The Most Iconic Editorial Cartoonists of the 21st Century: Editorial cartoons have long served as a powerful medium for social commentary, political satire, and public discourse. In the 21st century, numerous cartoonists have emerged, using their art to reflect societal issues, challenge political figures, and engage audiences worldwide. This article delves into some of the most influential editorial cartoonists of the 21st century, examining their unique styles, notable works, and the impact they’ve had on both the art form and society.

1. Garry Trudeau (1948): Pulitzer-Winning Creator of Doonesbury and Political Satirist

Garretson Beekman “Garry” Trudeau (born July 21, 1948) is a renowned American cartoonist, best known as the creator of the groundbreaking political comic strip Doonesbury. A trailblazer in both the comic and editorial worlds, Trudeau made history in 1975 when he became the first comic strip artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning—a rare feat shared only with Berkeley Breathed, who cited Trudeau as a key influence.

Blending sharp political satire with richly developed characters, Doonesbury redefined what a comic strip could be, addressing topics from Vietnam and Watergate to LGBTQ rights and presidential politics. Beyond the newspaper pages, Trudeau extended his satirical vision into television, most notably as the creator and executive producer of the Amazon Studios political comedy series Alpha House, starring John Goodman. With a career spanning over five decades, Trudeau remains one of the most influential figures in American political commentary and comic art.

2. Ann Telnaes (1960): Award-Winning Editorial Cartoonist and Visual Satirist

Ann Carolyn Telnaes (born November 15, 1960) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American editorial cartoonist known for her bold political commentary and innovative use of multiple media formats, including animation, visual essays, live sketches, and traditional print cartoons. Widely recognized for her sharp, uncompromising visual satire, Telnaes served as an editorial cartoonist for The Washington Post from 2008 until her resignation in January 2025. She has also contributed to other influential platforms, including The Nib.

A trailblazer in her field, Telnaes was honored with a solo exhibition at the Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building in 2004, a rare accolade for any living cartoonist. She served as president of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists from 2016 to 2017 and has been featured in prestigious exhibitions such as Women in Comics: Looking Forward, Looking Back at the Society of Illustrators in 2020. Telnaes is currently a member of the advisory board of the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation in Geneva and previously served on the board of Cartoonists Rights Network International, further cementing her role as an advocate for global press freedom and artistic expression.

3. Matt Wuerker: Pulitzer Prize-Winning Political Cartoonist and Founding Voice of Politico

Matt Wuerker (/ˈwɜːrkər/) is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American political cartoonist best known for his sharp wit, incisive satire, and vibrant visual commentary on U.S. politics. A founding staff member of Politico, Wuerker has played a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s editorial voice since its inception, delivering daily political cartoons that capture the pulse of Washington with humor and depth.

Renowned for his distinctive artistic style and fearless critique across the political spectrum, Wuerker’s work has garnered national acclaim and is widely syndicated across leading publications. His contributions have not only earned him the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning, but also made him one of the most influential cartoonists in modern American media.

4. Ruben Bolling (1963): Satirical Mastermind Behind Tom the Dancing Bug

Ruben Bolling (born c. 1963), the pseudonym of American cartoonist Ken Fisher, is best known as the creator of the acclaimed satirical comic strip Tom the Dancing Bug. Originally rooted in absurdist humor and parodies of pop culture and comic strip tropes, Bolling’s work evolved into a powerful vehicle for political commentary—especially after the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq War.

Widely recognized for his scathing critiques of conservative politics and right-wing populism, particularly during the Donald Trump era, Bolling’s cartoons have become essential reading for fans of intelligent, fearless satire. His bold voice and sharp wit have earned him numerous prestigious cartooning awards, cementing his place as one of America’s leading political humorists.

5. Steve Bell (1951): Iconic British Political Cartoonist with a Sharp Left-Wing Lens

Steven William Maclean Bell (born 1951) is a renowned British political cartoonist best known for his long-running work in The Guardian, where his provocative and boldly satirical cartoons appeared from 1981 to 2023. Recognized for his distinctive visual style and unapologetically left-wing commentary, Bell became one of the most influential voices in UK political cartooning.

Throughout his career, Bell skewered prime ministers, world leaders, and political institutions with biting humor and vivid caricatures, earning both critical acclaim and controversy. His work reflects a fearless dedication to holding power accountable through sharp visual storytelling.

6. Lalo Alcaraz (1964): Pioneering Latino Cartoonist and Creator of La Cucaracha

Lalo Alcaraz (born April 19, 1964) is a trailblazing American cartoonist, satirist, and cultural commentator best known as the creator of La Cucaracha—the first nationally syndicated, politically themed Latino daily comic strip in U.S. history. Launched in 2002, La Cucaracha quickly became one of the most provocative and talked-about comic strips in American newspapers, praised for its unapologetic humor and unflinching commentary on Latino identity, immigration, race, and U.S. politics.

Born and raised in San Diego, California, near the U.S.–Mexico border, Alcaraz draws from a bicultural upbringing that fuels his sharp satirical lens. He is a leading voice in the Chicano movement and has contributed to progressive media through his political cartoons, radio broadcasts, and digital satire. Beyond newspapers, Alcaraz has also made his mark as a radio co-host on KPFK’s Pocho Hour of Power and as the founder and editor of POCHO a hub for Latino satire and commentary.

7. Pat Oliphant (1935): Legendary Political Cartoonist and Master of Visual Satire

Patrick Bruce “Pat” Oliphant (born July 24, 1935) is a renowned Australian-born American editorial cartoonist, widely considered one of the most influential political satirists of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Over a prolific career spanning more than six decades, Oliphant created thousands of biting editorial cartoons that skewered American presidents, global leaders, and the excesses of power with razor-sharp wit and distinctive artistry.

Celebrated for elevating editorial cartooning to an art form, Oliphant combined expressive caricature, classical draftsmanship, and incisive political commentary. His work was syndicated in hundreds of newspapers worldwide and often accompanied by his iconic recurring character, a cynical, one-legged penguin named Punk. In addition to his cartoons, Oliphant explored other artistic media, producing bronze sculptures and a wide range of paintings and drawings. He officially retired in 2015, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape the field of political cartooning.

8. Ed McLachlan (1940 – 2024): British Master of Surreal and Darkly Humorous Cartoon Art

Edward Rolland McLachlan (22 April 1940 – 29 September 2024) was a celebrated English cartoonist and illustrator, renowned for his surreal, darkly humorous, and often absurd sketches. With a distinctive artistic voice that blended sharp wit with offbeat visual storytelling, McLachlan carved a unique space in British cartooning. Though not primarily focused on politics, he occasionally ventured into political satire with sharp observational commentary.

Best known for his long-running contributions to magazines such as Private Eye, Punch, and The Spectator, McLachlan’s work became a staple of British satirical publishing. Magazine editor Richard Ingrams famously referred to him as “the Leicestershire Charles Addams,” comparing his macabre sensibilities to those of the iconic American cartoonist. McLachlan’s illustrations were marked by bold linework, quirky characters, and a delightfully twisted sense of humor that captivated readers for over five decades.

9. Tom Toles (1951): Pulitzer-Winning Cartoonist and Voice of Progressive Commentary

Thomas Gregory Toles (born October 22, 1951) is a retired American political cartoonist best known for his sharp, progressive editorial cartoons that captured the complexities and contradictions of American politics. Winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning, Toles made a lasting mark on the field with his minimalist style, biting satire, and consistent advocacy for liberal viewpoints.

Throughout his career—most notably at The Buffalo News and The Washington Post—Toles used his platform to comment on climate change, government accountability, war, and social justice. A hallmark of his work was the inclusion of a small self-caricature or doodle, often positioned at a desk in the corner of the cartoon, providing an additional layer of irony or commentary—much like Pat Oliphant’s use of the character Punk.

Respected for both his wit and his unwavering perspective, Tom Toles is considered one of the leading voices in modern American editorial cartooning.

10. Ben Sargent (1948): Pulitzer Prize-Winning Editorial Cartoonist from Texas

Ben Sargent (born November 26, 1948) is a retired American editorial cartoonist renowned for his decades-long career at the Austin American-Statesman. Known for his thoughtful, regionally grounded political commentary, Sargent began drawing editorial cartoons for the Statesman in 1974 and continued until his retirement in 2009. His sharp wit and skillful illustration style earned him national recognition, including the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 1982.

Sargent’s work, often rooted in Texas and Southwestern U.S. politics, was syndicated nationwide by Universal Press Syndicate, allowing his progressive voice and clear moral compass to reach audiences far beyond his home state. His ability to cut through partisan noise with clarity and empathy solidified his place among the most respected editorial cartoonists of his generation.