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, who created Bizarro in the late twentieth century, continues to do the Sunday comic from Rancho Bizarro in Mexico.
Wayno
Somehow, it's already December. We're approaching the close of my fifth year as the daily Bizarro cartoonist, and we're happy to say that we've renewed for the next five. Looks like you're stuck with me for a while longer, Jazz Pickles.
This week's pipe pic might be a bit surprising when you read the name of the model.
Our affable collegiate gent is none other than William Henry Pratt, better known as Boris Karloff. A tip o' the Bizarro fedora to reader Warren W. for bringing this one to our attention. Thanks also to Eric S. for the title of today's post.
This year has been rough on the underground comix community. Justin Green, whose 1972 masterwork Binky Brown Meets the Holy Virgin Mary remains one of the greatest autobiographical comics ever published. Pioneering cartoonist and editor Diane Noomin left us in September, and this week we learned of the November 29 passing of Aline Kominsky-Crumb, whose brutally honest and joyfully transgressive work inspired tons of cartoonists, including her famous husband, Robert Crumb.
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| Diane Noomin & Aline Kominsky-Crumb, 1974 Photo credit: Bill Griffith |
This photo was taken after Diane and Aline had created the long-running Wimmen's Comix, and shortly before they launched Twisted Sisters. These latest losses of underground comix giants have reminded me of the importance of supporting cartoonists and the art of cartooning.
Since you're interested enough to read this blog and/or the newsletter, we know that you care about comics, and we thank you for your readership and support.
Speaking of comics, that's probably why you're here, so let's look at the week's selection from Bizarro Studios North.
Our latest fly-in-the-soup gag doesn't show any soup, but references another comic trope/cliché while taking a gentle poke at the received wisdom regarding New Yorker cartoons.
The strip version required rearrangement of several elements, and a bit of extra drawing.
Kahlo and Diego Rivera were divorced in 1939 and remarried a year later, so one could say this panel is based on truth, or at least inspired by it.
This one was relatively easy to convert to the strip layout, and I find it to be satisfying in its own way. The two configurations have distinct rhythms, as can be seen when comparing the examples above.
Dan Piraro's Bizarro Blog
Dan's Sunday Bizarro page, plus additional thoughts from our Chief Eyeball Officer
Wayno's Bizarro Newsletter
Additional miscellany, a peek at an upcoming gag, and something from my illustration & design archives
Bonus Track
The Cramps, "Human Fly"
Originally released by Vengeance Records, 1979
Produced by Alex Chilton
Copyright© 2022 by Wayno®
December 1 comic seems to be missing
ReplyDeleteUgh! Thanks for catching that! I've updated the blog to include it. Your sharp eyes are very helpful!
DeleteI have three (that I know of) Western PA connections: relatives, the YouTuber "Diesel Creek" and Wayno, who is the only one I want to send money to.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly. Glad to know we can compete with heavy equipment.
DeleteAll of Mary Roach’s books are terrific, “Stiff” being among the best and, I loved “Bonk”. She has a new release about animals I can’t wait to get to next.
ReplyDeleteYes, they're both on my reading list. Thanks!
DeleteI love the 'pipe as periscope' in the strip version of December 2nd cartoon. What else is lurking under the waves?
ReplyDeleteOne never knows...
DeleteDecades later, I still occasionally ponder the meaning of "desert island." I mean, it may be a one (or more)- treed island... but in the ocean, not a desert. (Not even in a dessert, usually.)
ReplyDeleteDoes that make the cliche set-piece a deserted island? An oasis island (a place to rest in the vastness of ocean)? Beats me.
Meanwhile, thanks for another week of fun and ruminations. Happy Hollandaise and Merry New Beer!
One meaning of "desert" as an adjective means uninhabited or desolate. English is such a weird language.
DeleteAnd thank you for the seasonal greetings! The same sentiments to you & yours.
DeleteMy assumption is that the Shady Cafe is founded by a graduate of Shady Side Academy.
ReplyDeleteHa! I was using the word as in "throwing shade," but the local connection you made gave me a laugh!
DeleteInteresting... I took a possible interpretation of that "Shade Restaurant" name as if to "French-i-fy" it, like when people pronounce "garbage" as if it were "gar-bawzh".
DeleteThus, I ended up with "Shaw-day Restaurant", which can sound a whole lot like "shoddy restaurant"! Probably over-thinking it all again too much, aren't I?