MATT WUERKER WINS HERBLOCK PRIZE

Matt Wuerker, editorial cartoonist for Politico, was named the winner of the 2010 Herblock Prize on February 17. Awarded annually by The Herb Block Foundation for "distinguished examples of editorial cartooning that exemplify the courageous standard set by Herblock," the winner receives a sterling silver Tiffany trophy and $15,000 after-tax cash award.

In a Politico news release, Editor-in-Chief John F. Harris congratulated Wuerker for being “at the top of his game and enjoying it more than ever at a moment when his work matters more than ever,” adding: “Wuerker is funny — the essential prerequisite for a cartoonist. But his cartoons work for other reasons. He assumes and appreciates the intelligence of his audience and never forgets, even when his subjects do, the spirit of public interest that should animate the work of important people in Washington.”

Wuerker’s cartoons have been a Politico signature since its launch three years ago, appearing individually in the newspaper and online, as well as in art accompanying enterprise stories from Politico journalists.

“Herb Block is such a giant in the quirky inky universe of cartooning," said Wuerker to Mike Cavna at ComicRiffs."When I was in the sixth grade or so, it was a book of Herblock's cartoons that first flicked on a little light in my head illuminating the very unlikely career path of the political cartoonist. To get this honor in his name almost 50 years later is truly mind-boggling."

"There are so many wonderful cartoonists working today, producing great, strong cartoons who are certainly equally deserving, many of whom I'm lucky to know as friends,” Wuerker said, adding he was “absurdly lucky to get singled out like this. Most of all,” he continued, “I feel lucky to have been pulled aboard Politico when it set sail. It's been a remarkable ride. The staff here are such smart journalists and supportive friends. And my editors, specifically John and [Executive Editor] Jim [VandeHei], are dream editors for a cartoonist. Their unwavering support of my creative freedom here, and the generous use of cartoons and caricature on the site, are all things for which I will always be grateful.”

Speaking directly to his colleagues, Wuerker said: “Thanks everybody. There are so many of you ink-stained wretches equally and richly deserving this. We all know that these prizes are ultimately somewhat silly exercises in comparing apples with oranges, lumpers with splitters, hatchers with pixelers... that eventually ends with a dart being thrown at a board. I feel absurdly fortunate to get singled out like this. I was joking about now getting to wear a tiara around the office, but then Richard Thompson told me, No, with the Herblock, instead you win some ratty old slippers and get to shuffle around the office in those. I'm honored, humbled and very happy. Cheers to you all!"

Speaking for myself, I’m delighted to see Wuerker get this award. His muscular cartoons, bristling with coarse-grained crosshatch, are almost always sharply pointed and unflinching. And in a day when full-time staff editorial cartoonist positions at newspapers are fast disappearing, it’s soul-satisfying to see a long-time freelancer getting recognition. Before his gig with Politico, Wuerker self-syndicated his cartoons, getting them published in a wide range of periodicals — everything from the monthly newspaper Funny Times to The Christian Science Monitor, The Nation to such mainstream dailies as The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times — but having a home nowhere. He hustled and he hung on, and it paid off, at last, with the Politico job. And now, with the profession’s most prestigious award.

Previous winners of the Herblock Prize so far have been Matthew Davies of the Journal News, Tony Auth of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jeff Danziger of the New York Times Syndicate, Jim Morin of the Miami Herald, Jon Sherffius of the Boulder Camera and Pat Bagley of the Salt Lake Tribune — a worthy company for a worthy newcomer.