Mitch, Zombo, Bob & Me

Dateline: Hollywood Gardens, PA. This is the weekly dispatch from Bizarro Studios North, where I (Wayno®) write and draw the Monday through Saturday Bizarro comics, having assumed that role in 2018. My esteemed partner and good friend, Dan Piraro, who created Bizarro in the late twentieth century, continues to do the Sunday comic from Rancho Bizarro in Mexico.

A few days ago, I was looking through some of my old sketchbooks, hoping to generate gag ideas. While browsing these ancient texts, I rediscovered a wonderful drawing by the terrific and prolific Mitch O'Connell, and I'm pleased to share it as this week's pipe pic.

Mitch was in Pittsburgh in 2007 for a one-man art show at Zombo Gallery, which was a haven for oddball artists. During Mitch's visit, my good pal and the gallery's owner, Michael "Zombo" Devine, organized a lunch gathering for a bunch of local cartoonists and artists, and we had a grand time eating, drinking, and drawing. I suspect the above image is a self-portrait.

Wayno with the lovely Mitch O'Connell at Zombo Gallery

Even if you don't know his name, it's likely you've seen Mitch's work somewhere. He's done just about everything one can imagine, from comics, illustrations, clip art, logos, and paintings to LP/CD covers, and more.

Follow @mitchoconnellart on Instagram, and visit his densely-packed website and shop to gaze in wonder at his amazing art. Your eyeballs will thank you.

Also, check out Zombo's current band, The Polkamaniacs. Zombo is always involved in multiple amazing projects, and his energy and enthusiasm have always inspired me.

Here's another long-forgotten sketchbook page: a drawing of the late jazz musician Curtis Fuller, done in 2011, which Mr. Fuller graciously autographed.

For many years, I volunteered at the University of Pittsburgh's annual jazz seminar and concert. Each year, an impressive lineup of musicians came to town to hold educational workshops at local schools, speak at a series of lectures/seminars, and wrap up the week with a musical performance. In my position as stage manager, I rarely saw the concert, as my duties kept me behind the scenes, letting each performer know when they should be ready to go onstage (the concert consisted of multiple combinations of players, ending with an all-star finale.) I also escorted musicians around town, and provided introductions for some of the seminars.

Over the years, I met and hung out with dozens of legendary musicians. I gave James Moody a copy of Amy Winehouse's Frank CD, which included her cover of his famous number, "Moody's Mood for Love. Mr. Moody hadn't heard it yet, and was delighted by her version.

My most memorable moment was crashing a wedding reception with Joe Lovano during the concert's intermission, so we could have a drink together. 

My ongoing volunteer gig was a music lover's dream come true, and I was truly fortunate to have that experience.

Thanks for indulging my nostalgic detour through old stuff. Here's some recent work, in the form of this week's Bizarro comics.

A touch of varnish and a lemon oil massage would do him wonders.

All but one of the client photos in the background are characters from old animated cartoons. Pictured left to right, they are: 

Captain Huffenpuff ("Uncle Captain") from Bob Clampett's witty series Beany and Cecil
 

Fred from Channel One, a bizarre hybrid of animation and puppetry, who appeared on Captain Kangaroo, interacting with human performers
 

Tom Terrific, a Terrytoons cartoon that also ran on Captain Kangaroo
 

Chumley the walrus, dimwitted sidekick on the Tennessee Tuxedo TV series
 

Flebus, who starred in a brilliant 1957 short directed by Ernest Pintoff
 

Underground comix character Mickey Rat, creation of Robert Armstrong, a personal favorite of your cartoonist
 

Gandy Goose, another Terrytoons character, who appeared in over 50 shorts between 1938 and 1955, and who does a cameo here as Bizarro's inverted bird secret symbol

I watched cartoons on TV for hundreds of hours throughout my childhood, but I have absolutely no memory of Gandy Goose. I became aware of the character in the 1970s, via this page by Robert Crumb, from his comic book, Mister Natural.

Robert Armstrong, a contemporary of Crumb's and a member of his band, the Cheap Suit Serenaders, created Mickey Rat as a t-shirt design. The Rat later starred in an underground comic book.

 

 

As a smartass teenager, I wore my Mickey Rat shirt until it fell apart. Shirts are still available from the artist's online shop.

Although we haven't met in person, I've corresponded with Mr. Armstrong over the years, and I have long enjoyed his music as much as his art.

This gouache painting of western swing pioneer Milton Brown appeared as an illustration in Tower Records' Pulse! Magazine. I later purchased the original art from Robert, and it holds a place of pride in my home, where I see and appreciate it every day.

 

Apparently, those online security challenges are universal.

 

Before completing the art for Wednesday's gag, I took a reference photo of my hand twisted into this uncomfortable position so I wouldn't unknowingly depict a fracture.

 

I never tire of drawing Frankenstein's monster, but I still can't decide whether he'd consider getting the cold shoulder to be positive or negative. Also, I'm just noticing that the Pie of Opportunity looks awfully tiny in this panel.

 

His penance was twelve Hail Marys in a 375º oven.

 

We closed out the week with a simian pun, because, well, why not?

That's the newest batch from your faithful cartoonist. As always, I recommend visiting Dan Piraro's blog, where you can see his latest glorious Sunday Bizarro page, and read his comments on the week's cartoons, along with anything else that's occupying his active and curious mind.

 

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Bonus Track

 

"Cat's Whiskers"
Robert Armstrong with Sourdough Slim
Live in Sutter Creek, CA

12/21/13

Bob is a master of many instruments, and this number showcases his impressive steel guitar chops. He's a snappy dresser, too.

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