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Matt Bors is a cartoonist and editor based in Portland, Oregon. His work has appeared in The Guardian, Foreign Policy, and other respected publications all over the world and the Internet. Bors also is a two-time Pulitzer Prize Finalist for his political cartoons (2012 and 2020).

He's one of those rare creators that have successfully intertwined their work and politics. In a time when many artists try to stay as neutral as possible so they won't alienate any of their audience and can appeal to as many people as they can (generate clicks), Bors continues to make bold statements, tackling some of the most difficult American social issues.

More info: mattbors.comthenib.com | Instagram

Bors always wanted to be a comic artist, but it wasn't until after 9/11 (he was 17 at the time) that he became political and alarmed at the direction the US was headed in. "I started drawing political cartoons for my college newspaper in the run up to the Iraq War and never stopped," he told Bored Panda.

The artist loves the medium — he has a thought balloon and a pen tattooed on his inner forearms — and believes it's a good medium to talk about anything. "I think with comics you have the ability to expose the way political arguments don't hold up and reveal how situations are absurd in a way that you just can't accomplish in a column."

But Bors doesn't just create comics. He also produces them. In 2013, he founded The Nib, an online magazine that shares strips on what is going down in the world. What's really interesting is The Nib is kind of owned by its readers — the independent project runs entirely on member subscriptions and donations.

"There was a hole in the publishing world that The Nib filled that is supportive of political and non-fiction cartoons and people want to support that," Bors said. "Editorial cartoons, in particular, used to be in most papers and provide hundreds of people with jobs, and now it's just a handful. So we're an outlet that makes sure this work has a home from established professionals to up-and-comers. We're fully independent, which means we can focus on comics and not the whims of a larger media company trying to grow infinitely or flip IP into movies—we just want to publish comics."

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Thomas Robb
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd love to see some data about party affiliation and covid rates. I suspect there might be a pattern.

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After all these years and accomplishments, however, Matt hasn't lost his passion for the craft. It's what keeps him going. "Awards are a nice boost sometimes, especially the ones that represent a blessing from colleagues, but they are ultimately meaningless if you're not happy doing the work without them."

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Jaded Queen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If ur not rich or important nobody gives jack s**t. And why should they u r just another cog in the wheel. U r nothing a nobody

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, a 22 year old white guy with an assaut rifle is a poor troubled boy. A 14 year old boy with a disassembled clock is a murdering terrorist. Just search Ahmed Mohamed Clock incident.

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Jaded Queen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish before we reach the 2nd panel we will be wiped out. Earth used to be so beautiful. Clean water flowing everywhere. Fruits from trees ripe for picking. Chirping birds and fluttering butterflies. I will always hate humans on a existencial level

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A Cat Named Dragon
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yep, a bunch of men plotted to kidnap a woman, and our great President sided with... wait for it... the kidnappers! ...and said the woman deserved it because she’s “a disaster...”. Totally normal and presidential behavior... another day in the life of America...

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CharliAnn Olney
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interestingly enough, the leader of the 'kidnap the governor" was a leftist DEMOCRAT! Of course, the "press" only reported that briefly then buried it.

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Ryan Deschanel
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Defunding the police? But who will protect the innocent citizens and their belongings against the criminals?

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Dashiell Moyers _ Student - LigonMS
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a good point. Instead, more money should go to police reform instead of defunding it all together.

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Brandon Reda
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next time they try to do this, look up the hate crime rate after November 4, 2016. Also look up "obama election protests." Some real candids there

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Leah Helbig
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3 years ago

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Its funny because both sides are pots calling the kettle black. They can make fun of trump supporters, anti vaxxers, christians basically anyone who doesn't agree with their beliefs but let someone from the other say something they think isn't pc or in line with their beliefs they lose their minds. Both sides need to get thicker skin and realize people have the right to say and believe however they want.

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jk nbt
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3 years ago (edited)

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those people were set up by the NSA & undercover FBI for a lot of loud, macho, "tough-guy" bluff & gruff talk... and no action following... these idiots were just mouthing off since that's all they can do... don't reply to that email when someone you don't know tries to recruit you to kidnap a governor.... this is your friendly "deep-state" fascists working behind the scenes again to entrap you by tempting you to do something you would never do on your own...so beware

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jk nbt
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

protesters pulled down the statue of Frederick Douglass, prominent black anti-slavery activist and lobbyist from NY state... they pulled it down on the 168th anniversary of his most famous speech denouncing slavery... hmm... this is what sort of education you get when you pull down historical statues and erase history...

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Sasha Kuleshov
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have encountered more than 20 people with guns in stores in the US, who are they afraid of?

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To be honest: This is the exact impression that Europeans have about Americans and their healthcare insurance.

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WilvanderHeijden
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He lives in the Trumplovers reality, where libtards and antifa are pushing a socialist agenda which will lead to corruption, abuse of powers and a total disrespect of the constitution.

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Kanrry Kang
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For the love of God, teach the truth and stop teaching White-washed European s**t.

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blugeagua
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even if all of that did happen. Nope! There's still a LOT of work to do in the fight for equality.

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