This is the weekly dispatch from Bizarro Studios North, where I have been writing and drawing the Monday through Saturday Bizarro comics since 2018. My partner and friend Dan Piraro created Bizarro in the late twentieth century and continues to do the Sunday comic from Rancho Bizarro in Mexico.
Wayno
I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true—hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don’t love something, then don’t do it. Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury knew what he was talking about. Practicing something you love, doing it repeatedly, and learning from the inevitable mistakes is rewarding. And sometimes, with perseverance and luck, other people who do your thing may tell you you're doing an okay job. When your work is recognized by peers, it's truly gratifying.
I experienced that feeling the other day when I learned that I'm a finalist for the National Cartoonists Society's Silver Reuben Award in the Best Newspaper Panel division for Bizarro comics published in 2024.
My fellow nominees are the excellent cartoonists Dave Blazek (Loose Parts) and Bill Whitehead (Free Range). Dave is also up for THE Reuben, the NCS Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year, so I'm in excellent company with Dave and Bill.
The awards will be presented at the annual NCS meeting in August, but being included among the nominees is an honor in itself.
This week's pipe pic is a profile shot of actor Adrian Brody.
When watching the SAG Awards in January, Bizarro buddy Frank V. captured this image from his TV screen.
A tip of the old porkpie to Frank for grabbing the shot and sending it our way.
Let me know if I should hold onto any of these gags for next year's awards submissions.
Monday's panel exhibits a few layers of reflexivity.
Does sylvan defecation count?
On Wednesday, I cast three inanimate objects as characters in a gag.
I mistakenly thought it would be an easy conversion for the strip and planned to swap the percolator and teapot, placing the word balloon on the left end of the layout. However, when I tried it, the top half of the percolator was out of frame. The gag doesn't work if the glass knob on top isn't visible.
I had to devise an unconventional layout to fit all three characters and the word balloon.
Oh, hell, not again.
Regular blog readers know that I reserve the Friday slot for my favorite panel of the week and that I love coming up with a wordless gag. Creating an image that immediately follows or precedes something happening is also satisfying. A drawing of Ronald McDonald being beaten with an iron skillet wouldn't be funny, even to people who dislike clowns. But when we know it's about to happen, we find that amusing. The human brain is fascinating and weird.
I wouldn't be surprised if this is actually a thing.
That's another week of Bizarro in the books. We'll return next Saturday with a fresh batch of words and pictures for you.
Also, happy Mother's Day to all moms out there, whether your children are human, canine, feline, or any other variety.
Bonus Track
Hoagy Carmichael: "Baltimore Oriole"
from Hoagy Sings Carmichael Pacific Jazz Records, 1957
At Bizarro Studios North, we're fans of the great American songwriter Hoagy Carmichael.
Loads of Bizarro Loot
If you like what we do and appreciate that it's free, we encourage you to explore the following links.
I thought the Ronald/Potato Head comic was about Mr Potato Head getting revenge for all of his people who Ronald turned into french fries.
ReplyDeleteMe too. It's not random violence.
DeleteMe too. What makes you think that the joke is something else? If I missed something let me know.
DeleteJohn Hurlbut
You got it!
DeleteJiminy Hendrix is brilliant!!! A classic!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Deletepersons outside of the U.S. have likely never heard of a "Baltimore crab boil" 🦀
ReplyDeleteNot Baltimore crab boil! It’s Old Bay!!
ReplyDeleteLoved "heading into a dead zone"
ReplyDeleteMany thanks!
DeleteKeep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly!
DeleteCongrats on your nomination. Keep those awards coming. It’s not a bad thing to get the same award over and over.
ReplyDeleteJohn Hurlbut
Thanks, John!
DeleteThe toaster presiding across from the Tanins couple is a gem for me ! Thank you to the universe that gifted you Wayno !
ReplyDeleteYou're too kind! Thanks!
Delete