There's a boatload of political cartoonists coming to Seattle!  Why is such a surly, unpredictable lot of ink-dribblers going to be in the same place?  Why, the annual convention of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, of course. 

The main event open to the public is Cartoonapalooza, this Thursday, July 2nd at 7:30 at Town Hall in downtown Seattle.  The two-hour show will be full of cartoons, laughter, biting satire, thrills and chills.  Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students.  This is a must-see event with an amazing lineup of cartoonists including:

Mike Peters, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and the creator of Mother Goose and Grimm.  He is insane in person and will probably steal the show, he's also an all-around great guy.  (Oh, and he has that cartoonist trait of looking about 25 years younger than he actually is.)

David Horsey, the Seattle hometown favorite who is renowned for drawing the most anatomically-correct females in the political cartooning world.  Great guy, a cowboy of sorts and also won some silly prize called the Pulitzer.  Twice, damn him.

Jack Ohman, famed Portland Oregonian political cartoonist who does outstanding work.  If you attend the show and sit close enough, you will witness the amazing fact that he looks suprisingly like a Kennedy.  (JFK or RFK, you decide.)  Appropriately enough, he won the RFK Journalism Award this year for his beautiful work.

Matt Bors is one of the funniest cartoonists I know.  He draws the cartoon "Idiot Box," has a great blog and also does that Twitter thing really well.  His work is outstanding and he keeps all the other cartoonists honest.  (Oh, and he has that other cartoonist trait where he actually is 25 years younger.)

Ted Rall is one of the best bastards in cartooning.  (That is one of the highest compliments a fellow cartoonist can give.)  His work is wonderfully hard-hitting and will never leave you guessing what he is trying to say.  And don't worry, he's a much nicer guy in person than he is in his cartoons.

Signe Wilkinson is one of the world's best political cartoonists, period.  Her style and take on events is refreshingly different and will leave you in awe and in fear for her safety.  (She has a particular fondness for going after old, angry, male religious extremists, it seems.)  Signe has also won a Pulitzer, but don't hold that against her.

Oh, and me, Mark Fiore.  I do animated stuff that looks like this.  Hope to see you there!

There will also be many other political cartoonists in attendance, with a sale of original work and other goodies.  (Sales will benefit the educational and professional activities of the AAEC.)