Political Gamer.

July

As is common among pols who want to appear to be “doing something” NY just passed a law that purports to usurp parental discretion over video game violence. I think some of the stuff in video games is nuts, which is why I don’t let my kids play them and I don’t need politicians help on that one. Besides, I think the law is probably unconstitutional.

I had a tough time last night deciding on imagery. I’d be curious to know what readers of this blog think.
Below is the cartoon that I chose to run in print.

This is the one I originally drew, but decided to take the mom out at the last minute. (My self-described Monday morning quarterbacking editor feels this one works better.)

And below is a sketch that I rejected. Nice image, but I thought too much label-ism.

-UPDATE: I had to share this. After reading this post, my friend, cartoonist Clay Jones of the Freelance Star in Fredericksburg, Virginia emailed his own rough on this subject and agreed to let me post it. Unlikely that something as hilariously gross as this would ever make it into the paper. I love it. He also questioned why he was working on a cartoon about a NY issue, when he has to come up with a cartoon of his own.
That’s a good question Clay…

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am by Matt Davies.
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8 Responses to “Political Gamer.”

zhaf July 24th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I love all three versions, but as a long time videogame player (20+ yrs), I think I prefer the one with the parent because I think it reads better for me. The politician trying to insert his control of the kid over the parents. The first one has that same feeling now that I see the second, but with the many things games are capable of these days, the relationship isn’t as clear to me. Maybe the pol is sending the kid some kind of message?
Scott Stantis July 24th, 2008 at 11:42 am
As a cartoonist I cannot believe I am about to say this but; I agree with your editor. With one more change. I would have had the child holding the parents hand illustrating the bond between the two as opposed to the constructed by the government.

But that’s just me…...
Lyn Attreed July 24th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
The second image just felt ‘right’ and really made your point. Having the parent hold the child’s hand would have been a nice finishing touch…
DebS July 24th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Matt,

For what my opinion is worth, here it goes:

The one printed is the best.

I do agree w/Scott that the bonding touch would have ‘felt’ better, but I find the Mom redundant in any case. So, removing her completely adds to the cartoon rather than subtracts from it; i.e., Albany has usurped her role.

The Bill-of-Rights cartoon seems ANGRY. Holy cow!
Doophy July 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am
For the paper, I like the one you printed. If the parent were to be included, I would put her between the politician and the kid with the wire going around her. Maybe have her look incredulously at it. Overall, I have to say I like Clay’s best. Admittedly, I am sort of a homer since Clay’s a friend, and I used to work at the FLS. His toon addresses not only the video game issue, but the larger one of politicians trying to legislate parenting.
Matt Davies July 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Thanks all for your feedback. Could have used you all on late Wednesday afternoon when I was inking the cartoon!

Doophy, I like Clay’s best too. But to be fair, he didn’t have the added burden of crafting an image that needed to get past an editor…
Isn’t it weird that there is a well-understood, built-in puritanical dual standard for what is acceptable in printed newspapers vs. on the web?
Clay July 30th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Like Doophy, I am biased and have to admit I like Clay’s best also….because I am Clay. Damn, I’m awesome.

No Editor involved = FUNNY!!! To survive in this business you have to be very familiar with the built-in puritanical dual standard for what’s acceptable in print vs. web. I think many of us, me included, fall back on that a little too much.

Thanks for posting the man-boob toon, Matt. It was fun and a little stress relieving.
DisasterMan August 5th, 2008 at 5:47 am
Ah, this is what these blogs are REALLY for IMHO – nice insight into the process, and great to see Clay’s version as a different take… As I don’t get to see the print vesions (being in London) I’m grateful for them all, but it’s nice to get the inside track on the process.

P.S. Matt, can you drop me a line, have misplaced your email address!

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