No. 461: Wise Old Bird & The Great Funny Secret

I just drew a comic for an upcoming Joe Lambert anthology about a vaudevillian bird couple bickering in the wilderness. I didn't realize it while I was drawing it, but I think the comic was loosely inspired by the movie La Strada. Sort of. Here's a panel from it:

If the invited cartoonists are any indication, the anthology will be wet with wonder. I think it's supposed to come out for SPX.

No. 460: Ask Him

No. 459: I Never Asked For This

No. 458: Horror of the Gag

No. 457: Secret Diary Lock & Key

No. 456: I SAID the Future's Dim, Daddy

I've been thinking about the way I approach the blog. If I ever get regular computer access again, you can expect a trickling of images on a regular basis, less obnoxious text. Have to keep those doodle hounds fed.

 

 

Lately I've been finishing up some things for anthologies and comics newspapers, plus I'm deep in Beagle Lake and other things. My room is a boathouse and my overpriced disposable markers are my long, threatening oars.

I've just been reading Walt Holcombe comics and dreaming of beauty! That's the way.

I am also working on a comic book "anthology" (weird word) about the man Walt Disney. If I have not invited you and you'd like to contribute a 1-page 8 1/2 x 11 comic, I would be honored. Please let me know at danenitram@gmail.com, and we'll discuss. Pay is nothing and prestige is low.

Thanks.

No. 455: Maybe It Is Possible To Chart the Ways To A Golden Horizon

A couple of weeks ago, I had a visit with my old pal/co-worker/fellow cartoonist Kubby Bear, and she gave me a copy of her minicomic Clare. It really left a deep impression on me. I think about it a lot.

The characters are great and full and real. Clare is an "innocent," my favorite type of comics character. He is pure. He strives for what is right. I should probably stop, though. It doesn't feel right to "review" this comic. I'm not sure what to say about it. I just wanted to stress that it is something special, one of the best minicomics I've ever read. The spread of pages 8 and 9 is a remarkable thing. I can completely relate to Clare in that moment -- and many others in the comic.

Clare is a romantical, magical thing that deals with subjects that I dearly love. It is tender, smart, and poetical. It's graceful and just feels "right." It doesn't feel like a damaged person created it. It could possibly serve as a strange, jumbled, weirdly accurate reflection on the experience of attending the Center for Cartoon Studies, but I would hate to force that onto it. ("I didn't come here thinking I'd be the next Peony Cartwright, and I feel sorry for anyone that does!")

Anyway, Claire #1. I'm not sure where you can find one, but if you do happen to see it, make sure you buy it immediately. In a more beautiful world, this would be what all the comics boys are talking about, and you could buy it at Borders next to Wilson.

(Photo and subject line were stolen from Kubby herself.)

No. 454: Don't Show Aunt the Doodles