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Super Bowl Cartoons Reflect Shifting American Culture

  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2026/02 .. -cartoons-reflect-shifting-american-culture.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Sunday, February 8th 2026 at 2:33 GMT by THE WEEK
      Locales: Arizona, Missouri, California, UNITED STATES

Sunday, February 8th, 2026 - Super Bowl LIX is just hours away, with the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs poised for a rematch, but the cultural phenomenon surrounding the game extends far beyond touchdowns and tackles. For decades, the Super Bowl hasn't just been a sporting event; it's a national holiday, a commercial spectacle, and a potent symbol of American culture. Editorial cartoonists, ever vigilant observers of the societal landscape, have consistently used the Super Bowl as a canvas to comment on everything from consumerism and politics to the very nature of entertainment itself. Looking back at cartoons from previous years, and particularly those from Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, offers a fascinating glimpse into how our perspectives on the 'big game' have evolved.

Historically, the Super Bowl was primarily about the football. However, as the event's economic power grew, so did the prominence of its advertising. Cartoons like those by David Horry of The Seattle Times and Chip Bok of The Cleveland Plain Dealer from 2024 perfectly captured this shift. Horry's work famously depicted the commercials overshadowing the game, a sentiment resonating with many who feel the half-time show and ad breaks are now the main attraction. Bok's cartoon, showing players fixated on a massive commercial screen during the game, similarly underscored the commercialization of the event. These aren't simply criticisms of advertising; they're commentaries on a society where marketing has permeated even the most revered of traditions. They ask us to consider whether we're watching a football game or consuming a meticulously curated brand experience.

But the Super Bowl's role as a cultural barometer isn't limited to commerce. The event inevitably attracts political commentary. Mike Luckovich's 2024 cartoon highlighted how even a seemingly apolitical event like the Super Bowl is unable to escape the influence of the political climate. This speaks to the pervasive nature of partisanship in contemporary America, where even a shared moment of national entertainment is viewed through a political lens. This year, with the backdrop of the 2024 and 2026 elections, it's highly likely we'll see similar themes emerge, perhaps focusing on the role of celebrity endorsements or the use of the Super Bowl platform for political messaging. It's a testament to the power of the event that it's considered prime real estate for influencing public opinion.

Matt Wuerker's satirical jab at the spectacle itself, and Rob Tornoe's imagining of a future without the game - only the commercials - represent a more existential critique. Tornoe's cartoon, in particular, is a darkly humorous prediction, suggesting that the commercials have become so integral to the Super Bowl experience that they could ultimately supplant the sport itself. It's a provocative thought experiment: what if the game is merely a vehicle for delivering advertising? This raises questions about the very essence of entertainment and the values we prioritize. Are we entertained by the competition, or by the carefully crafted narratives presented to us by advertisers?

The trend of using the Super Bowl as a subject for editorial cartoons isn't likely to fade. As the game continues to evolve - with increased technological integration, expanding global viewership, and even more extravagant halftime shows - cartoonists will undoubtedly find new angles to explore. The Super Bowl is a uniquely American phenomenon, and its cultural significance makes it a rich source of material for those who seek to satirize, critique, and ultimately, understand our society. These cartoons aren't just funny; they're vital snapshots of our evolving relationship with sports, commerce, and the pursuit of entertainment.