Category: Other

I can’t think of a better way to start this year’s blog than with a new edition of Inside the Cartoonist’s Studio!

Erik McCurdy of Suzie View steps up to the plate this week!

So, without any further adieu… Play ball!

1) If you were to cast a movie entirely with cartoon characters, what movie would it be and who would star in it?

How about “The Godfather”?
The Godfather: Hagar the Horrible
Michael: Linus
Kay: Cathy
Tom: Dilbert
Sonny: Calvin
Fredo: Opus

2) You’re a syndicate editor launching a new comic strip. What’s the worst possible title you can think of?

Hmmm… how about “Waldo the Terrorist Nazi.”

3) A light bulb over a cartoon’s head signifies an idea, while a string of random characters denotes swearing. Invent a new cartooning icon and what it means.

A little “Fatal Error” Microsoft Windows pop-up, meaning his or her minds has just been blown.

I like that fatal error one! (Note to self – destroy today’s blog and Erik’s e-mail and make fortune off new icon.)

Thanks again to Suzie View‘s Erik McCurdy! Please also check out Hackneyed Productions!

Well, it’s the end of 2004, and to wrap up this year’s Inside the Cartoonist’s Studio fun we have Ellington Way‘s James Point Du Jour!

Here goes…

1) If you were to cast a movie entirely with cartoon characters, what movie would it be and who would star in it?

I’d remake “The Princess Bride” with Cyclops and Jean Grey from X-Men. Oscar gold.

2) You’re a syndicate editor launching a new comic strip. What’s the worst possible title you can think of?

“Roquefort the Puppy Stabber.” Reuben gold.

3) A light bulb over a cartoon’s head signifies an idea, while a string of random characters denotes swearing. Invent a new cartooning icon and what it means.

An empty coffee mug floats over the character’s head signifying imminent meltdown. This would commonly occur while watching “The Age of Innocence.”

Dang! Now I’m going to have to retool my latest strip, “Rupert the Puppy Stabber!”

Thanks a bunch, James! Be sure to check out Ellington Way, his CoffeeRoll site, and Artists Helping Children (a great organization James hipped me to!).

Well, Christmas is coming, and as my gift to this blog’s readers (both of you!) I’ve decided to put myself in the Inside the Cartoonist’s Studio hot seat!

Enjoy!

1) If you were to cast a movie entirely with cartoon characters, what movie would it be and who would star in it?

A Christmas Story cast as follows:

Ralphie – Dexter from Dexter’s Laboratory (The accent might be a problem, but he’s already got the glasses.)

Randy – Calvin (I’d love to see him show “how the piggies eat!”)

Mrs. Parker (Mom) – Wilma Flintstone (Normally I’m a Betty guy, but Wilma just works here.)

Mr. Parker (Dad) – Yosemite Sam (As if there’s any other choice for non-sensical swearing.)

Flick – Bill the Cat (He costs more if you need to use the tongue, but it’s worth it.)

Schwartz – The Yellow Kid (Imagine a snow suit on him and you’ll see I’m right.)

Scott Farkus – Lucy Van Pelt (OK, the gender’s all wrong, but I stand by my pick.)

Grover Dill – Pointy-haired Boss (The perfect toady!)

Bumpus Hounds – Snoopy, Astro, Farley, Howard Huge, Marmaduke, Satchel, Santa’s Little Helper, Odie, Fred Bassett, Sandy, Pluto, Dogbert, Huckleberry Hound, Underdog, Dyno-Mutt, Scooby-Doo, and Steiner’s “On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog” dog

2) You’re a syndicate editor launching a new comic strip. What’s the worst possible title you can think of?

“Mighty Morphin Annie”

3) A light bulb over a cartoon’s head signifies an idea, while a string of random characters denotes swearing. Invent a new cartooning icon and what it means.

A green cupcake over the character’s head signaling schadenfreude. If the green cupcake also has sprinkles, then it’s heralding St. Patrick’s Day upcoming arrival as well.

Well, you can’t say I didn’t try, because obviously I did! It’s all right there! Plenty of me trying!

See you all next Monday for a new ITCS! Enjoy the rest of this week’s blogs and have a happy holiday!

Welcome to yet another Inside the Cartoonist’s Studio! Today we welcome wonderfully funny cartoonist Stephanie Piro whose Six Chix and Fair Game cartoons appear in publications nation-wide!

What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?

1) If you were to cast a movie entirely with cartoon characters, what movie would it be and who would star in it?

I would do a movie version of “Sex in the City” with Betty and Veronica , Katie Keen, Aunt Fritzi Ritz and Brenda Starr (ok, so there’s 5 instead of 4. I had to get Brenda Starr in there). These hot babes would plow through some x-rated action and spicy dialogue with a variety of male comic super stars, including Archie, Lil’ Abner, Beetle Baily, Mark Trail, Superman and Basil St. John as Mr. Big. Cameos by Blondie and Lana Lang. How could this miss!

2) You’re a syndicate editor launching a new comic strip. What’s the worst possible title you can think of?

“Bangs” the story of a hairdresser and the customers who frequent her shop. Wait a minute, I submitted that idea once. Then I changed it to “Charmers”. It was still rejected. Maybe I should go back to “Bangs”??

3) A light bulb over a cartoon’s head signifies an idea, while a string of random characters denotes swearing. Invent a new cartooning icon and what it means.

A champagne glass makes a nice icon. It would appear over a character’s head whenever she decides to go to a bar or club. A lawnmower could appear over someone’s head who is hard at work. Actually, now I love these icons! I want to use them! Feel free to make them your own!

I have to admit, I’ve always had a thing for Brenda Starr, so this “Sex in the City” sounds great to me!

Thanks so much, Stephanie, for playing along and giving some really great answers!

Please check out Stepahnie’s site, Six Chix, Fair Game and Strip T’s! All are guaranteed to be Piro-rific!

(BTW, how ’bout that snazzy new ITCS graphic?)

Here’s my beef – with some notable exceptions, “graphic novels” seem to me to pretty much be your standard comic book renamed, repackaged, and recently reaping a lot of respect.

Is it that easy? The industry begins to refer to its product as “graphic novels” and suddenly everyone’s in love with them again?!

So what are the rest of us waiting for?! I say we rename gag cartooning something more artsy, sit back, and wait for the accolades!

I’ll get us started. How about “Illustrative Wit?” Or maybe “Comedic Short Subject?”

Any other suggestions?