More Caricatures

I've been doing more caricatures, at the Birmingham Feline Fanciers Cat Show and at Hospicelink.  I started drawing them on clear plastic cels, and using paint markers and colored-paper backgrounds.  Here are 12 of my favorites.

What do you think of this technique?

A Modest Proposal...

Let's make comics easily available to average Birminghamers

What do you guys/girls think of this... Let's establish a network of independent retailers locally who will let us put our stuff in their stores. Just because the big companies abandoned the newsstands for the comic shops doesn't mean we have to!  :-)

I'd like for people to see comics around in stores, rather than having to make a special trip to a "comic shop". Granted 99.9% of Birmingham would only care about a comic if it had Nick Saban on the cover, and then only for a split second - still there is that .0001% who might be interested! Kids especially are not yet as set in their ways about what is acceptable entertainment, and might buy a comic if it looked interesting - but they might never think to go to a comic shop in the first place if they don't come from a comic book family. We must not let such unfortunates miss the opportunity to have their minds warped forever!

It's also just a lot of fun to put your comics out in the regular world, outside the comics ghetto. I've become better acquainted with the clerks at my local grocery, City Supermarket here on the Southside, through putting my comics in their store. Jim Reed at Reed Books was nice enough to take some as well, though I'm way behind in supplying him with the newest release (also need to follow up with Homewood Toy & Hobby.)

We'd have to work out the details of making or finding some sort of small display rack for 3 or 4 "titles" (maybe it would be designed to hang from counters or walls.) I'm not sure how many of us are self-publishing anything right now? Off the top of my head, I think Chris Garrison and Chris Fason have print comics/GN's available (or something ready to print in small #'s if not?) Maybe this idea would encourage others to do a small print run as well.

Even if you don't have any comics ready to distribute, you can help with ideas about the display, or suggesting possible retailers (or talking to any retailer friends you might have, such as the independent coffee shop you go to, etc.) I know we don't usually get much discussion here, but feel free to comment, I'd like to know everyone's thoughts on this, pro or con, or questions etc. Would you be interested in distributing a comic this way? Do you have any ideas for the display, or retailers we might consider? 

Hero Happy Hour: On the Rocks

Our fellow SHC Chris Fason has finished a huge new 85-page volume of Hero Happy Hour comics!  Now available on ComiXology.  He says:

The All-New HERO HAPPY HOUR: ON THE ROCKS original graphic novel is now available on ComiXology! This is a brand new serving of HERO HAPPY HOUR which has not been previously published or featured on the webcomic. Cheers!

Cruse-mas

From our fellow SHC Howard Cruse:

Warm wishes to the whole Salty 'Ham crowd for a great holiday season this year, with a happy new year to follow.

Salty 'Ham Slam 12 - On Reflection

Our twelfth official council was severely pleasant.  We were at the J again, and we had a chipper group: Tim Rocks, Frank Cummings, Tim Spinosi, Ben Faucher, and Ed Abernathy.  And we welcomed first-timers Jennie Cole and Sean Finn.  And non-member guests Fred Jarmon and Brad Strickland.  And there was me, Chris Garrison.

Left to right: Tim Spinosi, Sean Finn, and Frank Cummings. 

Tim Rocks assists aspiring cartoonists by modeling his perfect, cartoony thumb joints ... 

while at the same time eating feta cheese on a rice cake.  Yecch!

Left to right: Fred Jarmon, Ben Faucher, and Brad Strickland.

Jennie Cole, hard at work.  She was dolled up, because she had a hot date after the slam!  True story.

The usually present but seldom photographed Ed Abernathy.

I forgot to take a picture of myself, so just trust me when I say I looked phenomenal.

Everybody discussed computer programming, the looming death of newspaper comics, the foibles of Cartoon Network execs, and all the other stuff cartoonists love to talk about.  Then we got down to some drawing.

Frank Cummings drew this ghoul from Irish folklore: The Snicker-Snee.

Then Frank Cummings drew this disturbing illustration, based on a brutal tale told by Ed Abernathy.

I drew a few quick and lazy caricatures:

Chris Garrison's attempt at Sean Finn.

Chris Garrison's attempt at Ed Abernathy.

 Chris Garrison's attempt at Tim Spinosi.

 Chris Garrison's attempt at Frank Cummings.

And we even tried a couple of comic jams:

Fortune Teller credits:  
panel 1 by Chris Garrison; panel 2 by Tim Spinosi; panel 3 by Tim Rocks; panel 4 by Brad Strickland; panel 5 by Ben Faucher.

Mystery Box credits:

panel 1 by Chris Garrison; panel 2 by Jennie Cole; panel 3 by Fred Jarmon; panel 4 by Sean Finn; panel 5 by Frank Cummings; panel 6 by Chris Garrison.  Why is it that boxes always turn out to have heads in them?

As usual, we snacked on Oreos, Nutter Butters, and Chips, Ahoy! cookies.  Then, Ben and Jennie got into an arm-wrestling match.  Unfortunately she broke both his arms and, inexplicably, one leg!  He was rushed to the nearest hospital.  Well, not rushed, exactly.  Let's just say transported.  For those of you who missed it, you really should have been there!

All tolled, everybody had fun at the slam, and there was much mingling.  So join us, won't you, for the NEXT Salty 'Ham Slam! (as yet unscheduled) (official members and invited guests only, please)

Oh, and you can look back at previous slams, here:

Slam 1

Slam 2

Slam 3

Slam 4

Slam 5

Slam 6

Slam 7

Slam 8

Slam 9

Slam 10
Slam 11

View to a Hill

Welcome another new recruit to the Salty 'Hams roster: Michael Hill!

Salty 'Ham Slam - reminder

Hey, SHC members, don't forget -- Our 12th Salty 'Ham Slam is coming up soon. If you didn't receive your email alerting you to the secret time and place, then please email me.

I'm hoping we'll have a good group this time around, but that can only happen if YOU arrive with bells on. Comment below (or email me) to let us all know if you're coming. Perhaps your enthusiasm will be contagious, encouraging others to show up as well.

Read about the fun we had at SLAM 1, SLAM 2, SLAM 3, SLAM 4, SLAM 5, SLAM 6, SLAM 7, SLAM 8, SLAM 9, SLAM 10, and SLAM 11 -- then imagine that, only better!

... so, who's coming?

Two New Recruits

The number of entries on SaltyHam.org just went up to 73, with the addition of two talented new Salty 'Hams.  Check 'em out!

Hunter Cressall, of Birmingham

Keith Thomson, of Birmingham

But, believe it or not, there are still a huge number of Alabama cartoonists who HAVEN'T joined the Salty 'Ham Cartooneestas!  What's up with that?

Salty 'Ham Slam 12

The twelfth edition of the Salty 'Ham Slam HAS BEEN SCHEDULED!! ... on a secret day, in a secret location.  If you're a member of the Salty 'Ham Cartooneestas, and you haven't gotten an email from me letting you know the particulars, email me: cgarrison[at]bham.rr.com

Heath-mation

Our fellow SHC Heath McPherson has been doing some GORGEOUS animation lately!

12-Gauge Comics in the news

12-Gauge Comics is based in Pelham, Alabama.  I just haven't gotten around to signing publisher Keven Gardner onto the Salty 'Hams roster yet.  Anyway, they just got this nice write-up on al.com.

Our Heroes begins

I've backburnered Zoo Laffs for the time being, to start a new weekly webcomic on Dumm Comics.  It's a PG-rated series about a superhero team.  Get ready for fun, adventure, and chortles, with ... Our Heroes!

I got a lot of help writing Our Heroes from my pal John Walker (who co-invented the Zoo Laffs universe with me).

I'm presenting the comics in pencil form for now, to enable me to put up more panels per week.  Maybe later, I'll ink and color it, or find some fellow artists who want to help pretty it up.  (hint hint, Salty 'Hams)

If you're a fan of Zoo Laffs, don't fret.  Although it's being set aside for now, I fully intend to do more Zoo Laffs stories in the future.  Especially continuing the adventures of Jakey & Sassafras, and Onion Puss & Holly.  But right now, here's a different thing for you!

To start reading the first Our Heroes story from the beginning, go to Gila Riseth - part 1.

magic whistle blog is good

I bring to your attention Sam Henderson's blog. Nice eclectic mix of stuff - recently, his own cartoons, some cartoons scanned from 50s mens mags, and scans of old comics. I particularly liked some old Hannah Barbera comics he wrote in the 90s that were drawn by another artist. I was never a big fan of HB, but there's something about these stories filtered through S.H.'s sensibility that really works for me. They're not particularly "off model", just playful and fun. Makes me want to learn more about the artist. His work looked blandly professional to me at a glance, but when you unpack it it's kind of appealing I thought.

http://www.themagicwhistle.blogspot.com

You Can Never Go Home

This is Part One of Two in the latest installment in my series of koas performances.
No digital effects; all in-camera 16mm film. Soundtrack forthcoming on cassette via Housecraft.
Part Two will be released on the Equinox next Sunday. 

You Can Never Go Home [part 1] from ratigan on Vimeo.

I know this isn't entirely cartoon-related, but you weirdos out there might enjoy it.  :)

Blakin' love, for the very first time

Please welcome to the fold, new Salty 'Ham Blake Showers, with his awesome graffiti-inspired illustration style.

More Caricatures

I've been doing more caricatures, at THE Club's 4th of July party; Altec's Family Fun Day; and Sidewalk's Saturday night After Party, at the Avondale Brewing Company.  Here are 12 of my favorites:

Onion Puss, #1

Onion Puss is now in print.  Add this to your collection!

Issue #1 collects all the Onion Puss strips so far, from my weekly webcomic Zoo Laffs.

Onion Puss is the most wretched little fella you ever saw, and he has terrible luck with girls.  Fun adventures!  In this issue: Onion Puss goes on a wild ghost chase with the elusive Priscilla, the vivacious Holly, and the long dead Elizabeth. (recommended for ages 13 & up ... give or take)

You might have read this online already, but if you buy the print comic, you get

• the wonderful TACTILE sensation of holding the comic in your HAND and turning the PAGES
• the satisfaction that comes with the feeling of OWNERSHIP, and the ability to actually HAVE these comics among the precious THINGS that you have gathered throughout your life
• the warm feeling that comes from ENCOURAGING an artist to keep MAKING stuff, not just for his own personal enjoyment, but for actual monetary RECOMPENSE

Only $2.99.  Order now!  (And while you're at it, you can still pick up Jakey the Jerk, #1, too.)

Collins and Cole

The number of entries on SaltyHam.org just went up to 70, with the addition of two talented new Salty 'Hams.  And they're bringing a little more gender balance to the group, because they're both female girl-persons.  Check 'em out!

Amy Collins, of Florence

Jennie Cole, of Montevallo

But, believe it or not, there are still a huge number of Alabama cartoonists who HAVEN'T joined the Salty 'Ham Cartooneestas!  What's up with that?

Mystery Animals

Here are some illustrations I did for a pal, for a secret project of his.  I can't tell you what it is!

Reacting to the Past - 2012

Here's an illustration I did recently for an educators' workshop at Central Michigan University.  To offset the harsh realities of history, I decided to depict all the characters with pleasant looks on their faces.

The guy in the upper right is Professor Mark Carnes, in the role of Revolutionary War general and statesman John Morin Scott.  Also shown: Frederick Douglass, Berthe Morisot, Emperor Wanli, Cardinal Robert Bellarmine, Emma Goldman, Socrates, Anne Hutchinson, and Jawaharlal Nehru.  As themselves.