Cartoonist Mark Knight: Faces who made a splash in 2016

CARTOONIST Mark Knight has captured our political heavyweights and entertainment stars cooling off in an end-of-year pool party in today’s Herald Sun. Take a sneak peek here.

A sneak preview of Mark Knight’s cartoon.

IN a year defined by sporting triumph, terror and tabloid tantrums, 2016 will perhaps be remembered most as the year we shed tears for our lost stars.

Cartoonist Mark Knight has captured our national and international political heavyweights cooling off in an end-of-year pool party as a who’s who of entertainment watch on.

FIND OUT HOW TO PURCHASE A SOUVENIR COPY OF MARK KNIGHT’S 2016 POSTER BELOW

Hit-maker David Bowie, among the first stars farewelled, can be seen ready to take the plunge from the diving board. Beside him, clockwise, Aussie entertainer Jon English, who also died, and behind, new Star Wars droid K-2SO embraces veteran Hollywood baddie Alan Rickman, who lost his fight with cancer. In the night sky, a satellite marks the loss of astronaut John Glenn.

David Bowie and other stars we lost feature in Mark Knight’s cartoon.

Beloved Belgian cartoon character Tin Tin and dog Snowy salute in defiance of Belgium’s terror attack.

Footy stars Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin shared the Brownlow while it was last drinks for North Melbourne’s Brent Harvey. Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle secured a third term in office, while US President Barack Obama, pictured leaving the pool, gets ready to dry off.

Beside him Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and Aussie youngster Kyle Chalmers covered themselves in Olympic glory while it was all over for Hollywood A-listers “Brangelina’’ and pressure built on Aussie Cardinal George Pell.

Actor Andrew Sachs, who played bumbling TV waiter Manuel, also died and was joined by Gene Wilder and boxing legend Muhammad Ali.

The Western Bulldogs mascot makes a splash after the team won the AFL Grand Final. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews gets his poolside drink spoiled by a committed CFA volunteer as Russian leader Vladimir Putin enjoys a vodka salute and US president-elect Donald Trump bombs failed presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. Senator Nick Xenophon flexes his muscles while Opposition Leader Bill Shorten does his best to deflate Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s ambitions.

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight. Picture: Brendan Francis

Departed movie princess Carrie Fisher holds a photo of her mum, Debbie Reynolds, who died a day after her.

Former shock jock turned senator Derryn Hinch is pictured alcohol-free, Jacqui Lambie cools off and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson toasts the year with a cocktail.

Cricket legend Max Walker gets ready for his final ball beside former PM Tony Abbott, who keeps an eye on Pokemon character Pikachu after the latest gaming craze. Abbott’s ex-chief-of-staff, Peta Credlin, in red bathers, chills out by the pool. Back in the water, sacked Labor senator Sam Dastyari looks glum, Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad offers an unconvincing peace sign and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro enjoys one last cigar.

Former London mayor turned British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is about to make a splash while former PM David Cameron looks deflated as incoming leader Theresa May enjoys a drink served up from departed actor Kenny Baker, who played space robot R2D2.

Disgraced state politician Steve Herbert enjoys a dip with his chauffeured dogs, Patch and Ted. Melbourne radio legend Bruce Mansfield enjoys a last drink beside comedy legend Ronnie Corbett and Hollywood great Zsa Zsa Gabor. Controversial former Geelong mayor Darryn Lyons is hard to miss with his trademark hair and author Harper Lee is remembered by her famous novel on the bar.

Lost music icons Prince, Leonard Cohen and George Michael provide the entertainment backed up by Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey and Status Quo’s Rick Parfitt.

Aussie TV show creator Reg Grundy and golfing legend Arnold Palmer take a swing for the final time.

Grab your Herald Sun today for Mark Knight’s poster.

Souvenir copies of Mark Knight’s 2016 poster are available from today for purchase from heraldsun.com.au/shop or by calling 1300 306107