It’s difficult to believe, but I’ve been blogging for over seven years now. That’s a long, loooong time. In fact, when I began my developer wasn’t yet familiar with the word “blog.” And every so often I think it’s a good to take a step back and take a critical look at what this blog is and should/could be. (Stick with me, the list of awesome cartoon blogs is coming right up.)
So recently, in addition to completely revamping the site, I’ve been rejiggering how and what I present here at the Andertoons Cartoon Blog. For a while I was blogging a wider range of interests in an effort to connect more personally with readers, and I think I’ve done that. (But just in case, I really like jazz trombone and LEGO.) But I think it’s time I got back to blogging more about cartoons.
My idea is this – blog less often, but more in depth, and mostly about cartoons. I’m tentatively looking at about one blog per week. (Probably on Tuesdays, but don’t hold me to that.) Occasionally it will be more, sometimes less, but when I write I’m going to really write.
But I don’t want to leave you out in the cartoon blog cold the rest of the week, so I’m going to recommend five additional totally amazing cartoon & comic related blogs you should read, and one awesome guilty pleasure.
(Note – a lot of these cartoonists are friends or acquaintances of mine, but I never said it was unbiased. So there.)
1. Mike Lynch Cartoons
Mike’s long-running blog is a must read for any cartoonist or fan of cartoons. Honestly, there’s so much great stuff here it’s almost a crime to point out only a few notable posts, but here’s some current standouts to peruse:
- Happy 100th Birthday, Charles Addams
- THE NEIGHBORS by George Clark
- GRIN AND BEAR IT by George Lichty
Mike’s not only a cartoonist at the top of his game (and my brother-in-ink), he pretty much knows everyone and everything related to cartoons. Put Mike’s blog in your RSS reader ASAP!
2. The Daily Cartoonist
Alan Gardner does a really great job of digging up all kinds of cartoon news, presenting it clearly and succinctly, and, in what I’m assuming is a massive undertaking, keeping his commenters on-topic and mostly civil. Some recent must-reads:
- Terrible events happen. Not really, it’s just Gil
- Richard Thompson on Ronald Searle influence
- Another voice against Thomas Nast nomination
Wanna keep up on pretty much on all the latest cartoon happenings? Check out The Daily Cartoonist.
3. Comics Alliance
Covering the world of comics thoroughly and entertainingly is Comics Alliance. There’s just gobs of new, deep, and downright fun stuff here almost constantly. A few newish notables:
- The Gritty Digital Art of Zulkarnaen Hasan Basri Sticks a Symbiote on Tony Stark [Art]
- Chip Kidd Presents ‘Batman: Death by Design’ to Designers [Art]
- Villains Attack in Fan’s Spider-Man Themed Bathroom
Laura Hudson and crew deserve top bookmark billing in any comic fan’s browser. Do it now!
4. Webcomics.com
So far I’ve featured blogs covering what can be considered the traditional mediums of cartoons, comic strips, and comic books, but the world of webcomics, if it hasn’t already become mainstream, is well on its way. And Brad Guigar’s Webcomics.com is a terrific guide. Here’s some fresh examples:
A quick note that this is the only entry here that charges for its content, but if you’re really serious about succeeding online it’s money well spent. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean.
5. Cul de Sac
If you’ve by chance missed every other glowing review of Richard Thompson’s Cul de Sac, I think you could trust Calvin & Hobbes creator, Bill Watterson, who said, amongst other heady praise, “The artwork in Cul de Sac bowls me over.”
Even better, we all get an inside look at the Cul de Sac blog! A few of my recent faves:
Do not miss!
And last but not least, my favorite guilty pleasure:
F**k Yeah Bruce Timm
I’m not sure I completely understand what makes Tumblr different from regular blogs, but there seems to be a whole host of these F**k Yeah Tumblrs. That being said, I love, no, LOVE Bruce Timm‘s art! So a constant stream of Timm awesomeness? I think F**k Yeah Bruce Timm about sums it up. A few recent posts:
OK, well that wraps it up. Please be sure to give each blog a try, and be sure to stop in each Tuesday (or even better, subscribe to my RSS feed) for more Andertoons Cartoon Blog goodness!
Your recommendations for cartoon-related blogs, plus your own, tell me that you and I would get along fine, as great minds think alike. Hope I get the opportunity to have one or more conversations with you in the future. And your friendship with Mike Lynch does not dissuade my opinion whatsoever.