Heads of State (Political cartoonist Mike Luckovich's view of the candidates)

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 2.1.04 | Mike Luckovich

[mhking]

[ The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 01/30/2004 ]

 

JOHN KERRY

Bush in 2001

Bush in 2004

HEADS OF STATE
Drawings by MIKE LUCKOVICH / Staff

Forget the issues. Look at the nose. Are those the eyes of a statesman? What about the ears? Close to the skull or practically perpendicular?

Even as he ponders the war, the economy, Michael Jackson and the other issues weighing on the republic, Mike Luckovich must also study the facial features of the leading actors on the national stage.

Luckovich the citizen has not made up his mind about the Democrats running for president. But Luckovich the cartoonist has already nominated John Kerry.

"His face is so long," says Luckovich. "For one thing his hair is really high, and his chin is just enormous, and then he has that kind of" -- his voice trails off for a moment -- "he kind of looks like one of the trees in the 'Lord of the Rings.' Remember those trees that do all the walking around and talking? Yeah, the Ents."

Luckovich's drawings of politicians evolve as he sees more of them and hears more about their policies.

"For instance, when Bush was first running and became president -- the way I draw him now compared to then has completely changed. Although the large ears have remained the same," Luckovich says.

"Just getting that weird little nose correct was quite a challenge. He's got very unique features -- the little close-set eyes, fairly lipless lips. And then his mouth is a bit crooked, so it always looks like he's smirking. He may actually be smirking, or it may just be the shape of his mouth."

HOWARD DEAN His features are somehow elastic. His eyes can bulge, his mouth can get really big. His emotions really show on his face, whether it's anger or humor or whatever. He doesn't hide anything.			WESLEY CLARK He's kind of angular as well, kind of like a rectangle head. He looks tightly wound to me. But he also has a fairly easy face to draw. When I look at him I always think he's calculating what he's going to say because he's worried he's going to say something wrong.
JOE LIEBERMAN I don't want to insult Alfred E. Neuman, but he looks a lot like Alfred E. Neuman. He's got the big ears and sort of a weak chin, and he would be an ideal president for a cartoonist; you could draw him in your sleep.		JOHN EDWARDS He's the prettiest, but pretty isn't always difficult. Nice nose and a good mouth for caricature. He's got sort of an angular jaw. I noticed once that his face is similar to Britney Spears'. Separated at birth type thing.

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[jocon307]

"John Edwards, pretty enough to be a girl" - Hubby

[Theresawithanh]

He draws the faces pretty well, and I loved his remarks about John *@#!!@ Kerry, but shouldn't he have made Dean look a little meaner? He looks too benign and sane.

[ikka]

"His face is so long," says Luckovich. "For one thing his hair is really high, and his chin is just enormous, and then he has that kind of" -- his voice trails off for a moment -- "he kind of looks like one of the trees in the 'Lord of the Rings.' Remember those trees that do all the walking around and talking? Yeah, the Ents."

Fangorn Forest Supports Kerry!

[weegee]

Here are some reference images for Mike if he wants his cartoons to have any bite...

But then as a good little donkey, don't expect Mike Lukovich to ridicule Democrats. He drew Hillary Clinton with tiny calves for heaven's sake!

[weegee]

"I don't want to insult Alfred E. Neuman, but he looks a lot like Alfred E. Neuman."

Give it up, Mike. Alfred E. Neuman has been so over used. Ross Perot was portrayed on magazine covers as "Alfred" as was candidate George W. Bush. Try thinking once in awhile when you draw your little pictures.

[ought-six]

Mike Luckovich is a takented cartoonist and illustrator, and some of his presentations have been extremely caustic (which is what he intends). He is not, though, non-partisan or unbiased; but he has the right to be whomever he wants. He is very much to the left of the political spectrum, and would consider himself a "progessive" (which is just newspeak for socialist).

[ought-six]

Mike Luckovich is a talented cartoonist and illustrator, and some of his presentations have been extremely caustic (which is what he intends). He is not, though, non-partisan or unbiased; but he has the right to be whomever he wants. He is very much to the left of the political spectrum, and would consider himself a "progessive" (which is just newspeak for socialist).

[lainde]

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