The Cartoon That Changed Its Target

Cartoonist Felix published a drawing of a mayor hiding behind a mountain of paperwork. He allowed non-commercial sharing as long as his signature remained visible. Two days later, a residents' group sent him a version in which the mayor's face had been replaced with that of a school caretaker. The new caption accused the caretaker of blocking community events.

Felix knew nothing about the dispute. His signature, however, now appeared to support the accusation. He asked the group to remove the altered cartoon. Its organiser replied that political art belonged in public debate and accused him of protecting officials. Felix was tempted to answer with another cartoon, but he did not want to turn an unfamiliar employee into a continuing joke.

He telephoned the caretaker, who sounded more exhausted than angry. The events had been cancelled because the hall's emergency lighting needed repairs, not because he disliked residents. Felix then posted the original drawing beside a short explanation that the altered version was unauthorised. He did not repeat the caretaker's name or attempt to settle every part of the local argument.

The group removed the image but kept its critical statement online. Felix accepted that he could control neither their opinions nor every copy of his work. For his next cartoon, he clarified the difference between sharing and adaptation. A reader complained that the permission notice was less funny than the drawing. Felix agreed. Some boundaries, he replied, were best written without a punchline, especially when somebody else had unexpectedly become the joke.