Andertoons Cartoon Blog

2006 Wrap-up

Wow, what a year!

A blogging look back:

January - I finally have an office. And it's really clean!

February - I ask a book reviewer to kiss my ass again.

March - Bug Catcher Spidey!

April - I'm an April fool for baby Bonnie!

May - My first Reubens! (Day one, two/three, pics)

June - Andertoons e-commerce debuts! My inbox and Paypal account take some much needed time off.

July - My son – cartoon prodigy.

August - Hanging with the crazies at Wizard World.

September - I made it there; I can now make it anywhere. (NY day 1, day 2 & 3)

October - Andertoons hacked!

November - Mmm... Andertoons...

December - Christmas pin-up.

Looking back this way has been a ton of fun for me personally. My wife and I were discussing the year this morning and I think it's probably one of the busiest, if not THE busiest, year for the Anderson clan.

So much good stuff, and so much that I'm so thankful for.

Here's to more good friends, good health, and good humor in 2007!

Technorati Tags: andertoons, blogs, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons

Andertoons Redesign (I Just Can't Leave Well Enough Alone)

It's been a few weeks since I last looked at redesigning the site, and after looking at the last design with some fresher eyes, and spending WAY too much time drawing graphics for the left side buttons, I scrapped everything yet again and started fresh.

Drum roll please...

(Click the image to enlarge to 1024 wide.)

OK, the buttons on the left are gone. I'm sorry, but there was just no way around it.

As the site expands and provides more and more features, screen real estate becomes harder to juggle. I'm also trying to leave some "white space" to avoid feeling too crowded. But, never fear, I didn't get too Web 2.0/corporate; dig the little icons in the top horizontal menu bar.

I also did some new stuff for features underneath the cartoon.

Hopefully it stays playful while allowing me some more room to work.

Of course there'll be more pages to change, but this is the final design and will define the rest of the site.

It's still a few months away, but I was excited to show it off.

Hope you like it!

Technorati Tags: andertoons, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons, websites

Silver Surfing

OK, the first Fantastic Four movie stunk, so I'm only mildly interested in the sequel, but you gotta admit, this Silver Surfer stuff looks pretty nice:

Technorati Tags: cartoons, comic books, movies

Happy Holidays

OK, everyone, I'm taking some time off for a bit.

While I'm gone, enjoy these Christmas cartoons!

Technorati Tags: andertoons, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons, Christmas

The Anderson Family Christmas Tree

We had to buy a new fake Christmas tree this year. Our old one lost a few pieces when we moved last year, and, besides the fact that a few days after I bought it, it was $100 cheaper, I'm really happy about it.

With our old one you had to put in each branch individually and then wrap the lights around it.

I got to hate that tree.

Now our new one folds up into four pieces and the lights are already in there! Yippee!!!

Anyway, I thought it'd be fun to have a look at our tree and some of my favorite ornaments:

I took this at night. It's kinda blurry, but I like the effect.


My sister got this for me a while back; it's from my high school.
(BTW, note to my guidance counselor; WRONGO, PALLY!)


The in-laws got me this while me and the Mrs. were dating.

My other sister made this a long long LONG time ago.

I can't remember if I got this for my wife, or if she got it for me.
Anyway, we both like Pooh, and the bee on a spring is fun!

My Mom did one of these for each of the kids. Funny how some
glitter glued onto a simple ball means so much 30-some years
later.


My wife and I honeymooned in Door County, Wisconsin. It's one
of our favorite places, and it took forever to find someplace that
actually sold a Door County Christmas ornament. Go figure.


I think we got this at the Swedish folk art exhibit at the Field
Museum a few years ago. The cats love it.

Not sure when the Mrs. made this, but it's old, and kinda falling
apart in back. Gotta fix this sometime.

And my favorite ornament, the clothespin Santa. Another Mom
rainy day project from forever ago. My son loves this, and it sits
at the very top of the tree.

Hope you liked it! Stay tuned for pics of me eating pickled herring and other Anderson family traditions!

Technorati Tags: andertoons, christmas

Cartoon Blogs (And One More...)

I've been steadily adding new cartoon blog to my right sidebar, and you gotta admit, the list is pretty long now!

Today's additions:

Mo Willems

Cartoonists with Attitude

And, under non-cartoon blogs:

Will it Blend? (Note - This will link to the videos; use the subscribe link at the site to keep up to date on new blends.)

Technorati Tags: blogs, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons, websites

The Artist Within

If you looked at this artist within right now, pretty much you'd find mostly Christmas cookies.

Thanks to Sandbox for hipping me to another book to buy before year's end!

Technorati Tags: books, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons

Cartoons Currently in Chronicle & Commonweal

Hey everyone!

I've got a cartoon in Commonweal, and one in The Chronicle of Higher Education for December.

Enjoy! (And sorry for not posting for a bit...)

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Andertoons Stripping

Ran across WittyComics.com while perusing something the kids like to call "the internet."

It lets you make your own comics with clip art. It's no Get Your War On, and the options are kinda limited, but I have to admit I spent more time here than I'd care to say.

Wanna see what happens next?

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More Magoo

Yep, more folks hate my Magoo review:

Mr. MGoo's Christmas Carol is possibly my favorite Christmas special. The music is wonderful. It is short and comedic but takes the story seriously. No, it is not a Duck Soup comedy but what is? And why would one want to ruin the depth that was in the original short story?

I do love the Alistair Simms' 1951 version but I love this in a differing manner. I am sorry that someone who has the same last name as myself does not like this work of art but do not assume his personal tastes are yours. This is a wonderful interpretation of The Christmas Carol.

I bought the DVD last year and cannot wait to watch it again this year. I would also believe that this would make a wonderful introduction to the story for young children. Yet I am an adult of almost 56 and I still love it. I cannot wait to have grandchildren and introduce them to it.

He actually laments sharing my last name. He wrote back again:

My wife and I just watched it again. It is true that the art work is simple but so it Charlie Christmas. But beyond that it is wonderful. The music was written by the team that wrote "Funny Girl." I particularly like the humorous ones such as the Razzleberry Dressing one, the one that the undertaker , the maid etc sing. But the song that is first sung by the young Ebineezer is very touching. The weakest song is the one that Belle sings. It is too smaltzy. But I still love this very much. I also like that it appears that Gerald McBoingBoing made his first serious appearance in the part as Tiny Tim. That is nastalgia but I loved Gerald!

Wait a minute...

The weakest song is the one that Belle sings. It is too smaltzy.

GASP!

How DARE you sir!

Here's another:

I guess my only comment would be: why review this program in the first place? It's been around since the early 1960's, has had hundreds of TV airings, sold thousands upon thousands of DVD's (it's actually in it's THIRD pressing!). The show is beloved by millions and has a cast of legendary voices not to mention boasting a score by TWO broadway legends. But in 2004, a cartoonist decides to write a smarmy review hurling brickbats at a classic. The show has proven itself and you should find somthing better to do with your time.

I'm gonna crawl into a bottle of egg nog and just cry myself to sleep...

Technorati Tags: andertoons, blogs, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons, movies, TV