Webcomics - Line Item Vito

From 1997-2010 I created and published Line Item Vito, a webcomic about the political life and times of the perpetually freshman congressman of the Independent persuasion. Vito, like most congresspeople, was elected for life. Or at least until he gets caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Fortunately for Vito, he has no hands.

Line Item Vito was the primary source for minimalist talking-head quasi-political animated-cartoon humor. Don't believe me? See for yourself!

This sample from 2006 is, painfully, still relevant today:

Archive

I was actively writing Line Item Vito 2-3 times a week from 2004-2006, with a smattering beforehand and afterwards. (Why isn’t it “beforewards” and “afterhand”? Why be inconsistent? Why not “beforehand and afterhand” or “beforewards and afterwards”? How about “backhand” and “forehand”? Why am I writing this? Why are you still reading this?)

Click through the archived years below to enjoy the full majesty of the Line Item Vito experience.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

ancient

Credits

Line Item Vito owes a lot to many people, mostly my family (and I think you know who you are).

Cast

Vito, our hero

Congressman Vito (Independent) talking points:

Elected November 2004
District is gerrymandered into a long narrow strip 200 miles long and 150 feet wide. Registered voters: 20
436th member of the House of Representatives (out of 435)
Office is in the Cannon office building, 6th floor (out of 5)
DOES have a seat on the floor of the House… if somebody else is absent
Congressman Vito proudly serves on the Sub-Sub-Sub-Committee of Agriculture dealing with issues related to pig’s knuckles and the Sub-Sub-Sub-Sub-Sub-Committee of Transportation handling traffic cones and those little round reflector things on highways

Vito and his wife Iris have been married for more years than Vito can remember. They have one daughter, Dot.

VOTE VITO!

Iris, Congressman Vito's spouse

Iris is a freelance writer and photojournalist, producing articles for prominent magazines. Since Vito’s election she has focused on assignments covering inside-the-Beltway politics. Her article, “Rep House to Jail House” — concerning various convicted ex-politicians — appeared in Playboy. It was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, but only for the pictures.

Unlike Vito, Iris knows precisely how long she and Congressman Vito have been married. She and Vito have one daughter, Dot.

Dot, Vito & Iris’ daughter

Pronouns: she, they, y’all

At 8-years-old, Dot has integrated herself into the Washington scene with ease. She is a strong campaigner and is well known as an “up and coming” force in politics. Her reputation is unblemished and, not old enough to vote or serve, she has no voting record that can be attacked. Dot has her father’s eyes, but lately she has been wearing “a bit” of mascara to emphasize her femininity. Her motto: “I’m a girl. Get over it.” She has recently developed a crush on Erasmus (Raz), Mrs. Kapoor’s assistant.

Mrs. Kapoor, Vito’s Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager

Pronoun: Mrs. Kapoor

Mrs. Kapoor worked on Capitol Hill for over 15 years before Congressman Vito hired her as his Chief of Staff. She is an astute political wonk who knows the ins and outs of Congress and Washington as well as anybody. She knows where the bodies are buried, so don’t ask her about that shovel in her office. Now that Mrs. Kapoor is Vito’s campaign manager, we can expect the Congressman to stay in office as long as he wants.

Mrs. Kapoor hasn’t revealed much about her private life, but the only picture on her desk is of her Harley-Davidson “Fat Boy” motorcycle custom painted in “Mamie Eisenhower Pink.”

Fred, Senior Congressman from Vito’s state

Fred has been in Congress since he was 25 years old and is currently serving his 22nd term. Amazingly well-preserved, there have been some murmurings about his excessive interest in issues related to Human Cloning and Cryogenic Hibernation. Fred insists — curiously, since nobody asked — that he is in fact the “same individual, for all intents and purposes, as the Congressman first elected from my district. I’m my own man, so to speak.”

Although Vito is an Independent and not a member of Fred’s political party, Fred has taken Vito under his wing and is helping Vito steer through the maze of Washington politics.

Raz, Mrs. Kapoor’s Assistant

Raz liked what Congressman Vito had to say on the campaign trail. So when Vito was elected, Raz showed up on the Congressman’s doorstep looking for a job. Eventually Mrs. Kapoor hired Raz, after seeing his enthusiasm, intelligence, internet blogging skills, and skateboarding. Under her expert tutelage Raz may very well gain the skills necessary for a long and distinguished career in Washington — as long as it doesn’t conflict with the X-Games.

Congressman Vito’s daughter, Dot, has developed a crush on the "older man" Raz (he’s 22). He’s flattered and kind to Dot, but knows that little dudette is off limits for another 10 years or so.

Annie May, Dot’s friend and schoolmate

Annie May is also 8-years-old, same as Dot. But since Annie was born in Japan — on the other side of the International Date Line — she and Dot have agreed that Annie is the elder of the two. Annie May’s interests are learning new languages (she is up to 4: Japanese, English, French, and Javascript), hanging out with Dot, curling, sumo wrestling, and animé.

The Reporter and Wannabe Speech Writer

The Reporter is an occasional member of the Line Item Vito cast. He was embedded in Vito’s first campaign, traveling with the Congressman’s entourage and eating their sandwiches. The reporter has tried to get himself hired as Vito’s speech writer, which would have made him a unique member of the Washington revolving-door club.

Rainmaker Ralph: Lobbyist, Fundraiser, and Finance Director

Rainmaker Ralph shows up occasionally to put in his 2-cents-worth.

His tribal elders gave him the name Rainmaker due to his uncanny ability to make it rain MONEY.

Ralph is a smooth lobbyist, fundraiser, and money man. He was Jack Abramoff’s connection to the tribal nations, and one of the very few who got the legislation passed that he lobbied (i.e. paid) for AND got his money returned to the tribes after Abramoff was convicted.

Mrs. Kapoor was so impressed she hired Rainmaker Ralph to manage the money for Congressman Vito’s campaigns.

Legal

Line Item Vito was created and written by Eddie Caplan. The images, text, and toons are ©Copyrighted 1997-onward by Eddie Caplan.

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