The image to the right is the latest "South Park" spin on Shepard Fairey’s ubiquitous "Change" poster, and it’s a timely example to illustrate the way in which contemporary cartoons are used to comment on society.
The political cartoon is nothing new, but televised cartoon sitcoms like "The Simpsons," "South Park" and "Family Guy" are known for their subversive takes on pop culture, society and politics. Watching these shows has empowered a nation of young adults to question authority and societal norms, which is a good thing. It also means that cultural icons and politicians like President Obama have been unwitting subjects of irony, sarcasm and satire.
Check out the "South Park" episode featuring the amended Obama poster here, and check out other cartooned social commentary below.
20 Pieces of Cartooned Social Commentary
19
‘The Simpsons' Street Art
Rebellious Cartooned Graffiti That Would Make Bart Proud
18
Viral Celeb Weight Wars
Is New York Post Cartoon With Super-Obese Jessica Simpson Cruel or Comedy?
17
Real-Life Cartoon Violence
'Splatter' Sparks Controversy in London
16
Shocking Kids' Shows
Cute Hitler and Swastika-Inspired Cartoons
15
Political Cartoon Ethics
Drawing Obama Without Offending Or Being Boring Proves Tough
14
Clever Movie Poster Spoofs
If Cartoons Were Films
13
Political Comedy Holiday Specials
Stephen Colbert's ‘A Colbert Christmas'
12
Iconic Cartoon Changes
‘The Simpsons' Gets HD and All-New Opening Sequence
11
Viral Folk Comedy Duos
“Flight of the Conchords” Returns for a Second Hilarious Season
10
Racist Cartoons
NY Post Obama ‘Chimp Attack' Crosses The Line
9
Fundraising Cartoon Specials
Simpsons Stand Up to Cancer
8
Google TV Ads
Family Guy Roll-Over Ads
7
Cartooned Gadget-Bashing
'The Simpsons' Mocks Apple
6
Ad-Supported Comedy Shorts
Seth MacFarlane's Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy
5
Experimental Comedy Revivals
Tim and Eric on Adult Swim
4
Batmobama and Robiden
Partisan Political Cartoon Prints
3
Anime Government Messages
Japenese Cartoon on Global Food Supply
2
Cartoon Sitcom Spinoffs
Seth MacFarlane Releases 'The Cleveland Show'
1
Prime-Time Political Cartoons
Homer Simpson Tries To Vote for Obama
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Seki Milk Created Artful Bottle Designs to Encourage Dairy Consumption
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Cartoonish Parental Timepieces
These New Swatch x The Simpsons Watches Come in Two Styles
Cartoon-Branded Timepieces
The Spinnaker Hass Automatic SpongeBob SquarePants Watches are Vibrant
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Nautical-Themed Cartoon Cafes
The SpongeBob Squarepants Cafe Features a Whimsical Menu
Young Travellers-Targeting Campaigns
Progressive Insurance Has Introduced a New Campaign
Craveable Soda Packaging
Sprite is Reviving Its Obey Your Thirst Campaign for a New Generation
Cartoon Eating Challenges
A Custom Hot Ones Episode Features Donald Duck as a Guest
Cosmetic Criminal Commercials
Elf's Cosmetic Criminals Ad is a 15-Minute True Crime Parody
Pop Artist-Designed Auction Cars
Jeff Koons Designs a Dynamic BMW 850i xDrive Gran Coupe
Street Art Metaverses
LG OLED & Shepard Fairey Teamed up for a Frieze Los Angeles Exhibition
Sitcom-Themed Clothing Collections
The Percival x Seinfeld Collection Has Recognizable Styles
AI-Generated Personalized Animations
The Simulation Puts Fans into an AI South Park Episode
Designer-Led Nostalgic Capsules
Daniel Arsham & Dr. Seuss Enterprises Delight Kids & Grown-Ups
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Cartoon Underdog Soda Campaigns
Tractor Beverage Company Launches a Moving New Campaign
Musical AI Campaigns
Fiverr's 'Nobody Cares' Positions AI as a Tool for Skilled Freelancers
Animation-Inspired Collaborative Streetwear
Highsnobiety Presents a Special Pixar Collection
Playful Travel-Inspired Sock Designs
HOTSOX and Meagan Morrison Debut a Range of Playful Socks
Neighborhood-Inspired Campaigns
Kotn's F/W 2024 Collection is Released with a Witty Short-Film
Reimagined Beloved Character Comics
Marvel and Disney Imagine Mickey Mouse and Friends as Heroes
Stop-Motion Short Animations
Cartoon Network has Unveiled an Over the Garden Wall Short
Traveling Fine Art Campaigns
EasyJet's Get Out There Features Mona Lisa, The Thinker and More
Filmic Toaster Pastry Packaging
Unfrosted Inspired Pop-Tarts' Limited-Edition "Trat-Pops" Boxes
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Artist-Inspired Dynamic Basketballs
round21 Designs Basketballs Inspired by Basquiat and Haring
Individualized Streaming Billboards
Black Mirror Fans are Getting Their Own Customized Billboards
Perception-Challenging Art Exhibitions
Raise the Moral Studio Presents the Becoming Familiar Show
TV Show-Generating AI Tools
Fable Launches a New AI Tool That Creates South Park-Style TV Shows
Forest-Inspired Screenless Toys
Boogie Board Launched the Sketch Pals Forest Friends Line
QSR-Collaborative Skate Collections
The Palace McDonald's Collection is an Unconventional Capsule
Character Graphic Collaborative Apparel
UNIQLO Presents an Adorable Hello Kitty Capsule
Sitcom-Inspired Meal Sets
McDonald's Friends Box Honors the Iconic Sitcom Show
Avant-Garde Coffee Table Books
New Society Hosts 'Decentralization, Please Save Culture' Event
Playful Creativity-Focused Campaigns
Sharpie® Launches the World is Your Canvas Tour
Cartoon-Inspired Pizza Merchandise
Disney Launches the New Pizza-Themed Disney Eats Collection
Comedic Apparel Campaigns
Kevin Hart and Druski Launch the Fabletics 'Don Pant' with a Short Film
Comic-Inspired Soda Cans
Marvel and Coca-Cola Join on the Heroes Captivating Can Designs
Cartoon Anniversary Soap Bars
Dr. Squatch Drops the SpongeBob SquarePants 'Nautical Nonsense' Soap
Cartoon-Inspired Game Consoles
Microsoft Presents the Limited SpongeBob SquarePants Xbox Series X
Redesigned Father's Day Cards
CALM & The Or's Father’s Day Redesign Challenges Outdated Messaging
Pop Culture-Inspired Rentals
Airbnb Unveils the New 'Icons' Experiences for Short-Term Guests
Streaming Service Installations
Hulu Returns to Comic-Con San Diego with its Animayhem Activation
Playful Cartoon Apparel
Kenny Scharf and Axel Arigato's Capsule Collection Lets You Wear Art
Cartoon-Inspired Lifestyle Collections
BoxLunch Launches an Avatar-Inspired Lifestyle Capsule
AI Cartoon Generators
This Tool Lets You Turn Your Photos into Cartoon Selfie with AI
Social Media Political-Content Limitations
Meta is Reducing Political Content Recommendations
Hidden Discrimination Books
'Throwaway Comments' Fights Microaggressions in the Workplace
Paranormal Cartoon Apparel
JOURNAL STANDARD and Ghostbusters Release a Vintage Apparel Capsule
Rapper-Backed Apparel Capsules
OVO Recruits Snoop Dogg, Birdman, and More for an NFL Capsule
Magical Anime-Inspired Pizzas
The Pizza Hut Taiwan Cardcaptor Sakura Pizza is Eye-Catching
Animated Tech Resistance Shows
Jazz Cow is an Animated Revolt Against Tech Dystopia
Sleek Cartoon-Themed Watches
Spinnaker Celebrates 25 Years of Spongebob with a Timepiece Capsule
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Pop Art Skateboard Capsules
THE SKATEROOM Unveils a Collection Inspired by Roy Lichtenstein
American Art Furniture Exhibits
Superhouse Gallery Debuts an Exhibition on American Art Furniture
Time Capsule-Style Branding Campigns
Coors Light & Patrick Mahomes Present a Unique Project
Branded Short Talk Shows
Progressive’s Dr. Rick Appeared as a Guest on Hot Ones
Sketch Comedy Retail Commercials
The Target Lady Ad Revives a Familiar Comedic Character
Cartoon-Adorned Parenting Bags
JuJuBe Partners with tokidoki on a Playful Bag Capsule
Seasonal Soda Ads
Olipop's Christmas Ad Challenges Big Soda
Life Lesson Animated Cartoons
Gary Vaynerchuk Launches the VeeFriends Cartoon Series
Anime-Inspired Graphic Garments
UNIQLO UT Launches the 'History of Dragon Ball' Collection
Unity-Promoting Family Skate Decks
DGK Partners with Darren Harper for a Special Skate Deck
Rapper-Starring Anime Apparel
Logic and Crunchyroll Launch a Cowboy Bebop Apparel Collection
Multifaceted Swimsuit Cover Models
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Enlists Martha Stewart on its Cover
Creatively Sponsored Art Events
Sharpie is Sponsoring the Upcoming Art Battle Event in Los Angeles
Empowering Car Ads
CarMax's New Ad Campaign Takes a Witty Approach
Income-Centric Animated Comedies
Universal Basic Guys Follows Two Characters Earning 3k Monthly
Cartoon Trivia Games
Cartoon Quiz Asks Trivia About Beloved Animated Characters
Satirical Girl Scout Cookies
The MSCHF Scout Cookies Spoof an American Tradition
Cartoon Reporter-Inspired Football Kits
The Belgian Away Kit is Made with Inspiration from Tintin
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
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Samsung and Marimekko Unveil a Project for The Frame
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The 'GovSide' App Encourages Citizens to Get Involved
Irreverent Ethical Soap Campaigns
Pure Rush Soap's New Ad is a Fresh Take on Sustainable Branding
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Places+Faces Launch Collaboration Tees for 10 Years
Social Justice Desert Campaigns
Ben & Jerry's 'Make Some Motherchunkin' Change' Campaign Debuted
Humorous Slogan Graphic T-Shirts
Navinder Nangla Joins Converse on the City Tees Initative
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Toyota's New Short Film Seeks to Resonate with Gen Z Customers
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Funko Pop! Introduces New Brooklyn Nine-Nine Figurines
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Stylized Portrait Generators
Face to All Can Create Oil Paintings and Whimsical Cartoons
Statement Short Films
'The Trial' by Gandja Monteiro Exposes Realities of Abortion Bans
Playful Tween Cartoon Apparel
Justice x PEANUTS Offers a Variety of Snoopy-Themed Designs
Park-Inspired Outdoor Fashion Capsules
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Short Film-Inspired Ads
Apple’s New ‘The Underdogs’ Ad Features Various Apple Products
Limited Political Social Medias
Meta's 'Threads' Allows Users to Limit Political Content Shown
Creature-Themed Graphic T-Shirts
Mr Jones Watches Debuts its First Line of Unisex T-Shirts
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Traditional Cartoon Artwork
Tokyo's National Museum Presents Hello Kitty: As I Change, So Does She
Studious Cartoon Timepieces
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Underrepresented Artist Snack Branding
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Immigration System-Inspired Artworks
SOLDIER's Passport Series Confront the Biased Justice System
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Soho Yacht Club Suggests to Do Something Nice Today
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Haunting Tech Safety PSAs
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Crowdsourced Fact-Checking Features
Twitter Launches the Fact-Checking 'Community Notes' Feature
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Civic Nation Launched a New Initiative Dubbed the Change Collective
Boomer-Focused Voter Advertisements
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