All you would-be cartoonists and graphic artists would do well to heed this advice. So, I’m offering it to you thanks to my Full Sail University teacher who passed this along to myself and my fellow students.
Enjoy!
Tj
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Entities-R-Us Ghost Hunter Comic
Paranormal Humor for the Ghost Hunter's Soul.
“But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say too much. It robs us of the right words when jest is out of place.” (Meriadoc Brandybuck – Tolkien, 1965.)*
For whatever reason, I’ve been re-reading the Lord of the Rings series again, probably for the 100th time. Every0ne who reads this series identifies with at least one of the characters. The big question always is, are you a dwarf, elf, hobbit, man, or orc? Each of these is an archetype. At many points in my life I have identified with being the warrior, king, servant, craftsman, healer, etc. I’ve wrestled with my feminine aspect. I’ve even been the ethereal elf. Many times I have been Frodo when no one else would stand up and take on the task of carrying the ring to Mt. Doom. Nobody else EVER stands up and takes the ring… I gripe about this often, as I’m sick of being singed and do not relish the company Gollum.
We are a little bit of everything. At least I am. At this point in my life, I cannot claim to be any one aspect… except perhaps, a hobbit. I was raised a hobbit in New Hampshire, on a farm in my formative years. My roots lie in the land, hearty home cooking, family, good conversation and humor. I have never been big on change. I tend to reminisce more than I should. I hold onto most things until they fall apart. I do things the old fashioned way most of the time. The whole idea I own an iPhone is really out of character. However, I have embraced technology out necessity and convenience these days.
Still my base nature is that of hobbit… albeit Tookish for sure, for I do enjoy a good adventure, even if I have to back into it.
The quote above sparked this dissertation. It rings true for me as a cartoonist. I prefer to make light of serious events, find the humor to ease the pain. Behind most comedy is some form of tragedy. I believe jokes and humor evolved to combat the evils of the world. So, I suppose this makes me a warrior fighting evil with laughter. If that is this hobbit’s task, then I do it willingly.
I relish the idea of kicking back with large cup of coffee, dreaming up comics and watching the grass grow… between adventures in ghost hunting of course.
Eat Cookies, Hunt Ghosts, Read Comics, Embrace Your Inner Hobbit!
Tj
*Tolkien, J.R.R. (1965). Return of the King. Ballantine Books, NY. p. 178.
We weathered Irene quite handily. I used the time to write some comics. Luckily we kept the power. All things considered, we could have done the ghost hunt. But, safety first… we weren’t sure of the intensity of the hurricane. I’m glad I had a weekend to relax. I don’t get many opportunities to goof off, so I did a bit.
There is not rest for Merv, however…His Magic 8-Ball has led him down a path of destruction. After mistaking the possessed, blue 8-ball fluid for Koolaid, Merv has now begun to channel Bill The Cat from Berke Breathed’s Bloom County. Bill The Cat is one of my favorite characters in the comic strip that began in the 1980s. It has been a bit of an influence on my work. While my humor is softer, the flavor is similar… and I just can’t leave out the underwear jokes. So this week I pay homage to Bill The Cat.
Merv’s hijinks will ensue all week, so get ready for some extra insanity. There will even be a Guest Draw by the the end of the week that actually FITS in the story line! HA! Since my story lines have been a little haphazard, I thought I’d make it up to ya.
Eat Cookies, Hunt Ghosts, Read Comics!
Tj
Aug25
I’m playing catchup… I just keyed up the most recent comic for print sales. I usually do that when I upload, but I’ve been pressed for time lately. So, if you have been eager for prints, now you can order them.
I’ve heard from my fellow investigators that we are still on for Saturday night’s investigation of Patchett House, in spite of Hurricane Irene’s plan to gate crash. We are being filmed for this one and the Neighborhood Journal, who is behind the production on this one, is eager to work the storm into the story. So, unless it’s a State of Emergency, I’m gonna be gettin’ wet.
The last time I weathered a hurricane (besides remnants of several others), was Gloria in 1985 on the coast of Maine. Even though Gloria was starting to dwindle, there was still a voluntary evacuation in place. Robert and I decided to make an adventure of it and were the only ones dumb enough to stay in the hotel. It was an exciting weekend. We weathered the storm with pizza, tuna fish, and a candle I made from wax I snaked from a restaurant candle and a wick made from Rob’s hoodie (they didn’t call ’em hoodies back then). The power held out for the most part. The hotel sign was straight out sideways. We got some excellent photos.
I wonder how many EVPs we’ll get with the wind howling? We’ll see if Irene plans to show up in New York this weekend. Heck! We had an earthquake on Tuesday, why not a hurricane on Saturday night?! Yes, I did experience the earthquake. At first I thought it was those onion rings I got into at the fair. I was standing in the Periwinkles booth when the ground shifted back and forth underneath my feet. I could see the I-beam of the building sway. It was a surreal experience for a confirmed east-coaster. Now that I have my “quake-legs,” I can move to California and get along just fine.
YES, I’m still doing the book-signing at the Dutchess County Fair on Saturday, 12-4. So, come on up to Rhinebeck! The storm won’t be there yet. There’s plenty of time to scarf onion rings (I’ll tell you where the best ones are), ride some stomach-churners, pet some goats, and get a signed copy of Entities-R-Us, Ghost Hunter Comic – Paranormal Humor for the Ghost Hunter’s Soul.
I’ve knocked out my homework early this week, so the comics should have a major window drawing opportunity. I’m hoping to get ahead on those suckers before Monday begins a new class for me. Sigh. One day I may have an hour to myself. What’s that like? Can any of you tell me?
Eat Cookies, Hunt Ghosts, Keep Your Socks Dry!
Tj
Aug22
Dutchess County Fair Book Signing, a rant and some notes…
on August 22, 2011 at 12:42 pmPosted In: Entities Blog
If you happen to be in Rhinebeck this week for the Dutchess County Fair, I will be there on Tuesday manning the Periwinkles booth in Building B. I will have Entities-R-Us, Ghost Hunter Comic books on hand and signed. Wednesday-Friday I will in the Periwinkles shop in town at 24 East Market Street, across from the bank parking lot. Drop and visit! Saturday, I will be signing Entities-R-Us books at the Distinctly Dutchess tent in Building D from 12-4. So, come by an get your book personalized!
Entities-R-Us, Ghost Hunter Comic – Paranormal Humor for the Ghost Hunter’s Soul
Rant?
Now I’m going to rant- well, maybe not a true rant… I’ve been sooo good and sooo vegan for several months now. But today I just had to break code. My inner carnivore rose to the surface and demanded chicken wings. I acquiesced. No guilt. No shame. Now I can resume my veganizing having fed the monster within. Ahhh. DAMN, it was GOOD! 😉
I don’t believe in being strict at anything. I live life loosely with no pressure. While I enjoy the health benefits of a mostly vegan lifestyle, that doesn’t mean I won’t indulge in a few favorite comfort foods. I chose to eat organic foods, mostly veggies because I want to feel good. However, there is something spiritually nourishing about a treat. Alas, I had my treat. Although I will definitely get a hold of some batter fried onion rings at the fair… a major weakness for sure! LOL
Joke Manifests Crazy Ass Idea
I was goofing around with Ron Bordner of Alpha Ghost Team and his buddy Scott Tepperman on Facebook about Ron joking about being a rabid fan of his pal Scott. Jokingly, I said I would sign and old sock and mail it to him for his collection of celebrity paraphernalia. Needless to say, I mailed the aforesaid sock this morning. Yes, I washed it! The darned thing is riddled with holes (I wear my clothes till they fall off). I wrote a nice long note and even drew a sketch of Arno and Merv on it. I will post a picture of it after Ron gets it in the mail. It’s hilarious! Just think, there are plenty of celebrities who have never been asked to sign socks! LOL This just goes to show how loosely I use the term celebrity…
Ghost Hunt on Saturday!
Patchett House round two for IndyPara will happen Saturday night. We have a lot of unfinished business with the ghosts there. I have some questions about EVPs and some research I’ve dug up. We will be join by Pou Para Investigators for this round. We have a lot of cool things planned. AND, we are going to be filmed again. I’m not sure of the particulars. I leave that up to my fellow co-founder Donna. I just show up for the ghosts.
So, look forward to some new evidence!
Eat Cookies! Hunt Ghosts! Read Comics!
Tj
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