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Olivia Walch: 'America's Next Great Cartoonist'

After three months of competition, Olivia Walch of Fairfax Station has been declared "America's Next Great Cartoonist" with her winning strip, "Imogen Quest."

Olivia Walch, who turns 21 this weekend, celebrates at her home in Fairfax Station. Her winning entry is a gag-cartoon comic that relies heavily on metahumor. In "Imogen Quest," her whimsically rendered people seem to be deconstructing the accepted notions of a comic strip even as they are populating one.

Olivia Walch, who turns 21 this weekend, celebrates at her home in Fairfax Station. Her winning entry is a gag-cartoon comic that relies heavily on metahumor. In "Imogen Quest," her whimsically rendered people seem to be deconstructing the accepted notions of a comic strip even as they are populating one.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Walch sketches at home. A rising senior at the College of William and Mary, Walch was the youngest of the 10 finalists, and the only woman.

Walch sketches at home. A rising senior at the College of William and Mary, Walch was the youngest of the 10 finalists, and the only woman.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

"This contest has opened up a whole new world for me," enthused Walch, a math and biophysics double-major who said she's eager to come up with the requisite month's worth of new strips for publication in Style in August. She also admits that, yeah, she's pretty stoked about winning the $1,000 prize, too.

"This contest has opened up a whole new world for me," enthused Walch, a math and biophysics double-major who said she's eager to come up with the requisite month's worth of new strips for publication in Style in August. She also admits that, yeah, she's pretty stoked about winning the $1,000 prize, too.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

Walch says she tries to figure out what the natural punch line of her cartoon might be -- then she veers in another comic direction entirely. Many readers responded positively to her playful metacomedy: She received more than 1,000 votes in each of the two rounds of voting.

Walch says she tries to figure out what the natural punch line of her cartoon might be -- then she veers in another comic direction entirely. Many readers responded positively to her playful metacomedy: She received more than 1,000 votes in each of the two rounds of voting.

Jahi Chikwendiu-The Washington Post

"How To Frustrate People Who Automatically Respond To 'What's Up?' With 'The Sky.' "

"How To Frustrate People Who Automatically Respond To 'What's Up?' With 'The Sky.' "

As a serious scholar, Walch -- who grew up in Fairfax Station -- seems to be going places already. She entered the contest from Oxford University, where she was studying abroad. She received word of her win Tuesday evening while in New York, where she's taking a summer biology course at a molecular lab.

As a serious scholar, Walch -- who grew up in Fairfax Station -- seems to be going places already. She entered the contest from Oxford University, where she was studying abroad. She received word of her win Tuesday evening while in New York, where she's taking a summer biology course at a molecular lab.

"Memories: The Fourth of July."

"Memories: The Fourth of July."

Judge Gene Weingarten of "Barney & Clyde" said, "I respect this for its surrealist edge, and I like the drawing, which seems like 'Rhymes With Orange' on hallucinogens."

Judge Gene Weingarten of "Barney & Clyde" said, "I respect this for its surrealist edge, and I like the drawing, which seems like 'Rhymes With Orange' on hallucinogens."

A panel of expert judges offered critiques of Walch's work. Her reaction: "I've had a really great experience with the competition so far and am incredibly thankful for all the fantastic feedback I've received."

A panel of expert judges offered critiques of Walch's work. Her reaction: "I've had a really great experience with the competition so far and am incredibly thankful for all the fantastic feedback I've received."

"Her ideas are fresh and funny, and the drawings are consistent and likable," said judge Jerry Scott of "Baby Blues" and "Zits." "I'd like to know how she got to be this good at such an early age!"

"Her ideas are fresh and funny, and the drawings are consistent and likable," said judge Jerry Scott of "Baby Blues" and "Zits." "I'd like to know how she got to be this good at such an early age!"

"I've never seriously sat down and considered being a syndicated cartoonist as my career," Walch says. "... But this contest has opened up a whole new world."

"I've never seriously sat down and considered being a syndicated cartoonist as my career," Walch says. "... But this contest has opened up a whole new world."

Gallery Credits:
Photo Editors Allison Slomowitz, Dee Swann Text Editor Milos Balac Producer Allison Slomowitz

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