The publisher of the Niagara Gazette asked if I could infuse some local topics into my weekly editorial cartoon gig, which had been predominantly about Trump and Co., and not in a flattering way.
National and world news has overshadowed many goings-on in our own communities, in my mind, and in conversations with many people I know. I have struggled to find local topics that grab a reader’s attention, and if I did, how many readers would give the cartoon more than a “meh”?
Drought city n’more - almost!
Buffalo, NY, is the home of two prominent major league sports teams: the Bills of the NFL and the Sabres of the NHL. Each team has taken an extended run in the deep shadow of irrelevance. They were the very best at prolonged mediocrity. Alas, there is no trophy for that hard-earned achievement.
In the modern era of pro football, starting in 1970, the longest playoff droughts lasted 17 seasons, set by two different teams.
Buffalo Bills (2000–2017)
Cleveland Browns (2003–2020)
Buffalo’s and Cleveland’s woes have been unsuccessfully linked to the waters of Lake Erie, but doubters remain.
Drought city n’more - with certainty!
Not to be outdone by their brethren pigskin pros, the Buffalo Sabres owned the NHL record of 14 seasons without a playoff berth from 2012 to 2025. This dubious feat ended on April 4. It didn’t just end quietly, though; the team rocketed from last place in December to take the Atlantic Division crown. Bettors have them atop the underdog group, and the buzz is back in Buffalo. Sabre fans just across the river in Southern Ontario share our excitement despite the disrespect Trump has shown to Canada.
E-Z peasy customization
I finally had a publisher-pleasing local cartoon, but I noticed it could easily work for any sports fan whose team offered an escape from the doom-and-gloom of our ever-increasing cost of living. The setup would be the same because everybody relates to the left side. The right side, however, can be easily edited to fit a different fan base.
Data visualization for cartoonists 101
Rising and falling graphs are popular cartooning devices. I used bar graphs in my cartoon, but line graphs are especially good as visual aids for plot diagrams, representing the “rising action,” “climax,” and “falling action” of a story. A rising line indicates increasing suspense or excitement, while a falling line shows resolution or failure.
I’m always amused by hospital room cartoons that show a graph affixed to the footboard of a bed. It’s usually a zig-zag line with a sharp downward trend, unseen by the bedridden patient. This is one very sick person.
Why not just flip the chart upside down, so he can see it, and let him think he’s getting better?
This graph aligns with my genius thinking as a kid: if I moved the hands on a clock, TV shows would actually change.
I really wanted to draw a cartoon about Trump vs. Pope Leo, and maybe I’ll still get my chance. I’m heading to Chicago to visit friends soon for a Catholic celebration. I don’t know if there is a Trump supporter among them, but if there is, I’ll be interested in their reaction to Trump’s inflammatory comments directed at Pope Leo, a Chicago native.
Haha love it! I think we’re all burnt out by the ongoing tragedy that’s the news