Comic: Pekar

I admit that it was a fantasy of mine to illustrate a story for Harvey Pekar... Obviously, that will never happen, but much worse than that- we will never have any more American Splendor or any new Pekar comics.

I didn't know the man (or "our man") personally, so I can't claim the sadness that his loved ones must feel, but like any other fan, I wish he could've stuck around a lot longer.. 70... That's too young, especially for someone who would've provided us with what he did best for decades to come. Selfish, I know...

Whatever he lacked in eloquence he made up for with honesty, and his lowest points as a writer are higher than what I could ever hope to accomplish. Harvey Pekar was strange, wonderful and imperfect, just like the best of 'em.

Click to enlarge-


For those interested, the artists I've attempted to imitate in panels 2-6 are: 70's R. Crumb, 70's Greg Budgett/Gary Dumm, Gerry Shamray, Josh Neufeld, Frank Stack, and the stick figures of the man himself. "Attempted" is the key word.

Redo: Is that good?

If all goes well, my zine will physically exist within a month, printed in glorious black and white and in the hands of whoever's interested... In addition to some brand new material, I've also been redoing some older comics, in cases where I still like the idea but the bears don't look right to me anymore. I used to make them much thicker, and though that's probably more bear-like, they don't really match the rest of the material, and plus I thought it would just be fun to redraw them. Here, in part to prove that I am in fact, like, doing stuff, is one of the redos, alongside the original. I'm not sure that it really looks all that much better, but I'm happier with the new look.

Click to enlarge the newly slim, lipo'd version-


..and here we have the old version from a couple years ago-


They kinda look more like mice now, or at least less like bears.. Maybe dog-bear-mice.

Roughs: zine sketch, sculpey

You would be seeing two new comics here very soon, but they're being saved for my long-awaited (by me) zine, which I'm trying to have ready to print by the end of next month.. In lieu of such zine-exclusive material, here's a glimpse into the near future...

Here's a rough version of a sketch inspired by someone else's dream (thanks, Rebecca). I'm going to redraw and fancify it a bit, with the intention of using the final version as the back cover of the zine-


Also, I've been messing around with sculpey, and though most of what I've made has been scrapped and balled back up, once I have a couple more pieces baked that I'm happy with, they should be appearing here soon as well. Here we have a crude, off-model bear head from a month or two ago, my first ever test attempt at using sculpey-



ps- blogger doesn't think "fancify" is a word, apparently. It is-
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fancify
pps- Mmm... fancified hamburger. Thanks, Webster.

Comic: What to do if you find a cockroach in your bathroom

Originally drawn as two separate pages, but I think it looks better as one big square..

Click to enlarge.. and you might need to magnify again if you're using a browser that resizes images (it's kind of big)-

Maybe I should have put "gigantic cockroach" in the title instead... Based on true events, and that thing was HUGE.

Comic: Bowl for fun and health

Here's a comic I did today.. actually it was yesterday, now that the midnight hour is upon us.

Click to moisten eyes up to four times daily-

..Featuring a hat and facial hair.

Sketchbook: Bear problems

Click for personal thoughts on bear-related matters-


I might start mixing animals up.. or maybe assorted kinds of bears?

..but then does it become an awkward nationality or racial thing?

Comic: How are ya?

Click to ENLARGE, making the pain all too real-


Dogs are great. I don't have one. I want to pet yours.

Comic: Albear Camus?

Click to ENLARGE and reveal the possible nature of your existence-

Not my favorite. Oh well. And for the record: just because I'm on the balcony, it doesn't mean I'm wallowing... I'm usually venting.

I think I may have painted myself into a creative corner with these bears. They're not supposed to specifically be me, i.e. based on real events all of the time, but now I pretty much keep making comics where I (or the bear-version of me) am the central focus. Am I the bear? The answer is usually yes and no, to varying degrees.

Comic: Comic

I made a comic today. I still do that.

Click to enlarge-

I've been pursuing other creative endeavors lately, though there should be more here soon. I don't want this blog to be about how little I'm blogging.

Tiny Comic: Soy Milk

Been a while.. Here's a wee little comic that might just add a small touch of joy to your day. Like a tiny scented candle implanted beside your heart.

CLICK so you don't have to strain your eyes so much-

If I find myself getting upset about something stupid, I think that the best course of action is to make a comic about it in which I make myself look ridiculous (see last post too). Perspective!

Comic: Road rage is sexy

After far too long without one (though I guess that's a matter of opinion), here's another comic, done today.

CLICK to expose your innocent mind to the salty language within (not for the young ones)-

Remember: You shouldn't get angry about that which you can not control or influence.. Some unsolicited therapy for you.

Comic: It's a tasty treat

Bears! Comic! Done today, just for you. Perhaps you'd like to print it out and tape it up somewhere in your workspace. Let everyone share the laughter. Maybe you could staple it onto your shirt.

Click to experience life at its fullest-

The average adult male thinks about it once every 7 seconds.

Comic: Productivity is relative

I seem to recall a time, not so long ago, when I would draw and post quick, simple comics about bears.. Let's revisit that time, shall we?

Clicking the image will allow you to see it larger and all proper-like -


Ahh.. A nice change of pace after all of the real humans lately. It's always easier with bears.

Comic: onyd!

Clicking this image will make it oh so much better (and somewhat bigger)-


..I used different paper this time and suffered for it. My pen line was quite bloody, though it doesn't look much different than usual when shrunk down a bit.

Comic: She

What do you do when you get home after an opening at Secret Headquarters? You crank out a comic, that's what. Then, if you happen to still be up after the ink dries, you post it. Click for a larger view.

Comic: "It Looks Okay"

Another quick one, done today.. Click to enlarge-

Comic: Birthday

Here's a quick one I did today. I drew it tiny, too- about 6x2 inches. Click to enlarge.


I wanted to make this toward the end of last year but I never got around to it.. It's not verbatim by any means, but it's based on a true story.

Animals Smoking

Smoking is awful. It's terrible. I'm going to quit, I promise (right after this next one). Yes, smoking is a disgusting habit, but there's a grand tradition of smoking animals in comics, cartoons and other visual arts. From Herriman's Gooseberry Sprig to Kozik's Smorkin' Labbits, many an animal has partook in this nasty yet somehow enjoyable vice.. I felt like drawing some of my own-


These rabbits came out okay.


The thing I like about this one is how the one on the right is holding his cigarette without the aid of opposable thumbs.


I don't know about this bear.. I messed him up twice and tried to fix him without white-out, and he turned into a mess of sloppy hatching (I criticize myself so you don't have to! Comments welcome). I think he's holding his arm because he's emo or something- He came out sadder than intended, thanks to my wrist having a mind of its own when I was inking the mouth.