“Giant Days #1” is just what the doctor ordered if you’re in need of some rather droll humor. John Allison has been dishing out his humor, dry and stylish, for many years. Fans of Allison’s “Scary Go Round” are fiercely devoted to the misadventures of Shelly Winters, which you can check out here. Allison has gone beyond the youthful misadventures of Scary to the schoolgirl sleuths in “Bad Machinery.” And, in between, he created “Giant Days,” featuring Esther de Groot, just starting university, and always ready to get into trouble.
The characters in Giant Days are all quite young, full of spunk, and part of a way of looking at the world, all deadpan and cute. The quirk factor in Allison’s comics falls right in with comics by Kate Beaton and Bryan Lee O’Malley. All three cartoonists don’t seem to have a mean bone in their bodies. Their characters may say things that are snarky and yet they also come across as quite vulnerable, never much of a threat to anyone. Even when things come down to pounding fists and kicks, the genius to keep to a cartoony distance repels any real harm. That is a big part of the appeal. These characters can say and do anything and remain in a cartoon safe zone. That’s the story of a lot of great comics.
You would think this sort of thing is such a piece of cake. The art appears rather simple, yes? The jokes seem so casual and carefree, yes? But, no, it’s not easy cake. It’s not even easy cupcake. The process can be magical, enjoyable, and may seem easy. But it requires the right type of cartoonist: diligent, brave, and full of wit. So is the case with Allison. In Giant Days, he gives us one Esther de Groot, all cute and idealistic. She loves the cerebral and the misfit. Those are the types she wants to hang out with as she starts her life, away from home. But, given her cuteness, the cool girls want to take her as one of their own. Of course, they never expected Esther to have a mind of her own. Sarcastic remarks are made. Cat fights ensue. All in all, just the sort of comic to enjoy with a nice tea and crumpets.
Visit John Allison’s website here. And check out Giant Days over at ComiXology here.
Editor’s Note: Marshall McLuhan is gaining ground, much like Nikola Tesla, as a hero from the past speaking for today. He would certainly have something to say about the hotspot that is today’s Ballard, a far cry from the sleepy little hamlet that it once was. McLuhan was sensitive to such things as the character and identity of a place.
Has Ballard lost something? Well, it’s always been under development, that’s one way of looking at it. Consider the last panel in this comic. You see what was once a grand old fire station. It was converted into one of Ballard’s leading restaurants, The Hi-Life, long before the arrival of all the other new hotspots that make up the new Ballard. It’s certainly a great place and enhances the whole area. All you have to do is try their famously good fried chicken to know they belong right where they are.
And so it begins, a look at Ballard, the cutting edge scene for foodies and hipsters in the midst of a mellow blue-collar world. We begin with a 24-hour adventure in search of the very soul of Ballard.
Photo by Zachariah Bryan, Ballard News-Tribune
Yours truly made the local paper, The Ballard News-Tribune. The story was published online this week (which you can read here) and the print edition of Westside Weekly came out today, Friday, October 11, 2013.
Dean Martin was a classic entertainer: a singer, an actor, and a comedian. It makes sense that he was involved in the creation of the celebrity roast as we know it today. Every time you see the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Roast, you’re seeing a tradition going back to The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast. An essential characteristic of Dean’s roast was the wow factor since Dean could call up just about any of the legends of his day and have them appear on the show.
A new DVD collection honors this colossal Who’s Who of talent, like Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, Jimmy Stewart, Don Rickles, Rich Little, Jackie Gleason, and many more. The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, which ran from 1973 to 1984, truly set the tone for lighthearted roasts. You can purchase it here. What you’ll find in this collection is a selection of some of the best roasts plus a sharp and thoughtful presentation. I got a chance to review the Collector’s Edition, listed at $59.95, that includes 6 discs and includes three featurettes plus recent interviews with some of the key talent. Also available is a single disc and a complete deluxe edition.
A good way to start in on this collection is by checking out the interviews to help set the tone. Let’s consider an observation by Rich Little. Understandably, we begin with some comments on how humbling, and even terrifying, it was to perform among so many greats. Then we get to some funny bits that include a recollection of teaching Jimmy Stewart how to properly sound like Jimmy Stewart. Little did not prepare Stewart ahead of time. When it was time for Little to lead the roast, he called up Stewart and, with impeccable timing, Stewart went along with it and added his own ad libs. The two of them had the audience in genuine laughter.
Little does not mince words when it comes to comedy. He reveals something viewers may have already suspected. There were some actors, notable actors like Robert Stack, who knew drama but not comedic timing. So, when their reading of lines fell flat, it was common courtesy to splice in a scene of an attendee laughing at the joke who wasn’t even on that particular show. It was all for the sake of a good show. A lot of stuff never made the final cut. The material that got in was either excellent or by an exceptionally noteworthy participant.
Entertainment has always been a serious business. What you come away with from this collection is the undeniable fact that, in the right hands, comedy is king. And this level of comedy does not lose its luster over time. Fans of retro TV will get a kick out of all the pop culture, and historical, references and the big players of the day. It was truly a golden age. To have on the dias some of the greats of yesteryear (and it was totally yesteryear for many of these greats) like Jack Benny and George Burns, is utterly priceless. Sure, the editing on these shows could be choppy and certainly canned laughter was the way to go back then. But that is the price of admission. It is a fascinatingly artificial world to drop in on.
For someone who grew up occasionally watching these roasts, I can appreciate that the last thing on the show’s agenda was getting overly sentimental. It’s show biz, after all. What is the prime focus, aside from the spectacle, is comedic timing. There are plenty of excellent moments of solid comedy to be found here. This collection is presented by StarVista Entertainment and Time Life which you can visit for more details here.
Keith Knight is one very funny, and profound, cartoonist. What is the secret to his success? Consider this life lesson: It is all in the doing. It applies in art school, law school, med school, any kind of school. “I’ve been doing this for years,” said Keith to a question I put to him about his success. That comment says it all. It is a part of this interview that stays with me. Knight has created a wonderful life for himself that includes making a living as a cartoonist. He has done it with style and become a significant voice. And he is easy to find and to keep up with, especially with his special subscription service you can check out here.
In this interview, we talk about activism in comics as well as the nature of humor. We go over a long and rewarding career. And we look at some exciting things that lie ahead, like Keith’s first full-length graphic novel, “I Was A Teenage Michael Jackson Impersonator.” Keith has also branched out into live action videos which bring his comics to life. And there is a comedy show, based on Keith’s life as a struggling cartoonist, that is being pitched so we’ll see how things go.
Keith Knight has three comic strips he regularly creates, there are two weekly strips, “The K Chronicles” and “(Th)ink.” And there’s the daily, “The Knight Life.” He also has strips in Mad Magazine: “Father O’Flannity’s Hot Tub Confessions” and “Bully Baby.”
Also in this interview, Keith jokes about his focus being, “the fight for a more decent cartoonist’s wage.” Certainly, his concern is over the same stuff most folks worry about: healthcare, education, and “not being condemned if you’re poor or low-income.” When asked about his thoughts over his legacy, Keith’s mind turns to the 500-page collection of “The K Chronicles,” published by Dark Horse Comics and that you can take a look at here.
Just click below to listen to the interview:
If you’re in the San Francisco area, you can stop by and visit with Keith at the Alternative Press Expo on October 12 and 13.
KEEF KNIGHT‘s hilarious and insightful comic strip, “The K Chronicles,” is a prime example of how to speak truth to power and get people thinking and taking action. Now, Keef has a hilarious video for your consideration, with more to come, no doubt. But, first, this one is definitely going to make you think…and laugh.
Martin Olson is a great comedy writer. And Olivia Olson is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and actress. It was a lot of fun to get to interview them both in a casual conversational style. I had a good idea about what I wanted to ask them. I had notes about the dynamics of a father and daughter working together. I had notes on Martin’s career going back to his founding of the legendary “Boston Comedy Scene.” I had notes about Martin’s writing for, and Olivia’s acting in, “Phineas and Ferb.” And, of course, I had notes upon notes on “Adventure Time.”
Vanessa in “Phineas and Ferb”
The new book by Martin Olson, “The Adventure Time Encyclopedia,” is a nod to his impressive “Encyclopedia of Hell,” from 2010, and is the ultimate source of knowledge on all things “Adventure Time.”
Now, wait for a moment here, and let’s back it up. “Encyclopedia of Hell” is a whole world to itself. This book is a manual for demons to prepare for Hell’s invasion of Earth. It’s a wonderful vehicle. As Martin Olson points out, “This is working from Mark Twain’s version of Satan. This is the most beautiful satirical platform to work from since all bets are off and you can satirize everything.” Check it out here.
Olivia Olson is well known for his musical talent but there’s no getting around the fact that she also has tons of fans of her role as Marceline the Vampire Queen. And that’s very cool. It’s an honor, really, and Olivia wears it well. At one point in the interview, I posed a question to Olivia from my own daughter, Emma, who was curious about how Olivia channels her vampire character and Olivia provided an inspired response. It lead to an interesting discussion on the power of fiction.
Getting back to “The Adventure Time Encyclopedia,” it does a remarkable job of describing the narrative underbelly of the show and all the activities on the postapocalyptic land of Ooo. Primarily, you have profiles that go into heavy detail on all the main characters, followed by smaller profiles on the wide assortment of minor characters. There are also a number of other features, including maps and descriptions on the many kingdoms and various miscellaneous treats. But, the great thing about this book is how it takes everything that may appear chaotic and gives it a more orderly form. No doubt, there is much to keep up with on a show that is far more than just about a boy and his dog, as you can see from a look at Season 5 here.
It sure looks like there’s room for a whole other book on this subject and maybe that will happen. For now, you’ll be glad you got yourself a copy of “The Adventure Time Encyclopedia,” published by Abrams Books, which you can purchase here.
And to add to all the fun, Martin Olson and Olivia Olson have a new album they have just released. It is an eclectic collection that rings true in its wide range of songs. You can check out “The Father-Daughter Album of Unspeakable Beauty” on iTunes here.
And, of course, you will want to check out Olivia’s EP, “Beauty is Chaos,” on iTunes here.
Just click the link below to listen to the whole podcast interview:
And keep up with “Phineas and Ferb,” on the Disney Channel, here and “Adventure Time,” on Cartoon Network, here.
“The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” reminded me a bit of another comedy about another delusional magician, 2008’s “The Great Buck Howard,” starring John Malkovich. That is a case of a drama with a touch of comedy. “Wonderstone” falls into a special brand of comedy, high on irony, with touches of drama. It stars Steve Carell, Steve Buscemi, and Jim Carrey, all masters of that form, in this hilarious, and heartfelt, movie.
This is a buddy movie. It’s the story of two partners in magic, Burt Wonderstone (played by Steve Carell) and Anton Marvelton (played by Steve Buscemi). We follow them into the spotlight and a long run at a major Las Vegas casino. It turns out to be a much too long run, as far as the casino tycoon Doug Munny (played by the late James Gandolfini) is concerned and he’s ready to end his contract with the guys. The act has become a caricature of itself, beyond stale, with the same lame old stunts played out to Steve Miller Band’s “Abracadabra.”
It wasn’t always so sad. The first scenes with the kid versions of the leads, Mason Cook as teen Burt and Luke Vanek as teen Anton, are pretty moving. Back when “Abracadabra” was a hit, everything was so fresh and full of promise. It was magical! When Burt, after suffering yet another thrashing from bullies, is given a magic kit as a birthday gift, his future suddenly seems brighter. He pops in the VHS tape and there’s Rance Holloway (played by Alan Arkin) ready to sweep him away from his worries and open up a whole new world of magic. He shares his new insights with his best pal, Anton, and they’re off and running.
Over the years, we’ve had some very successful comedies, from Mel Brooks to Judd Apatow, that have had us pull back from traditional sentiments and yet still invest something in the characters. When all the stars are in alignment and the story is properly synchronized, it can make for some surprisingly good results. Who would have thought that “The 40 Year Old Virgin” would have gotten to you on more than the most superficial level? Well, comedy is a very funny thing. Director Don Scardino (2 Broke Girls, 30 Rock) should know. And screenwriters Johnathan Goldstein (The Adventures of Old Christine) and John Daley (Bones) also know. If one buys into a premise, no matter how full of silly jokes, it is possible to create something meaningful.
For a comedy that you’d think should not be taken seriously, it packs some good lofty thinking. There’s quite a bit of angst and searching for meaning going on here. Burt and Anton are at a major crossroads. Their whole existence is being called into question. They are in the throes of an identity crisis. And to add to it, an ominous figure emerges, Steve Gray (played by Jim Carrey), who taunts Burt and Anton by having them doubt their very purpose in life. Steve Gray represents the new breed of illusionist who mocks the traditional craft of magic tricks and has become famous for his stunts, like going a week without urinating. He is supposed to be the future. And Burt and Anton are supposed to be the past.
Things only get worse before there’s any hope of them getting better. Just as Burt appears to have suffered through all possible humiliation, he crosses paths with his old mentor, Rance Holloway. Alan Arkin, a legend in comedy, is quite up to the task of providing the heart and soul that could makes things right. Add to that, there is Burt’s mistreated assistant, a sexy young woman, Jane (played by Olivia Wilde) who, by all rights, shouldn’t even be anywhere near Burt. But, as if my luck and magic, Jane remains nearby doing her part to provide incentive for Burt to fully redeem himself.
Comedy and magic share a lot in common. They can both be very direct pure entertainment. They can both have the quality of being very unreal while affecting us in a very real way. This story about magic is handled with love, and the right amount of irreverence, to keep it relevant and magical. It’s impressive how artful this movie really is. When you stop and think about it, Steve Gray, the flashy illusionist, is there, despite himself, to push Burt. He’s delusional to a toxic level but he’s also, inadvertently, confronting the whole purpose and intent of entertainment in general. Does the public only want spectacle? Wow. The talent behind “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” has got some answers for that and they will also make you laugh.
By the way, if you have caught the magic bug, you’ll want to check out Market Magic Shop here. And, if you’re in Seattle, you can visit them at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Since I’m in Seattle, I get to visit whenever I want. My last visit inspired me to write this movie review. Here’s a look at me dabbling with a little magic:
And be sure to visit “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” official website here.
What’s THE STRUMPET about, you ask? Well, it is a collection of comics showcasing female cartoonists. It follows in the footsteps of WHORES OF MENSA, an anthology that set the bar high on quality. Not only that, it brings together new talent from around the world. THE STRUMPET #3 is in the works and is currently seeking submissions with a deadline of September 1, 2013. Visit THE STRUMPET website HERE.
Let’s place our attention squarely upon the current issue, THE STRUMPET #2. It is edited by the multi-talented Ellen Lindner and Jeremy Day. All the cartoonist talent here bring together a cohesive and compelling collection with a travel theme in mind. What does travel mean to you? When was the last time you were on a trip? Just a few hours ago at your desk at work whilst you daydreamed? My word, did you think there was only one way to travel?? If you did, then catch yourself please because you’re due for an adventure and an education. Let the ladies from THE STRUMPET encourage, engage, and entertain you on all manner of thought and conjecture regarding the subject of travel.
This collection is 21 cartoonists strong: Patrice Aggs, Rachael Ball, Badaude, Juhyun Choi, Marguerite Dabaie, Jeremy Day, Shamisa Debroey, Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg, Karrie Fransman, Robin Ha, J Homersham, Kripa Joshi, Emily Ryan Lerner, Ellen Lindner, Tanya Meditzky, Kat Roberts, Alison Sampson, Maartje Schalkx, Julia Scheele, Nicola Streeten, and Myfanwy Tristram.
Did I miss anyone? Well, I certainly hope note. I feel like this is a very special endeavor and everyone contributed to make it so.
Let me share with you some of the work in this wonderful anthology.
“Mr. Murray” by Ellen Lindner
Ellen Lindner’s wry sense of humor is spot on in this tale about the search for the seemingly elusive Mr. Bill Murray.
“Trenitalia” by Robin Ha
Robin Ha is full of wanderlust on this adventure on an Italian train.
“The 171 Bus Route” by Julia Scheele
Julia Scheele immerses us in this richly detailed look at a bus commute through London.
“Deaf” by Patrice Aggs
Patrice Aggs has a hilarious story to tell in this comedy of errors.
“Homesick” by Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg
Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg’s “Homesick” is a deliriously wild ride that floats, flies, and dreams its way through to charming results.
“The Next Life of Ruzzell” by Kat Roberts
Kat Roberts gives us a most inventive take on the concept of travel. It is full of magic and whimsy.
“Miss Moti Can Go Places” by Kripa Joshi
We end with the back cover by Kripa Joshi. She’s an engaging artist and this next issue’s co-editor with Ellen. We look forward to what results.
And be sure to pick up your copy of THE STRUMPET #2 which you can find HERE.
Stay tuned. There’s more to come from the Stumptown Comics Fest held in Portland, Oregon, April 27-28. That includes video interviews with Ellen Lindner and Robin Ha.
BALLARD COMICS #6
Editor’s Note: Marshall McLuhan is gaining ground, much like Nikola Tesla, as a hero from the past speaking for today. He would certainly have something to say about the hotspot that is today’s Ballard, a far cry from the sleepy little hamlet that it once was. McLuhan was sensitive to such things as the character and identity of a place.
Has Ballard lost something? Well, it’s always been under development, that’s one way of looking at it. Consider the last panel in this comic. You see what was once a grand old fire station. It was converted into one of Ballard’s leading restaurants, The Hi-Life, long before the arrival of all the other new hotspots that make up the new Ballard. It’s certainly a great place and enhances the whole area. All you have to do is try their famously good fried chicken to know they belong right where they are.
Share this:
Like this:
2 Comments
Filed under 24 Hour Comics, Ballard, Ballard Comics, Comics, Commentary, Edith Macefield, Henry Chamberlain, Humor, pop culture, Satire, Seattle, Webcomics
Tagged as 24 hour comics, 24 Hour Comics Day, Ballard, cartoons, Comedy, comics, Commentary, Edith Macefield, Food, Foodies, henry chamberlain, Humor, Marshall McLuhan, Media, Pacific Northwest, Restaurants, Satire, Seattle, Travel, webcomics