The type of cartooning that I think is generally referred to as 'alternative' or 'underground' is usually - the distinction is usually in terms of whether it's made by one person, the entire thing is done by one hand or more of a production line process, which is how the comics that we grew up reading were made.
I do think that many Americans have a limited view of what constitutes Japanese cartooning based on what gets translated, so it's great to see an increase in diversity.
Cartooning is about deconstruction: you gotta tear something down to make a joke.
So cartooning, for me, is an honorable thing. It's pushing the envelope. It's the truth of something through exaggeration.
Cartooning is a wonderful career, and I'd like more women to get to have it. I can't think of any reason why we won't see more syndicated female cartoonists in the future.
But to me what seems to be missing in a lot of portfolios is Cartooning.
I'm skeptical of the 'go local' approach to cartooning to preserve your job.
My future plans are hazy, and I've yet to experience how much cartooning is in my blood and therefore how much I'll miss it. But I have some other interests, especially in music, and I will probably take the opportunity to delve into those things more deeply.