Earlier this week, The Detroit News published our recent Fahranheit 9/11 cartoon, making it the first Cox & Forkum editorial cartoon to appear in a large American daily newspaper -- approximately 200,000 circulation. Not only that, but there are plans to make our cartoons part of a new weekly feature. "Yaaahooooo!" doesn't quite express our high level of excitement.
This opportunity sprang from another: A few months back we were invited to participate in the The Detroit News Political Weblog. Not only did that lead to the publishing of our cartoons, but DetNews decided to retain us as a regular contributor to the blog. The new weekly feature for the print edition publishes excerpts from their blog, from many contributors, which I thought was an interesting merger of blogs and traditional newspapers.
Our sincere thanks to everyone at DetNews for this opportunity, especially Felix Grabowski, Nancy Malitz and George Bullard.
And that's not all the good news...
Arrangements have also been made for Investor's Business Daily to feature Cox & Forkum editorial cartoons. IBD is a national daily newspaper with a circulation of 200,000 (and they also have tens of thousand of online subscribers). What is the significance of this? For the first time ever, you can walk into major bookstores and airports in America (even some public transportation stations) and purchase a newspaper with a Cox & Forkum editorial cartoon. In fact, you may do so this weekend -- the IBD Monday Special edition (available Saturday morning through Monday) will contain our Martha Stewart cartoon. IBD is expanding its already excellent op-ed section, and our cartoons will be included on occasion.
Our deep gratitude goes out to Wes Mann, Glenn Larkin and everyone at IBD.
To sum up: Over 400,000 printed copies of Cox & Forkum editorial cartoons are being circulated this week with even more to come in the future. John and I are quite proud at the moment. So excuse us while we beam.
(Okay, so not everyone will be happy for us.)
Regarding Syndication
In our March First Annual Report, we mentioned our unsuccessful efforts to get national syndication. Not much has changed in that department, except that we added another rejection letter to the pile. But what has developed since then amounts to us syndicating ourselves as our client list gradually grows.
Besides Investor's Business Daily and The Detroit News, others subscribing to our cartoons include:
-- Libertad Digital, a Spain-based online magazine;
-- Hamodia, a daily New York City paper serving the Jewish community; and, a long-time favorite of ours...
-- The Intellectual Activist, the monthly Objectivist journal that has been publishing our cartoons since November 2001 (Thanks, Rob and Sherri!).
Still other publications have printed our cartoons (or plan to in the near future), including:
-- The Sprout, a Brussels-based monthly magazine dedicated to keeping an eye on E.U. government;
-- Iran Times International, a Washington, D.C.-based weekly newspaper for Iranians around the world (if you want to see one of our cartoons surrounded by Farsi, click here);
-- World Jewish Digest, a Chicago-based magazine billed at the "Largest Circulation Monthly Jewish News Digest in America";
-- Human Resource Executive, a national business magazine with a circulation of 75,000;
-- The News-Press a daily newspaper in Fort Myers, Fla.;
-- Downeast Coastal Press, a rural weekly newspaper in Cutler, Maine; and
-- Jewish Telegraph, a weekly newspaper based in Manchester, England.
And Cox & Forkum cartoons have also appeared in a few non-commercial media, such as:
-- Worksheets for the NIE Cartoons for the Classroom project (thanks again to Felix Grabowski);
-- Brown University-sponsored curriculum booklets for The Choices Program;
-- tidsskriftet Liberal, a Norwegian political publication that advocates laissez-faire capitalism;
-- Democrats for Israel, a club newsletter for a Los Angeles group; and
-- Seminars at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
We know that many of you have been rooting for us to get syndicated in hopes of seeing us in your local paper. That could still happen. In the meantime, you can write your local papers and point them to our Web site. Perhaps we'll be able to add them to our client list and be successful at syndicating ourselves.
Our thanks to everyone for your continued support and encouragement. See ya in the op-ed pages!
UPDATE July 26: John and I want to again express our gratitude to everyone for the kudos. As I said in the comments, it's satisfying to know that we have so many readers celebrating along with us. And thanks to all the bloggers who are commenting on and linking to our news this weekend (see a list here -- even Michelle Malkin noticed!).
I forgot to mention at least one other place our cartoons have been appearing: the Texas A&M student newspaper, The Battalion. (Thanks to Mike Walters for the reminder.)
Look for a new cartoon later today.
Posted by Forkum at July 23, 2004 07:26 PM
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Well, let me be the first (on the blog) to congratulate you guys. You deserve every bit of it.
It's good to see quality talent get the recognition it deserves. I consider you guys the Hank Rearden & Ellis Wyatt of political cartoons!
Posted by: Sharp as a Marble at July 23, 2004 07:36 PMWoo-hoo!!! Serious congratulations, guys!
Now if we can just get you into the Richmond Times-Dispatch....
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut at July 23, 2004 08:20 PMIndeed, it is quite satisfying to see success come to those who have earned it. Congrats John and Allen!
Posted by: David Sediles at July 23, 2004 08:21 PMWay to go, John & Allen. We're all rootin' for ya.
I think I can speak for all those who visit your pages that we wish we could get you syndication and wider exposure. However, it looks like, in the best Objectivist tradition, you'll have to do it yourselves...
Churchill's?
Posted by: Grantman at July 23, 2004 08:22 PMHey, good for you guys!
Posted by: Rob at July 23, 2004 08:25 PMMost excellent!
Posted by: Laurence Simon at July 23, 2004 08:39 PMOkay, okay, I know y'all are feeling a little giddy at the moment, but you referred to the NAVAL War College as the NAVEL War College - sounds like something a little too new-agey for our military! ;-)
Congrats on the syndication!
Posted by: biff at July 23, 2004 08:39 PMCongratulations! I'm sure you'll only go up from here!
Posted by: Eric Lester at July 23, 2004 08:45 PMGuys, aside from the Dilbert website, the only other website I go to almost daily is yours. So I want to say congratulations for your recent breakthroughs in the print media, because it's enormously hopeful to me that the foot is at least in the door. There's nothing like the feeling of hard work paying off.
Hey, do me a favor. You know, you'd have cartoons glossed in Korean to go with your cartoons glossed in Farsi if you jumped down Kim Jong Il's throat more often. His atrocities out-Irans Iran, and you'd offend appeasement-minded "sunshine" Koreans. Yes, I know, after the election, but can't I dream a little? It would be nice to see you in the Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's number one newspaper.
Posted by: Roger Fusselman at July 23, 2004 08:54 PMThat's wonderful, guys - you deserve it thoroughly. You have a great sense of humor and draw very well, and of course your point of view is a breath of very fresh air in the utterly stale world of political cartooning.
Posted by: David at July 23, 2004 09:00 PMbiff -- Thanks for the heads-up on the typo. I even told myself to be careful with that one. A lot of good that did...
Posted by: Forkum at July 23, 2004 09:06 PMCongratulations. You are wonderfully gifted artists and it is fabulous that others are finally seeing it and their readers will be seeing that too.
Posted by: Mara at July 23, 2004 09:07 PM[Dark, malevolent laughter]
The Plan proceeds apace. Our diabolical cartoonist front has achieved a major victory.
We'll know we've won when you are on the Op-Ed page of the NYT and the Post :-P
Seriously, congratulations, guys. Hard work and sanity have paid off. May you have many more victories.
A very hearty congratulations to you guys. I am very excited that an objective viewpoint is beginning to receive national notice. Very excited! Thanks for the great news!
Posted by: Bill Brent at July 23, 2004 09:42 PMCongratulations gentlemen. I'm absolutely thrilled for you. You both richly deserve it (and deserve to be rich ... hopefully, this is a step in that direction).
Posted by: Jheka at July 23, 2004 09:42 PMCongrats guys!
Posted by: Solomon at July 23, 2004 09:43 PMCongratulation guys.
I'm a stringer for a local paper that is part of a consortium of local newpapers around the Houston area. I've sent a recommendation to the editor of the paper I write for, with a link to your website. :)
It would be nice to see your work on weekly basis locally.
Best to you both!
Posted by: quark2 at July 23, 2004 09:44 PMA little over a decade ago, I was a sr. IT exec with the Economist Group - focusing a lot on a part of the organization that published the Journal of Commerce newspaper. Investor's Business Daily was a key competitor and one that had a lot of readership and respect in the industry.
It's a superb kudo to Cox & Forkum to get a regular piece in IBD, and to get the well deserved recognition in a major daily newspaper. If only they could get the same recognition in the LA Daily News - it would be easier to read / tolerate.
Congratulations.
Posted by: Athos at July 23, 2004 09:55 PMCongratulations on your great achievement! You have excellent cartoons in every respect, especially philosophically.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Steve Giardina at July 23, 2004 09:59 PMExcellent! I'd break open a bottle of champagne in celebration...but I'll just have to settle for rum and limeade and a good dose of imagination instead... ;-)
This couldn't happen to a more deserving couple of fellas!
--Denita TwoDragons
Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at July 23, 2004 10:09 PMCongratulations! You've earned it.
Posted by: bdfaith at July 23, 2004 10:12 PMCongratulations!!! Well done, and well deserved.
Posted by: Alan at July 23, 2004 11:11 PMThis is just fantastic, I'm so glad for you guys! No one deserves it more than you, and I know you'll spread the good word. Thanks for making the world a funnier place.
Posted by: Carla Greenberg at July 23, 2004 11:36 PMBig congrats to you! May your talent take you to new heights!
Posted by: MikeO at July 23, 2004 11:49 PMWatch out Rall, Trudeau, and Moore.
Justice is a'coming!
Well done C&F. Well done.
Posted by: John Galt at July 24, 2004 12:05 AMI never ever thought I'd see the sun rise after midnight.
But this is what has happened.
Congratulations, Allen and John!!!!
May your fortunes continue to rise and rise.
Posted by: Ayo Ogunshola at July 24, 2004 12:38 AMCongratulations! Well deserved and about bloody time.
I think Ayo meant to say _at_ midnight. :-)
Thank you both very, very much for your unflagging inspiration.
The making of history is a rare sight indeed for any man; this is a landmark event.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Dare Balogun at July 24, 2004 12:51 AMI had no idea you guys were not already nationally syndicated. Even putting politics aside, your work is easily equal to or superior to everything out there. Include politics in the analysis, and you blow everyone away.
Congratulations. This is just the start.
Posted by: Don at July 24, 2004 01:27 AMUnbounded glee, Guys!
Your clean, declarative artwork is matched by your incisive choice of subject matter, relevance and graphic symbolism!
(I've sent samples of MY lineart, so you know I know whereof I speak. No smoke-blowing here...)
Good on yez, Gentlemen! More! Better! Upward and onward!
Dr KDean
Posted by: Sharps Shooter at July 24, 2004 01:54 AMCongrats! and keep up the good work. Stay after the mainstream press, you deserve syndication.
Posted by: marc at July 24, 2004 02:12 AMMagnificent! It's wonderful that someone with money in their pockets recognizes your brilliance.
Thanks for all the past work and keep it flying!
Posted by: GOC in Winston Salem at July 24, 2004 02:48 AMCongratulations Allen and John!
Great news. It is well deserved and long overdue...
We are proud of you guys - onward and upward from here.
- Your friends at Those Shirts...
Posted by: Doug Weinberg at July 24, 2004 03:27 AMExcellent news! I'm happy to have bought three of your books, before you hit the big time and raise the price.
Posted by: Patrick at July 24, 2004 06:35 AMCongratulations, I'm very happy for you. A well deserved 'overnight success' after how many years?
WTG you.
Posted by: StinKerr at July 24, 2004 07:50 AMCongrats, guys! May this be just the beginning.
Posted by: michele at July 24, 2004 08:48 AMAbsolutely incredible!
Way to go guys - keep up the excellent work, and more success to come.
I was glad to see your work at Libertad Digital, an now I am gladder to know that they are not the only ones purchasing it. Congratulations!
Allen & John:
Congratulations! I subscribed to the Investor's Business Daily during my time (2000 - 2002) in Ohio. It's a great newspaper. Next step is your gallery show! :)
All the Best,
Martin Lindeskog - American in spirit.
Gothenburg, Sweden.
Congratulations, guys!
BTW, an idea, if you're not already doing it: Log your Web traffic and use your daily visit numbers to help convince papers/syndicates of your popularity. (That's how the NY Sun got started from smartertimes.com.)
Posted by: Jason C. at July 24, 2004 10:55 AMCongratulations guys!
You're living proof that blogging can pay real dividends! My hat's off to you two.
Posted by: sama at July 24, 2004 11:18 AMThat's absolutely wonderful, guys. Your blog is one of two that I recommend to my friends, and one of the few policartoons I site when debating online.
I think a good mazel doesn't even begin to sum it up, but a good mazel nonetheless. Keep up the excellent work! :-D
Posted by: Jason at July 24, 2004 11:45 AMMost deserved and I have no doubt only the beginning .. You guys are the BEST
Congratulations
Congratulations guys! This is just the beginning. You're gonna be all over the print media now. I'm so happy for you!
Posted by: Happygirl at July 24, 2004 12:43 PMCongratulations from Brazil! You guys are great!
Posted by: Bruno T. Raymundo at July 24, 2004 01:09 PMKudos, Allen & John!!! Congratulations, and well done. Splendid. Just keep doing what you're doing. I'm sending a note separately regarding a line of pursuit we might try again, given this new news....
Posted by: Quent Cordair at July 24, 2004 01:31 PMCongrats and best wishes for continued success!
The net wouldn't be the same without you.
Posted by: Valerie at July 24, 2004 02:29 PMAbsolutely fantastic news! Congratulations, it's well earned and deserved. Best of luck!
Posted by: Serenity at July 24, 2004 05:43 PMJohn and I really appreciate the kudos, everyone. We spend so much time focused on negative issues with the cartoons, we're happy to finally pass along some good news.
Over two years ago we approached a number of papers about publishing our cartoons, including IBD. We've since started this blog, and I think keeping our work out there is slowly paying off. Our hope is that these latest opportunities will lead to still more. We'll see.
Regardless, it's satisfying to know that we have so many readers who are celebrating along with us. Thanks to you all.
Posted by: Forkum at July 24, 2004 06:01 PMThis is totally bitchin' guys... I, for one, am totally stoked... Woo Hoo!!
JP from SoCal....
Posted by: JP at July 24, 2004 07:06 PMExcellent news! About damned time, I'd say.
Posted by: Patton at July 24, 2004 08:27 PMVery cool fellers... joining the (many, many) others in offering congrats...
A regular reader...
Posted by: RickinVa at July 24, 2004 09:38 PMNot since Maudlin
That's what I've got to say at:
http://www.americandigest.org/mt-archives/001947.php
About time.
No political/editorial cartoon is anywhere close to you guys.
I believe this is most definately an occasion for an Official Declaration of W00t!(TM)
And so: W00t!
Posted by: Korgmeister at July 25, 2004 03:34 AM"Dude, you so totally ROCK!! Now gimme some fin ::slap::! Noggin ::klunk::! Duuuuuude!"
Posted by: Charlie at July 25, 2004 03:38 AMencouraging news indeed!
Posted by: joey at July 25, 2004 08:10 AMCongrats! You guys are brilliant.
Posted by: Donna at July 25, 2004 10:06 AMCongratulations! Can't wait for the syndication of your cartoons that will surely follow after successes like these. It's only a matter of time now (along with continuing to put out high-quality work, but that's a given with you guys).
Posted by: AshRyan at July 25, 2004 12:36 PMCongrats, you guy's ROCK!
Posted by: ak at July 25, 2004 12:51 PMCongratulations, y'all! You've earned it!
Posted by: Jackson Crawford at July 25, 2004 04:44 PMYou forgot to mention that you get frequently publish in The Battalion. I have saved all the newspapers you were published in and plan to send them at the end of the summer. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Mike Walters at July 25, 2004 11:40 PMIt's about time dammit!
Way to go Guys! Congratulations!
And Doonesbury gets unceremoniuosly dumped as well.
I'm very happy for you both, spots well earned- Keep it up!
Posted by: Tman at July 26, 2004 12:10 AMKeep up the good work.
Posted by: at July 26, 2004 04:44 AMCongratulations! You really deserve it!
I'm one of the Spanish readers of Libertad Digital, and every day I look forward to see if I can read another excellent cartoon from you.
Just keep up the good work!
good jorb!
Posted by: henry at July 26, 2004 07:47 AMCongrats on getting the recognition. I've already gotten some of my friends to buy your book and everyone I introduce you folks to always asks "why can't I read them in the paper ?". Even my liberal friends get a chuckle or two. Maybe you'll start to get into those "Best Political Cartoons" books that are put out every year......
Posted by: paxamericanum at July 26, 2004 08:49 AMYou guys are honestly one of the best political cartoons I have seen in a very long time. The effort you've put into this project is clear to everyone.
Congratulations on the achievement, and good luck in the future. I see biger things ahead for Cox and Forkum.
Posted by: Jay at July 26, 2004 09:23 AMCongrats! You guys do a wonderful job!
Posted by: JKP at July 26, 2004 10:56 AMYay for you guys! I tell everyone I know about your site. You deserver every bit of success you achieve!
Posted by: Crash at July 26, 2004 11:04 AMCongratulations!! you guys deserve to be published in as many places as possible.
All the best
Edwin
Posted by: Edwin at July 26, 2004 12:40 PMCongrats guys! You deserve every opportunity you get. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: howard at July 26, 2004 01:07 PMI have seen your cartoons on www.boortz.com.
Posted by: I. M. Tseibermann at July 26, 2004 04:25 PMHurrah for John Cox & Allen Forkum!
Your work and your success are inspirations.
Posted by: Ron Pisaturo at July 26, 2004 04:45 PMGreat breakthrough guys. There's only wider syndication in your future. There's nothing like you.
Posted by: James at July 26, 2004 05:47 PMYou fellas really are "the top" in the cartoon game! I can't wait to see what you do with "The Ketchup Queen's" handling of "incivility." Marie Antoinette, your worthy successor has arisen!
Posted by: Fuzzy Wuzzy at July 26, 2004 06:22 PMJeez. Well done, you guys. Richly deserved. I've just discovered you exist and now this happens. Wish I could take the credit!
Congratulations from one of the readers of LibertadDigital.
Way to go, guys! Excellent work!
Posted by: Juan at July 27, 2004 04:56 AMKudos. Keep up the great stuff.
Posted by: Paulie At The Commons at July 27, 2004 09:13 AMCongratulations! The success of the revolution is assured.
Posted by: John Lewis at July 27, 2004 09:20 AMCongratulations to two of the most perceptive and "right on" cartoonists in America. Triple thumbs up for Cox and Forkum!
Ed Cline
Yee Haw! Congrats - VERY well deserved! The first step in world domination!
Bravo, guys! You rock! Keep up the great work.
Posted by: JED at July 27, 2004 03:52 PMCongratulations, it was well earned.
Posted by: Jack at July 28, 2004 05:09 PMGood job. With this you can bet that getting syndicated will be much easier.
Posted by: Michael at July 28, 2004 11:41 PMcan I use ure immage and put ur link in my blog?
Posted by: lilit at July 31, 2004 10:35 AM