The Daily Cartoonist » Licensing

Randy Glasbergen goes global

Alan Gardner — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:55:34 +0000

Randy Glasbergen, one of the most prolific cartoonists in the industry, has several projects that are going to be launching in various places around the world.

Firstly, Randy has signed a 5-year contract with Recycled Paper Greetings (RPG). RPG will be adapting Randy’s single-panel cartoons to greeting card designs for holidays and other occasions.

Randy’s Thin Lines comic panel is currently being used in publications, education and marketing materials for Bally’s Total Fitness, Planet Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Curves, Weight Watchers and TOPS.

He has also illustrated a series of scratch-off lottery cards that are scheduled to go on sale this summer in the UK via The National Lottery. The “Kitty Cash” cards feature 5 of Randy’s dog and cat cartoons and assorted spot drawings.

A number of taxi cabs in New Zealand will soon be featuring Randy’s cartoons on DVD screens. His cartoons will appear on screen along with advertising messages to entertain passengers on trips to and from the airport.

And lastly, Randy’s cartoons and career will be profiled in the July issue of SlapStick magazine.

News Briefs for May 28, 2008

Alan Gardner — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:00:39 +0000

» Peter Parker and Spidey are slated to hit to Broadway in late 2009 or 2010 in a musical directed by Julie Taymor (who won a Tony for her work on “Lion King”) and the music score by Bono and The Edge of U2.

» Garfield will by highlighted in Total Licensing Magazine.

» Andrews McMeel Universal selects Handmark Co-Founder Eric Decetis as Chief Executive Officer of uclick Division”

» Eric Decetis is reportedly making $5 million/year doing cartoons for t-shirts, boxers and greeting cards, etc.

» Mr. Media (AKA Bob Andelman) will interview Jules Feiffer today at 1 p.m.

» Keith Knight will have an exhibit at the San Francisco Cartoon Art Museum.

» Kieran Meehan has confirmed to me that his feature A Lawyer, A Doctor & A Cop will be renamed to Pros and Cons sometime in the month of June.

Correction: Douglas Edwards was named chief executive officer of AMU’s uclick division, effective June 2, 2008, not Eric Decetis.

Dan Piraro launches Bizarro trading cards

Alan Gardner — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:24:53 +0000

Bizarro creator Dan Piraro has announced that he’s getting into the trading card business. The new Bizarro trading cards feature a Bizarro cartoon and some unpublished work and the back of each cartoon is a puzzle piece that once assembled with other cards create a larger 17.5 x 11.5″ puzzle. The first release (or Series 1) will consist of 110 cards total and should be available after April 20th. He’s only pre-selling the cards now.

He writes:

Imagine finding just the right cartoon to lampoon your boss and leaving it anonymously on his/her door at lunchtime. Imagine the thrill you will experience when someone calls and thanks you for sending them a delightful little full-color comic in the mail! Imagine sharing them with your kids and teaching them to be sarcastic and cynical, just like DAN PIRARO! Is this much fun legal? Only one way to find out!

Argyle Sweater inks calendar deal before syndication

Alan Gardner — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:52:41 +0000

In a rare development, the calendar rights to Scott Hilburn’s The Argyle Sweater have been snatched up by Borders even before the comic has entered into print syndication. Borders will sell The Argyle Sweater as one of its top 2009 calendar properties through all of its retail chains and mall kiosks nationwide.

Peanuts specials to be distributed by Warner Home Video

Alan Gardner — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:00:20 +0000

According to Hollywood Reporter, Warner Home Video has become the exclusive worldwide home video distributor of over 50 Peanuts specials. Warner plans to remaster many old classics such as A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, A Charlie Brown Christmas and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The first collectors DVD will be Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown and will be released January 15. The company also plans to produce original shortform content for wireless and video on demand outlets.

(Thanks Mike Rhode for the heads up on this story)

Prince Valiant DVD Set to be released

Alan Gardner — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:05:19 +0000

Prince Valiant fans will be able to pick up volume two DVD set called “The Legend of Prince Valiant-The Complete Series” on January 16. The comic feature was an animated television show between 1991 and 1993 where it featured the voice talent of Robby Benson (Beauty and the Beast), Tim Curry (Rocky Horror Picture Show), Alan Oppenheimer (He-Man), James Avery (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. (Babylon 5). This DVD includes the last 32 episodes of that television show.

Interestingly, the comic feature has also been on the big screen. In 1954, Robert Wagner played the title role and then in 1997 a German production created an English language movie based on the feature.

This DVD will also include interviews, commentaries, storyboard gallery and a booklet and episode guide.

China issues Snoopy stamp

Alan Gardner — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:31:53 +0000

Snoopy has become the first-ever character to be featured on Chinese postage stamp. Last June, China issued the “Dynamic-Happy Snoopy” stamp that depicts Snoopy traveling from Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Jim Unger’s Herman to become Canadian animated series

Alan Gardner — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:44:19 +0000

Teletoon, Canada’s first and only 24 hour cartoon network has entered into an agreement to create an animated series based on Jim Unger’s Herman comic strip that is syndicated by United Media. The article did not specify a timeline.

Dagwood (character) promoting Dagwood Sandwich Shoppe rubs writer wrong way

Alan Gardner — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 13:03:30 +0000

Earlier this summer, I brought you news that Dean Young was going to open up a chain of sandwich shops called “Dagwood’s Sandwich Shoppe” named after the Dagwood character in Blondie.� The first store opened in June.

At least one person is speaking out and questioning the appropriateness of using story lines in the comic that promote the sandwich shop.

But I don’t recall the newspaper strips pitching those products. I would never have known about Young’s plans — inquiries from potential franchisees are welcome! –if I hadn’t gotten on the Internet to do a little research about the Blondie strip.

As a longtime reader (though perhaps not much longer), I can tell you that Dagwood starting his own sandwich place makes absolutely no sense.

What would happen to his boss, the irascible Mr. Dithers, so fond of kicking Dagwood’s backside and denying him raises?

What about the greasy spoon where the cook tries, but usually fails, to shock Dagwood’s cast-iron tastebuds?

And wouldn’t Dagwood be in direct competition with Blondie, who made news herself a few years ago when she started a catering business after seven decades as a lovely young housewife?

Technorati Tags: Blondie, Dean Young

For Better of For Worse family planner now available

Alan Gardner — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 06:46:54 +0000

From the For Better or For Worse blog comes news of a new 16 month family planner to help organize the sometimes hectic family schedules.�

This 16-month organizer will help your family keep track of appointments, special occasions, and schedules for everyone, as well as home maintenance, health and safety, gift giving and vacations, in a flexible planner that you can use in the way that best suits your family. It has a generous amount of Lynn Johnston’s artwork throughout, including hand-picked weekly comics, from then and now, that capture familiar family antics courtesy of the Patterson family.

The planner retails at $18.95(CAD) and can be ordered from the FBOFW online store.

Technorati Tags: For Better or For Worse