Tain’t Funny McGee McPherson
© John McPherson
A New Castle News reader finds no humor in a Close to Home comic:
I no longer “read” The News but scan for something of local or personal interest, such as Dr. Roach’s “Your Health.”
As on Saturday when a “cartoon” of God’s chosen man, Moses, was right beside it. He was just down from the mountain and was holding the Ten Commandments.
What’s next? Joseph and Potiphar’s wife with his coat, Daniel in the Lion’s den or Peter walking on water?
After you’ve lost Trump to degrade, are the next victims to be from our Bible?
Button, Button, You Can Get the Button
© G. B. Trudeau
Earlier we told about the 2021 Saranac Lake Winter Carnival poster,
now comes the news that the buttons have arrived.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee has released two different buttons for this year’s Carnival, designed as always by Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau.
The buttons are collected by residents and visitors every year and have a devoted following of those who enjoy capturing a piece of Winter Carnival history.
Buttons are available through mail order by mailing your request to Barb Martin at P.O. Box 566, Saranac Lake, NY 12983. Make checks payable to Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee.
All buttons cost $5. There is an additional cost for shipping based on quantity of buttons ordered: $4 for one to four, $6 for five to eight, $7 for nine or more. (Mail prices subject to change.)
More details and descriptions at the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
Rae the Doe Meets the Stars
Rae the Doe © Olive Brinker; other characters © King Features Syndicate
Olive Brinker was the latest cartoonist taking a turn on the Flash Forward comic (January 24). I am not sure of the time line, but I’m guessing that guesting on the Flash Forward strip inspired the Rae the Doe dailies for the week of January 4, 2021.
Take Care, Charlie Brown
© Peanuts Worldwide
Mike got the adult Peanuts parody, so we’ll go with a new project aimed at kids here.
Starting today, 14 million elementary school children and their teachers and parents/caregivers will be inspired to “take care” — of themselves, each other, and the planet — thanks to a new partnership between Peanuts Worldwide and GoNoodle, the beloved kids media and technology company.
Take Care With Peanuts draws on themes of wellness, community, and environmental engagement found throughout Charles Schulz’s revered comic strip, and motivates all of us to be good global citizens. The initiative includes philanthropic outreach, social messaging, and educational activities, with children and communities at the heart of each activation.
Throughout 2021, an original short video featuring the Peanuts Gang will be released on GoNoodle monthly, starting with a musical launch by Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, today (January 26).
All the details at Animation Magazine.
Ai yi yi yi
© Frito-Lay
As long as we’re talking animation, let’s go back to a less enlightened time.
Since Fritos is still a trending political topic, we’ll play along … by revisiting the Frito Bandito, the controversial mascot the Frito-Lay company used to market its products from 1967-1971. The mascot, which robbed people of their Fritos at gunpoint, was discontinued after Frito-Lay received complaints about the racist, stereotypical “Mexican bandit” image it was depicting. Here are five facts about the Frito Bandito that you may not have known.
The Latino site Remexcla offers 5 Facts you may not know about The Frito Bandito.
She Does It Her Way
© Terri Libenson
Famed graphic novelist Terri Libenson gives tips on creating a book of your own.
Readers often send me emails and letters asking for writing and illustration advice. Many want to create their own graphic novels. Every aspiring creator is unique and has their own imagination and writing style. But I’ll share what I do and the general steps I take to create a book. Then you can decide if you want to follow this, do some of it, or try it entirely your own way!
Terri reveals the method in her madness.
Where Do You Get Your Ideas?
© Tim Oliphant
In Tim Oliphant’s case it’s real life:
As a child, Oliphant would often go fishing on The Duck River with his friend, Eddy, who insisted they wear life preservers. Although he didn’t want to, he agreed and put on the puffy, uncomfortable vest before the two set down the river. The boys encountered a series of fierce rapids, and Oliphant was knocked from the canoe.
“I couldn’t call,” Oliphant writes in the book. “I couldn’t breathe. I was drifting away and only my face was above water. Without the life vest, I would have drowned.”
In 2014, at age 53, Oliphant woke up just like every other morning, only something didn’t feel right. Thinking he’d pulled a muscle in his sleep, he got up and went to the bathroom, only the pain got worse and he couldn’t breathe. Something was seriously wrong.
Oliphant suffered a series of three heart attacks between 2014-2017.
After being released from the hospital following his last heart attack, he was required to wear a special heart-monitor vest, which would track his heart for any imbalance.
The Daily Herald profiles Mr. Ollie and his new book.
Fritos tried to recapture the lightning at least twice — the Muncha Bunch, three bumbling (American) outlaws whose lead sounded like Yosemite Sam; and then W.C. Fritos, a tribute to Mr. Dunkenfeld. “If you’re gonna have kids, you gotta have Frito’s Corn Chips!”