Humor in a Tense World: The Art of Barry Blitt

The news can be stressful, but according to Barry Blitt, the best way to cope is to laugh. Having worked as an editorial cartoonist for The New Yorker for over 30 years, Blitt emphasizes the power of humor amid political tensions and global chaos.

Blitt has illustrated over 140 covers for The New Yorker, an American magazine renowned for its journalism, commentary, fiction, and satire. His work, characterized by a deceptively soft watercolor style, takes sharp aim at political figures and societal absurdities. In 2020, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his cartoons that skewered the Trump administration with wit and subtlety—a testament to his ability to blend visual charm with biting critique.

The Uncertain Future of Editorial Cartooning

Today, editorial cartoonists face an uncertain future. High-profile cartoonists like Ann Telnaes of The Washington Post and Michael de Adder of The Halifax Chronicle Herald have left their posts, reflecting a decline in support for the craft. In 2019, The New York Times stopped publishing editorial cartoons altogether, raising concerns about the future of satirical illustration.

Blitt compares the current political climate between the U.S. and Canada to a “train wreck” that’s impossible to look away from. He avoids political TV, describing it as overwhelming, and instead channels his frustrations into his sketchbook, filling its pages with anger and absurdity.

A Controversial Legacy: The Obama Cover

One of Blitt’s most debated works was a 2008 New Yorker cover depicting Barack and Michelle Obama exchanging a “terrorist fist jab”—a satirical response to right-wing conspiracy theories. Fox News and other media outlets had floated absurd claims about Obama’s background, so Blitt exaggerated these ideas to highlight their ridiculousness. He illustrated Obama as a secret Muslim, Michelle as a Black Panther, and an American flag burning in the fireplace.

However, the cover received widespread backlash, as some audiences misinterpreted the satire. It was only after Jon Stewart defended the cartoon on The Daily Show that the outrage subsided. Blitt recalls the initial reaction as shocking, especially for a “passive-aggressive cartoonist” like himself.

Humor as a Shield Against Crisis

For Blitt, humor is a crucial way to process the overwhelming realities of the world. “Laughter shrinks something that seems enormous and unbearable,” he explains, describing it as a coping mechanism. His goal in cartooning is to provide a fresh perspective on complex issues, using metaphors to frame events in unexpected ways.

While the digital age casts uncertainty over the future of editorial cartoons, artists like Barry Blitt prove that humor and satire remain powerful tools. The news may be stressful, but finding a way to laugh at it might just be the best way to endure it.