A long tradition of humor and satire through drawings and cartoons has been missing from the journalism of Yavapai County. There was a time not long ago when cartoons graced the editorial pages of most daily newspapers. When you didn’t have time to read the paper, you at least glanced at the cartoon. But with the shift from print to cable TV and internet-based presentation of the news, political cartoons have fallen by the wayside. There was a time when editorial cartoonists won Pulitzer Prizes. Artists of the trade like Thomas Nast, Rube Goldberg, Al Capp, Herblock, and Pat Oliphant, among many others, were once household names. The Arizona Republic’s Steve Benson was one of the last.
Enews has recently been experimenting with AI in presenting stories in audio form. We’ve posted a few and the feedback has been surprisingly good. No one has said they didn’t like them. Some of our readers say the audios are more fun and easier to absorb than the written articles.
As more of a joke than anything else, Terry, our in-house AI guru—the guy who makes the Prescott eNews flag wave on our header– recently sent me an AI generated cartoon. Like most of the AI generated products I’ve seen, it wasn’t half bad. I could see the potential of AI to produce the artwork for an editorial cartoon.
Today’s offering is our first effort. It wasn’t completely AI generated. We had to give the software application careful instructions for the concept and dialogue. It took some trial and error. But each version has been a little better than the last.
Here’s what we’ve come up with so far. It’s a first effort. But I think it has potential. We’re thinking about filling the void of political satire in Yavapai County with a weekly cartoon.
It seems to us here at Prescott eNews, that when it comes to lampooning local political figures, there’s plenty of material to work with. Maybe a little humor can take the edge off some of the meanness we’ve seen recently in local politics.
Let us know what you think. 
6 thoughts on “Political Satire Comes to Prescott eNews – David Stringer, Publisher”
This made me smile. If you hadn’t said it was AI generated I wouldn’t have guessed. And you’re right about the need for humor and satire—-plenty of good targets right here in Prescott.
Hilarious!
Maybe, just maybe, Senator Cowboy will someday learn not to bite the hand that feeds him. And that includes the voter’s hand.
This is sorta cool and a little scary at the same time. AI generated humor has a way to go. But worth trying. I’d like to see where this goes.
Senator Cowboy is a joke. All hat, no cattle. As a newcomer to this district he has reversed a speeding ticket but, worse, he has insulted many long-term residents in front of public meetings. A one-term phenomenon. Back to S. AZ and the fake ranching life.
I think the cartoons are great even though I am totally against the rodeo. It is a sin to use horses, or any animal, for money and public entertainment. Those poor horses are tied to a post at the rodeo grounds to bake in the heat, shame on all of the owners.
On a more positive note, I would like to read a “Feel Good” column in your newspaper. Good things that have happened around Prescott and Prescott Valley, nice things someone has done, an animal returned to its owner, a neighbor coming to your need, someone helping you with your stalled. Cartoons are cute but good stories are uplifting.
I liked the cartoon idea and David and Terry did a good job. Keep it up.
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