Iranian-born political cartoonist NIK KOWSAR has been jailed because of his commentary. He has received death threats. He has refused to cease his cartoon criticism of the Iranian leadership. And he has received the international Award for Courage for Editorial Cartooning award from Cartoonists Rights Network. So what is it that compelled him for years to draw cartoons within Iran’s borders, knowing full well any metaphor could be misconstrued and lead to his arrest? Was it the national fame? Sense of purpose? Passion, courage or political conviction. No, Kowsar quickly replies. “As a cartoonist in Iran, you should be nuts,” he says. “I was nuts.”
