Abell Smith is a former law student who enjoys baseball, good New Orleans jazz, Eastern philosophy, cheap bourbon, and dry satirical humor. In addition to the political cartoons, Smith does part-time graphic design work; click here to see samples of his work.

[Q: Wait a minute... I thought he was "Ben." What's the deal here?
A: See here for the explanation to that.]

In 2005, Fighting Words was featured in Ted Rall’s Attitude 3: The New Subversive Online Cartoonists, published by NBM.  It runs regularly in Eat the State! (Seattle, WA), and has been printed in various small press anthologies and 'zines. Smith is a member of The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) and Cartoonists With Attitude (CWA). Online, Fighting Words can be seen at ZNet, Flak Magazine, Spinzone Comics, and on various other comics, politics, and news sites (see Links page).

See also the following auxiliary Fighting Words sites: Myspace, Facebook.

Seattle-area folks can find a selection of Fighting Words merchandise at Not a Number, a very cool store on 45th about a block east of Wallingford Center (1905 N. 45th; open Mon - Thu 11:00am to 7:00pm, Fri & Sat 11:00am to 8:00pm, Sun 11:30am to 6:00pm).

Fighting Words is currently available for publication as a weekly or periodic feature! Fees for the use of Fighting Words are based on a sliding scale, adjusted according to the size and circulation of your publication. Please email me to work out the details.

Personal webpages or "non-profit" blogs with progressive political themes are welcome to use Fighting Words cartoons, as long as they swap links with me! Non-profit progressive political organizations or activist groups are generally allowed to use Fighting Words free-of-charge on leaflets, pamphlets, or other informative material; please email me with a description of your group to obtain permission.

All cartoons are available in black & white or color, and in varying sizes and resolutions. I'm also available for illustrations by assignment, or for commissioned local-issue cartoons. Let me know what you need, and I'll try to make it happen!

Contact Abell Smith at: