Wednesday, December 27, 2023

HAPPY 2024 CRAZIES!!! MAY IT NOT BE THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL!!!

It's that time again folks.  Christmas may be over, but there's still enough of that residual happiness to keep us through to New Year's Day at least.  Obviously, 2023 was a bit of a mixed bag for most of us, as Mike and Mindy are so cheekily demonstrating.  It certainly wasn't a highlight year for me.  Quite few downs actually.  But like I told my doctor over a decade ago when I had a near lethal bout with pneumonia: I'm too damn stubborn to quit!  We made it through and have a fresh start come Monday.  So let's all pledge to make 2024 a good year full of happiness and healing.  Seriously, I turn 40 in April.  I gotta have SOMETHING other than that to look forward to! 

And that's a wrap on December and 2023!  January's gonna be a fun month folks as our annual Fight Against Inflation returns with more art over-pumped with hilarity!  It's also the 10th Anniversary of Bubble Fox, so be sure to come back and learn all about the celebration of the CRAZIEST Fox in comics!  Until next time, take care and please be safe on New Year's Eve.  Be smart with how you celebrate.  Alcohol and firearms are a very bad mix and we all wanna go far into the new year.  Until then, I'll catch y'all later and Happy New Year!

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

MERRY CHRISTMAS CRAZIES!!! FROM BUBBLE FOX AND PALS!!!

 

T'was the post before Christmas and all through the house
Only one CRAZY was stirring as he tried to catch a mouse!
His cat lay calm atop the cable box with ease
While his disheveled master chased a rodent with no aim to please!

True story folks, a few weeks ago a little mouse got into my home and was literally coming out into the open with not a care in the world while my cat just looked at him like "That's not a moth or a lizard, so it ain't my concern!"  Lazy furry bastard!  Before anyone worries, I did manage to catch the mouse, after it walked RIGHT up to me, and I set him loose in a field miles away from my home.  Hopefully he's happily living with his rabbit and gopher friends!

Gonna try to keep things short today folks.  We're days away from Santa's arrival and I'm knee deep in cookie dough with deliveries to make!  Hope y'all like this year's Christmas art.  Used colored pencils and though I like how it came out, one shade of blue just isn't working for me.  I'll just have to try harder next time.  Anyway, enjoy...

Even I like to get toony from time to time, though in reality, I actually don't like eggnog or alcohol for that matter.  When I was little, I mistook eggnog for milk and never got over it!  As far as alcohol's concerned, it's not a straight-edge or moral thing.  I simply never developed a taste for it.  I have relatives that think there's something wrong with me because I've never been drunk before.  Guess I'll just have to take their word for it.

And so we've reached another Christmas my CRAZIES.  Next week, we'll be back to bring up the rear of 2023 and make sure that 2024 won't be the butt of the joke, so be sure to come back and see what's cooking!  As we approach Christmas Day, there is still time to help those in need!  Please help others by donating to food, clothing and toy drives not only this holiday season, but all year long.  It really does not take much to help those less fortunate.  Anyway dear readers, please have a happy and SAFE holiday with your friends and loved ones.  Until next time, I'll catch y'all later and merry Christmas!

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

MINDY... SLEDDING QUEEN!!!

We are back CRAZIES and halfway to Christmas already!  Time really does fly doesn't it?  By the time this posts, I'll have just finished an insane run at work and will be hopefully gearing up for my annual Knott's Berry Farm Christmas trip!  Longtime readers know that I am HUGE theme park fan!  Living in Southern California certainly helps as there's quite a few to choose from between San Diego and Los Angeles.  Knott's was among the first theme parks ever and has such a unique history to it as it happened all organically as opposed to being planned.  It's always a fun time there, but Christmas time at Knott's is especially something else.  It's like stepping into Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas!  But that's a tale for another day.  Y'all came to look at art, and I got some!  Enjoy...

This kids is why your mom always wants you wearing cleaning underwear.  You never know WHAT circumstance might pop up.  Also, be careful when sledding.  Snow can really get deep!  This was another piece from my first foray into illo_advent back in 2016.  For those that don't know, illo-advent is simply an art-inspired Advent calendar where a new holiday-themed drawing is posted every day between December 1 and Christmas Day.  It can be a challenge for sure and in recent years, I've gone to having a theme to go along with it and it's helped immensely!  One of those themes even became my first picture book, Wendy's Christmas Chaos (Available on Amazon folks!) and will eventually result in another!  For those on BlueSky as well as what's left of Twitter, this year's theme is the Christmas Pageant Players, and it's been a LOT of fun so far! 

Well, another week down as we edge closer to Christmas, but don't fret!  Next week is a double dose of CRAZY to make sure we head into the holiday weekend properly!  Also, Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate as tomorrow's the last night!  Save some latkes and jelly donuts for me!  And remember dear readers to please think of others this holiday season.  Many are in need, so please help by donating to food, clothing and toy drives if you can.  It does not take much to help those less fortunate.  Until next time, take care3, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

O' CHRISTMAS TREE, O' CHRISTMAS TREE!!!

Welcome to December CRAZIES!!!  The Holiday Season is in full swing and we are as busy as Santa's elves here at the CRAZYVERSE!!!  I'm not kidding, this is usually our slow period at the day job, but since coming back from the pandemic, we've been busier than ever at the Convention Center and surrounding hotels!  It doesn't leave much time for holiday fun, but does ease the stress of worrying about paying for things, that's for sure!  But enough about that!  Y'all want art, and I got some!  It's not my best, but it's still here!  Enjoy...

Traveling back to 2016, and my first attempt at illo_advent, I give you this humble Christmas tree!  It's not my best art by any means and if I had to guess, I probably scribbled this right before bed on a work night.  That will typically be the case with my art collective pieces.  If it's VERY simple in appearance, it's because I didn't have much time to work on it.  In that same vein though, some of my most popular pieces have been among my most simple, while the stuff I really put effort in fell by the wayside.  Eye of the beholder I suppose.

And that's all for this first Wednesday in December, but fear not!  We'll be back next week with some seasonal art that will keep those cheeks rosy for sure!  I would also like to wish a Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate and remind my friends and readers of all faiths that this is the season to give, so please help others and donate to food, clothing and toy drives this holiday season.  It does not take much to help those less fortunate.  Until next time, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

WELCOME TO CHRISTMAS CRAZIES!!! BOMBS AWAY!!!

Welcome to December CRAZIES!!!  At least, that's what I would be saying if it actually were December, which starts Friday.  This would be so much easier if they just put Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November like they used to.  The only reason it moved to the 4th Thursday of the month was to extend the holiday shopping season, which already spreads into October now, so why bother?  Well, now that today's history lesson and rant session is over, shall we get to the art?  Splendid!  Enjoy...

Aw Christmas.  A time to laugh.  A time to love.  A time to make wishes to Santa Claus that will land you on the naughty list for life!  Sorry kids.  I know school is kind of a drag, but education is important, especially now more than ever!  So please stop asking Santa to destroy your school every year!  He ain't gonna do it and frankly, he's running out of coal!  Today's art came from a new art collective I discovered
over the summer called Seymour Draw More.  The themes were a lot of fun and really resulted in some of the best art I've ever done, and even gave me ideas for a few prints to sell!  The art above is also serving as my Christmas card art on RedBubble this for 2023, so be sure to look me up under JonsCrazyShirts and pick a few up to send to your friends and loved ones, heck maybe even your enemies might get a kick out of them!

And that's a wrap on November 2023!  Only one more month to go this year, and it just happens to be the most festive month of them all, so be sure to come back next week for some more holiday fun!  And as it is the Christmas season, please think of other this year.  Donations of food, clothes and toys are always needed and welcomed at many places, so please help make the holidays happen for those who need it most!  Until next time, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

TOM TURKEY: BLASTING OFF TO ANOTHER TURKEY DAY!!!

Welcome back CRAZIES!!!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOO HOO HOO!!!  We've reached it!  We've finally reached TURKEY DAY!!!  So excited for a nice big feast tomorrow, though I'm likely up to my elbows in cornbread dressing right now (It's an all-day process folks!) while also starting my own personal MST3K Turkey Day marathon of all Joel episodes!  But enough about that.  We've already seen our first parade balloon of the season, so why not see how things turned out for Tom Turkey and the Brat Twins?  Enjoy...

As predicted, the Brat Twins fart bags went KABOOM after Tom Turkey threw a lit match into the hen house!  When they eventually land, will the Billy and Dorothy Brat FINALLY learn their lesson and quit trying to eat Tom Turkey?  Probably not, but it really all depends on whether or not I come up with another idea to keep the story going, so who knows?  I guess we'll find out next year!

And that's a wrap on another chapter of the Tricky Tales Of Tom Turkey!  I hope you enjoyed it, despite the really lowbrow nature of the Brat Twins' plan.  Hopefully they'll all be back next year for more cartoony fun!  Next week, we'll kick off holidays the right way with every kid's Christmas wish!  Until then, take care, stay healthy and have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!  And for those braving the Black Friday crowds... Heaven help you!  Catch h y'all later!

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

TOM TURKEY, LIGHTING THE WAY!!!

We are back CRAZIES!!!  Only one week to go before we gorge ourselves on the feast honoring an incredibly stupid bird!  But that's neither here nor there.  As excited as I am for the Turkey Day feast, I have responsibilities to my audience that may or may not exist, so it's time for some art!

First up, tomorrow, on what's left of Twitter, Jennifer Cuthbert and I will be host the 3rd Annual CRAZIES Day Parade!  It's a lively and fun event that has inspired several other holiday-themed events throughout the year!  This one is pretty simple: Inflate your original characters into hilarious parade balloons and post them on Twitter!  (I absolutely refuse to call it by it's new name. Piss off Elon!)  This year, Clover gets the "Honors' of being pumped up beyond her limits and floated high above the cartoon streets, with Picpak Dog and Sunny the Vampire floating off in the distance!  After the way she bossed everyone around at last year's parade, Clover's promotion seemed very fitting!  I hope you, the CRAZY faithful, enjoyed this first look at this year's float before it posts on Twitter tomorrow and eventually BlueSky afterwards!  And now...  

The Brat Twins plan to launch chemical warfare upon one Thomas J. Turkey, Esq.  Granted, the chemicals are home-brewed, but those are some of the worst!  Tom, however, has spotted them and their fart bags.  Does the wily turkey have a plan?  Scroll down and see!  Enjoy...

A lit match in small quarters where bags containing enormous quantities of methane gas are being released...  There's pretty much only one direction where this can go.  Will Tom Turkey make it out of the blast zone in time?  Come back next week and see how it all ends!

Well, one week to go before Thanksgiving!  But don't worry, we are gonna have a LOT of fun on the eve of Turkey Day, including the finale of this year's Tom Turkey Tale!  So be sure to come back and have some fun with all your CRAZY pals!  Until then, take care, stay safe, donate to a food/toy/clothing shelter this season and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

TOM TURKEY AND THE BRAT TWINS... FULL OF MORE GAS THAN THAN CONGRESS!!!

We are back CRAZIES, and inching closer to Turkey Day!  But that's something we will just have to keep waiting patiently for, though, admittedly, I've likely already bought my supplies for Thanksgiving night.  I prefer not to dilly dally on that because, well, you ever made a mad dash to a South San Diego grocery store Thanksgiving morning because your fudge didn't turn out?  Believe me, it ain't a pretty sight!  But enough about that!  It's time for some art!

Last week, the Brat Twins were loaded up on gas-inducing foods and trapping their farts in bags.  What are those nasty naughty knuckleheads planning?  Scroll down and see!  Enjoy...

Oh my.  This is vile even by THEIR standards!  Hotboxing an already foul environment is just plain overkill!  Then again, they've suffered a lot at the hands of Ol' Tom Turkey, so maybe their foul attack on the fowl is justified?  Two wrongs don't typically make a right, and it looks like that tricky turkey is already on to the little terrors' scheme.  Also, who knew Tom Turkey had a law degree?  Can our hero pop the Brat Twins fart bags before getting gassed out himself, or is he doomed to be sniffing air biscuits all night?  Come back next week and see!

Another week down as we get closer to the big day, but we got plenty of fun in store until then, so be sure to come back next week and see if Tom Turkey can pull one over on the Brat Twins again!  In the mean time, take care, stay safe, donate to a local, food, toy or clothing drive and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

TOM TURKEY RETURNS!!! AND IT'S A "GAS!!!"

Welcome to November CRAZIES!!!  Hard to believe a few hours ago we were all reveling in the Halloween spirit.  But now, the time has come to honor a tried and true main course: TURKEY!!!  That's right CRAZIES, my favorite holiday of the year is back!  THANKSGIVING, or Turkey Day if you're Mystie like me!  Boy oh boy and I can already feel my arteries clogging just thinking about it all!  But, we still got a few weeks to go before the big day comes, so we'll just have to be patient and tie ourselves over with some art!

That wily old trotter, Tom Turkey, is back!  He's been doing a solid job of avoiding the Brat Twins' dinner table for four years now.  Does he have the gumption to make it five?  Scroll down and see how it all starts!  Enjoy...

Billy and Dorothy Brat are back and more full of hot air than usual... Quite literally!  Farting is a funny if not gross habit, but collecting their farts?  That's a whole new level of disgusting!  What on Earth could these vile tykes be planning this time?  You'll have to come back next week and see!

Well, we are now fully into the Holiday Season, which seems to start earlier every year, but it's a good feeling that leads to some good times, so be sure to come back next week and see what those dastardly Brat Twins do next!  Speaking of good things, many food, clothing and toy banks are now opening up as the holidays approach.  As I do every year, I urge you, the CRAZY faithful, to donate this season.  Every little bit helps and it really doesn't take much to make the holidays happen for those in need.  Until next time, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!  

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2023 CRAZIES!!! BEWARE THE GREGARIOUS GOURD!!!

 

We've reached it CRAZIES!!!  We've reached Halloween!  Well, almost.  Still got six days to go.  But that's close enough!  The Gregarious Gourd is certainly ready for it!  What's that?  You've never heard of the Gregarious Gourd?!?  Well boy are you in luck, because I happen to be an expert, and there's still time to prepare!  Nobody knows where he came from or the method behind his madness, but every Halloween, the Gregarious Gourd visits numerous pumpkin patches, searching out those who have summoned him and rewarding those who've brought him an offering, even a simple one.  However, those who foolishly summon him empty-handed are punished by a bombardment of tricks worse than any fraternity initiation! The Gregarious Gourd's time is precious, and takes his job seriously.  So be prepared if you want to summon him!

Okay, now that story time is over, it's time to get to this week's art!  Not quite as pretty as the piece above, but in 2017, I didn't know how to use colored pencils properly, so cut me some slack!  Anyway, here's the finale for October!  Enjoy...

Kamaji has many responsibilities in the film Spirited Away, but in his off time, he just wants to relax and jam on some consoles!  Three at once is certainly impressive and he's also a master at trolling ten-year-olds on Twitch!  Another entry from Animal Alphabets, this one was a lot of fun to draw.  Lots of odd shapes, twists and poses which I'm always down for!  Certainly helps that the movie is loaded with bizarre and imaginative characters that practically scream for fan art to one made!

That's a wrap on October 2023 CRAZIES!!!  Another month that seems to have blown through quicker than the Santa Ana winds, but never fear!  We got more fun starting next week as that wily old trickster, Tom Turkey, makes his return for even more battles with those dastardly, but less-than-bright Brat Twins!  The countdown to Turkey Day starts in seven days, so be sure to come back and check it out!  Until then take care, stay safe and watch out for the little ones on Halloween night.  It's gonna be dark out and some costumes stand out better than others, so always be careful.  Catch y'all later!

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

NOW YA SEE HIM...

Welcome back CRAZIES!!!  We are getting closer and closer to All Hallows Eve!  I can almost smell the lit candles that signal glowing Jack-O-Lanterns!  But enough about that!  Art beckons!  Spooky art!  Suspiciously spooky art even!  Art so spooky, you're not even sure if you're seeing it or not!  Don't believe me?  Scroll down and see for yourself!  Enjoy...

See?  Told you this was suspiciously spooky!  I mean seriously, who still wears tights whities, the male equivalent of granny panties?  Another theme from Animal Alphabets, this time the Invisible Man gets his due.  I'm not gonna lie.  I totally took the easy way out with this piece.  Chances are good I was slammed at work when I originally drew this as October's typically my busiest month, so that likely played a part in this very minimalistic effort.  But I think the gag here really comes across well.  It's all in the eye of the viewer/reader when all is said and done.

Well, only one more week to go for our Halloween posts.  How will it end?  Find out next week when a certain squash known for potential generosity clashes with a man who's all arms!  Until next time, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later.

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

HELL'S A COMIN' WITH HIM!!!

We are back!  It's October, it's Autumn, the leaves are turning, pumpkins are being harvested and cider's being served up by the stein!  It's my favorite time of year CRAZIES, so let's dive right into this week's art so we can go out and enjoy more of the sights, sounds and tastes of the season!  Enjoy...

It's Hellboy, the demon spawn with a good heart!  The longtime staple of Dark Horse Comics made his big screen debut in 2004 and has since had a bit of trouble keeping things going in live action, including a failed reboot several years ago.  Another theme from Animal Alphabets, this one isn't one of my best if I'm being honest.  Muscular characters just aren't my thing, though I've found ways to adapt since then.

Another week down as we march towards Halloween, but fear not folks!  Still a couple more posts to go before trick or treating begins, so be sure to come back next time for some more spooky fun!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

THE SPOOKING SEASON IS HERE!!!

Welcome back CRAZIES!!!  We are well into Fall now and October has officially started which can mean only one thing: LESS THAN A MONTH TO GO BEFORE CHRISTMAS OVERKILL BEGINS!!!  Oh, and Halloween is upon us!  Yep, the holiday season has formally arrived as All Hallow's Eve kicks the season off, and we too will be getting the scary dealings started today as the CRAZYVERSE celebrates ALL things creepy, kooky, mysterious, spooky and even altogether ooky, just like the Addams Family!  So sit back, relax, take a bite out of your candy apple and take a look at this week's art!  Enjoy...

Poor Edward Scissorhands.  His creator clearly meant well, but he seriously couldn't have used something not so sharp to make hands out of?  Like spoons or butterknives?  And don't even get me started with the bondage!  Starting to wonder now what he was really planning with his creation?!?  This week's art came from Animal Alphabets on Twitter.  The theme at the time was horror monsters, which makes this one a little weird as Edward wasn't exactly a monster, but I guess you could say he's a variation on the Frankenstein story.  This one was fun to draw though.  Certainly different from my usual funny animals and goofy kids!

Well, that's all she wrote for this week, but we'll be back next time for even more pumpkin spice-flavored spookiness, so be sure to come back and check it out!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

NO NEED TO PINCH YOURSELF... OCTOBER'S ALMOST HERE!!!

We are back for one last time in September of 2023 my CRAZIES!!!  The days pass quicker it seems, but that only means the holidays will be here sooner, for better or worse.  I for one am excited to up my Halloween game as there's a lot going on around Southern California to put me in a spooky mood!  Not to mention my own spooky yard display, but enough about that, it's time for some art!  And you might wanna get some butter and lemon for this post!  Enjoy...

Oh my.  He doesn't seem like a very happy camper!  Guess if my final destination was a steaming pot of boiling water, I'd have my guard up too!  We're closing out this month with an entry from Pinch Punch Post, another fun Twitter collective I take part in.  The theme this go around was a crab, and I decided to be extra crabby with this one!  It's always the meanest crabs that are the tastiest too!

Well, that's wrap on September, but fear not!  PLENTY of spooky fun is in store for next month, so be sure to come back next week and help us kick October off on the right foot!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

GAH!!! THAT FACE!!! THAT ADORABLE FACE!!!

Another week in CRAZIES!!!  We are creeping closer and closer to the month of creepy crawlies here as September will soon give way to the noble pumpkin!  'Course, if you've been to a craft, hobby or box store lately, it's been Halloween since July...  Christmas too!  I love the holidays as much as the next guy, but I'm all about moderation too.  When the time is right, I'll celebrate.  But dammit, when it's still surfing weather and I'm seeing Christmas displays already, a line's gotta be drawn somewhere!  But enough of that hoopla!  It's art time!  As Arsenio used to say, let's get busy!  Enjoy...

The Loris...  What may well be the most adorable creature ever, this cross between a monkey, cat and guinea pig deserves to be cradled and protected at all costs!  Just look at that face.  How can you NOT want to fight for its safety?  Our last Animal Alphabets entry for the month, this was their selection for the Letter L.  Needless to say, there was a LOT of adorable art posted on Twitter that day!  The "Please don't kill me" line was a nod to the legendary "Dr. X Telethon" skit from Mr. Show With Bob & David!  To this day it's still one of the funniest things I've ever seen!

Well, only one more post to go this month, but I'm sure what's left is something you'll wanna get your claws on, so be sure to come back next time and check it out!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

HOLY SMOKES!!! A JAVA JUNKY RHINO!!!

We are back CRAZIES!!!  And already approaching the halfway point of September!  Some of you are probably already sporting sweaters at this point, but not me!  If history's any kind of an indicator, it's probably still hotter than Hell in San Diego right now.  Then again, we just had our first hurricane warning last month, so what the hell does history truly know?  (Author's Note: These posts are written well in advance of their actual posting dates.  It could very well be freezing in San Diego right now, so who knows?).  Anyway, enough of the jibber jabber as Mr. T used to say.  Some of you actually want to see some art, and I intend to deliver!  Enjoy...

Hoo boy, a tweaked out rhino?!?  Guess we should be thankful that Javan Rhinos are the smallest of the living rhino species.  They are also one of the last two wooly rhino species left in the world today, along with the larger (But still smaller compared to their African cousins) Red Sumatran Rhino.  Still, any creature of substantial size hawked up on caffeine can be pretty dangerous if you get in their way!  Another one for Animal Alphabets, this time for the Letter J!  Rhinos are among my favorite creatures, so I was eager to illustrate this one!  Hopefully recent advances in breeding sciences will help these marvelous creatures continue on into the coming centuries and fuel even more imaginations the way they have fueled mine.

Another week down with two more to go in our September 2023 marathon here!  Be sure to come back next week as we spotlight another marvelous critter!  Until next time, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

ELEPHANTS ARE A GAS!!!

Welcome to September CRAZIES!!!  The season of pumpkin spice has officially begun!  Though I myself am not a big fan of coffee, I've got nothing but love for delicious hot chocolate and 'tis the season to drink it!  That and Jersey Mike's hot subs, but enough of that silliness, it's time for some art!  We got a swell stable of critters lined up this month, so let's open up the petting zoo and get started!  Enjoy...

Indian elephants...  Large, gentle, graceful...  And full of more gas than a congressman!  This was a part of Animal Alphabets' weekly drawing themes on Twitter (I don't care what the mealy-mouthed crotch pheasant calls it, it's still Twitter to me out of shear spite!), specifically the letter I.  It's low brow for sure, but dammit, elephants are vegetarians!  There's no way a creature that large eating that much raw plant materials WOULDN'T be farting up a storm!  Just feel bad for the fish!

That's all she wrote for this week, but be sure to come back next week as we spice things ups with a beast that's REALLY energized!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH!!!

 

Well, we've come to the end of another month and with the coming month brings another tradition, Guest Month for Bubble Fox!  This has no actual impact on the the blog, but I'm just really proud of the art I did announcing Guest Month!  It's a mix of markers and colored pencils that I feel comes off just right!  As far as the movie I'm referencing, kudos to anyone who gets it!  Anyhoo, we still got one more piece to share before we can let August 2023 ride off into the sunset, so let's get to it!  Enjoy...

That's right folks.  Honey, the coveted nectar of the Gods, is actually just bee vomit!  Hey, there are literally grosser things out there that people willingly eat!  Just think of it like Slurm!  Anyway, this was another Animal Alphabets piece, where the theme for the letter H was a Honeybee.  Since one of the bees was a little busy, I had another one come in and do the talking!

And that's a wrap on August 2023!  I do hope you all enjoyed the return of the art!  I have plenty more to share next month, so be sure to come back and help get September up and running on the right track!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR!!!

Another week down, another week closer to the fall!  I must admit, it's hard not to get excited about the coming season.  Aside from the holidays, I just prefer cooler weather!  It's a lot easier to stay warm than cool off I tells ya!  But enough about that, it's still summer time and I got some art to show, though it may be tough to get to!  Oh well, enjoy... 

Poor Gorilla.  That banana is JUST out of reach!  'Course, now this begs the question of can gorillas even swim?  Like humans, they are primates, so in theory they should be able to.  But it's not exactly something they are known for.  Guess that's a question best left for Professor Google!  Once again, today's art came from Animal Alphabets where the theme for G was a Gorilla.  Apes are critters I don't draw often, and boy is it obvious why with this one, but I have gotten better with them.

Well, only one post left this month to hurl at you, but fear not!  I promise we'll end August on a high note, though it may not be a high brow one!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

BEACH PARTY WITH BUBBLE FOX!!!

We are back at it again and halfway through August now!  I know time flies, but lately it seems to be going even faster than usual.  So how about we slow down for a bit and check out some new(ish) art featuring an old pal, sound good?  Enjoy...

Oh Bubble Fox, you are a rascal!  He certainly knows how to boogie down with the best of them!  Continuing along with another Animal Alphabets theme, this particular letter landed on F for which a fox was chosen.  And what better fox than Bubble Fox to represent foxes the world over?  I tell ya, correcting this was a herculean task.  Of all the colors on here, only the dark purple flower petals wouldn't cooperate with PS Elements' Magic Wand tool.  I had to go in and practically check each one pixel-by-pixel!  Still, the end result is fun.  Has me in the mood for a daiquiri even!

That's all she wrote for now, but we'll be back next week with more monkey business than you can shake a banana at!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

EATING IT UP WITH AN ECHIDNA!!!

Welcome back to normalcy CRAZIES!!!  I know it's kinda sad that Comic Con is over, but there's still plenty of summer fun left to be had.  And if nothing else, you know the holidays aren't too far off now, so there's always something to look forward to!  But enough about that, it's time for some art!  After two months, I'm sure y'all are eager to see what old piece I've dug up this time!  Well, maybe a few of you are at least.  Either way, enjoy...

 

It can't be easy being an ant.  Despite being insanely strong for their size and strong in number, they are still very tiny and are considered a delicacy among many creatures, including echidnas!  Closely related to hedgehogs, echidnas are spiked critters that burrow, eat ants and are otherwise misrepresented in video games.  This piece was part of Animal Alphabets letter E theme and it was a fun one to draw.  I honestly don't know why I went with pink toenails on the front paws, but I'm sure it's because of the reference pic I researched!

Well, that's a wrap for this week, but come back next time and I promise some bubbly art will be waiting for you!  I suppose if there's any advantage to the posts returning to normal, it's that these ones are MUCH quicker to produce and read.  In the meantime, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

COMIC CON 2023: HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD... AND THE LACK THEREOF!!!

Welcome to August CRAZIES!!!  We are starting a new month by finishing up a CRAZY tradition here with the CRAZY Comic Con Countdown!  It's always a sad deal for me to write up the last Comic Con post of the year, but it's something that must be done.  After all, we gotta complete the circle!  So, for the last time in 2023, un-wedgie those Spiderman Underoos and cap up your Code Red Mountain Dews, because we are heading to COMIC CON 2023!!!  Enjoy...

COBRA COMMANDER WANTS YOU... To buy some stuff!  Seriously, he gave me a token for the Super7 Store WAAAAAAAY out on 8th and G St in Downtown San Diego, about six blocks up and three blocks across from the Convention Center!  I did get some exclusive swag though!

The Sandland booth!  I honestly never thought this one would make it to the US, especially after Dr. Slump oddly enough didn't catch on with American audiences.  Given the more action-oriented story, not to mention an incredible swag push at the booth, I see this one being popular!  Also, I built the LED wall for the booth!  Just about had a heart attack when I saw the signal fail Thursday morning since we tested EVERY single LED panel before placing it!  Modern tech, eh?

The Paramount+ Lodge!  Or, forbidden fruit as I called it.  If you weren't lucky enough to get reservations for this one, you were kinda assed out as the standby line was usually over three hours long and out in the blazing sun.  I did do their scavenger hunt thing though and got a really cool backpack, pin and tumbler!

BORK BORK BORK!!!  Swedish Chef was in the house and looking to cook!

The Petco Park Interactive Zone was back and somewhat close to its older, larger self!  Not exactly worth it for repeat visits, but what they did have was pretty cool, like these photo ops with life-size Transformers!

After an admittedly sweet prank last year, the Adult Swim Carnival was back and as hilarious as ever!  Despite a multitude of activations and events inside, the real highlight was still the large mechanical hot dog that continuously launched people off of it while bystanders pelted them with foam balls!

Funkoville was back and even bigger than last year, meaning an even smaller Artists' Alley.  However, attendees packed Artists' Alley like never before and quite a few of the artists reported record sales!  A big win for the underdogs!

Quite possibly the most coveted offsite at SDCC this year was the Hulu Animayhem Experience!  They had some awesome swag at the end and a few really cool photo ops, but that's all it really was: Photo ops.  I couldn't figure out why the hell it was taking so long to get through it?  My nephew Lucas and I spent three hours waiting to get into this thing and for what?  Pictures with inflatables and cardboard cutouts?  Always weigh the risks and rewards when it comes to Comic Con offsites.  

On the plus side, being in the Hulu line DID lead to some great random cosplay pics, like Sideshow Bob and his OTHER arch nemesis: RAKES!!!

Tintin had little trouble finding adventures in the Exhibit Hall!

FLUFFY WAS IN THE HOUSE!!!  Despite the SAG strike, celebrities COULD appear at SDCC.  They just couldn't promote any current projects.  Luckily, Gabriel Iglesias was just promoting toys!

"A lot of people say 'What's that?'"
"IT'S PAT!!!"
Probably couldn't do this skit today, but Pat was legitimately one of SNL's funniest routines.  The strip poker sketch in particular was hysterical!

ZARDOZ SPEAKS TO YOU!!!  Gonna go ahead and say it, this is probably the most obscure movie Cosplay I've ever seen!  Somewhere in Heaven, I'm sure Sean Connery is smiling.

Every year the pedicabs of Downtown get a sponsor and this year didn't disappoint as Disney of all companies put out themed "Doom" buggies for the upcoming Haunted Mansion movie!  Some riders (Like my nephew Lucas and me) were even lucky enough to pick up a hitchhiking ghost as they rode through the Gaslamp Quarter!  For those in the know, this was quite a surprise as Disney and SDCC have had a very longstanding feud with each other.  Glad to see that relations seem to be repairing.

Master Lopan was looking for a woman with eyes of green!

FX was back with their awesome activation over at the Hilton Lawn!  With no reservations required and lines that hardly ever went longer than 30 minutes, this was a very well-run show!  And the Shogun performances were amazing!

Can't have SDCC without Snoopy, and the Peanuts Museum across the street from the Convention Center delivered!  Camp Snoopy was the theme this year and the small space had plenty of fun photo ops for all to enjoy, not to mention a watering station!

I've seen plenty of Addams Family Cosplays over the years, but this was the first time any of them ever included Debbie and I loved it!  They had lost track of their Uncle Fester, but I just chalked it up to Debbie finally being successful!

D'OH!!!  Stupid Sexy Flanders!  Gotta ruin my last pic of the post by photobombing Ace Ventura!

And that was Comic Con 2023!  Going into it, many folks were worried about the impact that the WGA and SAG strikes would have on the show, and indeed, MANY panels were cancelled as actors and writers couldn't promote any current or future projects as a result.  But you know what?  You wouldn't have known that walking out on the exhibit hall floor as it was more crowded than ever!  People were giving comics and art an actual look this time with many in Artists' Alley either reporting record sales or higher than average sales.  So in that regard, I'll call it a win.  On the other hand though, the lack of aisle carpeting took a heavy toll on many attendees and security was at its absolute worst, and I've been going to SDCC for over 20 years now, so imagine the territory THAT covers!  Still, the good far outweighed the bad this year as exclusives were more readily available and attendees even seemed friendlier.  There's a lot to build on here and I feel we are in a good spot for next year!

And that's a wrap on the CRAZY Comic Con Countdown 2023!  I do hope you all enjoyed the look back at Cons past!  It's always a thrill to go back through these pics and reminisce about the good old days!  With any luck, we'll be back next year around February or March to start counting down the return to WonderCon!  Sadly, no Long Beach Comic Con this year.  I'm just getting back to work after a long layoff from a knee injury and had an unexpected car expense last month that just makes it too tough to swing it this year.  Not to mention, that show's just gone downhill since the move to Labor Day Weekend.  Maybe next year, things will work out better for all.  Be sure to come back next week as the CRAZY art returns!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

COMIC CON WITHDRAWALS... THE CRAZY COMIC CON COUNTDOWN STILL ROLLS ON!!!

 

*Sighs* Well, another Comic Con has come to pass.  These after posts are never easy write up, largely because, you know...  I'm bummed!  I'm mean, SDCC 23 hasn't even actually happened yet as I type this, but it makes me sad just knowing in advance that the fun won't last forever!  But, because I don't have any pics from this year's con yet, and I gotta fill space, here's a look back at least year's show.  Enjoy...

My favorite part about last year?  My nephew/ride bud Lucas got to join me!  My cousin got a job in the Czech Republic for two years and had to move the family over.  I'm Lucas' favorite uncle, so we had to make up for a lot of missed time while he was gone!  Hopefully we had just as much fun at this year's show!

Uh oh!  Elvis Trooper!  OLD Elvis Trooper even!

Mecha Cookie stands tall!

Not gonna lie, I really REALLY wanted to do the House Of The Dragon offsite, but I just couldn't justify getting in line at 4am and then waiting for 8hrs to get in!  And for what?  A pin?  Some photo ops? Why the hell can't these things just be walk thru?  The Dungeons & Dragons bar figured it out.  FX figured their line out.  Why couldn't these guys?  Not everything needs an app and VR additions!  Also, I just bought the pins on eBay!

A nice little setup on the MLK Promenade was a museum celebrating Franklin!  It was the anniversary of his introduction into Peanuts, so last year we all honored the only character in the entirety of the strip to be consistently nice to Charlie Brown!

The Krapopolis offsite!  It wasn't anything too special, but the slide was fun.  This show, by the way, has still yet to premier, and it's been nearly a year since they promoted it.

The whole Disney Duck family came to party!  Well, not all of them, but the important ones came!  Also, very creative use of the mandatory masks!

FLASH!!! AH-AAAAAAAAW!!!

Since 2018, the most consistent, and really most accessible, offsite has been the Dragonball Experience!  The setup and swag has by and large always been the same, and yet it still manages to get better every year!

The FX Experience did things a little different this time around.  Instead of a large offsite with a bunch of individual activations, it was just one large maze that you walked through and hit each activation as you passed by!  It was pretty cool actually and the line moved surprisingly quick.  I was rewarded with a bottle of hot sauce for my efforts!

After nearly a decade at the Marriott, the Nintendo Lounge made its way to the Petco Park Interactive Zone.  Sadly, their line mismanagement continued.

The one thing that really does soften the blow of SDCC ending is Shark Week!  And what better way of reminding folks than with a Shark Blimp?

Nintendo had a pretty kickass Lego sculpture of Bowser set up at their booth in Hall A!  It even moved!

And finally, we will end this week's post with something that has been sorely lacking on this blog for many years: MORE COWBELL!!!

And that was Comic Con 2022!  A very subdued show as the world made its way back from the pandemic.  It may well have been the most polite SDCC I've ever attended!  Much was scaled back though.  Offsites were fewer and smaller and a lot of booths and panels didn't return.  Many folks were still on edge and rightfully so.  Still, it felt great to be back and hopefully this year's show will feel more like the cons of the past!

And that's a wrap on the month of July, but don't be sad!  We're kicking August off on a high note with the finale off the CRAZY Comic Con Countdown with the anticipated look at SDCC 2023!  So be sure to come back and see how it all went down!  Until then, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!