mccutcheon's first front-page cartoon appeared in 1895. his artistic style also transitioned from illustrator to cartoonist beginning with his first published political cartoons during the william mckinley–william jennings bryan presidential campaign of 1896. mccutcheon's five-column work for the front page of the "record-herald" featured humorous cartoons, not merely illustrations of news stories. a signature part of his cartoons also included the regular appearance of a non-descript dog, which became popular with his audience. in 1902 mccutcheon introduced a new type of cartoon that featured human-interest themes. he also began his famous series of boy-themed cartoons. another series reported on prince henry of prussia's american tour.