COPETOONS.COM - Blog

Cartoonists in the House - McMaster Children's Hospital RMH Family Room Visit by NCS Canada Members

2012-01-22T14:25:00.017-05:00

This past Friday, fellow members of the Canadian Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) and I visited the Ronald McDonald Family Room at McMaster Children's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. It was a truly fun, inspiring, and rewarding experience for all of us.Planning for this event began in early November. Shortly after I accepted the acting role of Chair for our chapter, newest

NCS Canada Cartoonists to Visit Ronald McDonald House Family Room at McMaster Children's Hospital

2012-01-11T12:32:00.014-05:00

Here's something I'm looking very forward to participating in ..."Cartoonists in the House!" (Poster design by Mike Cope).Back in the Fall, I was nominated to take on the acting role of Chair for our Canadian Chapter of the National Cartoonists Society (NCS). It's not a title that comes with any fancy dip pens or ink, but a voluntary role that I was honoured to accept ... Honestly, I'd only been

2011 NCS Divisional Awards Call for Entries (UPDATED)

2012-01-10T11:17:00.010-05:00

From the National Cartoonists Society's official website http://reuben.org ...The National Cartoonists Society is starting it’s annual call for entries for consideration for their NCS Divisional Awards recognizing excellence in professional cartooning. As always, you DO NOT have to be a member of the NCS to have your work considered for a divisional award… all that is required is that the work be

A Belated 2011 Cartoons, Comics, and Illustrations Wrap-Up

2012-01-06T12:29:00.015-05:00

Happy Belated New Year!Needless to say, I've been a poor social networker lately. Between my regular cartooning work, freelance projects, and a growing family ... Well, here are some highlights from the last-quarter of 2011 that I failed to mention at the time ...October:The gag cartoon above was published in the October 2011 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine. It's one of my personal

Home Lab: "Tooth Test" Cartoon Illustrations Published in YES Mag #84 (Sept. 2011) by Mad Science

2011-09-16T14:14:00.010-04:00

How's yer pearly whites? If you're like me, and have a sweet tooth (or two!), you're probably salivating over this cover photo from the Sep/Oct 2011 issue of YES Mag #84: The Science Magazine for Adventurous Minds.The issue is overflowing like a sack of Halloween candies with all sorts of articles and goodies on "The Science of Junk Food." If you're not a subscriber, I sugar-highly recommend

Class Acts: "Reboot" Gag Cartoon Published in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession Magazines (Sept. 2011)

2011-09-12T11:10:00.008-04:00

The September 2011 issues of the education trade magazines Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession are now arriving in mailboxes to members of The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).For this issue, I peer into my cartoon crystal ball and reflect on the educational ripple effects that computer-assisted instruction via SMART Boards, iPads, and other rapidly evolving e-learning tools may have

COMIC: "WebVoyagers in Apple Harvest" - Published in The Canadian Reader (Sept. 2011)

2011-09-07T10:59:00.000-04:00

It's a brand new school year, and that means a brand new year of educational comic adventures across Canada with WebVoyagers, published in The Canadian Reader by LesPlan Educational Services Ltd. This is my fourth year illustrating WebVoyagers (formerly NetTrekkers), and I'm very happy with how the comic has evolved since 2008. Each story is written by award-winning Canadian children's author,

"Daredevil" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (Sept. 2011)

2011-08-27T15:45:00.004-04:00

The September 2011 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 89. Special thanks to the editors at Reader's Digest Canada!Here's a sneak peak ... Gag Cartoon: "Daredevil" in RD Canada Magazine (September 2011). I've titled this particular gag cartoon "Daredevil"

Alive and ... Well ...

2011-08-11T16:00:00.003-04:00

Please excuse the blog silence. This cartoonist has literally had his hands full since April 23rd. Hope you're enjoying your summer! On the subject of babies, here's a sneak peak at a gag cartoon that I recently sold to Reader's Digest Canada magazine. Watch for it in the October 2011 issue! Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope

Sneak Peak: "Class Acts" Cartoon (June 2011)

2011-04-20T10:26:00.005-04:00

Sneak Peak: "Class Acts" Cartoon (June 2011).Currently finishing up the next "Class Acts" cartoon for the June 2011 issue of Professionally Speaking, an education trade magazine published by The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).Despite the coincidental resemblance, I can't say this little guy is a self portrait ... I never rode a bus to school ;)Stay TOONed!- Mike Cope

"Class Acts/Quelle Classe!" Cartoons Debut in Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession Magazines (March 2011)

2011-03-10T11:28:00.018-05:00

A few months ago, I received an email inquiring if I'd be interested in drawing some education-related gag cartoons exclusively for Professionally Speaking/Pour parler profession -- two education trade magazines published by The Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). For those not familiar with OCT, "teachers who want to work in publicly funded schools in Ontario must be certified to teach in the

Interview in StayTooned! Magazine

2011-02-25T09:00:00.007-05:00

I received an email from StayTooned! Magazine editor & publisher, John Read, that Issue 6 of his wonderful cartooning publication is currently at the printer and copies should be available next week.This issue is being dedicated as an "All-Mikes" and I'm honoured to have been interviewed alongside such a talented selection of fellow professional cartoonists named Mike.From the StayTooned!

2010 Cartoonist of the Year Nominees Announced

2011-02-25T08:19:00.006-05:00

The following news comes from the National Cartoonists Society (NCS). For more information about the NCS Awards, visit http://www.reuben.org/awards.html The official ballots have been issued to all professional members of the National Cartoonists Society, and the nominees for the Reuben Award for “Cartoonist of the Year” are:Glen KeaneStephan PastisRichard ThompsonGlen Keane is an animator,

Exploring the Montréal Biodôme in WebVoyagers Comic - Published in The Canadian Reader (Feb. 2011)

2011-02-13T10:38:00.016-05:00

The February 2011 edition of The Canadian Reader is now available for use in elementary school classrooms across Canada.This month, the kids explore the diversity of life at the Montréal Biodôme in our WebVoyagers comic (Written by Vivien Bowers, Illustrated by Mike Cope). Special thanks to my editor, Janet Wieczorek, at LesPlan Educational Services Ltd.Drawing the various animals and

Daily Cartoonist Articles and A Brilliant Comic Strip Cartooning Process

2011-02-10T23:02:00.003-05:00

Last Friday, Alan Gardner posted on his professional cartooning news blog, The Daily Cartoonist, an article titled "Video: Mike Cope drawing on Strathmore Bristol Board." Since then, I've received some very kind feedback from fellow cartoonists regarding my Sweet Valentine cartoon's inking demonstration that can be watched via YouTube.My sincere thanks to all of my cartooning friends and

YouTube Video: "Sweet Valentine" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (Feb. 2011)

2011-02-01T13:41:00.007-05:00

The February 2011 edition of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands.This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 117 -- Virtual chocolates and long-stem roses to the editors at Reader's Digest Canada!I've titled this particular cartoon "Sweet Valentine" and as a special Valentine's Day treat for you, I've prepared

Cartooning Pickles ... All in the name of Science!

2011-01-25T11:11:00.005-05:00

If I had to make a Top 10 list of the weirdest and funniest things I've ever had to cartoon, pickles would be very close to the top, if not number one!Maybe it's because of the way they look ...Maybe it's because of the way they feel ...Or maybe it's the way they sound ...*C-R-U-N-C-H!*Whatever the reason, I cartoon these pickles in the name of Science! And you'll be able to see them in full

EVEN MORE March Break 2011 - Cartooning for Kids @ Hamilton Public Library

2011-01-20T21:54:00.003-05:00

I need to start this post with a big, sincere THANK YOU to all of our local librarians who are expressing continued interest in my Cartooning for Kids workshops, for yet another invitation to return was received today.And so, once again, attention all kid cartoonists (and parents/guardians) in Hamilton, Ontario! A third cartooning session will be running on March Break, this time at the

MORE March Break 2011 - Cartooning for Kids @ Hamilton Public Library

2011-01-07T15:53:00.003-05:00

Once again, attention all kid cartoonists (and parents/guardians) in Hamilton, Ontario! I've just accepted a second invitation to run a March Break Cartooning for Kids workshop, this time at the Concession Branch of the Hamilton Public Library.If you missed yesterday's announcement, I'll also be at the Westdale Branch this March Break.WHAT: Cartooning for Kids with Mike CopeWHERE: Concession

March Break 2011 - Cartooning for Kids @ Hamilton Public Library [UPDATED]

2011-01-06T12:03:00.006-05:00

Attention all kid cartoonists (and parents/guardians) in Hamilton, Ontario! I've accepted an invitation to run a Cartooning for Kids workshop at the Westdale Branch of the Hamilton Public Library during our upcoming March Break 2011 ...UPDATE: I'll also be at the Concession Library Branch on March Break!WHAT: Cartooning for Kids with Mike CopeWHERE: Westdale Branch, Hamilton Public Library955

"Crash Course" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (Jan. 2011)

2011-01-04T11:34:00.006-05:00

The January 2011 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 63. Special thanks to the editors at Reader's Digest Canada!Here's a sneak peak ...Gag Cartoon: "Crash Course" in RD Canada Magazine (January 2011). I've titled this particular gag cartoon "Crash Course"

Ode to a Happy Cartooning New Year ...

2010-12-31T16:41:00.009-05:00

Wishing my fellow cartoonists all the best in 2011.Happy New Year from COPETOONS.COM!Ode to a Happy Cartooning New YearMay your pencils stay sharp,May your ink never smudge,May your gags always giggle,And may your heart and mind always stay TOONed!Happy New Year!- Mike CopeP.S. ... My new year's resolution is to update this blog more frequently, but I'll believe that when I see it happen :)

"Warm Greeting" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (Dec. 2010)

2010-12-08T14:02:00.007-05:00

The December 2010 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 92. Special thanks to the editors at Reader's Digest Canada!My gag cartoon is entitled "Warm Greeting" and was actually inspired by a conversation I overheard between two older gentlemen at a local

Arts Dundas 2010: "Cartooning for Young People" Workshop

2010-11-05T19:04:00.003-04:00

I'm looking very forward to participating tomorrow morning in Arts Dundas 2010 by running a FREE cartooning workshop for kids and teens at the Dundas Branch of the Hamilton Public Library.Here are the details:Cartooning for Young People (Children & Teens)Saturday, November 6, 2010 10:30 AM - 11:30 AMMike Cope, freelance cartoonist and illustrator of the educational comic book NetTrekkers, will

THE SKELETON FLASHDANCE - A Halloween Homage to Disney's Original Silly Symphony Cartoon

2010-10-31T08:59:00.004-04:00

Happy Halloween! I'm currently teaching a 10-week Computer Animation evening course to kids, tweens, and teens (ages 8-14) at Beamsville District Secondary School in the District School Board of Niagara (Ontario, Canada). This past week, I introduced my students to Adobe Flash CS4's Bone Tool. With Halloween just around the corner, I figured animating dancing skeletons would be a fun way to learn