COMIC BOOKS – The Best Three New 52 Superman Story Arcs

There are some really good New 52 Superman stories worth reading.  Even if you think you don’t like New 52 Superman.

If you want to read some good New 52 Superman stories, below are three story arcs I suggest you check out.

Watch the video to know why:

Grant Morrison’s Run on Action Comics

I forgot to say this in the video but, the this run of Superman actually ties in all the versions of Superman that have gone before.  Grant Morrison somehow manages to make all of Superman’s history tie in to this version in a very subtle way.

Superman: Action Comics, Vol. 1: Superman and the Men of Steel (The New 52)

Superman – Action Comics Vol. 2: Bulletproof (The New 52)

Superman – Action Comics Vol. 3: At The End Of Days (The New 52)

Superman Unchained by Scott Snyder and Jim Lee

Superman Unchained (The New 52)

Superman: The Men of Tomorrow by Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr.

Superman: The Men of Tomorrow

What’s you’re favorite New 52 Superman run? Sound off on the comments below.

If you like this post and want more, consider supporting me on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/LuisEscobar

COMIC BOOKS – Four Reasons to read Brian Michael Bendis’ First Five Year Run on Avengers.

I’m going to give you the four reasons you should check out the first five year run of Brian Michael Bendis’ Avengers. As well as a list, in order, to read them. Along with an explanation of why you ought to, without spoiling anything.

Why am I focusing only on the first five years of Bendis’ Avengers run? Well, mostly because I didn’t read the later part of his run. Not yet anyway. So I really can’t talk about them in.

Alright so let’s get Started…

He Made the Avengers Cool

I’m sorry but, as a kid, there was pretty much NOTHING that made me interested in reading the Avengers. I used to look at them and wonder, “Who are these losers?” They looked like a poor man’s Justice League.

I used to read Spider-Man comics mostly, and some X-Men comics. That was pretty much it.

Captain America seemed like a joke to me. Ironman wasn’t techy enough for me to like. If he had looked more like an Anime mecha, I would have been all over it.

Thor talked funny and it was hard to understand what he was saying. His universe was too weird and he wasn’t very “Norse.” Scarlett Witch and The Vision where “C” list characters that seemed to be there to fill in the roster.

Antman and Wasp? Lame.

There was nothing about the group that I found intriguing. Then I read Bendis’ House of M

I’ll write more about that below in my recommendations, but I will say this, it was the book that made the Scarlett Witch interesting to me.

This led directly to the Avengers Disassembled storyline which ended up being a great introduction to the Avengers.

I liked them, A LOT. Especially Captain America. Turned out, he was totally awesome.

The story was so brutal and dramatic that it really made you empathize with them. You wanted to follow up on who they were and what they did next.

But then they reintroduced the Avengers in New Avengers: Breakout doing something with the group that they should have done a long time ago. Instead of the “poor man’s Justice League,” Avengers became truly the Marvel Universe’s Justice League.

They took the most popular Marvel Characters in the Marvel U and one or two who weren’t, added a made new superhero that was effectively Superman, and made them the Avengers. Captain America, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ironman, Spider-Woman, Luke Cage, and The Sentry.

And they were COOL. I mean, how could you not read this book? From that point on, you get hooked.

The Characters

The stories told with these characters were exciting but what really set these books apart are the characters themselves.

The two characters in the team that where considered “C” list characters, Spider-Woman and Luke Cage, became the break out stars of the team.

But over all, it was an all-star cast. You WANTED to see these characters interact and go on adventures. And the new character The Sentry, was a fascinating new superhero.

With “the power of ten exploding suns” he pretty much is one of the two Supermen of the Marvel Universe. The other one being a little used character called Blue Marvel.

But since this is the Marvel Universe, The Sentry had all kinds of horrible, psychological issues. This of course made him fun to read.

In general, it was tough not to like this group of characters and it’s so much fun to read about how they interact with one another.

It’s Addicting

It was so much fun to read about them in fact, that I couldn’t get enough. I started picking up every tradepaper back of their adventures I could get my hands on.

The stories are fun, exciting and addicting. They’re real page turners and you really end up involved emotionally with these characters.

This is exactly what superhero comics is all about. The way these books read are the reason we read superhero comics in the first place.

It’s Epic

The stories that Bendis tells with this team is pretty epic. Things don’t stay the same for too long. The team changes splits up and comes back together in different ways through out the five year run.

Epic storylines like, House of M, Avenger Disassembled, Civil War, to it’s even more epic aftermath, The Ultron Initiative, The Venom Bomb, the Secret Invasion, the Dark Avengers and finally The Siege.   It’s an over the top insane epic ride.

Through it all, the stories stay really personal and character based while sill being grand in scope. It’s pretty amazing.

Where to Start

So if all this sounds right up your alley, I made a list with links to where you can purchase the books either in print on digitally. I’ll also give you some small spoiler free thoughts on each book.

Just to be clear, the blue header links and the picture are links to the print book on Amazon and they’re affiliate links (thanks for your support). The links under “Digital Comics Link” are links to Comixology (they are not affiliate links):

House of M

This is where it all kinda starts. The events in this story set up the events in the New Avengers books. That means, even though it’s not about the Avengers, it’s still a really good story, and it’s good to know what happens in it.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/House-of-M/digital-comic/15722

New Avengers Omnibus, Vol. 1

This is the ultimate, “get me started” volume. It contains about 40+ comics. From Avenger: Disassembled to New Avengers #31 and more. It’s the most hassle free and cheapest way to get caught up.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Avengers-Disassembled/digital-comic/19671

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-1-Breakout/digital-comic/14691

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-2-The-Sentry/digital-comic/16133

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-3-Secrets-Lies/digital-comic/17988

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-4-Collective/digital-comic/19462

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-5-Civil-War/digital-comic/20286

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-6-Revolution/digital-comic/22496

Civil War

This is the only non Bendis book on the list. I didn’t read the Avengers tie ins to this story either. That said, you need to read this because the events set up Avengers stories in New Avengers and Mighty Avengers.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Civil-War/digital-comic/19456

Mighty Avengers, Vol. 1: The Ultron Initiative

After Civil War, certain things change in the Avengers universe. There’s two Avengers teams. These are the stories that occur under Ironman’s Avengers.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Mighty-Avengers-Vol-1-The-Ultron-Initiative/digital-comic/15741

Mighty Avengers, Vol. 2: Venom Bomb

The stories of Ironman’s Avengers continue in this volume. The two teams come together in this one.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Mighty-Avengers-Vol-2-Venom-Bomb/digital-comic/23265

New Avengers, Vol. 7: The Trust

The last of the stories featuring the other Avengers team. These stories directly set up the invasion that occurs next.

The version I won compiles Vol. 7 – 10 in three volumes.  I couldn’t find a link to those versions of the books. Seems like they’re now out of print,  so instead I’m linking to the individual trade paperbacks.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-7-The-Trust/digital-comic/23264

New Avengers Vol. 8: Secret Invasion, Book 1

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-8-Secret-Invasion-Book-1/digital-comic/24002

New Avengers Vol. 9: Secret Invasion, Book 2

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-9-Secret-Invasion-Book-2/digital-comic/24643

New Avengers Vol. 10: Power

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/New-Avengers-Vol-10-Power/digital-comic/26360

Mighty Avengers Vol. 3: Secret Invasion, Book 1

Things get deeper into the invasion. Secrets get revealed.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Mighty-Avengers-Vol-3-Secret-Invasion-Book-1/digital-comic/24003

Mighty Avengers Vol. 4: Secret Invasion, Book 2 (v. 4, Bk. 2)

You get to find out even more secrets in this volume.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Mighty-Avengers-Vol-4-Secret-Invasion-Book-2/digital-comic/24659

Secret Invasion 

The final battle happens in this comic.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Secret-Invasion/digital-comic/16145

Dark Avengers, Vol. 1: Assemble

After the invasion, things change yet again for the Avengers. The Avengers become…well very different.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Dark-Avengers-Vol-1-Assemble/digital-comic/16806

Dark Avengers, Vol. 2: Molecule Man 

The new very different Avengers have to deal with the huge threat of Molecule Man.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Dark-Avengers-Vol-2-Molecule-Man/digital-comic/18204

Siege

The grand finale of this long Avengers Saga that began with House of M. To be honest, it was a bit weaker than I would have liked for a finale, but the journey was great and worth taking.

Digital Comic Link:

https://www.comixology.com/Siege/digital-comic/17991

COMIC BOOKS – 3 Reasons to Read MEANWHILE an Interactive Print Comic Book

Want to try reading an interactive “Choose Your Own Adventure type comic books? Meanwhile is the book for you.

Today I’ll tell you my experience with it.

As a comic creator I, like many other artists, have contemplated making a “Choose your own Adventure” like interactive comic. I know the reason I haven’t done it is because it’s WAY too much work. At least, that’s what I thought.  More on that later.

That didn’t stop Jason Shiga from creating one.

I became aware of the comic and Jason Shiga when listening to an episode of the Comics Are Great podcast. I don’t remember exactly which episode it was where I first heard about it, but that was where I was made aware of it.

I went to Jason Shiga‘s site and found some other of his experiments (which are no longer there) as well as his bio.

I was intrigued by the concept of the book and put it on my Amazon Wish List until it was the right time to purchase it.

Well, I bought the book recently and loved it.  Here’s the three reasons why I think you will too:

It’s a “Choose Your Own Adventure” Type Comic

This it THE reason to get the book.  It’s so clever.  You start with a basic choice between vanilla and chocolate ice cream and next thing you know you’re traveling through time or causing the end of the world.

It’s so much fun to read.  The clever way the story branches around using “tubes” is ingenious.

The story splits and splints. And when you think you’re just going around in circles you find that you’re really not.

Which bring me to…

It’s Deep

The comic is much deeper than it appears at first.  There’s codes in the game that allow you to access “secret pages.” The trick is to go through the branches of the story and MEMORIZE them once you come across them.

Once you get to the the right page that allows you use the code, you can follow the tube to the correct story path.

It’s pretty cool.  I haven’t been able to do it yet.

It’s a Great for Kids

Even though the book is a bit deeper than they can understand, my kids LOVE it.  They think it’s hilarious.   It’s also good for their vocabulary.

They love the decisions and the branching paths.

The art is cartoony and accessible.  It’s also fun and funny.  The story can be a little dark sometimes but generally it’s lighthearted.

Get It

I absolutely love this book.  It blows my mind that it even exists and that it’s as cool as it is.

Go get Meanwhile.

Creating Interactive Comics with Jason Shiga

As I’ve stated before, I’ve thought about making interactive print comics before but I thought it would be WAY too complicated.

Well, I was wrong.  It CAN be complicated, but it can also be very simple.

While doing research for links to Jason Shiga’s comics, not only did I find examples of much simpler interactive comics he’d made like this one:

But I also found a video where Jason Shiga shows you how to make a very cool one.He’re the videos:

I so want to make some now.

Interview with Jason Shiga

And here’s an interview with Jason Shiga if you’re curious about him.

And this last video is Jason Shiga showing you the different kinds of interactive comics he’s come up with.

COMIC BOOKS – “The Shadow Hero” Comic Book Review

Who was the first Asian American Superhero? Well the unconfirmed rumor is that it was a golden age character called The Green Turtle.

The origin of this hero can be found and read in Gene Yang and Sonny Liew’s book “The Shadow Hero” published by First Second books.

It’s a comic book/graphic novel and it’s a little over 160 pages long.

I received a copy of this book in the mail from First Second at Gene Yang’s request. For which I’m very grateful.   I wasn’t expecting it.

This week I’ll be reviewing the book.  Before I do though, I’d like you to watch this video of Gene, explaining the origins of the comic.

The links below are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

The Story

I’m not going to say too much about what the story is about.  That’s kinda the point of reading the comic.  I will repeat what Gene Yang said in the video above, it’s the origin story of The Green Turtle.

I will write about  the feel and the execution of the story and whether or not I liked it.

I did like the story.  It was very fun. There was a lot more comedy than I expected.  This is absolutely not a bad thing.

I think it helps going in that it will be a bit of a comedy.  But it’s not completely comedic.  People die in the story.  The stakes can be high.

There is one particular character, the protagonist’s mother, who’s there to make you laugh.  It’s odd because she’s introduced so seriously only to be portrayed so comically.  She’s fun to read.

She reminded me, so much, of a lot of my Asian friend’s mothers.

There are elements of fantasy in the story that I liked as well.  Although I kinda wished that they came into the story sooner.  The story starts off with them and they then get placed aside for quite a while before they appear again.

I found myself becoming impatient for them to show up.  They where the elements that fascinated me the most.

My favorite part of the whole story was the final confrontation with “the big bad.”  It was so good, I almost wished the set up to becoming the hero took less time so we could have more of the kind of stuff that was happening in the later part of the book.

The Art

Sonny Liew’s art is simply fantastic.  It’s just eye candy.

He’s go this really rough looking ink brush line that has so much life and energy.

His characters designs are fantastic and his acting is hilarious.  I love the way he layout pages too.

I can stare at the art all day long.  It’s so good.  It’s very unique.

The colors in the book and the way it compliments that line work is simply amazing.

I can’t say enough great things. It’s great to see an Asian person draw Asian people and not have it look like Anime.

Last Thoughts

If you’re a fan of Gene Yang, this won’t disappoint. It’s a fun read.

I wish there where a few more modern one shot stories of The Turtle’s adventures so we could see him in action.  That said, the book does provides a reprint of one of The Turtle’s golden age  adventures.

I found the idea of an Asian superhero from the 1940s fascinating.

It’s a universal story  that anyone can relate to. The human struggles the characters are going through are very relate-able, but I think it might be a bit more poignant and true to life if you’re Asian.

That said, I’m not, and I really enjoyed the story.  Can’t wait to see more from Gene and I have to look more into Sonny Liew’s work.

Check out “The Shadow Hero”

COMIC BOOKS – The Pros and Cons of Buying and Reading Digital Comics

I’ve been reading a lot of digital comics lately. Being new to reading mainstream comics this way has made me think about what I like and don’t like about doing so. I thought I’d share my thoughts in this post.

In my last post I wrote about the Wacom Cintiq Companion Hybrid.  Since the Hybrid is an Android tablet I downloaded the Comixology App and the Kindle App into it.

Those are the two Apps I use to read most of the comics I purchase.

I tend to read a lot of mainstream comics.  DC and Marvel superhero comics, mostly.  Though I also read others.

This post is mostly about reading digital comics on the two devices I mentioned, and they’re about reading comics that I can download from those two companies.

Most of  the comics I download are NOT directly made to be read digitally.  They where intended to be read in print and where also digitized.

I’m certain that some of what I’m going to writing below doesn’t apply to all digital comics.  Especially comic that are intended to be read digitally.

Below you’ll read what I think are the pros and cons of reading and buying digital mainstream comics.  As I usually do in these type of post, I will start with the cons so that I can end the article on a positive note:

Cons

Not the Ideal Way  of Reading Comics

Unless you’re reading a comic especially designed to be read digitally, reading comics on a device is less than ideal. Even when you have a big enough device like I do, you come across problem pages.  Pages like double page spreads.

They effectively shrink the pages having the opposite effect they where intended to have.  This means you have to turn the device on it’s side and zoom a bit to read them correctly. Unless you’re reading it on a Kindle which doesn’t rotate the art, then you have to double tap on panels to get zoomed in panels.

It’s annoying.

I also don’t like having to occasionally touch the screen every so often to prevent it from turning off and going into standby mode. It puts unecassary pressure on you as a reader, and takes you out of what you’re reading.

When you DON’T have a big enough device, reading tiny comics or panel by panel slide shows of the comic, really takes away from the reading experience.’

Disposable

Once upon a time, comics were a disposable form of entertainment. They were printed on the cheapest paper and printed badly.  They didn’t have any real value.

Over the years, this has changed.

With digital comics, this mindset has come back.  I’ve found myself not caring about the digital comics I’ve purchased.  I just want to read them.

Once I’ve done that, I just erase them from my device. I really don’t care much about them after that.

It’s very odd because I don’t react this way with my digital prose books.

I think, if I really liked a digital comic I read, I would buy it again in print.

Which brings me to my biggest problem with most digital comics…

Renting Not Buying

When you buy a digital comic from the main sources of digital comics, namely Comixology and Kindle, you don’t actually OWN the comics you “purchase.” You’re more like renting them.  For example, say your whole comic collection is from Comixology.

Well, what if it goes out of business, or it get’s sold to another company which shuts it down, well what happens to your collection?  I mean, Comixology never really let you download the comics.

Not as a raw digital file, or pdf.  Only within the Comixology program.  Kindle does something similar.  Your more like renting the comics,  not really owning them.

You really can’t do anything with them outside the program once you bought them.

Pros

Beautiful Looking

Digital comics sure are pretty.  The colors are more vibrant. The lines are sharper.

In short, it’s difficult to find a more beautiful media to read comics in.

Potentially Cheaper

Depending on where you purchase your comic, you can get some decent deals.

Kindle comics tend to usually be cheaper, that said, the reading experience in Comixology is a tad more user friendly.

Most trade paperbacks on the Kindle (as of the time of this writing) are $9.99, meanwhile the same comics,on Comixology tend to be sold at the same cover price as the print copy.  I found this odd.

Meanwhile Comixology run sales every month on multiple comic lines. Depending on the sale, it’s possible to come away with some incredible deals.

The best part of all though is the fact that you don’t pay taxes on the comics. You pay cover price. So even if the comic you buy cost the same as the print version, you’re still getting it for a little less.

Convenient Comic Collecting

Because digital comics are…well…digital, they don’t actually take up any space in your house.  This means you could have paid for hundreds of comics and they won’t clutter up the place.

You don’t have to find a storage solution of them.

You also have access to your whole collection in one or a few devices. You can basically carry your comics anywhere.

It’s remarkable

Does NOT Replace Print Comics

And yet with all those awesome things about digital comics, they don’t really replace print comics.  At least not for me.  The biggest reason is the value of a print.  When I read a GREAT comic, I mean a mind blowing good one, I want to keep it.  I want the art at my finger tips.

Not a digital reproduction but I  want to own a copy of the artwork.

That experience simply can’t be replaced.

For example, I wouldn’t want to own a digital comic with great artwork without also owning the print version.  I want to HAVE that artwork.  I want to own it and be able to have it open and study it.

I don’t simply want a digital representation that requires electricity to see it.

Worth Checking Out

Is is worth buying and reading digital comics on these devices.  My answer is, “Yes.”

It’s a good experience.  At least for me.  What do  you think?

Do you have a device you can read comics in. What is it and how do you like? I’d like to know.  You can do so on the comments section  below.

COMIC BOOKS – A Manga about Manga Creators: Bakuman

 Simpsons Quote:

“I’ve spent my entire life doing nothing but collecting comic books… and now there’s only time to say… LIFE WELL SPENT!” – Comic Book Guy

Man, they make Manga about EVERYTHING.  Case in point, I recently started reading a Manga about two guys who create Manga.

AND IT’S GOOD.  Who would have thought that making a Manga about the process of making a Manga would be so compelling and fun.

In this week’s post I’m going to be talking about this series of books.  You can either watch the video or read the post below. Either way, it’s the same info:

All the links to the books below are affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

The Manga about Manga

I went to the Pasadena Central Library and picked up a Manga called Bakuman. Bakuman is about to guys who decide to become professional Manga creators.  I’ve actually found it be fascinating.

It’s a Manga from the same creative team who created the Death NoteManga, which was turned into two live action films and an animated cartoon.

One of the things I like about it is that it’s a story.  It’s entertainment, BUT it’s also “infotainment.”   You get information about what tools are used, the process of making a Manga, what the writing process is like, what the editorial process is like, how the magazine gauges popularity, how Manga assistants work,…etc.  On top of that, at the end of every chapter you get roughs.  You get the what they call storyboards, which is a type of illustrated script. This is taken by the artist and tightened up a bit more.  You get to see this process at the end of every chapter.

It’s one of the many things you find out through out the Manga.

Lot’s to Learn About

This is read from right to left, Japaneses style.

There’s a lot of information here. Specifically on how to get published in Shonen Jump. Shonen Jump is a Manga anthology magazine in Japan written for boys.

On of the big driving factors for the characters in the book is to become so popular in Shonen Jump, that their Manga becomes animated.

As I wrote before, they talk about the editorial process.  They really go into how to get an editor, what you show an editor, the relationship between the editor and the artists, what the editors functions are, what the artists functions are, what the magazine is looking for, how the magazine judges stories and artwork, what gets published, how it gets published, how you become popular. I mean, by issue three they even start talking about what the “secret ingredient” is to keep, not only the readers happy but what you need to do to make something that might actually be a hit.

Being a Creator

Who knew creating Manga could be so dramatic.

Which I find incredible. It’s very cool, specially if you’re in that world already of coming up with stories and ideas. The discussions that the characters have about that stuff is great.  It so obvious that it’s the creators of the Manga that are talking about this to the readers, based on their experiences drawing Manga. And it’s done through this story, and none of it feels forced.  It’s great.

It goes through the ups and downs of being a creator.  But it shows you what it’s like to be a creator in a different culture.  At least different from mine. I’ve worked in the comic book industry and have done professional comics, and what the characters in the Manga go through is very different from what I’ve gone through. Yet, there’s so much that’s the same.

If you’re a creator of comics, it would be a great read, if only to see what creating comics in a different comic book culture is like.  While seeing what overlap is what similar struggles there is.

Yeah, so I highly recommend Bakuman.

Get Back to Me

Let me know if you pick the book up based on my recommendation, or if you’ve read it already.  I’d really like to know what you think of it.

Feel free to subscribe to my newsletter.  When you do, you get  a FREE digital copy of Angel Cowgirl: The Art of Luis Escobar as my gift to you.

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COMICS – Garfield the Cat Got me Into Drawing.

Simpsons Quote:

(Fat Tony drives the school carpool home.)
Fat Tony: Milhouse, may I borrow your three-ring binder?
(Milhouse holds up two binders.)
Milhouse: Garfield or Love Is…?”
Fat Tony: Uh, I prefer the cat. He hates Mondays. We can all relate.

As a little kid, I was pretty obsessed with Garfield the cat.  I used to read comic strips all the time but the one I liked the most where Garfield comics strips.

I bring this up because somehow, the whole Garfield thing came full circle when I started working in the animation industry.

Today I’m going to tell you how that happened.

You can either watch the video or simply read what I have to say in the video below:

Some of the links below are affiliate links.

Obsessions of a Little Kid

Garfield really got me into drawing.  I was really into comic strips when I was little. Specifically Garfield. I was really obsessed with Garfield.

I had the comic strip books,

I had Garfield story books:

When I was little I also drew comic strips. The comic strips I drew are actually kept in Garfield scrapbooks.  I’ve got two of them:

I looked in my drawing folders to see if I could find old Garfield drawings I did from when I was a kid. I managed to find one. I drew this when I was in junior high:

You can see from the drawings, especially on the eyes that I was influenced by Jim Davis eyes. And of course, there’s a drawing of Garfield in the bottom. I think it’s a copy, although I used to be able to draw Garfield pretty good without needing to copy.  It might have just been a memory drawing.

You gotta understand that I was pretty obsessed, I was drawing him, all the time.

Then There’s the Documentary

But above all else, what really influence me the most growing up, was a Garfield documentary.  I don’t know what it’s called or where to find it.   I used to have a copy of it on VHS that I recorded off the television.

I looked for it online and I can’t find it.  I don’t even know what it’s called.

The documentary was about Jim Davis, the origins of Garfield and where it came from.    It had behind the scenes footage of how a comic strip was made. It had footage of other artisst that worked on art for the Garfield merchandise.  They talked about the Garfield TV show and the specials.

It even had Phil Roman of Film Roman studios talking about the production of the animated cartoon.  He walks you through the process.

I wish I could find it.  If you can find it online or you know what I’m talking about, please let me know so could put a link to it so every could benefit from it.

It’s a fantastic documentary. It talks about cartooning  and all kinds of great things.

I used to watch it so much because is inspired me. I was pretty obsessed with it.

Well, I bring all this stuff up because it all came full circle for me. From elementary school drawing Garfield, to Junior High drawing Garfield, then soon after abandoning that and starting to draw cartoons and comics on my own.

My love affair with Garfield eventually faded away.

It All Came Full Circle

BUT then I get my first job in the animation industry, and low and behold, it’s in Film Roman where they were producing the Garfield cartoon.

That’s crazy.  That was just crazy.  I was more than aware of this coming full circle with the character. Somehow I ended up working in the studio that produced Garfield cartoons.  I didn’t work on Garfield but I saw them produce it.

It’s one of those weird things.

Has This Happened to You?

Had you even had anything like that ever happen to you? Something that has ever come full circle for you? I’m sure it has and I’d love to hear about it.  What inspired you to do what you do?

Oh, and I almost forgot, I also still have Pooky, Garfield’s teddy bear.  Yeah, I was just this obsessed little kid.

Alright, that’s all from me today.

EDIT:

Dave Roman to the Rescue

Turns out, I’m not the only one with this “art entry point.” Dave Roman of Astronaut Academy, Teen Boat and many other comics, was also influenced by Garfield comics.  As you can see by in this post:

http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1499#m12534

He was kind enough tell me what the name of the special was (Garfield 10th Anniversary Special) and gave me a link so here you go:

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