2012 IS AT AN END. CELEBRATE WITH THE CRAZY MVP'S!!!

Well, 2012 has come to an end.  And we're all still here!  So I thought we'd all celebrate the coming year, as well as the end of the Christmas Overload, by showcasing the MVP's of the first three CRAZY CARTOON EXPERIMENTS!

The criteria for judging was simple: Whoever got the most buzz got the accolades!  I picked the winners based off of the feedback I received.  And after much deliberation and studying, I can say without question that these lucky few stood out among others.  So with no further delay, I present the MVP's!

CRAZY CARTOON EXPERIMENT MVP: CAANAN GRALL, Creator Max Overacts

THEME: HELIUM-FILLED DOG FLOATING PRECARIOUSLY CLOSE TO A CACTUS

  

This piece was hands down the most popular among fellow CCE participants and CRAZYVERSE faithful!  None of us could get over the awesome angle and perspective he depicted his puffed pooch at!  I freely admit to being jealous after seeing this and pray to be at Caanan's level someday!  Congrats buddy!

I should note that honorable mentions go to Kim Belding, Alex Callard, Shawn Granger and Austin Verburg as their entries were very popular as well.  Be proud fellas!  You helped make this experiment a success!

CRAZY CARTOON EXPERIMENT 2 MVP: JASON PLATT, Creator Mister And Me

THEME: THE GREAT PUMPKIN 

The CCE2 had many great entries, but none nailed it better than this heart-warmer that made everybody who saw it misty-eyed.  I knew when I got this one that Jason had stolen the show, and every other participant agreed with me!  So congrats to the jack of all trades from the Great White North!  You're the only unanimous MVP!

CRAZY CHRISTMAS EXPERIMENT MVP: TIE! TIM GREEN, Creator Vinnie The Vampire, and Simon McLaren, Creator Bullet Paw

THEME: WHAT IF FROSTY THE SNOWMAN WERE REAL?

That's right!  We had two!  The feedback was far too close to determine a clear winner, so the MVP award will simply have to be shared this time around!  Tim's hysterical piece revealing the likely response to a living snowman had many cracking up!  Some comics you just know are special the moment you read 'em, and this is certainly one of them!  Congrats on job well done Tim!

I really didn't think anybody could top Tim's piece, buy my English pal, Simon McLaren certainly made a good case!  The last panel especially just killed me!  Many others loved this strip, as I got a TON of great feedback on Twitter about it!  When it came right down to it, both strips were amazing and unbelievably funny.  So Simon also gets MVP honors!  Congrats!

And now, because the year is through, let's end this sucker on a high note!  I'll let Dee Snider take it from here!

What more can really be said here?  This video is Ass Kicking amplified to 11!

Well, so ends another year.  All in all, 2012 was pretty good.  Many highs and, of course, a few lows.  But still, I'm thankful to be alive, I'm thankful to have a job and thankful to have garnered an audience! Creatively speaking, I made huge strides this year.  I got my book out, exhibited at two conventions, did some guest strips for other artists and made many new friends in the cartooning community!  And although things in my professional life haven't been as smooth as I'd like, I did make Journeyman this year, becoming among the youngest to ever do so in my Local.  And I got to be on stage with Peter Gabriel!  If I died right now, I'd at least feel somewhat fulfilled!  So goodbye 2012.  May your Doomsday hype be laughed at someday!

That'll do it for this year folks!  I'll be back in 2013, kicking the new year off with an all new adventure from Mike And Mindy as they begin a Five-Part epic that showcases their toughest challenge yet: GETTING TO SCHOOL ON TIME!  There will also be a new Mushrooms that may leave you in a "Sticky" situation!  So take care and have a safe and Happy New Year!  And try not to party TOO hard out there!  See y'all in '13!

MORK, ER, MIKE AND MINDY GET "WEIRD"!!!

It's time for Christmas!  So today, I present a very special post for everybody, an early Christmas present of sorts to celebrate the World NOT ending!  Mike and Mindy decided to visit some pals this holiday season, and, well, it all took a turn towards the WEIRD...

Dawn Griffin is the brilliant creator of the outrageous and hilarious web comic, Zorphbert and Fred.  For those of you unfamiliar with this great strip, it's the tale of two aliens disguised as dogs sent to Earth to study humanity!  Dawn has become a very good friend and even asked me to do a Guest Strip for her this past Summer, which you can check out here!  

Recently, Dawn did a whole slew of strips paying homage to A Christmas Story, one of which being this CRAZYVERSE-exclusive crossover comic that has Z&F regular, The Weird Kid, hanging out with the "Silent Twosome," Mike and Mindy!  I must say, the Weird Kid's mom must be pretty darn desperate if she has to hire THEM to be his friends!  From Weird Kid getting Mike's name wrong to Mindy being a bit smitten by her new pal (It's the hair! Mindy likes dudes with spikes!), this arrangement seemed doomed from the start!  But cheer up Weird One.  At least you got some Ovaltine to ease your sorrows!  And besides, Mike and Mindy might not be the best company.  They get jealous VERY easily!

I absolutely love Dawn's interpretation of Mike and Mindy.  They look so darn cute in that strip!  And her writing is simply genius.  Her comics remind me so much of Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes. Dawn's artistic style is also very unique.  I really can't compare it to anybody else's.  She truly is in a class of her own.  When I got this comic, I couldn't stop smiling! (My face is still sore!)  I feel so honored to have Dawn as a friend and fan.  Thanks again bud!  Zorphie, Fred, their "Owners" and the Weird Kid are always welcome to come over and "Play" with Mike and Mindy! 

Well, that's it.  I'll be back next time to announce the MVP's of all three of the CRAZY CARTOON EXPERIMENTS!  It's the last post of 2012, so maybe I'll toss in a few extra surprises as well!  In the meantime, PLEASE take some time and give to a charity while you still can.  Christmas is just a couple of days away.  There's still time!  Make the Holidays special for those who need it.  Y'all take care and have a safe, fun, healthy and, of course, a very Merry Christmas!  

FROSTY'S BACK!!! THE CCE CONTINUES!!!

Welcome to Part 2 of the CRAZY CHRISTMAS EXPERIMENT!  We got some more great entries in to put the final touches on this holiday CRAZINESS!  So sit back, strap on your snow boots and get ready to enjoy the show!  Frosty's here and ready to get this party started!

First up, Flatland creator Naomi Jardine, who did this strip showing the danger of falling asleep during a snow storm!  Gotta wonder if the Original Frosty was inspired by a similar event?

 Making his CCE debut is Casey At The Bat creator Bob Glasscock, who envisions Frosty being used as a tool to help pick up some ladies!  I can see how keeping the drinks chilled would be a benefit, but seriously, a puppy works far better!

 Next, Austin's Inferno creator Austin Verburg is back for his Third go around in the CCE!  Austin took his inspiration from the recent Man Of Steel poster, the Superman revamp that'll no doubt be WAY more violent than it needs to be because Zack Snyder's directing it!  Even so, the thought of Frosty being arrested is quite believable. Let's face it, If he really existed, he probably WOULD get locked up for being a grown (Snow)Man that plays with children!

 Daddy's Girls Cartoonist and Three-Time CCE Superstar Shawn Granger is back with yet another gem!  With a dog involved, you gotta wonder if the dreaded "Yellow Snow" will eventually come into play here?  I give Shawn a ton of credit. I initially wasn't going to do a Holiday-themed CCE, but he talked me into it, and I'm glad he did!  Honestly now, look at all the fun we've had with this!  Thanks again Shawn!  You are the Guardian Angel of the CRAZY CARTOON EXPERIMENT!

 Next up, a CCE newcomer! Carlo Jose San Juan of Callous Comics sends us this piece showing that Frosty coming to life would no doubt be a mixed bag of emotions as everybody seems to have a different take on it!  I like how the adults are in black and white and the kids are in color.  It's like the kids have enough innocence left to still suspend disbelief.

 Frank Haba of Jailhouse Comics is back with a literally wicked take on how Frosty came to life!  After all, if robotics and magic can't bring Frosty to life, than Witchcraft's your last option!  So all hail Cthulhu Frosty!

 Making his return to the CCE is Power Theater's Alex Callard!  Here, he take a theoretical approach as to whether or not that happy, jolly soul really exists.  Perhaps there WAS some magic in that Old Silk Hat!  For a better look, click the link above.

 Next up, me good chum Simon McLaren offers up this all-too real piece showing how Frosty deals not only with the effects of Global Warming, but a society that just plain doesn't give a damn anymore! I swear I spent ten minutes laughing at the "Skateboarding Cats" panel!  Guess I shouldn't have been surprised from the Man who's totally killed it in the last two CCE's!  Too funny!

 Hannes Smit of jolly old England (And The Wizzo) sent in this bit showing a couple of hopeful tykes that are still willing to believe!  Who knows?  Perhaps a Christmas miracle is in store!

 Next up, my little "Brother" from across the pond, Wizzo Founder Harry Rickard, sent in this heart-warmer showing Frosty as a sad soul who just wants to have some fun and getting his wish granted by a kind Fairy.  Hmmm... This sounds awfully familiar.  memo to Frosty: Steer clear of ANY anthropomorphic Foxes and Cats.  They may steer you the wrong way!

   

Next up, English cartoonist and CCE newcomer Nathan Viney of the Web Comic Tomothy and Pals gives us this VERY realistic version of Frosty the Snowman!  Apparently, Frosty wondered into Arizona or something!  Somebody better get a mop!

And last but not least, Life... After Death creator Carlo Ostrout rounds out the Experiment with this take that shows Frosty being far more aggressive than we've know him to be!  Perhaps THIS Frosty was made in New York!

Well folks, that does it for this round of the CCE!  We had a lot of great submissions and a lot of variation!  We also had some international flair as many friends from England, Canada, even Puerto Rico stopped by to have some fun here!  Only cartooning can bring folks together in such a manner!  I'm quite proud of the effort and hope that everybody enjoys reading these as much as we all enjoyed creating them!  

With that said, be sure to tweet me or leave comments as to WHO you'd like to see be named MVP of the CRAZY CHRISTMAS EXPERIMENT!  We'll have the results next week, along with the MVP's of the first two CCE's!  Your voice matters, so let it be heard!

Alright folks, that's all for now!  I got a very SPECIAL post coming on Sunday, so stay "'Tooned!"  In the meantime, take care and PLEASE take some time and donate to the needy this Holiday season.  There's still time to do so and every bit helps, even if it's just a dollar in a Salvation Army bucket.  Make a difference this Christmas.  Until next time, I'll catch y'all later!  

IT'S THE CRAZY CHRISTMAS EXPERIMENT!!!

 Merry Christmas everyone!  The Holidays are getting ever so closer and what better way to celebrate than with another round of the popular Crazy Cartoon Experiment!  This time around, we went with a Holiday-themed Experiment focusing on Christmas' ultimate "B" Lister, Frosty the Snowman!  The theme was What if Frosty the Snowman Were Real?  Well, some of my pals in the web comics community were more than happy to jump on board with this one, so let's see how folks would really react if that jolly soul really came to laugh and play!  Let the Crazy Christmas Experiment commence!

 First up is new comer Chris Wilson of England!  Another WIZZO artist, he envisioned Frosty being targeted by a bunch of hooligans!  Damn kids!  Chris was the first one to finish this time and totally killed it! Way to go!

 Up next, Vinnie the Vampire creator Tim Green makes his CCE debut with this hilarious take that shows the most likely reaction if Frosty were to suddenly come to life!  The really crazy part about this one is that I myself almost did something similar!  It's wild how alike some of us think.  Guess that's why it's an experiment!

 My CRAZY Canadian brother, Offseason creator Warren Frantz, did this one!  Instead of being scared of Frosty, he realized that the Snowman's tremendous girth could be a huge advantage at the hockey rink!  Frosty's width would make it tough to score on him!  Unfortunately, another harsh reality of life creeps in: The Stanley Cup Finals don't happen until early Summer!

 Next up is another CCE newcomer, Tomversation creator Tom Falco!  Tom envisioned that Frosty is still a jolly soul and would probably just dance his way into society!  He seems to be fitting in quite well.  He even found himself a cute Snowgirl!  

 How good is Zorphbert and Fred creator Dawn Griffin?  She had her submission done a full year before I even thought up the current CCE!  I swear Dawn you're like Prof. X or something!  As you can see, Dawn's Frosty has a bit of a mean streak to him!  A snowman with butt cheeks... What more can really be said about that?

 Well, you all waited patiently, so here it is, My entry into the CCE (Not to mention the latest Mushrooms)!  Frosty's discovered by a pair of Fratboys who decide to introduce Frosty to the brotherhood that is a College Fraternity!  I had to flip a coin on whether to do this idea or my other one.  I'm kinda glad this one won out, especially after I got Tim Green's submission!  I kinda feel bad for going gross in the last panel, but since I went sappy in the last Mike and Mindy, I think it all evens out.

 Kim Belding of Picpak Dog knocks another one out of the park as he envisions Frosty trying to see the World, and learning that there are some places a snowman just shouldn't go!  I feel so bad for that poor lady sitting next to him.  I think she got a bigger jolt than ol' Frosty there!

 Beep Club creator Owen MacRae makes his CCE debut with a more practical way that Frosty could come to life!  Since there is no such thing as a magic hat, robotics are used to bring Frosty amongst the living!  Given the blasters, I think it's safe to assume that a scientist of the "Mad" variety was involved here!

Next up, the lovely, beautiful and ever so charming Michelle Hernandez of Kat Daycare sent in this whimsical piece that shows Frosty living it up with a few friends!  And best of all, FROSTY HAS ICE CREAM!!!  When I saw this, it reminded me of that old Snowman cartoon from Britain.  Michelle has such a beautiful style.  She adds so much to the CCE.

Last but not least, the Grand Poobah of the Buns and Wieners Society, Crashsuit, sent in this animated masterpiece.  Poor Frosty finally comes to life, only to forget that Hot Coffee and Ice are a bad mix!  I've often said that Starbucks is an evil corporation.  This cartoon is living proof!  I urge all of you to boycott these Snowman Murderers now! 

And thus concludes Part 1 of our Christmas fun!  So far, it's been a pretty amazing selection, with hardly any similarities!  You know, this isn't a competition, but I do feel some MVP awards need to be given out!  So in two weeks, I'll announce the MVP's for all of the CCE's thus far!  So PLEASE leave comments or tweet me your feedback!  Your voice matters!

Well, that's all for now!  I'll be back next time with Part 2 of the Crazy Christmas Experiment and some more "Frosty" fun!  And I would once again like to urge ALL of you to please give this Holiday season.  There's plenty of time and lot's of suitable charities.  Please don't let a child go without this Christmas.  Donate today!  Take care and I'll catch y'all later!

MIKE AND MINDY: THE BEST GIFTS!!!

Ho ho ho!!!  It's that time a year again!  Okay, it's actually been THAT time a year since September when all the stores started rolling out Christmas decorations, but now that it's actually December, I can REALLY get into the mood!  And you know what'd make a great Christmas Present?  My new book, Fork In The Road: The Crazy Collection Vol. 1!  So click on the link directly to the right of the Dancing Asparagus and pick up a copy today!  (Please forgive this shameless plug, but I really believe in my book!)

And for those of you curious about that Dancing Asparagus that appears in Mike and Mindy's Christmas Card, he's actually a character I did in a few comics for the Buns And Wiener Society's JAM COMICS.  If you'd like to learn more, click here, here and here!

And now, it's time for some Christmas 'toons!  So here, doing something a little different this time, are Mike and Mindy!  Enjoy...

Awe... Doesn't that make you feel all warm inside?  It's called doing the right thing.  And I think Mike got a pretty good reward for his generosity!  Yeah, I know, I've gone all soft on all y'all!  But hey, it's Christmas isn't it?  Even Mike and Mindy are in the spirit of giving!  I hope this shows that even I can do comics that actually mean something every once in a while.

Mushrooms will be pre-empted this week, as it will be a part of next week's Crazy Christmas Experiment!  Yep, I've got another one going and I've already received several of the submissions!  All I've got to say about the new CCE is that it's a REAL "Frosty" one!  So tune in next week to catch all the "Cool" hijinks!  In the meantime, enjoy this piece I did for the San Diego Blood Bank!

So Mike and Mindy decided to do their part and help out others this year by donating blood.  Unfortunately, the Nurse was new and didn't know when to stop!  It's the the thought that counts though, right?  I'm just so proud of those tykes for finally thinking of others for a change.  And to think, I always thought those kids were full of hot air!  I've heard of "Flatlining" but this is ridiculous!

Every year, the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Blood Bank hold a blood drive to help get blood for Hospitals.  As a thank you, food and entertainment are provided for the donors, one of which are caricatures.  As a member of the Southern California Cartoonists Society, I went there to draw some pics for the donors.  Truth be told, most weren't really interested in being drawn, but I did do a few, including a 'toon for a boy named Aidan who'd actually been saved as a result of these Blood Drives!  All in all, it was a fun time and a great opportunity to meet and draw with other artists, including Greg Evans (Luann) and my good friend Batton Lash (Archie Comics, Supernatural law).  Hopefully, I'll be able to do it again next year!

Well, that's all for this week.  I'll be back next time with a BRAND NEW edition of the CCE, this time dubbed the Crazy Christmas Experiment!  In the meantime, please take some time this Holiday Season and think of others.  There are so many children that won't get anything when Christmas morning comes or even get to eat that night.  I urge anyone that follows this blog to please donate to local food and toy drives.  Help make Christmas special for someone in need.  Take care and I'll catch y'all later!