Drawing Comparisons: The Art of Obama

In keeping with today's theme -- that is, the very face of the inaugural -- Comic Riffs shares several Obama cartoons that caught our eye.

DREW FRIEDMAN (The New Yorker)Enlarge Comic

First: Last time Obama received such play on a "New Yorker" cover, there were cries of irony deficiency. That, of course, was Barry Blitt's memorable cover of the Obamas that spoofed stereotypes (and for some, fears) galore.

This time out, The New Yorker seemingly goes straight ahead, with Drew Friedman drawing Obama in the ultimate Washingtonian garb. (Last year, notably, Drew Friedman drew a Time cover depicting Obama as a literal rock star.)

On the flip side, there's the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, David Horsey, who mocks those artists (if not Obama fans) already painting the new president in tones of historic greatness.

DAVID HORSEY (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) Enlarge Comic

And my favorite editorial cartoon to pair Martin Luther King Day and a historic Inauguration Day was by John Sherffius (of Boulder Camera and Creators Syndicate), who appropriated a classic King pose as such:

JOHN SHERFFIUS (Boulder Camera) Enlarge Comic