Well, they say all good things must come to an end and “Political Animals” is no different.
I started drawing the strip in 2004 as a way to vent my frustration with the ways of the world and as a creative challenge. Putting a message into a three-panel cartoon is like making a haiku poem: you have to say what you want to say with an economy of words within a very rigid structure. Making it humorous on top of all that makes it very challenging indeed.
It’s been fun, but lately I’ve noticed that it’s becoming a lot more difficult to avoid repeating myself. Maybe it means I’ve said all I had to say, I don’t know. In any event, I wanted to stop while it’s still fun and the new year seemed like an appropriate time to end things and say a heartfelt “thanks” to everyone who’s taken the time to read my work.
Thank you so much for reading and I wish you all the best in the coming New Year!
Political Animals – Featuring an All-Nude Cast!
.
For Year 2004 with great ENTERSTATEMENTS!
Which you well in next political endeavor …
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
▼▼▼ READ MY DIARY ▼
Thank you! I have enjoyed and admired your editorial cartoons so much, but I totally grok that “poured out” feeling. I hope you get to take however much time you need to let the well fill up again.
Oh no! I really like your work.
But of course, what a selfish impulse, eh? Coming up with content regularly can be taxing.
So just know that I enjoyed them (even if I didn’t comment regularly–there’s just so much that goes on down here at the Boo Trib that I’d never get anything done if I follow everything!) and will miss them.
Now go out there and party like it’s 2006! :<)
Cheers!
Recharge, be well, and most importantly, keep in touch. I’ve very much appreciated your work…smart, concise and always spot-on.
Peace
They are too good to just stop.
I can relate to the feeling that you’ve said it all, repeating yourself etc. So what? Repeat yourself!
Why not do a “best of” series? I know I have not seen all of them, and to many people, any reruns will be new, and to those that have seen them, they will be just as relevant and funny as they were the first time.
Hey, it works for the Beverly Hillbillies….
Whatever you do, thanks for sharing your gift with earth residents!
I second the idea of a “best of” series
I’ll miss wooly! Can they return for cameo appearances?
I understand how you’re feeling Spike. I need a break too. It’s been a rough year.
I hope you’ll put together a retrospective piece for us so we can reminisce.
How about a short break — I have a feeling 2006 is going to be chock full of new material… 🙂
Maybe a weekly strip instead of a daily? Most editorial cartoonists only work 3 days or so a week anyway. It would be a great way to spice up the weekends here at the Trib, since weekends are usually a little slower on the news cycle.
And who cares if you repeat yourself — if it’s good enough for our President, it’s good enough for you… 😉
Thanks for keeping a smile on my face; they’ve been damn hard to come by this year…
At least come back and post. I’ll miss your comics.
I’m sorry to hear of the sign-off, Spike. Your timing particularly sucks though, because I just recently discovered your series on this site, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely ever since. (Although – IIRC, I used to follow your strip through another media outlet, but I can’t recall which one – Minneapolis Star Tribune? St. Paul Pioneer Press?)
I’m with everyone who expressed the following opinions, (included with some of my own):
You really enhance this site with your presence, Spike, and I hope you change your mind about a full-scale sign-off. But no matter your decision, I wish you the best for a peaceful, prosperous New Year, and thank you very much for sharing your work with us thus far. You have a great deal of talent, and I wish you continued success. (And if you’re burning out at the moment, I wish you “Serenity Now”)
Thank you for your wooly bully cartoons. I have really enjoyed them a lot. Please do stay with us tho and blog. Maybe you will get a second wind after the new year and find new material to cartoon about. Anyhow, Happy New Year, Spike. Stay well and safe. Hugs….
and sometime commentator on your high qyuality cartoons, I want to thank you for a year of laughs. Nobody but nobody can separate the sheep from the goats quite like you.
And you’re not repeating yourself; the politicians are “rebleating” themselves. Commentary, though, never gets old, even when your subject does. The world will always need folks like you who can shine a light into scandalous corners and illumine them with gentle humor and piquant implication.
Sorry to see the barn yard types go, but I hope to see you round the pond for some time Spike! Take care, and thanks for all of the food for thought your toons provided.
Say it ain’t so, Spike! Your animals are great! And there is going to be a lot of new material out there, and soon.
As others have said, take a break – you deserve it – but don’t forget your animals too long. They will be whispering in your ear at every turn. Pick up that pen when they do!
Thanks for many bright moments!
it will be missed. but you beter keep posting!
for all the work. You really have a talent there.
Lots of people could try to do what you just did, and fail completely.
Thanks again,
Sorry to hear this Sike. I have enjoyed your contributions here. Ditto to other posters comments of take a break and see where it goes from there. Look forward to you posting still though. Happy New Year my friend!
I just want to join the chorus and let you know that I have really enjoyed Political Animals. It was a great run and I will miss it. Have a great New Year!
Awwwww…. 🙁 But I so enjoyed them!
Well, if events ever inspire you again to let the Animals out to play again, we’ll be happy to greet them as old friends. Or if you come up with some other cartoon series… or if you want to just post in straight English prose.
Best wishes, and thanks for all the fish–er, the laughs!
Thanks for everything, Spike!
We’ll miss you and the critters.
Feel free to come back if/when the Administration gives you material too good to pass up. 😀