Ladies' Night

I saw this posted at Wondermark and had to share it!

Happy Birthday, James Warren

Today is the birthday of James Warren, publisher of Creepy, Eerie, and Vampirella.

Warren publications were the foundation for magazines such as Heavy Metal featuring really cool art and stories that ran towards adult status.  Creepy was scary enough that my kid brother made me leave it in the living room when we went to bed.  For more background on Mr. Warren, click here.

Skin Deep

I've thought about getting a tattoo, but never could decide on what I permanently want inscribed on my body.  Fortunately, body art wasn't popular when I was young, impulsive and drunk enough to make a regrettable decision.  But - Patrick Swayze as a centaur chippendale?  Do they make enough Jack Daniels?  But... who am I to judge?

My Hometown Heroes

Some of you are aware I have a business outside of cartooning.  Danny Heinsohn works with us at Access Pass & Design.

But, when he's not providing security credentials for sporting events, he has another mission.  I hope this video is as inspiring for you as it is for me.  Enjoy!

Click here for more info on Danny's organization, My Hometown Heroes.

Tuesday Toon UP - Bugs In My Hare!

Today's tune also marks the debut of Bugs Bunny!  Enjoy!

R.I.P. John Callahan

Cartoonist John Callahan has passed away.  Click here for the local news story.

Here's the wikipedia article for more background.

Happy Birthday Vaughn Bode & Seth Fisher!

Today is the birthday of Vaughn Bode.  Bode created the character Cheech Wizard that ran for eight years in National Lampoon.  Cheech Wizard was a combination of cute characters with an acerbic wit.  His son Mark still creates works based on his father's characters.

It is also the birthday of Seth Fisher.  Fisher was an illustrator for DC, pencilling The Flash, Green Lantern and Batman.  Sadly, both artists passed away tragically at 33 years old.

Happy Birthday, Garry Trudeau!

Today is the birthday of Garry Trudeau, creator of Doonesbury. Mr. Trudeau was the first comic strip artist to win a Pulitzer. He's also won a Reuben (the Oscar of cartooning) and has been nominated for an Academy Award.

In 2004, Trudeau made a widely-circulated offer of a $10,000 reward (in the form of a gift to the USO in the winner's name) for proof that George W. Bush fulfilled his military duties in the 1970s. No one has collected on the offer.

Tuesday Toon Up - Matt & Kim

I'll save you the rant about how radio doesn't play anything new (you can click on the cartoon to get my point), but I'm curious as to how younger folks find new music these days.  If there's an outlet I'm missing, please let me know.

I heard this song as the background for a Bacardi commercial and loved the hook.  My office manager told me who it was (Matt & Kim) and I dug up their video on You Tube.  I love the sprightly intro and the couple looks like they're having a blast making this.

Enjoy!

Jason Dube Talks Comics, Cons, And Things That Go Bump In The Night

I met Jason this spring in Sacramento.  Check out this interview with him on The Toxic Graveyard.

Jason Dube Talks Comics, Cons, And Things That Go Bump In The Night

Honey, I'm Home

Two New Yorker cartoonists discuss love and marriage.  Enjoy!

Hagar

I saw this video interview with Chris Browne on Mike Lynch's blog.  Hagar the Horrible is one of my favorite syndicated cartoons.  I really relate to Lucky Eddie.

Enjoy!

Wes Wilson's Birthday

Psychedelic art hit it's apex in the 60's.  Although he didn't become a household name like Mouse and Rick Griffin, Wes Wilson was a huge part of the movement.  Wish him a happy Birthday!

Here's an online gallery of his work.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hanna

Today is the birthday of William Denby Hanna.  Mr. Hanna was the cofounder of Hanna-Barbera studios - creators of such cartoon shows as The Flintsones, Huckleberry Hound, Tom & Jerry and the Jetsons.

Tuesday's Toon Up - Heroes

Today's music post is dedicated to Harvey Pekar and Tuli Kupferberg.  May they both rest in peace.

R.I.P. Harvey Pekar

Harvey Pekar, the writer of the autobiographical comic book, 'American Splendor' has died.  Click here for a thorough documentation of Pekar's remarkable accomplishments.

Happy Birthday to Basil Wolverton

Today is the birthday of Basil Wolverton!  His illustrations were published by everyone from Mad magazine to Life.  Wolverton first gained public acclaim by winning a contest in Lil Abner to produce a drawing of the world's ugliest woman.  People either loved or hated his work, but his originality and beautiful technique are undeniable.

His highly original work influenced everyone from Robert Crumb to Big Daddy Ed Roth.  Click here for a collection of his artwork.

Enjoy!

Nashville Rising: Badges Of Honor

Some of you may be aware I'm a partner in a company called Access Pass & Design that produces security badges for various events, from backstage passes to media credentials for professional sports. 

We were honored to make commemorative badges for the Nashville Rising Flood Relief Concert.  By purchasing a badge, you automatically make a donation to the flood relief efforts.  Nashville's plight was overwhelmed in the media by the BP oil spill and has largely been ignored in the press.  Any donation will help. 

Thanks in advance,

Brad

Tuesday's Toonup

I was in Nashville for the flood relief concert two weeks ago and met a delightful young woman named Jennifer Seward.  She has an online radio show which you can listen to here.

She posted a video from a new band called The Jane Dear Girls on Face Book and I thought they were worth a listen.  I couldn't post the 'official' video from You Tube, as the embedding code is blocked.  This clip is from a live performance.  Enjoy!

Here's To You, Mr. Watterson

Happy birthday to Bill Watterson, creator of the masterpiece, Calvin & Hobbes.  One of the greatest cartoon strips in the last 40 years, Calvin & Hobbes is still on the top five list of people's favorites.

Success seemed to bring little relief to Mr. Watterson and he stopped producing the strip 15 years ago. 

Happy Birthday To Rube Goldberg!!!

Happy birthday, Rube Goldberg!  Mr. Goldberg is the namesake for The Reuben - the Oscar of cartooning.

He is best known for designing painfully complex machines to perform simple tasks.  

The popular board game 'Mousetrap' is based on a Goldberg design.  Click on the photo and check out OK GO's marvelously complex musical masterpiece.  Enjoy!!!

Dave Alvin Gets It Right!

My brother always plays this tune when he performs and there's something about it that captures the middle of summer for me.  Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!!!

Happy Birthday To Dean Young

Today is the birthday of Dean Young.  Young is the son of Chic Young, the creator of 'Blondie'.  Dean still writes the scripts for the cartoon.  The art is currently handled by John Marshall.  You can read more about Dean by clicking his name.

Page Turner

I've now done three comic conventions and I'm hearing a universal request from attendees - do I have a book?

Having enough material to fill the pages of a cartoon book isn't my problem, (I have around 500 cartoons) it's the underlying content that I'm finding intimidating.  Should I make it chronological?  Should it be broken into three parts for each cartoon strip I've produced?  How autobiographical should it be and how transparent do I want to be if that's the chosen format?

I'd decided on a title, but famous mystery writer, Jeffery Deaver has beaten me to it.  Back to the drawing board.