ApocalypTOON 2012: Political Cartoonists Gaze at the Year to Come

It's true that no one can predict with certainty what a new year will bring.  However, it can be fun to try. And, with that idea in mind, 8 editorial cartoonists joined forces this weekend to present ApocalypTOON 2012, their wry, witty look at this year's still-to-come happenings at the Artisphere in Rosslyn.

Showcasing their future forecasting talents in cartoon style with humor in the pop-up exhibit were:

• Kal of The Economist
• Tom Toles of The Washington Post
• Jeff Danzinger of NYTS and CWS
• Daryl Cagle of MSNBC
• Matt Wuerker of Politico
• Patrick Chapette of the International Herald Tribune
• Damien Glez of La Monde and La Gazette and
• Dan Piraro of Bizzaro

As you might expect, many of the cartoons dealt with the upcoming presidential race and the worsening political gridlock between Democrats and Republicans. The current financial crisis, environmental concerns, technology, and international uncertainty were other frequently addressed themes.

One of my viewing favorites was a Shakespearean Macbeth-based Mittbeth, where GOP candidate Mitt Romney is talking to tea party stalwart and witchcraft dabbler Christine O'Donnell while O'Donnell's 2 fellow witches call to her to hurry back to their cauldron since they are ready to throw some eye of Newt into their political poison.

Tales, Tips, and Tidbits
While the ApocalypTOON exhibit was extremely brief (only 4 days) there's no reason to despair. All 8 of the artists will be practicing their craft for the respective employers for the entire year.  And you can bet they will be dealing with some wackiness that even their creative imaginations couldn't envision.