Daryl Cagle (born 1956) is an American editorial cartoonist, publisher, and syndicate owner. He is known for his political cartoons, as well as for founding Cagle.com and Cagle Cartoons, Inc., a prominent newspaper syndicate.
Early Career
Cagle began his career working with The Muppets from 1979 to 1993. In 1995, he launched a daily editorial cartoon panel titled TRUE! for Tribune Media Services. Later, he became a local editorial cartoonist for Hawaii's MidWeek newspaper and drew daily cartoons for Gannett's Honolulu Advertiser.
In 2000, Cagle began working as the cartoonist for Slate.com before moving to msnbc.com in 2005, where he became their editorial cartoonist.
Cagle Cartoons, Inc.
In 2001, Cagle founded Cagle Cartoons, Inc., a syndicate that distributes political cartoons and columns from artists around the world to approximately 850 newspapers. Cagle Cartoons operates as a "package service," allowing subscribing publications to receive a full selection of editorial content.
Political Controversies
Mexican Flag Cartoon
In 2010, Cagle published a controversial cartoon depicting the Mexican flag with its national symbol—an eagle perched on a cactus devouring a snake—dead in a pool of blood with bullet holes. The cartoon, a commentary on violence in Mexico, sparked significant backlash after being featured on the front pages of many Mexican newspapers. Critics pointed out that it is against Mexican law to alter the national flag's image.
Cagle responded to the controversy by defending the right of editorial cartoonists to use national symbols for political commentary, stating, "It is the role of editorial cartoonists to criticize governments and nations, and to use the symbols of nations in our cartoons."
International Work and Advocacy
Cagle has represented the United States in numerous cultural diplomacy efforts arranged by the U.S. State Department, including exhibitions and lectures worldwide:
- 2010: Participated in a joint exhibition with Russian cartoonist John Kudryavtsev in Vladivostok.
- 2012: Delivered a lecture on trends in editorial cartooning in New Delhi, India.
- 2015: Attended an international exhibition in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he delivered lectures and conducted workshops on cartooning.
- 2021: His work was exhibited at the Indian Cartoon Gallery in Bengaluru, India.
Awards and Recognition
Cagle has received several awards for his work in editorial cartooning and advocacy for cartoonist rights:
- Prix de l’humour Vache (2013) – Awarded at the Salon de St. Just cartooning festival in France.
- Prix Gérard Vandenbroucke (2023) – Awarded at the Salon international du dessin de presse et d'humour de Saint-Just-le-Martel, Europe’s largest festival of editorial cartoons, recognizing his efforts in defending cartoonists’ rights globally.
Personal Life
Daryl Cagle is married to Peg Cagle and has two children, Susie Cagle and Michael ("Mac") Cagle. His daughter, Susie Cagle, is also a journalist and cartoonist.
External links
- Daryl Cagle at AAEC
- Political Cartoons Cagle's eCommerce site
- Cagle Cartoons, Inc. newspaper syndicate