MIKE & MINDY: WEIRD PLAYMATES ON A WEIRD PLAYDATE!!!

Well, we've come to it at last: The end of this year's CRAZYVERSARY.  Yeah, I know, it's kind of sad, but time must go on.  Especially considering what's coming next!  But more on that later!  For now, if the CRAZYVERSARY has to end, then we're gonna end it on a high note!  LITERALLY!!!

Last year, I made a commitment to support more artist pals by commissioning original artwork from them.  Then I got swindled out of my unemployment extension and had to go into survival mode until work started back up towards the end of summer.  Needless to say, I wasn't able to commit to that plan as much as I would've liked to have, but I was able to get at least one commission though, and it was from the first fellow web cartoonist I befriended after joining Twitter, the Queen of Webcomics, Dawn Griffin!

Dawn is a cartoonist and illustrator best known for her hilarious comic Zorphbert & Fred, the tale of two aliens disguised as dogs sent to earth to study humans and their ways.  It was a true benchmark in Webcomics and often hit the nail right on the head when pointing out the absurdities that is modern society.  It's a pity Dawn ended the strip when she did, because the current times are a comedy goldmine for cartoonists and writers, but she knows well the virtue of quitting while ahead.  Dawn's long been a friend of this CRAZY man presently typing and has even done guest comics for me in the past.  She even gave me my first shot at doing a guest strip which I will always be very proud of.  Dawn does commissions, so I put in an order!  The request was simple: Mike and Mindy having a playdate with the Weird Kid from Z&F.  Dawn took the ball and ran with and scored big!  What follows is the process!

Dawn was kind enough to send me some progress shots of the commission, starting with the pencils.  For traditional comics and cartoons, this is how it starts for many of us: A simple sketch that gets roughed out and refined as the idea is shaped.  Since helium is a big part of the CRAZYVERSE, we decided that the poor Weird Kid was getting round!

Next up are the inks!  Depending on how one works, this stage is done either traditionally, with a pen or marker, or digitally with a tablet and stylus pen.  It is here where further revisions and refinements take place in the art.  Its a gamble sometimes, as inks are often where most mistakes are made, but some artists reach a point where they're comfortable enough that they can freehand with a pen.  There are certain pieces I was confident enough with to do it on and others I chose to refine further with pencils instead.  It's a skill that comes with time for sure.

And finally, the finished piece, which Dawn rendered in watercolors!  I was very impressed with the colors here as Dawn claimed watercolors are still a work in progress for for her, but she could've fooled me!  I myself have been dabbling in other coloring mediums as of late, mainly watercolors, colored pencils and pastels, but admittedly could be trying a little harder to practice!  Markers are what I started with and am just more comfortable with them.  For the time being at least!

And that's the piece, a hilarious and colorful crossover that sees the Weird Kid "Playing" with Mike and Mindy while also sending up The Cat In The Hat!  The real funny thing here is that this scenario is totally plausible in either comics' universe as both M&M AND Z&F were surreal toons that featured offbeat and irreverent humor!  Poor Weird Kid seems so baffled by it all.  I oughta commission another piece where Mike and Mindy play with their human beachball!  Thanks again Dawn and thanks for giving us a look at the creative process!  This piece reached new heights!

Well, that's all for this week and for the CRAZYVERSARY!!!  Thanks again to all the pals who sent in fan art for this joyous occasion!  It was the biggest celebration yet and topping it is gonna be impossible!  All month long I've been teasing something big is coming, and it is!  Next week: WonderCon returns!  Well, the countdown does at least!  That's right folks, it's been three long years since we last had a WonderCon, but it's back!  And we are gonna get into the spirit with a look back at previous shows, so be sure to come back and check it all out!  Until next time, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later!

FREDDY'S GOT BACK!!!

We are back!  I have particular reason to be excited this week as I'll be heading back to the San Diego County Fair on Friday, or the Del Mar Fair if you're an old schooler like me.  It'll be greatly scaled back from past Fairs due to limited attendance, but the Fair folks have promised there will still be animal and plant exhibits, a few rides and PLENTY of life-shortening BBQ and deep fried food to clog what few clear arteries I have left, so it should still be fun to an extent.  The return to normal will be slow, but we will get there, day by day.  In the meantime, here's some art!  Enjoy...

This is Fred.  He's a dog, or rather, an alien disguised as a dog!  The creation of Dawn Griffin, Fred was part of her amazing comic Zorphbert & Fred, the tale of two aliens, disguised as dogs, studying human nature.  The comic ended a few years ago, but still leaves a big impression on the webcomic world.  Dawn was among the first pros to really befriend me when I started my journey as a cartoonist on the web, so I always try to work in at least one piece of fan art for her every year.  The series had many great characters, with the weird kid probably being the one most of us related to the best, but Fred was always my personal favorite of the cast, as he reminded me of a dog I'd had as a teenager.  He was a boxer named Buddy who very much embodied his namesake.  Goofy, lovable, large and ever so gassy, Buddy was a dead ringer for Fred, and that was years before I ever met Dawn or discovered her comic!  Funny how things work out on a cosmic level that way.

That's all for June Week 2!  But fear not!  We got more ink lines coming next week!  And it features a character I had never drawn before either, so it's kinda groundbreaking even!  That or my house's foundation needs some serious repairs!  In the meantime, take care, stay safe and I'll catch y'all later! 

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!