Pandemic Power Plays: A Thematic Postcolonial Analysis of Covid-19 Cartoons in Advancing Conspiracy Theories, Vaccine Imperialism and as Tools of Resistance

This article employs a thematic postcolonial lens to analyse COVID-19 cartoons from diverse global contexts, focusing on their visual and textual elements to depict how they are used to advance vaccine imperialism, conspiracy theories, depict resistance, and the marginalisation of the Global South. Exposing the power dynamics within pandemic narratives is essential, as is recognising that cartoons can function as instruments of propaganda and resistance, in addition to their usual portrayal as cultural artefacts and a humorous genre. The analysis based on secondary materials and scientific findings reveals how the pandemic exacerbated existing global inequities, with cartoons serving as a medium to critique Western-centric narratives and advocate for cultural awareness and indigenous knowledge systems. Through a critical engagement with postcolonial theory, this article extrapolates the broader implications of these representations, offering insights into the intersections of power, representation, and global health during a crisis that reshaped the world.