SMIG

Classic Comedy Roots

2012-01-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Just being silly here.

Public Transportation

2012-01-30T22:12:00.001-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS 01/27/2012.

The Massachusetts Public Transport Authority is trying to cover its debt-ridden (Big Dig) ass by making plans that considerably raise travel fares as well as severe cuts to services, such as totally eliminating some bus routes and weekend rail service altogether. Cuts which may radically affect people that can't afford cars otherwise and need to get to work.

It's Science!

2012-01-30T21:54:00.000-05:00

Ah, the days when things were affordable...

For Art's Sake: Them Good Ole Days

2012-01-11T20:36:00.003-05:00

My "FOR ART'S SAKE" Installment for COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1687.

Salem News: Arresting Developments

2012-01-07T17:43:00.003-05:00

From the 01/07/2012 SALEM (MA) NEWS:

Recently a local issue made national headlines when a Mother on Lafayette St. in Salem, Called the police to arrest her children, who were squabbling. (at one point, the brother hit the sister) Needless to say, the media got all over the place once the story got out.
You'd think you'd hear about something like this on either Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer first...

But What's The Joke?

2012-01-06T20:25:00.001-05:00

An old favorite piece of mine.

Out With the Old, In With More of the Same...

2011-12-31T18:49:00.003-05:00

Have a tolerable New Year. I'm Not sure if "Happy" could be considered on the roster these days...

Versions of this cartoon also appeared in the 12/31/2011 SALEM NEWS and the 01/01/2012 edition of the DIGBOSTON website.

I Wish He Could Do That To the Upcoming Presidential Campaign as Well...

2011-12-23T18:18:00.002-05:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 12/23/2011.

On the First Day of Xmas, My True Love Said 'Mee-Mee"....

2011-12-23T18:13:00.004-05:00

A Muppet Xmas drawing I did for the Scandivaian Muppet Art Blog..

Sporting, Eh, Wot?

2011-12-21T19:34:00.005-05:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 12/21/2011:
Myopia, a very posh and Wealthy 84-acre hunting club in Hamilton is applying for Chapter 61: a tax break applied to forests, agriculture, and recreation. Of course, it wouldn't be any coincidence that Myopia also happens to be the biggest taxpayer towards Hamilton's town budget, would it? It the break goes thru, the town stands to lose around $24000.00 in revenue.

Creative Characters Xmas Card #8

2011-12-20T18:13:00.003-05:00

My eight annual Xmas card I designed and drew for the CREATIVE CHARACTERS graphic service company in Philadelphia, PA. This we took a different approach to making it: I designed the card layout, Brigid (the company head) sent me reference material to what the Buttons/icons should look like- as well as recent staff photos, and i produced HAND-DRAWN versions of every one of those icons and faces -at a much larger size than you see on the final card-(The faces themselves were 3.5" squares!)drew the Ipad with the hands and the Ipad screen background seperately from each other, than the talented folks at CC took all my artwork, made high-quality reductions of each piece, and assembled the whole thing digitally, with a few added embelleshments. I have to say the thing came out quite good!

Christmas and Comics Marketing:

2011-12-16T21:01:00.004-05:00

My FOR ART'S SAKE published in COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE#1685.

The Salem News: In Lieu:

2011-12-13T19:55:00.003-05:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) News 12/09/2011:
An alternate method of raising charity during the holiday season was put into practice..To a degree..

Who Talks For Who?

2011-12-13T19:51:00.004-05:00

A mild comment on the use of religion in politics. Used in the DIGBOSTON website 12/10/2011.

Black Friday

2011-11-25T21:03:00.004-05:00

Two takes on Black Friday:
The first was published in THE SALEM NEWS 11/23/2011. The character BTW, is Marla from Norm Feuti's syndicated RETAIL comic strip. When I came up with this idea, I couldn't resist using her!
The second is from the DIGBOSTON website. Published 11/20/2011.

Good Luck, And Thanks For All The Fish Fights

2011-11-19T22:22:00.003-05:00

This appeared in THE COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1865 Published Nov.2011 but cover-dated Jan.2012.
A special tribute cartoon to the retirement of ALBERT UDERZO, co-creator/artist of the classic French series ASTERIX THE GAUL. Mr. Uderzo, in my opinion, had a art style that made him the French equivalent of Walt Kelly, which was the perfect complement to the scripts of Rene Gosginny, who wrote the series until his death.
Uderzo, who always had a hand in the plotting, shouldered the burden of both artist and writer after the passing of Gosginny, Although there is much debate on the story quality of his solo albums, there is no doubt that at least the art and the characterizations stayed top-notch, and albums like THE GREAT DIVIDE and ASTERIX AND SON are standouts. And I have to admire his courage in trying to pull off ASTERIX AND THE FALLING SKY. Which embodies the only major complaint I had about the Uderzo-only albums. Gosginny would very, VERY rarely touch on magical elements outside of the Druid Getafix's Magic potion (the reason why the Gauls were able to hold off the Romans) Uderzo tended to go off too much into fantasy - magic carpets, and a visit to Atlantis(which had a flying cow) which, while fun to look at, seemed little more than an easy plot device.
Now in his eighties, Uderzo is retiring and grooming one of his assistants and a new writer to carry on the adventures of the Crazy Gauls. It'll be interesting to see how this new era for the series starts.

Seems Like We All Could Use Some These Day..

2011-11-13T20:01:00.004-05:00

My contribution to the 11/13/2011 edition of the DIGBOSTON website.

East Coast Halloween

2011-11-02T20:32:00.003-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 11/01/2011.
For those you on the East Coast who endured the weather this past Halloween...

DigBoston: Halloween

2011-10-30T18:10:00.002-04:00

Halloween In Boston can take many forms.
(from the 10/29/2011 edition of THE DIGBOSTON website.)

Salem News: Occupy Salem?

2011-10-27T16:20:00.003-04:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 10/27/2001.
The protest group OCCUPY WALL STREET is planning to make a presence here in Salem.
Maybe they should wait for AFTER the Halloween season, though...

For Art's Sake: Service To Service

2011-10-21T19:36:00.004-04:00

My latest FOR ART'S SAKE strip from THE COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1684:The choice between major or indepentdent comics is turning more into local or long-distance...

SALEM NEWS: Steve Jobs.

2011-10-20T20:10:00.005-04:00

Published 10/20/2011 in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS.
I drew this cartoon last week, But my editor decided to save it to use in a tribute aticle that was printed today. For this cartoon, I tried to imply a similarity between Steve Jobs and Issac Newton, two men whose most amazing acomplishments came from apples.

DIGBOSTON: Cursors

2011-10-09T19:53:00.003-04:00

Published on the DIGBOSTON website 10/09/2011. As you see, I enjoy puns. Even bad ones.

Salem News: Flood Relief

2011-10-09T19:48:00.004-04:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 10/08/2001:

We recently had a two-hour deluge that dropped at least six inches of rain. Though Salem only suffered minor flooding, Lower-landed cities such as Peabody and Swampscott (apt name, eh?) ended looking like leftover sets from WATERWORLD. The Timing of the deluge, given how the different cities will deal with the aftermath, inspired this cartoon.

For ART'S Sake: Collecting Methods

2011-09-27T00:24:00.003-04:00

My FOR ART'S SAKE strip as published in COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE#1683.

Art Imitates Life: Values

2011-09-25T16:11:00.003-04:00

My DIGBOSTON cartoon for 09/25/2011.
This may be a bit over the top, visually. But it seems the real reason these moral practioners are so much against gay marriage simply because they can't figure out who subjugates who. To them, Marriage is legalized slave-owning plus benefits.(As in benefits HIM..)

Salem News: Winter Market

2011-09-24T18:59:00.003-04:00

Published 09/24/2011 in the SALEM (MA) NEWS;
There are some advantages to having a Farmer's market in the wintertime. (The small shelters that make up the marketplace in Salem have no utilities..)

If I Didn't Have One LAST Week, I'm Having One Now...

2011-09-18T20:39:00.003-04:00

My DIGBOSTON website cartoon for 09/18/2001.

Tin Woodsman and the Scarecrow

2011-09-14T20:54:00.004-04:00

I can't say I'm an OZ enthusiast, but I decided to try an interpetation of two of the series' best known characters, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. I tried to visualize them differently than most Oz fans/followers are used to. No funnel hat on Nick Chopper here! I also tried to depict the scarecrow as having his stuffing sag down inside him from attempting to support himself so much. I doubt a straw man would have much of a framework.

09/11/01:Ten Years

2011-09-11T07:11:00.002-04:00

Never forget. My 9/11 tribute cartoon; used in both SALEM NEWS and DIGBOSTON.

Well, It Worked For John Byrne..

2011-09-08T16:38:00.003-04:00

Another comics portfolio piece using Hanna-Barbera characters, this time from the series WHEELIE AND THE CHOPPER BUNCH. (in case you don't understand the entry title, Some of Comics Artist John Byrne's first pro work was for the WHEELIE comic book published by Charlton, and since he went from that to heights as FANTASTIC FOUR and SUPERMAN, couldn't hurt to try myself...

Hong Kong Phooey

2011-09-07T17:24:00.004-04:00

This is an old portfolio piece I did for a DC comics portfolio review at a convention. DC was publishing Hanna-Barbera characters comics (BESIDES Scooby-Doo) then and since my style goes towards more humor than superhero I thought i'd try out with a few pieces based on the cartoon properties. Maybe it was a mistake, but I decided to go with different characters than the usual Scooby/Flintstones stuff.
Here's a single-page sample of HONG KONG PHOOEY; Written and drawn by me.

Looney Tunes

2011-09-06T19:06:00.004-04:00

The above piece (click to see full image) is actually a tryout I did for Warner/DC's LOONEY TUNES comics several years back. They sent me a two-page sample script and I had to do one page penciled, one page inked. I drew them twice as big as a normal comic book page in order to get the characters looking as good as possible. (Plus, I wanted to add a lot of visual bits that were NOT in the script, Like Taz coughing up Pinky and the Brain, and the Warner Bros. (and sis) being chased by Ralph the Guard)
I thought it was a pretty good try myself, though I admit I'm no Jones/Freling/Clampett/Avery.

Don't Take the Bait

2011-09-04T20:48:00.003-04:00

For the DIGBOSTON website for 09/04/2011. And no, I did NOT have a wet dream...

Salem News: The Winning Hand

2011-08-27T17:23:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 08/27/2011:
Casino gambling in Massachusetts is coming close to being a reality as more and more representatives turn out to be in favor of it.

Coyotes In Salem

2011-08-26T18:53:00.003-04:00

Unused SALEM NEWS cartoon.
As it says, Coyote sightings in Salem have increase along with reports of missing cats. Easy to make that connection, eh? I'm sure my vision of what's been happening was one reason that my cartoon was rejected. (Maybe I should have used ALF)

For Art's Sake: The Name Game

2011-08-25T16:42:00.004-04:00

My latest FOR ART'S SAKE strip from THE COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1682;
I can understand many Superheroes from different companies having similar powers (Compare Mr. Fantastic to Plastic Man, Aquaman to Sub-Mariner, and how many Bulked-up brutes have we seen with colossal strength? But NAMES?? The original CAPTAIN MARVEL seen here has to call his books "SHAZAM" since Marvel Comics started their OWN Captain Marvel" (The kid with his head off is called "Captain Marvel," too..HIS SHTICK was that he was an android that could seperate his body parts when he yelled "SPLIT!") some time after Fawcett cancelled their series and was restarted by DC..But to let ARCHIE get away with their own DOCTOR DOOM? I guess adding the "MAD" makes all the difference...
Maybe I should have colored this, in case anyone doesn't get the joke about THE THING looking "like Archie Andrews' Toupee"...

Salem News: Duck, Goose! Duck!

2011-08-24T17:42:00.005-04:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 08/24/2011:
The "Available resources" mentioned above is the actual World War II Army tank that's prominently displayed in the center of Hamilton's Patton Park. I'm sure Republicans/teabaggers would have no problem using tax money like this..After all, anything that involves weaponry seems to get all- and more the money it wants (except in the case of better protecting our soldiers!)

And just in case anyone reading this blog is wondering about my political leanings, I'm Independent! There's enough blame to go around for EVERYONE to share!

Salem News: Dumpster Dividends

2011-08-16T16:52:00.005-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 08/16/2011:
There've been a recent state of trash dumpsters- huge, 20 foot ones- being stolen,
and then repainted, disguised, and then resold or rented to unsuspecting people.
One guy even had like 20-30 hidden on his lot at one point..I found it kind of absurd how someone would go to so much trouble to an oversize trash can in order to make a few bucks..Then it hit me how I could combine a LOCAL issue with a NATIONAL issue..

Ten Years of ToughPigs

2011-08-16T16:40:00.003-04:00

As anyone who reads this blog can guess, I'm an avid MUPPETS fan, and have been involved in Muppets fandom since the introduction of MUPPETZINE in 1992. Since then, I've done logos,comics, and sundry illustrations for MUPPETZINE, and continued on when MUPPETZINE was converted into the website TOUGHPIGS in 2001.
From Danny Horn to Joe and Ryan, TOUGHPIGS is still going strong today, with its never-ending stream of news, reviews, articles, and interviews, wich both keep the magic and memory of Jim Henson's work alive and continues to make me proud to be a muppet fan..We may not be as vocal or visible as the STAR TREK and STAR WARS crowds, but we're there...and no less weirder.
The artwork above is my contribution to a special anniversary page showcasing artists who've done Muppet artwork in the past, in both fandom and professional channels. All of them with their own unique view! You can see the entire page at:
http://www.toughpigs.com/tp10-art/

DigBoston: Standard & Poor

2011-08-14T16:16:00.002-04:00

My DIGBOSTON website cartoon for 08/14/2011..
This one seems kinda obvious, doesn't it? I can bet I'm not the only one who thought of this joke...

A Pleasant Surprize

2011-08-13T18:39:00.003-04:00

It isn't often that when the local newspaper devotes its entire editorial page to one single issue and used the cartoon you drew (and thought was rejected) as the headliner.
Forgive the choppiness of the image: I had to combine this from multiple scans because entire page was too big for the machine to do at once.

It's Not easy To Go Green When You Have To Go Brown..

2011-08-07T20:42:00.004-04:00

My latest from the 08/07/2011 edition of DIGBOSTON'S SUNDAY COMICS PROJECT website. Gawd, I must have been in SOME mood..

An Alternative To The Previous Post....

2011-08-06T16:46:00.003-04:00

When I decided to do a SALEM NEWS cartoon about the stink over the air turbine plans, I actually came up with TWO ideas. I decided to draw up the both of them and let my editor Nelson K. Benton decide which one he wanted to use. (If any)
He chose the one you saw in the last post. He even added a title,"Two Lips and Hot Air" In the print edition of the paper. (For some reason, the SALEM NEWS website doesn't use the cartoons online.)
The cartoon above is the alternate version. Seeing it now, it seems to come off a little too obvious, which is probably why he preferred the second one.

Salem News: Two Lips and Hot Air

2011-08-05T17:17:00.003-04:00

Published in the Salem (MA) News edition 08/05/2011.
The latest stink here is the city wants to put up a huge wind turbine in the Winter Island Area. a public meeting the other night turned into a huge melee with tempers rising and people walking out.
Basically, many of the residents don't want it. citing that it would be noisy, dangerous, unsafe for the kids, and deadly to birds.
I do respect the residents for their right to dissent, but I can't see the harm there would be.
Unsafe for the kids? Couldn't the parents just make sure they keep away from the thing? And wouldn't it AT LEAST be fenced off in the FIRST PLACE?
Deadly to birds? I would think MOST birds would have the instinct to keep away from a rapidly spinning object in the first place. More birds get done in from flying into clear glass windows than an obstacle they can clearly SEE.
Noise? How noisy can a turbine be? It doesn't even spin under its own power! The Shaugnessy Hospital used to have TWO wind turbines and even at full blow, they weren't that loud! Considering the noise I hear outside MY neighborhood.. traffic and drunken people shouting and cursing at two in the morning, I'd rather have the chupa-chupa of the turbine! And given winter island ALREADY gets its share of Traffic from tourism, the rowdy crowds, and the Salem Willows, you'd think a turbine would be soothing by COMPARISON!!
I think they're being a bit too picky here. If they don't want it in their neighborhood, fine. But to say not to put it anywhere at ALL...
I am NOT an enviromental extremeist. I'm not saying it's going to solve all our energy problems. but the time may come when we will definetly have to start implementing other sources of energy. (I'm sure once the big oil companies find out a way to make us pay for wind and sunlight, these projects will REALLY get started) Other countries have already started to some degree..I thought the US was supposed to be AHEAD in matters like these! It just shames me that like the war between Obama, the GOP, and the Teabaggers, all everyone is doing is yelling like spoiled children until they get their way. No compromise. No cooperation.
"Go Green..But not in MY Backyard" They say in their "Samart Phones" as they drive their "Smart Cars"
Though it doesn't seem anyone is being too smart these days..

Salem News: Pavlog's Dog

2011-07-29T17:11:00.004-04:00

Published in the 07/29/2011 Edition of THE SALEM (MA) NEWS
I can't say I've really understood the tax holiday..To ,me it just seems another smoke and mirrors ploy to seperate us from our money..
But isn't it amazing how wired we are to react to certain terms? Just watch if the stores and all don't RAISE prices 6.5% on those days..But then again,it's still cheaper, the point is WE'RE NOT PAYING THE TAX, RIGHT?
It's no wonder the assholes get away with so much in this country..

It's not the heat, it's the- Never mind,it IS the heat...

2011-07-25T20:11:00.003-04:00

A little remark on our recent (and probably not last) heat wave.

For Art's Sake:Death of Spider- Man (And No, It Wasn't because of the Broadway Show)

2011-07-20T17:55:00.003-04:00

Published in THE COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1681. And coincidentally, today is preview night of the 2011 COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL. Have a great time those of you who could go!

Salem News: NEA Refusal

2011-07-12T19:01:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 07/12/2011.
The National Endowment For the Arts recently refused the city of Salem a $100,000
grant in order to redesign the Essex Street Mall. The downtown's main shopping area.
In a way I feel like a backstabber. After all, I too have artistic inclications, and I'm sure the NEA does support a lot of worthy endeavours, but still, some of the stuff I've heard they've support makes me cringe. I mean, an artist had to get funding to make a work smeared in FECES?
I never claim to be an art critic or judge of art. But thru my years of art school and personal experience, a lot of art seems to rely more on the shovel than the paintbrush..
But then again, why would I be "Qualified" to judge, since Cartoonists aren't considered "Real" artists...
Though I do admit there's a LOT of comics and cartooning that makes me cringe, as well...
But the biggest question I just realized..Does the NEA consider Architectural design art? Wht else would it even consider designing a MALL??

The Boston Dig: 07/10/2001

2011-07-10T16:55:00.003-04:00

My latest for the BOSTON DIG'S SUNDAY COMICS PROJECT. As you may notice, I finally came up with a regular title for my cartoons. Be kind to animals.

Salem News: Science and Ethics

2011-07-08T21:30:00.002-04:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 07/07/2011;
Scientists from one business use its information to start their own rival business..
Given the field is DNA research and such...well...I suppose if they ever do a merger, they'd call it genetic splicing..

Salem News: At Long Last.....

2011-06-25T16:15:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 06/25/2001;
THe FBI finally caught Boston gangster "Whitey" Bulger. I figure I could have used a variation of this gag here on Bin Laden, But Laden was only in hiding since 2001. Bulger's been hiding since 1997. I guess for the next few weeks or so, now, we're gonna hear about news reports that sound like "Sopranos" episodes.

Salem News: Bruins Take The Cup

2011-06-17T17:21:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 06/17/2011.
Congrats to the Boston Bruins who went all Grizzly on Vancouver and Brought home the Stanley Cup. They actually used this cartoon as an illo to a small paragraph on the editorial page congratulating the team and the fact that Boston sports teams have dome to amazingly the past several years. All well and good, but did they have to SHRINK MY CARTOON DOWN TO NEAR ILLEGIBILTY?? So to any NEWS readers who may not have noticed the cartoon in the paper, here it is at its intended size. Ah,the newspaper business..(Not that i'm complaining I'm being published..!)

Salem News: I See The Light

2011-06-17T17:14:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 06/15/2011.
The intersection of Congress and Derby Streets has been one of the busiest (and dangerous) intersections in the city for YEARS, but yet NEVER HAD A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
This past week, one was finally installed, surprizing many drivers long used to the status quo.

For Art's Sake: At the Pearly Gates

2011-06-11T16:54:00.003-04:00

My latest FOR ART'S SAKE strip from THE COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1680.
This episode was inspired by the recent much publicized death of Johnny Storm, The Human Torch, In Marvel's FANTASTIC FOUR comics. What WOULD happen if they let a guy that turns into fire in HEAVEN?

Muppets T-Shirt Design Contest Entries

2011-06-10T18:50:00.005-04:00

These are my entries for a Muppets T-Shirt design contest sponsored by Disney via Threadless.com. The shirts have to have some thembased upon 'frienship" around them.
All four are hand-drawn the old-fashioned way, pencil, brush, and ink, and colored via Paint. If you like, you can vote on them and others at this link:
http://disney.threadless.com/themuppets/
SPECIAL thanks to JOE HENNES for doing the neccessary Photostop processing in order to get these accepted into the contest! I'm such a luddite when it comes to graphics software!

Salem News: Doesn't Hold Water

2011-06-10T17:09:00.003-04:00

Published 06/10/2011 in the SALEM (MA) NEWS:
For some reason; Salem Schools have been having trouble with aquariums...They all seem to tank. (OUCH!) Something defintely fishy here..(OUCH!!)

Been A While Since We Had Muppets..

2011-06-03T18:02:00.008-04:00

My Latest Muppets fanart for the TOUGHPIGS website:
www.toughpigs.com

Salem News: STILL No Senior Center?

2011-05-28T16:50:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 05/28/2011.
A number of city projects have been continually postponed or delayed. What else can you remember that took a long time? Like MANY YEARS?
This cartoon is a bit of a milestone as well. I used to letter my cartoons by hand. but started to do it by computer because it was a LOT easier to change mispellings and other such mistakes electronically. You know how much of a pain whiteout can BE?
The thing was, I was never quite satifified with the lettering choices I had in Paint or Corel, they looked way too sterile,(Don't even get me STARTED on COMIC SANS!) and the options I saw on pro font stores didn't fit much better, so, I went to an online site called www.yourfonts.com and had one made based on my own hand lettering style.And I must say I'm Very satisfied. I think the look just adds a lot to my cartoons and I don't have to deal with bad whiteout or overerasure. And yes, I call it "SMIGFONT"!

My 200th Post: For Art's Sake: Green Lantern

2011-05-28T16:45:00.003-04:00

Published in COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE # 1679:
Yet another comics-geeks based entry, with the next superhero-based big-budget movie comic up..I've often wondered how they cast these things.

The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

2011-05-22T20:16:00.002-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 05/19/2011. Ocassionally My editor will have me do a cartoon based on someone else's idea. This was based on a suggestion by Beverly (Ma) Reporter Paul Leighton.

Oh,Joy! Oh, Rapture!

2011-05-22T20:12:00.002-04:00

Published on the BOSTON WEEKLY DIG website 05/22/2011.
God explains why the rapture didn'ttake.

Salem News: Planting a Replacement

2011-05-17T19:00:00.003-04:00

Published 05/17/2011 in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS:
The old Salem Harbor power plant is scheduled to be closed down around 2014. When a city is due to lose one of its biggest employers/taxpayers You can BET you're gonna want something to replace that revenue ASAP!!

Controversy! Part1

2011-05-13T17:58:00.012-04:00

This is actually a B&W mini-comic I produced and sold via mail-order (thru promo ads in Comics Buyers guide)a few years before the internet really started up. Originally I had wanted to do more with my FOR ART'S SAKE characters beyond what the editorial limits of CBG would allow and this seemed to be the best way to do it at the time. (Closest I ever got to self-publishing.
Reality TV was not around at this point, yet it seemed that people would start screaming over anything over what they considered the least bit appropriate or indecent, ignoring the fact that it really had no impact on life whatsoever.
(face it, if there's one thing the human race does exceptionally, is complain)
WARNING: The tone and images you will see in this story are quite different from the COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE strips. Some strong language as well..

Double Dealing

2011-05-08T21:26:00.007-04:00

I did this cartoon for THE SALEM (MA) NEWS but since it's one of the few I did that dealt with a national rather than a local issue I decided to submit to the BOSTON WEEKLY DIG SUNDAY COMICS PROJECT website as well. And while the NEWS published it
(05/07/2011) in black and white, I colorized it for its appearance in THE DIG (05/08/2011)
Ain't I stinker?
But you can guess the gist of this one. Party does one thing, The opposing party goes against it, no matter WHAT.

Salem News: 05/01/2011

2011-05-03T16:06:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 05/03/2011.
This pretty much speaks for itself.

Salem News: Carry In, Carry Out...

2011-04-27T16:43:00.004-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 04/27/2011:
As if removing the trash cans from public areas will overcome people's inclinations to be natural slobs...

HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY, COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE!!

2011-04-25T21:44:00.003-04:00

This strip appeared in COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE# 1678,which, incidentally, marks the magazine's 40th anniversary. The Guise started off as a zine called THE BUYER'S GUIDE TO COMICS FANDOM produced by Alan Light and was soon taken over by contributors Don and Maggie Thompson. Since then, CBG has gone thru many an incarnation and evolution, thru a weekly newspaper-size to a weekly tabloid-size and finally to its current monthly magazine format, outlasting many other comics-themed publications that sprang up over the years. Part of that evolution was taking me and my strip on around its twenty-year point. A move I'm sure they've regretted more than once, (but it's nice to know SOMEONE has the guts to print my stuff!)
Happy fortieth, CBG, and may you go for 40 more! (I need the exposure!)

The True Meaning of Easter,Revisited...

2011-04-24T23:51:00.004-04:00

Published 04/24/2011 on THE SUNDAY COMICS PROJECT of the BOSTON'S WEEKLY DIG website.

Salem News: Easter Bites

2011-04-22T19:39:00.003-04:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS 04/22/2010:
A little reflection about this modern Easter.

Salem News: Tax Day

2011-04-15T18:27:00.002-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA)NEWS 04/15/2011:

I admit, this one seems a bit grim.. but given the times right now..
Face, it, they'll take it however they can...

Salem News: Confident In Her Decision

2011-04-10T20:30:00.003-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 04/08/2011:
Salem Mayor Kin Driscoll was seriously considering a run against current MA Senator Scott Brown but decided against it. All the quotes are taken vertabrim from the news article this cartoon was based on. To me it sounds like she's trying to convince herself more then anyone else. I guess anyone who has a chance a become a Senator would be a little reluctant (and regretful) to give it up.

Salem News: Prime Lots

2011-04-10T20:25:00.003-04:00

Published in THE SALEM (MA) NEWS: 04/07/2011;
The city considers a plan to charge premium rates for prime parking spaces: (the more desirable the area the higher the rate) Including monthly passes and parking meters that accept credit cards.

A Fashionably Late St. Pats Themed Strip

2011-03-31T18:56:00.004-04:00

This ran in the BOSTON WEEKLY DIG'S SUNDAY COMICS PROJECT website a couple-so weeks ago...Maybe not timely. but still, there's booze.

For Art's Sake: Airport Security

2011-03-20T18:33:00.003-04:00

My FOR ART'S SAKE STRIP published in COMICS BUYERS GUIDE #1677,March 2011.
If Comic-book based Technologies truly existed, imagine how they could have benefitted real-life national security situations..Or perhaps not...

Salem News: Twisting the Rules

2011-03-20T18:21:00.004-04:00

Published by THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 03/19/2011. A major outrage happened when during a meeting of the City Council, The fellow here, Steve Pinto, invoked a little-used council rule that basically prevented THE MAYOR OF THE CITY from speaking or having any say whatsoever during/towards the outcome of the meeting.. That Mr. Pinto is politically opposed to Mayor Driscoll on some issues should come as no surprize.
Giving one person enough power to basically stifle ANY opposition or dissent-ESPECIALLY if it may effect the citizens is NOT a good idea. Steps to prevent that in the futire are going to be considered. (But will they be PASSED?)

Salem News: EE!! BOOKS!!

2011-03-20T18:13:00.005-04:00

Published by THE SALEM (MA) NEWS 03/10/2011.
This was actually drawn to accompany an article about how E-books, Kindles and such may change the way we use some expressions..For example, "Throw the E-Book at him," 'E-Book him, Dano" , "You can't judge an E-Book by its cover", You get the idea. And of courdse, it adds a spin on the same old controversies..

Salem News: No Parking

2011-03-08T21:22:00.004-05:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) NEWS 03/05/2010.
Here's a bizarre little problem...Where are you going to go after you're gone?

Dig This!

2011-02-24T23:01:00.004-05:00

The website for Boston's THE WEEKLY DIG is doing a new sunday feature called THE SUNDAY COMICS PROJECT and they've accepted me as a contributor! This is my debut panel from 02/21/2011. This will give me an opportunity to develop new stuff as well as use previously unpublished material. (some you've seen in this blog already)
You can other cartoonist's work as well at www.digboston.com

For Art's Sake: Two Types of Cons

2011-02-24T18:34:00.004-05:00

Published in THE COMIC BUYER'S GUIDE #1675..I actually forgot to post this one last month! When I used to be able to go to the Comic-Con International convention in San Diego, It went from BIG to MASSIVE in the space of those years, enough to actually have them expand the already humungous convention hall!(The yearly convention IS a big source of money for the city!) The thing is STILL growing to the point where the membership tickets sell out DAYS after they're put up for sale (AND THAT'S LIKE AT LEAST SIX MONTHS IN ADVANCE!! I was wondering if there could be any alternatived to those that couldn't get a ticket or even afford then travel...But then again, I wouldn't be surprized if the powers that be would find some way to shoot that down!

Office Monster-I'm Sure Many Of You Know One

2011-02-24T04:28:00.005-05:00

There's a website called www.99designs.com which is basically a listing of designing jobs from different companies. Artists choose from whatever jobs they're interested in, do up a submission, the companies go thru the submissions, choose the one the like best, and then pay the artist. (Rates are listed for each job as well.)
One recent offering was from a company who wanted an office-themed monster as their corporate mascot. This is what I came up with. Didn't win, but it was kinda fun..

For Art's Sake: Well, It Ain't Exactly Peter Pan...

2011-02-23T17:47:00.004-05:00

Published in THE COMICS BUYERS GUIDE # 1676: Is there much difference between Vegas, Broadway, and comics these days? Since I do these strips about two months ahead of publication,I was still wondering if the SPIDER-MAN play would still even be running, considering the problems it's had..

Salem News: School Food

2011-02-22T18:20:00.004-05:00

Published in the SALEM NEWS (MA) 02/17/2011.
Apparently the local schools think that kids will change their eating habits purely by only making healhty foods available during school..
Kids CAN be stubborn, though, and if anything, at least, they're also learning patience..now they have to wait all thru the school day to get something to eat that tastes good!

Salem News: "T"-Shirts

2011-02-10T17:34:00.004-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS 02/10/2011;
My Editor, Nelson K. Benton, caome up with this concept and I did the writing/drawing for the final version. The Massachusetts MBTA public transport system actually wants to self-promote itself via souvenirs and merchandise..Given the "T";s rather spotty record for service, cost problems,The ever-delayed building of a new depot for Salem, as well as Boston's infamous "BIG DIG" project, well...heh..Too bad i couldn't fit in a "Sorry, Charlie Card" into this thing somehow..

Happy(?) Groundhog's Day

2011-02-02T15:32:00.003-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS 02/02/2011. Somehow I doubt ANYONE relishes the prospect of six more weeks like this..

It Just Gets Deeper, and You Can Shovel It....

2011-01-29T17:23:00.004-05:00

Published 01/29/2011 in THE SALEM NEWS (MA)
A slight remark on the climate.

Art School Days: Montserrat Newsletter

2011-01-24T17:47:00.003-05:00

This is from my time as a student at MONTSERRAT SCHOOL (nee; COLLEGE) of ART in BEVERLY;MA. I did this drawing of the faculty for a newsletter they published during my senior year there (1987). I must say, the old faculty were such good sports for letting me depict them as a bunch of deliquent Smurfs!

My FIRST Major Pro Series: NAUTICA / ABOARD THE DUDLEY

2011-01-22T15:47:00.007-05:00

During my Freshman year at Art School,(1983) I got a tip that a locally-produced (in SALEM, no less) magazine was looking for a feature cartoonist. That very afternoon, I made an appointment, skipped my afternoon classes, grabbed some samples, went right to the publisher's offices on Pickering Wharf, and got the job.
The magazine was called NAUTICA (The Magazine of the Sea for Young People) Nautica was geared to entertain and educate about such things as boating, fish, Sea legends, the whole gamut. Pretty appropriate given Salem and its coastal neighbors have a heavy seafaring history.
My job was to produce a regular comics feature. Given the tone of the magazine, They wanted something taking place on a ship, and a full crew. After a little research and a number of sketches, I came up with the cast:
CAPTAIN MOOR: Novice Captain.Rank beginner with good intentions.Owns the boat.
JIB: Crusty old sea veteran. Ship's First Mate. Basically the competent one.
MANDY: Moor's cute, spunky niece. Not bratty but still quite a handful.
HALYARD:The young navigator with the off-course mind. I based his eys on the late comedian Marty Feldman's.
LUBBS:The rather street-centic teen who could never quite adjust to sea life.(I still use him today as a side character in my FOR ART'S SAKE strips for COMIC BUYER'S GUIDE)
RIGGS: The old Newfoundlands fisherman who went around dressed in a thick FISHING NET and served as the Handyman/Rigger.
CLANCY: Riggs'all-purpose pet lobster.
They liked what I came up with, and I premiered in the second issue of NAUTICA.
My first two appearances were two pages per issue in black-and white. After that, it was one page in full color. (as well as logos and other illos) Either way, I was thrilled to be in print like that.
I was hoping that the feaure would become popular enough to warrant long adventures and graphic novel compliations, but sadly, the law of sale averages came into effect. One major reason was that the way the magazine LOOKED. Aside from MY cartooning, there was nothing that would necessarily attract attention to a young person. It looked MUCH too serious, like something out of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, than say, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FOR KIDS, and the retailers would stick it in the boating section of the magazine racks.
My editor tried to fix the situation, but the ax pretty much fell before he could. He laid off the staff and tried to revive NAUTICA on his own, but to no avail. I final stopped hearing from him and found out he abandoned the offices without telling me-and taking whatever material was left WITH him, INCLUDING the last,UNPUBLISHED,original installment of my strip! I have no idea what became of him.
That was the only sour note in an otherwise good working relationship, but I learned: If it doesn't seem like they're going to USE it, KEEP IT!!
NAUTICA ran for six issues. I appeared in five, two in black and white, three in color. The episodes you see here are the color ones.
As for the Title..I didn't really come up with a decent title until the second color installment..I just figured, "What's the LEAST likely name you'd be sure to call a boat?"

Salem News: Patriots Loss

2011-01-19T19:00:00.003-05:00

Published in the SALEM (MA) News 01/19/2010.
A mild commentary on the recent NE Patriots playoffs loss..sounds very familiar, eh?

Persistance Is Not Necessarily A Virtue...

2011-01-08T16:57:00.004-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS (MA) 01/08/2011.
The Meth Clinic that already failed to get a foothold in Salem due to public demand TWICE in Salem is appealing for a THIRD time.. Some people just don't know when they're not wanted..

My First Post Of The Year!!

2011-01-02T18:08:00.002-05:00

Well, what did you expect?

Relatively Tolerable New Year To Everyone!

2010-12-31T17:52:00.003-05:00

Originally published in THE SALEM NEWS (MA) 12/31/2010

A situation I'm sure many of us can indentify with...

Good Luck. We'll all need it.

Salem News: Plant Grant

2010-12-30T21:31:00.004-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS (MA) 12/28/2010.
The Salem Power Plant has caused some controversy over the years. Many feel it's too old and too much of a risk to the enviroment.On the other hand, it's the city's biggest tax source. (Some groups have called it the SOLE threat to the ENTIRE PLANET!) In any case, they DID grant a whopping sum to Salem's beleagured school system. Publicity stunt or just corporate spin? Maybe, but at least this one will be beneficial..

Salem News: Better Parking

2010-12-30T21:28:00.003-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS (MA) 12/15/2010.
Turns out there's a local city with WORSE parking than Salem's! Whod'a thunk it?

Salem News- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2010-12-24T06:48:00.002-05:00

Published in the SALEM NEWS (MA) 12/24/2010. A Salem-Style Santa.

Salem News: If At First You Don't Suceed...FAIL AGAIN!!

2010-12-19T17:29:00.003-05:00

Originally published in THE SALEM NEWS (MA) 12/18/2010:
A proposed Methadone Clinic, already booted out by a massive neighborhood protest. once again tries to gain a foothold in Salem. Unfortunately, their choice for an alternate area-in the vincinity of the local HIGH SCHOOL..as well as traffic concerns... once again bring up an uproar and the clinic was denied..Will there be a next chapter in this saga? Stay tuned...

Creative Characters Card 2010

2010-12-18T16:54:00.005-05:00

I recently did my SEVENTH annual holiday card illo for the Philly print company called CREATIVE CHARACTERS. These cards are usually a challenge for me, because how easy can it be to come up with concepts based on copy machines and printing presses?
This year, however, they had something slightly different in mind.They told me they were going to be introducing a number of new services, and in one of my rough sketches, I suggested a riff on THE TWELVE DAYS OF XMAS, using each new service like one of the verses..(12 response codes, 11 maketing designs, etc.) And I even drew in a Partridge in a pear tree complaining about what a travesty this whole thing is..Well, they decided to go with a different format, but they loved my partridge so much they asked me to draw it into the card!
This was also the first card I did for them that would have both an inner AND outer drawing, as opposed to just a cover drawing for the ones I did previously, so working from their outline, their latest face shots, back and forth e-mail scans, and right down to old-fashioned coloring BY HAND (Professional prismacolor markers) I came up with the two drawings up above. (They added the typography/lettering afterwards) I think it came out pretty good myself, the slick cardstock they used just accentuates the shiny glowing effcts I was trying to get with the markers!

For Art's Sake: Digital Competition

2010-12-16T19:34:00.004-05:00

Published in THE COMICS BUYER'S GUIDE #1674:
Video rental stores aren't the only businesses threatened by internet commerce..

More Muppet Fanart

2010-12-15T19:11:00.008-05:00

My latest fanart that I did for the TOUGHPIGS site. Proceed at your own risk.
(www.toughpigs.com)

Salem News: Four Loko

2010-11-27T16:47:00.004-05:00

Published in THE SALEM NEWS (MA) 11/20/2010:
A number of liquor stores in the area are refusing to carry this drink because of its rather powerful combined alcohol/caffein content...(In a way, I think they're afraid it might hurt their regular booze sales... why buy SIX cans of beer when you can get the same effect from ONE can of this stuff?