The 16 Most Influential Editorial Cartoonists of the 21st Century

The 16 Most Influential Editorial Cartoonists of the 21st Century: Editorial cartooning in the 21st century has proven as powerful as ever – poking fun at leaders, sparking debates, and even risking lives in the name of free expression. From traditional newspaper cartoonists to digital satirists, these artists use pen, ink, and pixels to distill complex issues into striking visuals. Below we highlight 16 of the most influential editorial cartoonists around the world since 2000, showcasing their unique styles, major works, and the ways they’ve shaped public discourse. Each has left an indelible mark on politics, journalism, and the fight for freedom of speech.

1. Ann Telnaes (United States)

Ann Telnaes stands out as one of America’s preeminent editorial cartoonists – and one of the few women in the field. Known for her sharp, elegant linework and biting satire, Telnaes won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Cartooning in 2001 (only the second woman to do so).¹ She creates cartoons not just in print but also animated GIFs and videos, bringing traditional political caricature into the digital age. Her work in The Washington Post often skewers those in power with wit and deceptively simple graphics. Telnaes isn’t afraid of controversy: in 2015 she drew a cartoon depicting U.S. Senator Ted Cruz as an organ-grinder and his children as dancing monkeys (commenting on Cruz using his kids in campaign ads). The Post initially published then retracted the cartoon amid debate over involving politicians’ children.²³ Telnaes defended the decision, standing by her point that if a public figure puts family in ads, they’re fair game. Such incidents underscore her influence on the boundaries of satire and political critique. With her distinctive style and fearless commentary, Ann Telnaes has helped broaden the presence of women in editorial cartooning and kept political leaders on their toes.⁴

2. Michael Ramirez (United States)

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Ramirez has been a leading conservative voice in editorial cartooning, proving that sharp satire isn’t limited to one side of the political spectrum. Ramirez’s cartoons feature tightly rendered, highly detailed imagery and acid-dipped wit, consistently espousing a “constitutional conservative” viewpoint.⁵⁶ Over a four-decade career (from the Memphis Commercial Appeal to the Los Angeles Times to USA Today), he’s earned countless accolades for pricking the powerful. His drawings pack a punch – sometimes literally. Early in his career, a Ramirez cartoon criticizing police brutality so angered a police chief that the chief stormed into the newsroom demanding the artist’s address.⁷ Ramirez cites that incident as the moment he realized “what a profound impact these drawings have…that point I fell in love with [cartooning]”.⁸ He has since endured death threats and even an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service for his provocative work.⁹ Ramirez’s penchant for controversial analogies (often lambasting liberal policies) has occasionally led to public outcry, but also to respect for his unwavering stance. “I’m doing the best I can to save the world from itself – through cartoons,” Ramirez says, noting that the visual medium’s exaggeration and humor can sway minds more effectively than a written column.¹⁰¹¹ Love him or hate him, Michael Ramirez has proven the enduring power of editorial cartoons to stir debate on issues like government overreach, taxation, and foreign policy – all with a few pen strokes and a searing punchline.

3. Kevin “KAL” Kallaugher (United States)

With a career spanning continents, Kevin Kallaugher – known by his pen name “KAL” – has elevated caricature to an art form and become a global ambassador for political cartooning. Based in Baltimore but long affiliated with The Economist in London, KAL’s pen-and-ink caricatures of world leaders are instantly recognizable for their fluid line and biting insight. The World Encyclopedia of Cartoons lauds him as “one of the premier caricaturists of the century,” noting his “masterful style” and calling KAL “a most incisive and influential political commentator”.¹² Indeed, Kallaugher has been on the front lines of free expression: as the resident cartoonist for The Economist for over 40 years, and for The Baltimore Sun, he has lampooned six U.S. presidents and countless foreign dignitaries. KAL’s drawings often synthesize complex geopolitical events into single powerful images – whether skewering Cold War politics or the War on Terror – earning him international acclaim. He was the first editorial cartoonist invited to be a Nieman Fellow at Harvard and has received honors like the Herblock Prize. Beyond print, KAL pioneered animated political cartoons and 3D caricature sculptures, pushing the medium’s boundaries. Commanding, entertaining, and enraging in equal measure, KAL’s work reminds us that in a free society, no leader is beyond the gentle (or not-so-gentle) ridicule of the cartoonist’s pen.¹³ His influence is such that exhibitions of his work (like “Mightier than the Sword” at a Maryland art museum) have celebrated how his satire has both reflected and shaped public discourse.¹⁴

4. Matt Wuerker (United States)

As the staff cartoonist for Politico since its 2007 launch, Matt Wuerker helped bring editorial cartooning into the internet era of journalism. Wuerker’s playful yet pointed cartoons became a staple of Politico’s coverage, translating wonky Washington infighting into colorful visual satire. He earned the Pulitzer Prize in 2012 for what the judges called his “consistently fresh, funny cartoons, especially memorable for lampooning the partisan conflict that engulfed Washington”.¹⁵ Indeed, Wuerker often uses gentle humor rather than vicious barbs – a style that persuades rather than alienates.¹⁶ His drawings during the Obama years, for example, found comedy in gridlocked Congress and Tea Party theatrics without the bitterness some contemporaries favored. Wuerker has also embraced technology in his craft: he draws digitally and has created interactive cartoons and live sketches of political events. By carving out a space for political cartoons in a new media outlet (Politico was born digital), he demonstrated that the editorial cartoon is adaptable and still vital. Politico’s co-founder John Harris said Wuerker’s work embodies the publication’s spirit because “he takes raw delight in politics” – an enthusiasm evident in each satirical panel.¹⁷ Beyond daily cartoons, Wuerker has mentored younger cartoonists and advocated for the profession. In an era when many newspapers cut staff cartoonists, Matt Wuerker proved the form could survive – and even thrive – on new platforms, reaching readers through newsletters, social media, and Politico’s popular “Cartoon Carousel” feature. His blend of timeliness, humor, and approachability has made complex politics more digestible for countless readers.

5. Patrick Chappatte (Switzerland/Lebanon)

Patrick Chappatte – who signs his work simply “Chappatte” – has given editorial cartooning a truly global voice. Born in Pakistan to Swiss-Lebanese parents, based in Geneva and Los Angeles, Chappatte draws international affairs with a cosmopolitan touch and humane humor. He became the first non-American editorial cartoonist to win the Overseas Press Club’s Cartooning Award (the Thomas Nast Award, which he’s won three times),¹⁸ and his cartoons have appeared in publications from Le Temps and Der Spiegel to Newsweek and The International New York Times. Chappatte is known for tackling global conflict and cultural issues – from the Iraq War to the refugee crisis – often through the eyes of ordinary people on the ground. He’s a pioneer of “graphic journalism,” creating comic-reportage from conflict zones like Gaza and Ivory Coast. In 2019, Chappatte became a central figure in the debate over press freedom when The New York Times suddenly ended editorial cartoons in its international edition (where his work appeared) after one cartoon sparked controversy.¹⁹²⁰ Chappatte publicly lamented the decision as a setback for free expression, warning that “self-censorship” in response to online outrage threatens the art form.²¹ He noted that powerful cartoons will always challenge somebody – that’s their role. Undeterred, he continues to champion cartooning worldwide. In 2006, Chappatte co-founded Cartooning for Peace with French cartoonist Plantu and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, a network uniting cartoonists against extremism and for mutual understanding.²² Through workshops and exhibits, he’s mentored artists in places like Lebanon and Kenya. Chappatte’s elegant drawing style – expressive lines with gentle shading – belies the strong punch his cartoons deliver. Whether ridiculing dictators or poking the conscience of democracies, Patrick Chappatte has elevated editorial cartoons as a tool of cross-cultural dialogue and stood up for their essential place in journalism.

6. Steve Bell (United Kingdom)

For over 40 years, Steve Bell has been the visual scourge of Britain’s politicians – a cartoonist as revered for his satire as he is infamous for testing the limits of good taste. Bell’s long tenure at The Guardian (1981–2023) produced some of the most biting caricatures of UK leaders: from Margaret Thatcher as an eyepatched cannibal, to Tony Blair with manic, bloodshot eyes, to Boris Johnson as a bumbling, overweight schoolboy. His grotesque, highly stylized cartoons became instantly recognizable. “One of Britain’s best-known cartoonists,” as The Spectator noted, Bell developed a signature iconography – notably depicting former President George W. Bush as a chimp and ex-Prime Minister John Major in nothing but underpants.²³ He relished skewering the powerful with scatological humor and savage visual metaphors that often sparked complaints. In recent years Bell courted controversy with cartoons attacking Israeli politicians. One 2018 drawing showed Israeli PM Netanyahu wielding a scalpel, seemingly ready to “perform surgery” on Palestinian rights – imagery that some at The Guardian felt echoed antisemitic tropes.²⁴²⁵ In 2023, a Bell cartoon of Netanyahu (portraying him with a silhouette of Gaza on his torso, interpreted by management as a “pound of flesh” reference) was spiked and led to Bell’s firing after four decades.²⁶²⁷ The incident ignited debate over where satire ends and offense begins. Colleagues rushed to Bell’s defense, arguing that his uncompromising satire is part of Britain’s great tradition of free speech.²⁸ Indeed, Bell himself maintained he was lampooning leaders’ policies, not attacking groups, and decried the “dangerously low bar” being set for acceptable satire.²⁹ Despite (or because of) these disputes, Steve Bell’s influence is undeniable. His cartoons, often splashed across full newspaper pages, shaped how Britons visualized their leaders’ follies. He has inspired a generation of UK cartoonists to be bold and unflinching. Though now “effectively sacked” from The Guardian,³⁰ Bell’s legacy as a fearless commentator – willing to offend in service of speaking truth to power – firmly cements him as one of the 21st century’s most impactful cartoonists.

7. Plantu (France)

For half a century, Jean Plantureux – known by his pen name “Plantu” – wielded his pen for Le Monde, illustrating daily news with a uniquely French blend of elegance and irony. Plantu published his first cartoon in Le Monde in 1972 and by the 1980s had become France’s most celebrated editorial cartoonist.³¹ His style mixes playful caricatures with detailed backgrounds and a trademark tiny mouse character commenting in the corner. No French president was spared Plantu’s “mordant wit” over the decades.³² From poking holes in Charles de Gaulle’s grandeur to satirizing Nicolas Sarkozy’s hyperactivity, Plantu became part of the fabric of French political life. Crucially, he also pushed the envelope on international issues – for instance, criticizing religious extremism or Middle East violence – yet often in a way that sought common ground. In 1991, Plantu pulled off a remarkable feat of cartoon diplomacy: he drew a cartoon of a dove of peace and managed to get it jointly signed by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli PM Shimon Peres, a year before the Oslo accords.³³ This symbol of unity earned Plantu the Rare Document Award and foreshadowed his later efforts at peace-building through art. In 2006, alarmed by global tensions following the Danish Muhammad cartoons affair, Plantu partnered with Kofi Annan to found Cartooning for Peace, a foundation that links cartoonists from around the world and champions free expression over violence.³⁴ Plantu has said that cartoons “are a bastion of free expression”³⁵ and even campaigned for UNESCO to recognize editorial cartoons as a fundamental human right.³⁶ After drawing over 14,000 cartoons for Le Monde, Plantu retired in 2021 at age 70,³⁷ handing off his spot to a new generation. His departure marked the end of an era – French media and politicians alike paid tribute to his extraordinary career. Plantu’s influence extends far beyond France: by mixing artistry with activism, he showed how cartoons can challenge authority while also building bridges. He remains honorary president of Cartooning for Peace, mentoring young artists and reminding the world that dessins de presse (press cartoons) can be weapons against intolerance and tools for understanding.

8. Kurt Westergaard (Denmark)

No cartoon in recent memory has had the global impact – or provoked the furor – of Kurt Westergaard’s drawing of the Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban. Published in a Danish newspaper (Jyllands-Posten) in 2005, Westergaard’s sketch became “the most consequential editorial cartoon ever”, igniting an international crisis.³⁸ The cartoon, one of 12 images intended to make a statement on self-censorship and Islam, sparked violent protests across Muslim-majority countries and deadly riots that killed dozens.³⁹ Overnight, the gray-haired Danish illustrator found himself at the center of a global free speech debate. Extremists put Westergaard on numerous jihadi hit-lists, forcing him into hiding under round-the-clock police protection for years.⁴⁰ At least three assassination plots against him were foiled.⁴¹ In one harrowing 2010 incident, a man broke into Westergaard’s home wielding an axe; the then-74-year-old cartoonist barely escaped by barricading himself in a safe room.⁴² Westergaard, who passed away in 2021 at age 86, became a reluctant free speech icon. He defended the intent of his drawing as attacking fanaticism, not Islam, and expressed sorrow that it was misused by radicals on all sides. At the same time, he refused to apologize for exercising democratic freedom: “Either we have free speech or we don’t,” he said simply. The controversy underscored how a single cartoon can reverberate through world politics. It led many Western outlets to self-censor images of Muhammad, while also galvanizing those who argued that yielding to violent intimidation would erode free expression. Westergaard’s name will forever be linked to this “Cartoon Crisis,” which is why he is included among influential cartoonists – though for him the consequences were literally life-altering. His experience stands as a testament to both the power and peril of editorial cartooning in the 21st century.

9. Stéphane “Charb” Charbonnier (France)

Parisians rally with French flags and “Je Suis Charlie” signs at Place de la République after the Charlie Hebdo attack (January 11, 2015), in support of free speech.
As editor-in-chief and lead cartoonist of Charlie Hebdo, Stéphane Charbonnier – known as Charb – became a symbol of defiant satire in the face of terror. Charb was unapologetic about publishing cartoons that mocked religious extremism, including multiple caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, despite knowing the risks. “I’d rather die standing up than live on my knees,” he famously declared in 2012,⁴³ responding to threats from Islamist militants. Tragically, Charb did die for his cartoons: on January 7, 2015, he and eleven others were murdered in a terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo’s Paris office. In the aftermath, “Je Suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie”) became a global rallying cry for press freedom and against intimidation.⁴⁴ Charb’s own career embodied the provocative spirit of French satire. He wielded crude, bold lines and scathing humor to target politicians (of all parties) and fundamentalists. Under his leadership, Charlie Hebdo did not shy from controversy – whether skewering Catholicism, Judaism, or Islam – operating under the principle that no belief is above critique. This absolutist stance on free speech made the magazine a target, but also an international icon after the attack. In death, Charb received honors such as the PEN Freedom of Expression Courage Award. Perhaps more importantly, his work spurred reflection worldwide: How far can satire go? What is the cost of the freedom to offend? Charb firmly believed democracy must tolerate even the most irreverent satire – a stance that has influenced debates in newsrooms and governments far beyond France. He had once written, “Our job is not to defend freedom of speech, but without freedom of speech we are dead”.⁴⁵ By paying the ultimate price, Charb and his fallen colleagues reignited a global commitment to that freedom.

10. Ali Ferzat (Syria)

Ali Ferzat (also spelled Farzat) is revered as a hero of press freedom in the Arab world – a cartoonist who literally gave his right hand for the cause of dissent. For decades, Ferzat was Syria’s most famous satirist, penning sly cartoons that criticized government corruption and authoritarianism while skirting censors’ red lines. When the Syrian uprising began in 2011, Ferzat’s drawings grew bolder, directly lampooning President Bashar al-Assad and his cronies. That August, the regime’s thugs delivered a brutal message: masked men abducted Ferzat from his car in Damascus, beat him severely, and broke both of his hands – telling him this was “just a warning” to stop drawing.⁴⁶⁴⁷ The images of Ferzat’s bandaged, battered hands in a hospital bed sent shockwaves worldwide. Rather than silence him, the attack made Ferzat a symbol of creative resistance. The European Parliament awarded him the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2011, honoring his courage in the face of tyranny.⁴⁸ Time magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2012, with a tribute by fellow cartoonist Matt Wuerker noting how “the regime thought it could silence Ferzat by breaking his hands…instead it created a powerful symbol” whose cartoons “the whole world is now reading”.⁴⁹ Indeed, Ferzat recovered and continued drawing from exile (after healing in Kuwait.⁵⁰ One of his most famous post-attack works depicted Assad painting the decks of a sinking ship – a wordless indictment of the doomed regime. Ferzat’s style is distinctive: wordless, stark pencil sketches that rely on potent symbolism easily understood across language barriers. In one cartoon, a dictator’s podium morphs into a boot stamping on protesters. Such imagery captured the Syrian people’s plight and earned Ferzat a devoted following across the Middle East. Despite ongoing risks, he refuses to be silenced: “They broke my hands to stop me from drawing,” Ferzat said, “but I’ll just draw with my left”. His resilience has inspired countless artists in repressive states to keep wielding their pens as “weapons” of truth. Ali Ferzat’s story underscores the profound impact a single cartoonist can have – rallying a nation’s conscience and exposing a regime’s brutality to the world.

11. Musa Kart (Turkey)

In Turkey, where the media has faced intense crackdowns, Musa Kart emerged as a steadfast voice of dissent through his cartoons. For years, Kart was the resident cartoonist at the opposition newspaper Cumhuriyet, known for his gentle yet barbed caricatures of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He famously drew Erdoğan as a cat entangled in a ball of string in 2004 – a metaphor for a brewing corruption scandal. The then–prime minister sued Kart for “insult” over that kitten cartoon, and while a court initially fined Kart, Turkey’s Supreme Court later overturned the verdict, affirming the cartoon as free speech.⁵¹ It was a symbolic victory for press freedom and emboldened Kart to keep drawing unflattering depictions of the ruling elite.⁵²⁵³ As Turkey’s politics darkened, however, Kart’s troubles multiplied. In 2016, amid a widespread post-coup crackdown on journalists, Kart and several Cumhuriyet colleagues were arrested and charged with aiding terrorist groups – an accusation widely seen as absurd. In 2018, Musa Kart was convicted and sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison⁵⁴ for his critical cartoons (the charges claimed his drawings “helped” outlawed groups like the PKK). Ever the gentleman satirist, Kart responded in court, “If need be, I will draw cartoons in prison”. In 2019 he indeed served about 5 months behind bars until Turkey’s top appeals court overturned the convictions and ordered him freed.⁵⁵ Stepping out of prison, Kart quipped that over 15 years, “prisons and courthouses have become a second home” to him.⁵⁶ Musa Kart’s plight drew international condemnation – organizations like Cartooning for Peace and Amnesty International mobilized on his behalf, viewing him as a barometer of Turkey’s press freedom erosion. Through it all, Kart’s cartoons remained witty and incisive rather than angry. He often used self-deprecating humor about censorship. One cartoon showed a maze labeled “Turkish justice,” with a perplexed figure wandering endlessly. By persistently wielding humor under pressure, Musa Kart inspired many and shone a light on the state of free expression in Erdoğan’s Turkey. His eventual acquittal in 2020 was a rare bit of good news, and he has since returned to drawing, proving that a resilient cartoonist can outlast even the most daunting attempts at silencing his art.

12. Emad Hajjaj (Jordan)

In the Arab world, editorial cartoonists often walk a tightrope – and few have balanced on it as deftly as Emad Hajjaj. A Palestinian-Jordanian cartoonist, Hajjaj is renowned for his long-running caricature character Abu Mahjoob, a bullhorn-wielding everyman who satirizes daily life and politics in Jordan. Hajjaj’s style is accessible and locally flavored, using colloquial Arabic and cultural references to connect with readers of all backgrounds. Over decades, he poked fun at government inefficiency, corruption, and regional affairs, becoming Jordan’s most prominent cartoonist. But in 2020, even Hajjaj found a red line he couldn’t joke about. In August that year, he published a cartoon sharply criticizing the Israel–UAE normalization deal – depicting the UAE’s leader as a dove spitting in the face of Palestinians. The cartoon, posted on a Qatari news site, touched a nerve in Amman because Jordan maintains sensitive ties with the Gulf state. Jordanian authorities abruptly arrested Emad Hajjaj under a terrorism statute for “disturbing relations with a friendly country,” a charge that carried up to 5 years in prison.⁵⁷ The news sent shockwaves through the artistic community, as Hajjaj was a respected figure who rarely crossed the line. International rights groups like HRW and CPJ demanded his release, saying “Journalists and cartoonists like Hajjaj are entitled to express their views freely…Jordan should drop all charges”.⁵⁸⁵⁹ In a matter of days – after being detained in a prison cell – Hajjaj was freed when Jordan’s king intervened. The incident highlighted how even a mild-mannered satirist could become a flashpoint in an era of diplomatic sensitivities. Hajjaj, for his part, took it in stride and was soon back to drawing. His brief arrest actually amplified the reach of his cartoon, which was shared widely online in solidarity. It also sparked discussion in Jordan about updating laws that treat political satire as a security offense. Emad Hajjaj’s experience shows the impact a single cartoon can have in the Middle East’s delicate political landscape. By persistently voicing the sentiments of the Arab street – and surviving the occasional backlash – Hajjaj has solidified his status as one of the region’s most influential modern cartoonists.

13. Zapiro – Jonathan Shapiro (South Africa)

South Africa’s Jonathan “Zapiro” Shapiro has been a force in editorial cartooning since the final years of apartheid, and his influence only grew in the 21st century as he held the new democratic leaders accountable. Zapiro’s cartoons are marked by bold, dynamic linework and fearless satire. He doesn’t just caricature politicians – he creates visual symbols that stick in the public’s mind. Perhaps his most famous is the little showerhead he drew perched on President Jacob Zuma’s head starting in 2006.⁶⁰⁶¹ This was Zapiro’s visual shorthand referencing Zuma’s remark (during a rape trial) that he took a shower after sex to reduce HIV risk. The showerhead became inseparable from Zuma’s image, to the point that it would appear in nearly every Zapiro cartoon of him for years, much to Zuma’s irritation.⁶²⁶³ As Zuma’s presidency became mired in scandals, Zapiro’s criticism intensified. In a now-infamous 2008 cartoon titled “The Rape of Lady Justice,” Zapiro depicted Zuma (then ANC president) about to rape a blindfolded Lady Justice figure, while his political allies pinned her down.⁶⁴⁶⁵ The shocking metaphor – suggesting Zuma and his circle were subverting the justice system to get corruption charges dropped – drew both praise for its daring and accusations of bad taste. Zuma sued Zapiro for defamation, demanding 5 million rand in damages.⁶⁶ The lawsuit became a cause célèbre for free expression; it dragged on until 2012 when Zuma ultimately withdrew it to avoid setting a precedent against satire.⁶⁷⁶⁸ Zapiro hailed the withdrawal as a victory, “a vindication of what I was saying in the cartoon”.⁶⁹ Indeed, many South Africans saw it as proof that no politician – not even the president – is above cartoonists’ scrutiny. Over the years Zapiro’s work has ranged widely: he was an outspoken critic of the Iraq War, AIDS denialism, and later the excesses of the Economic Freedom Fighters party. He has won international awards (including the 2005 Cartoonists Rights Network Courage Award) and has been listed among the world’s top cartoonists. Zapiro’s fearlessness has inspired others across Africa to use satire against corruption and abuse of power. Even as he occasionally pushes boundaries of decorum (and endures hate mail or legal threats), the broad public appreciates that his pen never bows to power. In democratic South Africa, Zapiro’s cartoons have become a running commentary of the nation’s journey – alternately hilarious and scathing, and always unafraid to “speak truth to power” in ink.

14. Gado – Godfrey Mwampembwa (Kenya/Tanzania)

Across East and Central Africa, the name “Gado” is synonymous with political cartooning of the highest caliber. Godfrey Mwampembwa, who signs as Gado, has been “the most influential political cartoonist” in the region for decades.⁷⁰ Born in Tanzania and based in Kenya, Gado became celebrated for his witty, trenchant cartoons in Nairobi’s Daily Nation newspaper, where he worked for 23 years. With a pan-African perspective, Gado’s pen skewers corruption, poor governance, and human rights abuses from Kenya to the Congo, often using caricatures of leaders alongside symbolic characters (like a rotund figure labeled “Big Man” representing Africa’s dictators). His style combines humorous caricature with detailed, almost editorial explanations in the margins – educating readers while making them laugh. Gado’s influence isn’t merely artistic; it’s also socio-political. In a region where press freedom is fragile, Gado pushed the limits of criticism. He lampooned Kenyan presidents Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki when few others dared. Notably, he angered then-finance minister (later president) Uhuru Kenyatta with a 2009 cartoon on a budget mishap – Kenyatta even tried (unsuccessfully) to sue Gado over it. As governments grew less tolerant, Gado faced increasing pressure. In early 2016, the Nation Media Group terminated Gado’s contract, a move widely seen as capitulating to political pressure from President Kenyatta’s allies.⁷¹⁷² Kenyan authorities had lodged complaints and legal threats over Gado’s persistent critiques.⁷³ His ouster sparked public outcry, with many Kenyans lamenting the loss of a critical voice. But Gado was not silenced – he moved his cartoons to The Standard and continued syndicating across Africa. He also joined forces with international outlets (like Germany’s Deutsche Welle) to produce satirical content on African affairs, and he helped found the Cartoon Movement website to promote global cartooning. Through his long career, Gado has amassed over 100 international awards,⁷⁴ including the Prince Claus Award in 2007 for his contributions to culture and society.⁷⁵ Beyond the accolades, his impact is seen in the generation of East African cartoonists he inspired and mentored. By demonstrating that one can challenge presidents with nothing more than ink and wit, Gado emboldened others in Tanzania, Uganda, and beyond to pick up the cartoonist’s pen. In societies where speaking truth can be dangerous, Gado’s fearless cartoons have been a beacon – reminding the public (and the powers-that-be) that humor can be a formidable weapon against tyranny.

15. Angel Boligán (Cuba/Mexico)

In an age of fast-talking pundits, Cuban-born cartoonist Ángel Boligán Corbo communicates volumes with no words at all. Boligán, who moved to Mexico in the 1990s, creates surreal, thoughtful illustrations that blur the line between cartooning and fine art. His works typically have no captions, instead relying on powerful visual metaphors to comment on universal themes – love and loneliness, technology and alienation, war and peace. For example, one Boligán cartoon shows a group of people staring at their smartphones, oblivious that they are each imprisoned inside a giant bottle – a poetic take on modern isolation. Another depicts a heart sprouting barbed wire, symbolizing the pain of lost love. These poignant images transcend language and have earned Boligán immense international respect. He has won over 130 international cartoon awards, including the grand prize at the World Press Cartoon in 2006⁷⁶ and dozens of accolades in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.⁷⁷ Critics often describe his style as “satirical magic realism”. There is frequently a tinge of sadness or empathy in his drawings – a reflection of human flaws rather than sharp political barbs. That’s not to say Boligán avoids politics: he has cartoons critiquing consumerism, pollution, or authoritarianism, but he approaches these issues through imaginative symbolism rather than direct caricature. His artistic excellence led El Universal (a major Mexican newspaper) to hire him as their editorial cartoonist, and he also co-founded the Latin American Graphic Humor magazine “El Chamuco”. Boligán’s influence is seen in how many younger cartoonists in Latin America have adopted a more conceptual, less text-heavy approach, following his lead. While he may not be a household name to the general public, within the global cartooning community Boligán is regarded as a master of the craft – “two of the best contemporary cartoonists of our time,” an exhibit curator said of Boligán and a colleague, noting Boligán’s prolific career spanning nearly four decades.⁷⁸ He now presides over the Latin American Cartoon Club, mentoring new artists.⁷⁹ In an era when loud partisan messaging often dominates, Ángel Boligán’s quiet, beautifully drawn cartoons remind us of the medium’s poetic potential. His work proves that editorial cartoons can engage not just the mind on current events, but also the heart and soul on timeless human conditions – truly making him one of the most influential modern cartoonists, in a class of his own.

16. Doaa El-Adl (Egypt)

Trailblazing in a field dominated by men, Doaa El-Adl has risen as Egypt’s most prominent female editorial cartoonist – and she’s done so by boldly tackling taboo topics. Working for newspapers like Al-Masry Al-Youm, El-Adl uses satire to advocate for women’s rights and secular democracy in Egypt. Her cartoon style is clean and accessible, often portraying ordinary Egyptian women in situations that lampoon sexist attitudes or religious hypocrisy. During and after Egypt’s 2011 revolution, she drew attention for criticising Islamist politicians. One of her 2012 cartoons became (in)famous: it showed Adam and Eve sitting under the forbidden tree, while an angel tells them “If you had voted ‘Yes’ in the referendum, you wouldn’t be kicked out of paradise.” This was a cheeky swipe at Islamist hardliners who were claiming that voting for their constitutional draft was a ticket to heaven. The cartoon itself was clearly mocking those who “politicize religion,” not Islam – Adam and Eve say nothing in it.⁸⁰ Nevertheless, a Salafist (ultraconservative) lawyer filed a lawsuit accusing Doaa El-Adl of blasphemy for insulting Islam and the story of Adam.⁸¹⁸² In late 2012, El-Adl became the first cartoonist in Egypt’s modern history to face blasphemy charges.⁸³ The prospect of a jail term for a cartoon sent a chill through Egypt’s media. El-Adl, who is visibly religious (she wears the hijab), was stunned but unbowed. Her case sparked solidarity among artists – even international cartoonists like Brazil’s Carlos Latuff drew cartoons supporting her right to free expression.⁸⁴ Ultimately, the uproar and Egypt’s shifting politics led the charges to be dropped. El-Adl continued drawing, more determined than ever. She turned her pen increasingly to women’s issues: one powerful cartoon shows a man covering a woman’s eyes with one hand (to force modesty) while groping her with the other – a searing commentary on sexual harassment and moral hypocrisy. Such frankness is rare in Egyptian media, and it has made Doaa El-Adl both an inspiration and a target. In 2014 she won the Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award from Cartoonists Rights Network International, recognized for persevering in the face of threats. She has also been named one of BBC’s 100 Women, cited as a barrier-breaker using art for social change.⁸⁵ Younger female cartoonists in the Arab world have looked to El-Adl as proof that their voices belong in the public sphere. Despite periodic backlash from conservatives, she asserts that “The extremists fear my pen, but that won’t stop me”. By merging fearless social critique with artistic talent, Doaa El-Adl has expanded the scope of who and what can be represented in Middle Eastern editorial cartoons. Her work – whether fighting the practice of female genital mutilation or lampooning corrupt officials – shows the power of satire to challenge societal norms and push for progress, making her one of the most influential modern cartoonists to emerge from the region.

The 16 Most Influential Editorial Cartoonists of the 21st Century

These 16 cartoonists, from every corner of the globe, demonstrate the profound impact a drawn line and a witty idea can have. Whether by shaping public opinion, holding leaders accountable, or even provoking international debates on freedom, they have all pushed the art of editorial cartooning forward in the 21st century. In print or online, in democracies or under autocracies, their pens have proven mightier than the sword – and often at great personal risk. Yet they persist, because their work, as Stéphane “Charb” once put it, is not just about comedy or critique; it’s about the fundamental freedom to “laugh and think” without fear. In an age of instant information and constant controversy, editorial cartoonists continue to distill the truth and speak to the public with a visual language that is universal. The contributions of these influential cartoonists have not only enriched journalism and public discourse, but have also underscored why protecting free expression remains as critical as ever. Each time we chuckle at a clever caricature or gasp at a daring cartoon, we affirm the enduring power of this unique art form to both entertain and enlighten.

Footnotes

1. Interview with Ann Telnaes | PS: Political Science & Politics | Cambridge Core ↩︎
2. Washington Post removes cartoon depicting Ted Cruz’s daughters as monkeys – POLITICO ↩︎
3. Washington Post removes cartoon depicting Ted Cruz’s daughters as monkeys – POLITICO ↩︎
4. Interview with Ann Telnaes | PS: Political Science & Politics | Cambridge Core ↩︎
5. Pain and Ink: Pricking Politicians Produces Pulitzers for Cartoonist Michael Ramirez – Pacific Citizen ↩︎
6. Pain and Ink: Pricking Politicians Produces Pulitzers for Cartoonist Michael Ramirez – Pacific Citizen ↩︎
7. Pain and Ink: Pricking Politicians Produces Pulitzers for Cartoonist Michael Ramirez – Pacific Citizen ↩︎
8. Pain and Ink: Pricking Politicians Produces Pulitzers for Cartoonist Michael Ramirez – Pacific Citizen ↩︎
9. Changing the world – one cartoon at a time – UC Irvine News ↩︎
10. Changing the world – one cartoon at a time – UC Irvine News ↩︎
11. Changing the world – one cartoon at a time – UC Irvine News ↩︎
12. Mightier Than the Sword: The Satirical Pen of KAL ↩︎
13. Mightier Than the Sword: The Satirical Pen of KAL ↩︎
14. Mightier Than the Sword: The Satirical Pen of KAL ↩︎
15. Politico wins Pulitzer for political cartoons (VIDEO) – WTOP News ↩︎
16. Politico wins Pulitzer for political cartoons (VIDEO) – WTOP News ↩︎
17. Politico wins Pulitzer for political cartoons (VIDEO) – WTOP News ↩︎
18. CHAPPATTE – Cartooning for Peace ↩︎
19. Global Geneva ↩︎
20. Global Geneva ↩︎
21. Global Geneva ↩︎
22. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist) ↩︎
23. In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator ↩︎
24. Veteran cartoonist sacked by The Guardian over depiction of Netanyahu – The Art Newspaper – International art news and events ↩︎
25. Veteran cartoonist sacked by The Guardian over depiction of Netanyahu – The Art Newspaper – International art news and events ↩︎
26. In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator) (In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator ↩︎
27. In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator ↩︎
28. In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator ↩︎
29. In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator ↩︎
30. In defence of Steve Bell | The Spectator ↩︎
31. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
32. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
33. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
34. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
35. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
36. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
37. Cartoonist Plantu Leaves Le Monde after 50 Years – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
38. Westergaard and the World’s Most Notorious Cartoon – The Comics Journal ↩︎
39. Westergaard and the World’s Most Notorious Cartoon – The Comics Journal ↩︎
40. Westergaard and the World’s Most Notorious Cartoon – The Comics Journal ↩︎
41. Westergaard and the World’s Most Notorious Cartoon – The Comics Journal ↩︎
42. Westergaard and the World’s Most Notorious Cartoon – The Comics Journal ↩︎
43. ‘I’d rather die standing than live on my knees’: Charlie Hebdo, told in quotes ↩︎
44. I’d rather die standing than live on my knees’: Charlie Hebdo, told in quotes ↩︎
45. TOP 8 QUOTES BY CHARB – A-Z Quotes ↩︎
46. ALI FERZAT – Syria – Cartooning for Peace ↩︎
47. ALI FERZAT – Syria – Cartooning for Peace ↩︎
48. ALI FERZAT – Syria – Cartooning for Peace ↩︎
49. Ali Ferzat named 100 Most Influential People in World – The Daily Cartoonist ↩︎
50. ALI FERZAT – Syria – Cartooning for Peace ↩︎
51. Cartoonists and journalists jailed in Turkey need our help – Amnesty International ↩︎
52. Cartoonists and journalists jailed in Turkey need our help – Amnesty International ↩︎
53. Cartoonists and journalists jailed in Turkey need our help – Amnesty International ↩︎
54. Cumhuriyet trial in Turkey: Musa Kart sentenced to 3 years and 9 months in prison – Cartooning for Peace ↩︎
55. Former Journalists of Turkey Opposition Daily Freed From Prison ↩︎
56. Prison becomes ‘second home’ for Turkish cartoonist – France 24 ↩︎
57. Jordanian security forces arrest cartoonist Emad Hajjaj over criticism of Israel-UAE deal – Committee to Protect Journalists ↩︎
58. Jordanian security forces arrest cartoonist Emad Hajjaj over criticism of Israel-UAE deal – Committee to Protect Journalists ↩︎
59. Jordanian security forces arrest cartoonist Emad Hajjaj over criticism of Israel-UAE deal – Committee to Protect Journalists ↩︎
60. This South African cartoonist draws on 20 years of Zuma ‘WTF’ scandals – The World from PRX ↩︎
61. This South African cartoonist draws on 20 years of Zuma ‘WTF’ scandals – The World from PRX ↩︎
62. This South African cartoonist draws on 20 years of Zuma ‘WTF’ scandals – The World from PRX ↩︎
63. This South African cartoonist draws on 20 years of Zuma ‘WTF’ scandals – The World from PRX ↩︎
64. South Africa: Zuma drops ‘rape cartoon’ lawsuit against Zapiro – The World from PRX ↩︎
65. South Africa: Zuma drops ‘rape cartoon’ lawsuit against Zapiro – The World from PRX ↩︎
66. South Africa: Zuma drops ‘rape cartoon’ lawsuit against Zapiro – The World from PRX ↩︎
67. South Africa: Zuma drops ‘rape cartoon’ lawsuit against Zapiro – The World from PRX ↩︎
68. South Africa: Zuma drops ‘rape cartoon’ lawsuit against Zapiro – The World from PRX ↩︎
69. South Africa: Zuma drops ‘rape cartoon’ lawsuit against Zapiro – The World from PRX ↩︎
70. Sacked cartoonist Gado finds new stage – What Design Can Do ↩︎
71. Gado blames government pressure as cartoonist’s contract at Kenya’s Nation ends – Committee to Protect Journalists ↩︎
72. Gado blames government pressure as cartoonist’s contract at Kenya’s Nation ends – Committee to Protect Journalists ↩︎
73. Gado blames government pressure as cartoonist’s contract at Kenya’s Nation ends – Committee to Protect Journalists ↩︎
74. Angel Boligan: The Cartoonist Who Turns Satire into a Language of … ↩︎
75. Sacked cartoonist Gado finds new stage – What Design Can Do ↩︎
76. Angel Boligán Corbo – Khaldoon Cartoon ↩︎
77. Sad and Surreal Contemporary Cartoons by Angel Boligan ↩︎
78. Sad and Surreal Contemporary Cartoons by Angel Boligan ↩︎
79. Sad and Surreal Contemporary Cartoons by Angel Boligan ↩︎
80. Egyptian cartoonist sued over drawing deemed anti-Islamic – IFEX ↩︎
81. Egyptian cartoonist sued over drawing deemed anti-Islamic – IFEX ↩︎
82. Egyptian cartoonist sued over drawing deemed anti-Islamic – IFEX ↩︎
83. And the turn is on Doaa El Adl now – Egyptian Chronicles ↩︎
84. Islamist lawyer accuses Al-Masry Al-Youm cartoonist of blasphemy ↩︎
85. BBC’s 100 Women Includes Barrier-Breaking Middle Eastern … ↩︎