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
Work expands to fill the period of time available for its completion. Cyril Northcote Parkinson
Greetings, with a tentative sigh of relief from your cartoonist. The long-awaited installation of my new computer was completed early this week, with relative ease and less expense than anticipated. I was pleased to find that all of my peripheral devices worked with the latest operating system. I have a very good Mac expert who helped me out by transferring everything to the new machine from my external backup drive. It went smoothly, until we discovered that my daily work files had been moved to a deeply buried invisible folder. Searching was fruitless, until I tried opening a recent spreadsheet, and Excel detected the file's location.
I'm back in business, but lost a day of work, so in an attempt to upend Parkinson's Law, today's post will be briefer than usual.
Today's pipe pic comes to us from Bizarro reader Wally T, who snapped the photo at an estate liquidation shop in Key West, Florida.
If you hurry, this oddly dapper ape might still be available. Thanks for the shot, Wally!
Now, let's review the week's cartoon output.
This visitor arrived in a button-flying saucer.
Tuesday's gag features a character based on actor, comedian, and emcee John O'Hurley, who has been a frequent host of the AKC's National Dog Show. To the best of my knowledge, there is no "National Kennel Club."
I offer apologies to friends in the craft beer biz, with thanks for the inspiration. I have no doubt that at least one of these names has been used for an actual beer label, probably in hard to read, psychedelic lettering.
When visiting Canada years ago, I tried poutine, and thought it seemed a perfect product for America, but I realized that it was probably a bit too healthy for this market. Maybe it could succeed if it were topped with a layer of bacon.
We normally try to use as few words as possible in a gag, but sometimes a lengthier setup works better.
The strip turned out to be a pleasing composition in a different way than the panel. I think the wider view of the landscape, and the dark sky around the characters' heads reinforces the length of their hunt.
We ended the week with the third occurrence of red tartan fabric, and the first appearance of a most elegant logger.
That's the latest from our cartoon lab in Hollywood Gardens, PA. Drop by again next week for another round of comics and commentary. Who knows, there might even be more plaid flannel.
Bonus Track
Joni Mitchell with The Band: "Coyote" Recorded live in 1976 for the film The Last Waltz
A wonderful performance by a group of Canadian musicians.
This is a prime example of Joni Mitchell's amazing, otherworldly songwriting. I can happily watch the entire film any day of the year.
More Bizarro Stuff
Dan Piraro's Bizarro Blog The Sunday Bizarro page, with Dan's thoughts on the week's comics and living with beloved canine family members
Wayno's Bizarro Newsletter Delivered to your virtual inbox, with a link to the latest blog post, a clip from an
upcoming gag and a graphic artifact from my digital files
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
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. Charles Mingus
A Jazz Pickle thanked me last week for posting a comic on social media, because he wasn't able to read the version printed in his local newspaper. Newsprint is already a low-quality medium, and in this paper, the black & white panel was severely reduced, and squashed from a portrait-oriented rectangle into a 1 7/8" square. That's the size of a Triscuit cracker.
To see what that might look like, I resized a comic, and my heart sank when it came off the printer.
I couldn't help thinking about it as I worked on the comics this week. My approach has always been to remove nonessential elements in illustrations and cartoons. Since coming on board with Bizarro, I still try to work that way, but it's counterbalanced by a sprinkling of Secret Symbols along with my preference for drawing objects and animals in a (relatively) realistic style.
When comic panels are printed at less than two inches per side, with the aspect ratio significantly altered, some will be impossible to read on newsprint, no matter how simple the drawing may be.
I won't alter my work to adjust for tiny reproduction, and will hope for the best, while encouraging readers to find the comics online if they have trouble reading them in print.
King Features has a reasonably priced subscription plan for their Comics Kingdom site, which includes access to all of their comics, including archives going back for decades.
Cartoonists can't control how newspapers print the comics, so it's best for each of us to continue to make art the way we see fit.
Our pipe pic for today is a Zippy the Pinhead comic, originally published on this date in 2015.
Zippy's creator, Bill Griffith has been one of my heroes since the 1970s. In my youth, I spent a lot of time (and money) in record stores, many of which also carried underground comix, where I discovered Bill's work. His art and writing flipped my wig and rewired my brain from the get-go.
In the years that followed, Bill and I became pen pals and eventually friends and colleagues, but he remains above all an inspiration and role model. I'm eagerly awaiting publication of Three Rocks, Bill's upcoming graphic biography of Ernie Bushmiller.
Your cartoonist, in the presence of greatness back in 2018.
Although he's been a huge influence, Bill Griffith bears no responsibility or blame for my comics, which we'll now review.
We at Bizarro Studios are well aware that "never mind" is properly spelled as two separate words. We chose to spell it as a single word in this panel to echo the raven's repeated "nevermore" in Poe's famous verse.
The employee's not wrong. His annual performance reviews do acknowledge incremental improvement.
As a child, I tried to clear an Etch-a-Sketch screen many times. Who knew I was actually working toward enlightenment?
For the strip, I reversed the characters and background. The word balloon and caption box had to be on the same side of the layout, to leave room for the art. It at least gives newspaper readers a fighting chance at getting the joke.
Surprisingly, I received only one online complaint from someone who didn't know how to find the meaning of an unfamiliar word.
This panel might seem applicable to a recent high profile trial in South Carolina, but that's pure coincidence. It was inspired by the aphorism "A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client."
A loyal Bizarro reader once referred to the miscellaneous topics I cover in my blog and newsletter as "triviata," and that invented word stuck with me. I imagined it as the title of an opera staged in Bizarroville, and came up with this gag. I tip my favorite fedora to Ralph H. for the seed of this gag.
Just for cynical laughs, here's a comparison of the squashed version of this panel and the full-sized file:
It's possible that the text suffers even more than the art.
One should pursue a career that incorporates their passion.
That's the latest output from the Little Shop of Humor here in Hollywood Gardens, PA. Be sure to visit us again next week for more comics, commentary and maybe a bit of triviata.
Bonus Track
The Kirby Stone Four: "Raven" Cadence Records single (1957)
The Kirby Stone Four recorded just one album for the Cadence label (Man, I Flipped... When I Heard the Kirby Stone Four), but it's their best.
Their brilliant, Poe-inspired faux beatnik number did not appear on the LP.
This video was digitized from the original vinyl here at Bizarro Studios North.
Other Bizarro Locations
Dan Piraro's Bizarro Blog Dan's latest Sunday Bizarro page, and an embarrassing episode from the past
Wayno's Bizarro Newsletter A weekly email linking you to the latest blog post, plus a peek at an upcoming gag and an illustration or design from my previous life
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
You really don’t need musical notation for rock and roll. I always said it was all hand signals and threats. Elvis Costello
Today's post opens with a wise observation from Elvis Costello's book, Unfaithful Music & Disappearing Ink. The quote comes to mind when my musical group practices or performs.
Our pianist, who also sings, whistles, and plays a mean kazoo, is a bona fide musical genius. Tom has written film scores and original music for silent movies (including F.W. Murnau's classic Nosferatu), and he's transcribed music by Dr. John, James Booker, and many other great piano players of the past. He recently shared a video of an amazing piece by Luckey Roberts that was generally thought to be impossible to notate. He knows his stuff.
In our group, Tom works with two aging punks who can't read music and whose eyes glaze over when he explains compositional and rhythmic concepts, not unlike an alien from an advanced civilization discussing quantum physics with a pair of Neanderthals.
Dave, our drummer, and I scribble made-up terms in the margins of the lyric sheets we during rehearsals. Things like "quiet up-and-down part," "tinkly piano noodling," and for some forgotten reason, "the growth." Yet, our collaboration works. When we play live, we all keep our eyes on each other, and communicate with nods and hand signals, although most of the gestures I make serve to direct myself rather than my bandmates.
Fortunately, no threats are involved, but the potential always exists.
Our pipe pic for today is a self-portrait of illustrator and cartoonist Harry Haenigsen (1900-1990).
Haenigsen was best known for Penny, his comic strip about a teenage girl, which ran from 1943 to 1970.
His comic art was bold and stylized, and he was skilled at placing areas of solid black within the panels. The title character's father was usually shown smoking a pipe.
Thanks to Bizarro reader J.P. van G, who sent us several fun pipe images, including the Haenigsen drawing. It sent me off on a search for examples of the cartoonist's work. The Hogan's Alley magazine site has a nice overview of Haenigsen's life and career, written by cartoonist and comics historian Ed Black.
Speaking of comics, this is a good time to look at the week's Bizarro gags.
These spudfellas might well be the source of the expression "I'm going to rearrange your face."
Only the most sophisticated imaging equipment was able to locate the source of the patient's sharp abdominal pains.
I believe this configuration is actually possible using a standard Scrabble game. Writing the caption was the easiest part of producing this panel. I made a list of possible words to include, and then experimented with how they could be played during a game.
While studying a Scrabble board, I realized for the first time in my life that the double/triple word and letter squares are color-coded with shades of red applying to words, and blue tones for letters. In addition, each square has two or three arrows on each edge corresponding to double or triple scores, so they can be identified when they're covered by a tile.
The strip layout deleted the word "spawn," but it contains the same three Bizarro Secret Symbols at the panel.
This gag also prompted the Ridiculous Comment of the Week:
So we're allowing plurals in Scrabble now?
I typed several replies, but deleted every one without posting it. The experience did make me wonder how many points the word "knucklehead" might score.
As an esteemed friend and colleague said, "It's all downhill once you start walking."
We present a rare example of mammal-marionette symbiosis.
Saturday's gag affectionately tweaks furry fandom. As a Pittsburgher, I have fond respect for the community. Every summer, my hometown hosts Anthrocon, an annual convention for furries. The gathering provides a boost to the local economy, and downtown businesses welcome its attendees, who are known to be gracious guests. The convention adds color and fun to our city, and each year its members raise money for a Pennsylvania animal charity. For the 2023 convention, Anthrocon is providing support to Rabbit Wranglers.
Thanks for browsing this week's blog. Drop by next Saturday for another jumble of vowels and consonants.
Bonus Track
The Velvelettes "Needle in a Haystack" VIP/Motown Records single (1964)
Even More Bizarro Stuff
Dan Piraro's Bizarro Blog Dan's widescreen Sunday Bizarro, and musings about our connection to, and disconnection from nature
Wayno's Bizarro Newsletter Up for more shoptalk? Check out the newsletter, where you'll also get a Bizarro sneak preview, and some of my old art and design work
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
Honour thy error as a hidden intention. Brian Eno & Peter Schmidt
Believe it or not, it's already time to look back on another short stack of Bizarro comics. In the studio, I was happy to have completed another week of new work in less than seven days, while many distractions presented themselves.
We're replacing two computers in our house, and (with the help of a knowledgeable consultant) the oldest one was decommissioned a couple of days ago. It's our "household" machine, and was on its last legs. I'm awaiting delivery of the new business Mac, which has me a little nervous. My current model is six or seven years old, and it's starting to act weird. I'm confident that the software and file transfers will work, but there's always the concern that the third-party peripherals (scanner, printer, tablet & stylus) might have to be replaced.
I also ventured out a few times. Twice to have a meal or a drink with old friends I haven't seen in a while, and once just to walk in some ridiculously pleasant February weather. On Thursday, here in Pittsburgh, we had a sunny high of seventy degrees. I barely even fretted about deadlines.
The quote at the top of the page is from Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt's Oblique Strategiescards. They're meant to be chosen at random to suggest ways to tackle creative problems. They don't strictly give advice, but can disrupt rote thinking and set the mind off in an unexpected direction. This is one of the more direct cards, and one of the more profound.
When people ask for tips about cartooning, one thing I always say is to draw every day, by hand, with a pen or pencil, not a mouse or stylus. When there's no "undo" option, unexpected marks on paper can sometimes grow into useful ideas.
I had a vague awareness of this concept, but had never articulated it until I attended one of Laurie Rosenwald's How to Make Mistakes on Purpose workshops in 2007. It wasn't
specifically about cartooning; Laurie's lessons apply to any creative
work. She emphasized the importance of the accidental in making
something new. Several of the workshop activities involved doing a large number drawings in a
short burst of activity, encouraging stray lines or "happy accidents"
to occur. If you have an opportunity to attend one of Laurie's workshops, don't miss it.
Rosenwald and Eno are both people I admire. They're interesting thinkers who make inspiring art. Eno is responsible for much of my favorite music, too.
This week's pipe pic was discovered in the wild by my friend and bandmate Dave Klug.
Dave snapped this picture at his favorite flea market. I showed restraint by not asking him to buy the book for me, and was content to have the photo to share on the blog.
Now, let's take a look at what may have resulted from some happy accidents at my drawing board this past week.
Comics about animals are sometimes comments on the human condition, such as this illustration of the adage, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." Of course, an exploding chew toy is even more dangerous.
I've been writing a lot of snowfolk gags, despite the fact that our winter has been alarmingly mild this year.
When a snowperson wears this hairstyle, their sense of smell is heightened.
I'm no longer a kid, but I relate to the kid in the comic. When someone calls my phone, which is its most basic function, I feel a little anxious and perturbed at the "interruption." When I answer and speak with a friend, it's always rewarding, but the ringtone still induces dread. At least I can channel my irrational fear into a comic.
Maybe a new Oblique Strategies card could read, "Honor thy neuroses as hidden jokes."
Actual experts admit when they're stumped, while uninformed know-it-alls are always sure of themselves.
When this cowpoke pokes a cow, the cow stays poked.
Saturday's gag has the week's highest Secret Symbol count, and the highest protagonist.
Thanks for dropping by the cartoon corral, buckaroos. Mosey on over next week, and we'll drink some virtual joe around the digital campfire.
Mardi Gras Bonus Track
Huey "Piano" Smith and the Clowns Would You Believe It (I've Got a Cold) Ace Records 45, 1959
February 21 was Mardi Gras. Less that two weeks before Fat Tuesday, Huey "Piano" Smith
died at the age of 89. Smith was one of the greats of early New Orleans
R&B, but like many musicians of his time, he was often cheated out
of money, and had to work other jobs throughout his life.
His music was pure fun and joy, and he recorded many New Orleans classics, such as "Don't You Just Know It," "Rocking Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu," "Little Liza Jane," and "Don't You Know Yockomo."
"Would
You Believe It" is a lesser-known number,
with a delightful vocal by Bobby Marchan. My band used to
perform this song, but we haven't for a few years. It might be time to
bring it back into the repertoire.
Wayno's Bizarro Newsletter If the blog doesn't fill you up, sample the newsletter. You'll see a clip from a future gag, and a graphic artifact from my files
