My return to comics-making as an adult was prompted by an invitation to be in a political art show just before the 2004 US Presidential election, and a follow up exhibition right after. Those two pieces, “Security” https://spinweaveandcut.com/security/ and in particular, “Show of Hands,” really launched my approach to making comics that would define my scholarly work going forward. I make a point of at least returning to making one of these every four years, and some day I hope to be a nimble enough of a cartoonist to make a political piece more frequently, but here we are… This year’s was quite a challenge, a tough Fall, and I kept working on ideas that never quite congealed. In fact, I haven’t even finished the comic as I type this – but I think I can do it – so I’ll finish this note when I paste the page in …
12 hours later – morning before the election – I finished!! I’ll have more to say about the piece, but for now – here it is. And you can download a PDF of it here.
[See Alt-text below if not working with the image itself.]
The early versions of this one were centered around mirror as metaphor. I really thought it was cool – but it never came together or I didn’t give myself time to get it together. What did survive from that was the sideview mirror idea – and that’s one of my favorite parts. The bit about hubris and hospitality kept feeling like a separate comic, and then it somehow worked in just right. And lastly, a bit of the opening and the ending, connect back to my 2020 election comic “ING” – which you can see here. Wishing all a brighter tomorrow. – Nick
Alt-text
A comic in black and white – with a series of metaphorical and literal images. Text is as follows:
Elections, of course, have consequences. A path chosen, erases a possible future. As such, elecctions are a moment to reflect on where we’ve been and who we want to be – to consider our values, mirrored in the conduct of those we choose to represent us: They recognize, that while we’ve granted them great responsibility, they don’t stand above us, espousing their singular greatness. Rather, they stand with us, ever a public servant. Treating everyone with respect, never dividing between us and “them.” But bringing people together, and being there for all.
Inset: Greek key to offset it: Greek myths warn of the dangers of hubris and the importance of hospitality.”
On it’s surface, talk of restoring the greatness of bygone eras has obvious appeal. But for whom was this great? Without a critical eye, it’s no more than a myth. For history is still with us – not so distant.
We don’t go back. Democracy moves forward. Evolving alongside our understanding, expanding as more voices are included. It changes because we change it. We cast our votes to hone those before us who made this experiment possible, and to ensure it continues for all who come after. Elections aren’t endpoints, but reminders that the work of democracy is ongoing.