THE HELIUM CHALLENGE: IT'S GETTIN' "BIG"!!!

What's this?  A surprise last second post for September?  You better believe it!  You see, few week's back as y'all may remember, I was challenged by my good friend Warren Frantz of the comic Off Season to the Ice Bucket Challenge.  As a joke, I threw it back at Warren on Twitter and challenged him to the "Helium Challenge!"  Well, imagine my shock when two weeks later, Warren not only took me seriously, but also delivered not one but TWO helium challenge strips, calling out fellow cartoonists Ryan Klassen and Kim Belding, who ALSO accepted and in turn challenged others!  So it would appear we got a "Thing" here, and since Warren and Ryan each did two challenges, I decided to hold my end and do another as well!  Enjoy...

Man that Bubble Fox sure gets around!  And those squirrels were so darn mean to that poor chipmunk. Bubble hates bullies and was happy to give those three chumps a "Well-Rounded" lesson in manners!  When it comes to teaching, Bubble always "Rises" to the occasion!

The guest stars of this comic include Ryan Klassen of the hilarious City Folk, the aforementioned Warren Frantz of Off Season and Ben Starzec of Dogs, Ducks And Aliens!  Ben, you're now on the clock, so have fun bud!  So far, the Helium Challenge is up to EIGHT comics in just a week, with more to coming soon!  What, you may ask, is the point of all this?  Nothing!  We're just a bunch of silly cartoonists trying to have fun and raise awareness of cartoon physics

Are you a cartoonist and wanna take part?  Great!  All you gotta do is draw a comic with a helium gag in it, tag it as #HeliumChallenge on your social media platform of choice, and be sure to challenge up to two other cartoonists in the last panel!  You don't have to be challenged to start and there's no time limit, so go nuts!  And, as always, KEEP IT FAMILY FRIENDLY!!!  Other than that, "Expand" your horizons and have a "Gas!"

Anyhoo, here are the links to ALL the Helium Challenge toons so far:

Warren Frantz Off Season 1

Warren Frantz Off Season 2

Ryan Klassen City Folk

Crispin Wood Small Blue Yonder

Kim Belding Picpak Dog

Ben Starzec Dogs, Ducks And Aliens

Note that these are not exactly in order and more are certain to come!  Sometime down the line, I'll likely do a mega post with ALL the Helium Challenges!  It'll be our "Biggest" (And roundest!) post yet!

Anyway, that's all for now.  We'll be back in a few days with a New Mike And Mindy to kick off October.  Until then, Take care and I'll catch y'all later!

WHEN THE LAUGHTER STOPS...

Mere words aren't enough to describe the dreadful feeling I had the second I learned that Robin Williams had passed away.  What made this news even more devastating was that his death came by his own hand.  Robin Williams meant so much to so many.  His humor and imagination were infectious, inspiring anyone who saw one of his movies.  I remember seeing the films Hook and  Aladdin in theaters as a kid and loving every second of them.  I remember seeing Mrs. Doubtfire and laughing so hard I'd be in tears afterward.  I think what struck me most about Mr. Williams was his generosity.  The number of people he helped over the years can't be counted.  There were simply too many.  Everyone from sick children to comedy writers to young stand up comics just needing a pat on the back benefited from the kind heart this larger-than-life man possessed.

I've battled depression on and off for many years.  It's not something you simply shake off.  It can dig a deep pit that'll just eat at you no matter what.  It's hard to know what was going through his mind at the time, but I pray his soul has found some sort of peace.  And I urge any who read this to please seek help if you're depressed.  There's no shame in asking for help.  And although it may not always seem like it, people do care.  Your life matters.  YOU matter.

The piece above is for an auction that Team Cul De Sac founder Chris Sparks has set up to help raise money for Parkinson's Disease research, which Mr. Williams had recently been diagnosed.  I'm not sure when the auction will take place, but rest assured I will keep everyone posted through here and Twitter when the time comes.  Robin Williams made me laugh, he made me smile.  I wanted this piece to reflect that.  So thank you Mr. Williams for being such a funny person.  Thank you for being such a creative person.  But more than that, thank you for being such a good person.  Carpe diem good sir.

-Jon

Well folks, that's all for now.  The silliness returns next week with a New Mike And Mindy comic that will hopefully bring some laughs and smiles your way too.  Until then, take care and I'll catch y'all later.  And be kind to others.  Even the smallest kind gesture can make a difference. 

GUEST WEEK!!! NINJA JOE GETS CRAZY!!!

It's guest week again!  This time, Joe Flanders of the hilarious Web Comic Ninja And Pirate has dropped by!  So let's dive on in and have some "Loud" party fun!

Did I say loud?  I meant controlled!  This may very well be the tamest house party ever!  Love that Gromit is among the revelers!  Kids at school used to think I was weird for knowing what Wallace And Gromit was.  Uncouth Americans!  (I'm one to talk.  I can't even make it through 15 minutes of Doctor Who! )

Joe Flanders is a funny guy.  Strike that.  He's a REALLY funny guy!  His comic, Ninja And Pirate is among the most insanely funny web comics you will find!  The story, as you may have guessed, is about a Ninja and a Pirate and the wacky situations they get into on a regular basis!  From reading gruesome fairy tales to toddlers to ladies learning to be comfortable farting in front of dudes, Joe's hilarious duo have covered a lot of ground!  Joe is also a hell of a nice guy and a very supportive friend!  You need a good laugh?  Then click on the links to Joe's site!  You'll be thankful you did!  Thanks again Joe.  You rock dude!

Well, that's all for this week folks.  We close September on a somber note next week as the CRAZYVERSE pays tribute to a man whose spirit I never thought could be silenced, Robin Williams.  Until then, take care and I'll catch y'all later.

MIKE AND MINDY LET 'EM RIP!!!

And we're back!  Mike and Mindy enjoyed their week long break, as well as seeing others get the brunt of the punishment for a change!  Those two were giggling an awful lot the other day, so I went to see what was up and opened the door.  Big mistake on my part!  Why?  Well, see for yourself...

Not only did they need new clothes after that, they also devastated South San Diego!  The smell lingered for days!  And no, those skull undies AREN'T available for purchase... Yet!  And remember kids, lighting your farts may be hilarious, but it can carry horrible consequences!  Proceed at your own risk!

Well folks, that's all for now.  Next week, we'll have a New Mike And Mindy Guest Comic by the great Joe Flanders of Ninja & Pirate!  If it's anything like his regular toons, it should an epically hilarious strip, so stay 'tooned!"  Until then, take it easy and I'll catch y'all later!

A BUCKET OF GOOD CAUSE!!!

September is here!  Normally, Mike And Mindy would be appearing this week, but thanks to a challenge by my good pal Warren Frantz, the creator of Off Season, I had to change things up a bit.  You see, for a better part of the last three weeks, people the World over are dumping ice water on themselves to help raise awareness and money for ALS research.  Sadly, a skin condition prevents me from dumping ice water on myself (I've gone into shock twice as a kid from jokers who put ice water in a Super Soaker.  Scary stuff.)  Luckily, cartoon me is perfectly healthy (Although with the weather being so bad right now, real me is tempted to risk it!), and raring to go!  So let's do this!

Why oh why did I let that stupid fox help out?  Well, at least we can make a few bucks extra renting Bubble out as an advertising blimp! It's interesting to note that California is in fact in the middle of a crippling drought, leading many towns here asking locals not to do ice bucket challenges due to water shortages.  Luckily, slime is quite plentiful 'round these parts and no, I didn't use slime because Warren's Canadian!  If that were the case, I would've said "I don't know" first!  Anyhoo, the guests in this strip are Gloria and Gayle Golz from the aforementioned Off Season.  After being challenged by his kids, Warren posted a video of himself taking the ice bath and then challenged me, which leads to this cartoon today!  ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a terrible condition that destroys muscles and nerves.  I've lost a neighbor to it and a former coworker battles it right now even.  If you haven't already, checkout ALSA.org to donate and stop the disease in its tracks.  And please don't just dump water on yourself simply because you think it's a viral video fad.  ACTUALLY donate and help a great cause!

Well, that's all for now.  Mike And Mindy will return next week with their most explosive comic ever... LITERALLY!!!  Until then, take it easy, PLEASE help ALS research and donate at ALSA.org and I'll catch y'all later!