a powerful form of resistance.
Career Highlights
Marlton began his full-time cartooning career at Crikey in 2007, where he launched the character-driven satirical strip under the name First Dog on the Moon. His unconventional characters and poignant critiques of Australian politics and media struck a chord with readers. Some of the most recognizable figures in his cartoons include:
- Brenda the Civil Disobedience Penguin
- Ken the Hen (Gender Ambiguity Chicken)
- Warren the Water Buffalo
- The ABC Interpretive Dance Bandicoot
He often anthropomorphizes public figures for satirical effect—Julia Gillard as a fox, Kevin Rudd as a balloon, and Tony Abbott as a man wearing a bucket on his head—offering a surreal yet incisive commentary on political absurdity.
His visibility grew significantly through his appearances on ABC TV’s The Insiders, where he discussed his favourite cartoons and offered commentary on current affairs. He was also a frequent guest at literary festivals and events exploring the role of satire in Australian media. In 2014, Marlton joined Guardian Australia, where he continues to deliver daily cartoons accompanied by witty commentary, fusing humour with activist sensibility.
Publications and Live Performances
Andrew Marlton is a prolific illustrator and author. His published works include:
- The Wombat and the Grand Poohjam by Jackie French (2009)
- Got Zip!: Australia’s 2013 election live from the campaign trail by Guy Rundle (2013)
- First Dog on the Moon’s The Story of the Christmas Story (2010)
- A Treasury of Cartoons by First Dog on the Moon (2015)
- The Carbon-Neutral Adventures of the Indefatigable Enviroteens (2020), a middle-grade environmental satire novel
Marlton has also embraced live performance. In 2013, he debuted his first stage show, Cartoobs and Other Typos, funded through a crowd-sourced campaign. The show combined stand-up comedy, political ranting, and cartoon narration, taking audiences behind the scenes of First Dog’s cartooning process. In 2016, he returned to the stage with An Evening with First Dog on the Moon, which toured major cities and offered a humorous yet thought-provoking take on Australian political life.
Exhibitions and Cultural Presence
First Dog on the Moon’s work has been exhibited in prominent galleries and public spaces, underscoring the intersection of art and journalism. Highlights include:
- The Universe According to First Dog on the Moon (Platform, Melbourne, 2011–12)
- Behind the Lines exhibition (Museum of Australian Democracy), which showcases the best in Australian political cartooning annually
His distinct visual style and memorable characters have led to a wide array of merchandise, including plush toys, socks, playing cards, fridge magnets, and calendars. His products are wildly popular and have become collector’s items. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd even mentioned First Dog’s tea towels on national television, a moment that solidified his cultural significance.
Awards and Recognition
Marlton has received multiple accolades for his contributions to journalism and satire, including:
- Walkley Award for Best Cartoon (2012) – awarded for a six-panel cartoon critiquing public and political apathy toward asylum seekers
- MoAD Political Cartooning Award (2011) – presented by the Museum of Australian Democracy
- He has also been named Political Cartoonist of the Year and received commendations from media and cultural institutions for his role in shaping political dialogue through satire.
Personal Life
Andrew Marlton lives in Melbourne and shares his home with his beloved dog Peanut, who occasionally appears in his cartoons as a silent observer. He maintains a blog titled First Blog on the Moon, where he shares reflections, behind-the-scenes stories, and additional artwork.
Despite his prominence, Marlton continues to describe himself as a “guy with a pen, yelling gently at the world” through his cartoon marsupials. He sees cartooning not merely as commentary but as a public service, offering humor, critique, and sometimes even emotional support to readers in difficult times.
His cartoons regularly address issues such as climate change, gender equity, Indigenous sovereignty, economic inequality, and the refugee crisis. Through accessible visuals and empathetic storytelling, he invites readers to think deeply and act consciously, often delivering emotional resonance alongside sharp political insight.
In recent years, Marlton has used his platform to engage with broader conversations on mental health, media accountability, and the evolution of political satire in the digital era. He has experimented with digital storytelling formats and multimedia collaborations, expanding the reach and impact of his work while preserving the hand-drawn authenticity that defines his style.
Whether published in print, projected on stage, or shared across the internet, Andrew Marlton’s cartoons are more than drawings—they are an ongoing conversation with a nation, wrapped in the fur and feathers of the most endearing marsupial revolutionaries Australia has ever known.
