26th World Press Freedom Canada International Editorial Cartoon Competition

 

The theme of the 26th International Editorial Cartoon Competition is:

Times are tough

Inflation is skyrocketing while wages remain stagnant, artificial intelligence threatens entire sectors of the economy and home ownership is out of reach for younger generations.
The imposition of tariffs and the erratic behavior of the American president fuels uncertainty worldwide.
What was previously alarming becomes normal while we wait for the next scandal, the next court ruling or the next election to turn the tide.

Julie Rocheleau designs the 2026 MCAF poster

From the MCAF Facebook page.

To illustrate the theme of its next edition, Alive!, and mark its 15th anniversary, the FBDM chose a prominent figure from the Montreal comic book scene and a regular participant in the Festival.

After working as a freelancer in animation studios, Julie Rocheleau turned to comics in the early 2010s, with notable and award-winning collaborations in Canada, Europe and the United States. 

She is notably the co-author of 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘦-𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘺 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘣 and 𝘓𝘢 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦. This queen of illustration in Quebec likes to play with representations of fauna and flora. Her posters, with their dynamic compositions, are always elegant and sensitive, with a unique punk touch.

She was therefore the obvious choice to illustrate the poster for the next edition, which will be unveiled in April.

Scott Adams 1957-2026

From AP News.

Scott Adams, whose popular comic strip “Dilbert” captured the frustration of beleaguered, white-collar cubicle workers and satirized the ridiculousness of modern office culture until he was abruptly dropped from syndication in 2023 for racist remarks, has died. He was 68.

His first ex-wife, Shelly Miles, announced the death Tuesday on a livestream posted on Adams’ social media accounts. “He’s not with us right anymore,” she said. 

Canadian cartoonists land The New Yorker 2026 calendar cover

From The Vancouver Sun.

Vancouver cartoonists Ian Boothby and Pia Guerra have landed a rare distinction: Their work appears on the cover of The New Yorker’s 2026 calendar.

“I was about to buy the calendar online and suddenly realized our cartoon was on the cover,” said Guerra. “It had been out since June, and we had no idea.”

European Cartoon Awards 2025

From Facebook.

The European Cartoon Award has announced the winners of its 2025 contest. 

The first prize was awarded to the Dutch cartoonist Tjeerd Royaards, for his work published in the Dutch outlet Trouw. 

The two Runners-up are cartoonists Emad Hajjaj (Jordan) and Zehra Ömeroğlu (Turkey). 

An Honourable Mention was awarded to Patrick Chappatte (Switzerland):

The Royal Mail Releases a Peanuts Stamp Set

From the Royal Mail.

This colourful collection of Peanuts Special Stamps features iconic illustrations of anxious Charlie Brown, his beloved beagle Snoopy and their chums, to mark the comic strip’s 75th anniversary.

Editorial Cartoonist Walt Handelsman Retires

From The Times Picayune.

Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Walt Handelsman is putting away his pen and ink after decades of delighting Louisiana with his alternately humorous and poignant takes on the state's peculiar politics, personalities and events.

Handelsman, 69, will retire from The Times-Picayune | The Advocate at the end of December.