Drawn out dramas at the News and Observer

These days having your own cartoonist is a sure sign of luxury for newspapers. It's like having a flashy and sophisticated tuxedo that's tailor-made to your paper, rather than having to rent from a syndicate. So it is no surprise that in times of economic upheaval, its the luxuries that are the first to go.

My hometown newspaper, the Raleigh News and Observer, cut more than 53 jobs in their latest round of laid offs back in September. Among those causalities were long-time editorial cartoonist Dwane Powell and multimedia cartoonist Grey Blackwell.

Powell's status had been downgraded to part-time, after a 33 year career with the paper where he established himself as a staple of the N&O's editorial page. He chose to stay on until after the November elections, when he would leave entirely. Powell's current career moves are uncertain, as the cartoonist has said he isn't sure if he will continue to work for Creators Syndicate, which distributes his cartoons, or retire for good.

Grey Blackwell began a novel flash animation career for the N&O back in September 2005, producing online cartoons for the paper's website which primarily focused on ACC college sports. Prior to that he served as the graphics editor.

For as much as the N&O paraded these two men's work around like the proverbial new tuxedo, it seems heartless that they will be snuffed from the pay roll so swiftly. Each cartoonist's departure is a tragedy in itself. Powell, after a long and distinguished 33 year career is downgraded to part-time status. Blackwell, after pushing boundaries with animated editorial cartoons and showing their worth to an online audience, is let go at the height of a promising career.

As an admirer of both Powell and Blackwell's work, and as a cartoonist trying to break into the field, it is certainly disheartening to see them leave my hometown paper. Whether the N&O will bring back local cartoonists and innovative web artists is yet to be determined.

But for now it looks like they will be rocking the cheap blazer and the rental slacks.