Laugh Tracks

Fairies, Facebook stock and the most impressive Alley Oop of all time?

2012-05-31T16:58:16-05:00

Here's a quick trio of impressive/funny/relevant GoComics features you might have missed, with a couple of behind-the-scenes comments...

Today's Rudy Park is right on the money, and makes a great "google minus" reference. As GoComics reader Mysticturner wrote: "Out of the mouth of a cartoonist, knowledge that Wall Street with all of it’s MBAs missed." What's even more impressive is RP writer/cartoonist Darrin Bell wrote and turned this in on May 21 — several days before the stock actually started plunging. Maybe Rudy should consider getting his head out of his iphone and giving stock tips.

Today's Soup to Nutz was deemed too controversial for the New York Daily News, who thought the last line was intended to be offensive. That's an understandable reading, I suppose, but if you have spent any time with the gang in Soup to Nutz, you'd know how innocent, child-like, and unlikely to be hurtful these kids really are.

I'd like to close with this powerful sequence that took place in Saturday's Alley Oop. While most of us were out barbecuing, racing jet-skis or just catching up on sleep, Alley was showing Hamid how he gets down. Pretty dramatic stuff taking place at Alley Oop this week, so I suggest you check it out.

Reubens interviews that will tickle your sole!

2012-05-31T13:41:04-05:00

You: I think you mean "soul."

Me: Do I? (wink)

Head on over to Tall Tale Radio to see more wonderful interviews from Tom Racine. You'll see a Jonathan Lemon and a Dave Kellett and a Tom Richmond.

-JG

Team Cul De Sac Auction is Sizzling!

2012-05-31T11:24:12-05:00

Hello, comics fans!

I write to you today to encourage you to scratch that itch!

What "itch" are you talking about, JG?

Great question, imaginary reader, I'm talking about the itch that keeps you up at night. The itch that your limited-edition Skeletor back stratcher cannot possibly reach. Dammit! I'm talking about doing something good for charity and more importantly ... yourself!

How can I, just one person, do that?

You can head on over to Heritage Auctions and start bidding on original art by the likes of a Bill Watterson, a Garry Trudeau, a Jim Davis, a Richard Thompson, a Sergio Aragones, a Patrick McDonnell, a Rick Kirkman, a Bill Amend, a Lynn Johnston, a Cathy Guisewite, a Stephan Pastis, a Jim Borgman, a Jan Eliot, a Lincoln Peirce, a Jef Mallet, and many, many more.

Proceeds go the Michael J. Fox Foundation to help find a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

Thank you.

-JG

attention, graduates!

2012-05-30T12:45:08-05:00

GoComics

Congrats to Glenn McCoy and "The Duplex"

2012-05-30T09:00:39-05:00

Put your hands and feet together for Glenn McCoy! Glenn won Best Comic Strip at the National Cartoonists Society over the past weekend and the tears and smiles and hugs were everywhere and a tangible sense of commmunity engulfed the room!

Glenn has now won an unprecedented 89 different NCS awards: Comic Strip, Greeting Card, Gag Cartoon, Comic Panel, Fish Cleaning, Best Eastern European Chamber Music Composition, Most Rabbit Pelts Worn, Most Arby's Beef & Cheddars Eaten, Tightest Tuxedo, Most Aggressive Heel on a Shoe, and many, many more.

WHOA! 20K+ Twitter #Followers?! -- Winners Announced!

2012-05-29T14:00:00-05:00

(click to enlarge)

We've got our WINNERS! Congratulations to the following:

• Tim Tribbet DVM: Autographed Cul de Sac print from Richard Thompson

• Fdtate: Autographed Arlo and Janis print from Jimmy Johnson

• Teresa Allison (Grand Prize Winner): Autographed Big Nate ORIGINAL PRINT from Lincoln Peirce + 1-Year GoComics Pro Membership

If you see your name above, send your shipping address to socialmedia@amuniversal.com, please include "Twitter Contest Winner" in the subject line. Winners have one week to respond before new winners are selected.

Thanks to all who commented!

RIP, Jim Unger

2012-05-29T12:54:01-05:00

We're saddened to report that Herman's Jim Unger has passed away. You can head on over to the Facebook Memorial Page to give your condolences https://www.facebook.com/HERMANcomics

Here's the release from the Unger family:

NEWS RELEASE
Tuesday, May 29th, 2012

Jim Unger has died. The creator of the enormously successful and original offbeat cartoon panel HERMAN passed away Monday morning at his home in Victoria, British Columbia.

HERMAN, which is featured in hundreds of newspapers worldwide by Universal Uclick as well as in dozens of book collections, was inspirational to many creators from Gary Larsen to Scott Adams.

The ground-breaking British-born cartoonist was twice honored by the National Cartoonist Society as Best Syndicated Panel.

“Jim was genuinely funny on and off the comic page,” says David Waisglass, Creator of Farcus and long-time friend. “He loved to share a laugh more than anything.”

After 20 years of cartooning and thousands of original comics to his credit, Unger retired to the Bahamas in 1992. He returned to the comic pages in 1997 with the release of classic and new HERMAN material.

“Jim was a genius by any definition,” says Waisglass. “He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and his work.”

Waisglass, along with Canadian comic illustrator Roly Wood, assisted Unger in his later years.

“It’s been great working with Jim,” says Waisglass, who calls Unger his mentor. “He was not just a business partner, colleague, and friend. He was truly a hilarious man with a sweet caring soul.”

Unger died quietly in his home at 75 years of age.

Many HERMAN cartoons have been inspired by his beloved sister, Deborah, and her husband Danny Parker along with their three children and many grandchildren, who always lived nearby. His brother, Robert, lived with Unger and joined in writing of many HERMAN cartoons until his death in 2003. Unger is also survived by his sister, Shirley Unger, in Ontario, Canada, and his brother Steve Unger in the U.K.

In lieu of flowers and cards, the family asks that donations be made to the HEART & STROKE FOUNDATION.

Congrats to Mark Parisi and 'Off the Mark'!

2012-05-29T09:29:52-05:00

Hey there! A hearty and hale congratulations to Mark Parisi and Off the Mark for winning the "Best Panel" at this year's National Cartoonists Society Awards over the weekend in Las Vegas.

Mark was victorious over some stiff competition including UU's own wonderful Non Sequitur. Mark also won the award in 2009 and was nominated in 2004 and 2006.

Way to go, Mark!

Biographic / Kid City / TrivQuiz Creator Steve McGarry to be honored

2012-05-24T08:54:49-05:00

‎"Top Cartoonist Steve McGarry Wins Service Award from Cartoonists Society Las Vegas, NV Thursday, May 24, 2012

Steve McGarry, prolific creator of the comic strips Biographic, Pop Culture and Badlands, will be honored with the National Cartoonists Society's Silver T-Square Award at the 66th Annual NCS Reuben Awards on May 26th, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Silver T-Square is awarded, by unanimous vote of the NCS Board of Directors, to persons who have demonstrated outstanding dedication or service to the Society or the profession.

Steve McGarry was elected to the board of directors of the National Cartoonist's Society, the world's premier organization for cartooning professionals, in 1999. Two years later, he was elected NCS President, and re-elected in 2001 – becoming only the third President in NCS history to serve consecutive terms. He was also the driving force behind the NCS Foundation, the charitable arm of the organization. The Foundation not only supports cartooning and cartoonists, but every year gives out the Jay Kennnedy Memorial Scholarship to a deserving college student.

Mr. McGarry can be reached at mac@stevemcgarry.com. For further information about Steve visit http://www.stevemcgarry.com/

The National Cartoonists Society was formed in 1946 and numbers some 600 of the world's top cartoonists in its ranks. Each year, the Society honors the profession's outstanding artists at the annual Reuben Awards Weekend, the Oscars of the cartooning world. For further information about the NCS visit www.reuben.org.

Hilary Price
National Cartoonists Society
Florence, MA
413-320-2165

Press release today from the National Cartoonists Society
www.reuben.org

WHOA! 20K+ Twitter #Followers?! -- GIVEAWAY TIME!

2012-05-22T12:00:00-05:00

(click photo to enlarge)

Woohoo! We are ecstatic at the sheer love for @GoComics! As a token of our love and appreciation for all of you, we’re having an international giveaway!

There will be a total of three winners, including one grand prize winner. Winners will receive:

• Winner One: Autographed Cul de Sac print from Richard Thompson

• Winner Two: Autographed Arlo and Janis print from Jimmy Johnson

• Grand Prize Winner: Autographed Big Nate ORIGINAL PRINT from Lincoln Peirce + 1-Year GoComics Pro Membership

HOW TO WIN:

Simply leave a comment answering this question: How old were you when you first started reading the funnies?

You have ONE WEEK to answer. Names from comments will be will be pooled together on Tuesday, May 28th at 12pm CST. Winners will be announced at 2pm that day on the blog, Facebook and Twitter, so keep an eye out!

Good luck and thanks again for the follows. We love ya!