(Eric Muntz, Eastern Echo, 12 May 2009)
I think I gave Dr. Spot too many spots on the last panel of this one.
I really don't know that much about psychiatry.
I just know what I picked up in a class and in session with my doctor.
The rest I kinda fudged.
(I'm not sure when or if this one was published in the Echo.)
On some crime shows, a kid will provide clues to the culprit in a crime by drawing a picture and talking about it to a psychologist or some other official. This isn't a cop show, but I thought this was a good idea for revealing Little Johnny's "monster."
I didn't quite state outright the connection between Dr. Spot and Little Johnny's perception of her as a monster in part the previous post. The connection, if you are observant enough (and good for you!), is that both are white with black spots all over. There was going to be more to this joke.
Hmm..... maybe when I make syndication....
(I think this one was published, but I'm not sure when.)
The reintroduction of Luther, the German Shepherd dog that Little Johnny and Dr. Spot asked to marry them! The last panel reminds us of what Little Johnny was like before the emotional trauma. The V8 was the punchline, but only because I didn't think the altered "low-tech solution to a high-tech problem" line would jive with readers. The V8 was, essentially, an afterthought, though it was to my advantage, I hope.
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2 comments:
Not understanding the V8 reference here. The last strip would have probably worked better had you not inserted that.
Also, these work okay as a series (though not your best work), but they make very little sense individually, which is essential for a popular comic strip (Peanuts, Garfield, Pearls..., etc. all succeed with this). These jokes are very wrapped up in the particularities of your characters and psychology and are not that relevant to the average reader. You're also dominating the panels with a ton of dialogue. Try simplifying. Your art is good in these... your drawing is simple and effective. Leave more room for it.
The V8 reference was the ads where someone hits someone else on the head and says, "You coulda' had a V8!"
I'll try to keep it simple from now on, meaning after the next couple strips, 'cause they've already been drawn and some have been published. (A misunderstanding between my editor and myself regarding target publication dates.)
As for being stand-alone comics, it seems a lot of successful cartoonists have the same problem that I do. The recapitulation of past comic strips is just too space-consuming to sum up all of the past events...I would have to fill up half the space with nothing but text, which doesn't leave nearly enough room to set up the next gag.
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