1982.12 “1982 Retrospective” by David Simpson

1982.12 “1982 Retrospective”
David Simpson (ca. 1948-)
17 x 24 in. ink on art board
Coppola Collection

David Simpson was the editorial cartoonist for the Tulsa Tribune from 1971 to 1992 and the Tulsa World from 1992 to 2005. The advent of the internet sleuth was not kind to Simpson. On November 11, 2005, Simpson was accused of plagiarism for the first time. A number of other swipes were uncovered through 2011, at which point he retired.

This cartoon, with its sprawling collage of pop culture, politics, sports, and international affairs, is a year-in-review piece from 1981-82.

Prince Charles and Princess Diana: Their wedding in July 1981 was one of the most-watched global television events of the decade, symbolizing royal spectacle and fairy tale intrigue.

Anwar Sadat (“Man of Peace”): Egyptian president assassinated in October 1981. Remembered for the Camp David Accords and peace treaty with Israel, for which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978.

Fidel Castro: Still a Cold War adversary. In 1981–82, Cuba was active in exporting revolution (notably in Africa and Latin America), keeping him in U.S. media focus.

Space Shuttle pulling Uncle Sam: Refers to the launch of Columbia (STS-1) in April 1981, marking a major milestone in U.S. space dominance. Uncle Sam being dragged hints at how technology and ambition were outpacing policy or budget realities.

Rubik’s Cube (“Rubik was here”): A pop culture sensation by 1981, symbolizing intellectual challenge and consumer craze.

The Travelling Pope (John Paul II): Known for his dynamic international visits and charisma. The “American Express” joke (“Don’t leave Rome without it”) satirizes his global image, commodifying religion and faith as part of media culture.

“You’ve come a long way, baby”: A slogan from Virginia Slims cigarettes, appropriated here to comment on women’s visibility and rise in political and public life.

Prominent women depicted. Margaret Thatcher: UK Prime Minister, known as the “Iron Lady.” Indira Gandhi: India’s Prime Minister re-elected in 1980. Sandra Day O’Connor: First woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court (1981). Nancy Reagan: First Lady, strong influence on Ronald Reagan and a public figure in her own right. Betty Friedan: author Fem Myst, co-founded NOW. Eleanor Smeal, NOW president, 1977-82.

Lady Justice skewering National Enquirer: In 1981, The National Enquirer was "brought to justice" in the sense that actress Carol Burnett (illustrated here) won a libel lawsuit against the publication.

Brezhnev “Running Poland by the Book (Mein Kampf)”: In 1981, Poland was rocked by the Solidarity movement. General Jaruzelski imposed martial law in December 1981 with tacit Soviet support. The visual linking Brezhnev with Hitler by book choice is an extreme indictment of Soviet authoritarianism. Hitler watching: Approves, indicating that communist oppression was seen by some in the West as little different from fascism.

Steinem is being yelled at by an army sergeant “Steinem, you turkey. You’re out of uniform, your hair’s too long and Pull in that Gut.” (Steinem wears a “Yea ERA” button and ponders “Maybe housework wouldn’t have been so bad after all” In 1982, the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) faced a significant setback when it failed to be ratified by the required number of states before the extended deadline.)

Brooke Shields: Then a teen sensation, often sexualized in controversial roles like Pretty Baby (1978) and the Calvin Klein ads (1980). 

Man with huge moustache: Lech Walesa, leader of the Solidarity movement bemoaned by Brezhnev, elsewhere. Travolta: who was transitioning from his Saturday Night Fever peak to less critical acclaim (Blow Out came out in 1981). And Liberace: Still a major figure of camp in American culture, and a point of reference in gender and sexuality debates.