Tales of Starting and Doing Comic Strips

By: Dave Astor The stars and up-and-comers speaking at the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) meeting here all took interesting routes to syndication, but Stephan Pastis' road may have been the most unusual.

Pastis, who does the "Pearls Before Swine" comic for United Feature Syndicate (UFS), worked as a litigation attorney from 1993 to last year. "I hated every moment of being a lawyer," he said. "I always wanted to be a cartoonist." So Pastis drew in his spare time, and eventually had several different comics rejected by syndicates. All featured an arrogant rat.

By 1997, Pastis decided he need more training in comic humor, dialogue, and timing. His curriculum: reading every "Dilbert" book collection by Scott Adams of United! Then Pastis, after pairing his rat with a humble pig, drew about 200 "Pearls Before Swine" strips. But, fearing another syndicate rejection, he put them away for 18 months.

"In 1999, I took the strips to my law firm and had associates vote on the best 40," said Pastis. "I submitted them -- and three syndicates were interested."

Pastis entered a development period with United, but there were still bumps along his path. He said United was going to launch the comic in 2000, but then decided a feature starring a rat and pig had no target demographic audience.

Then Pastis got two breaks. United, though not offering "Pearls Before Swine" to newspapers, included the strip on its Comics.com site starting in late 2000. It was getting a good, not great 2,000 hits a day when Adams gave the strip a rave review on his "Dilbert" site. The next day, Pastis received 95,000 hits!

United syndicated the comic after all, starting early last year. And, said Pastis, "I'm no longer an attorney, thank God!"

Adams Among Other Speakers

Others speaking at the NCS meeting included Adams, "Get Fuzzy" creator Darby Conley of United, "Rhymes With Orange" creator Hilary Price of King Features Syndicate, and "FoxTrot" creator Bill Amend of Universal Press Syndicate.

Adams had his own getting-syndicated story to tell, remembering a 1980s call from United Media expressing interest in "Dilbert." The cartoonist didn't recognize the UM name (he had addressed his submission to UFS), so he asked for references to make sure it was a reputable company. One reference: "Peanuts"!

Success is a product of talent and hard work, but luck and timing also play a role. "The media was kind of looking for someone to represent high tech and downsizing," said Adams, whose 14-year-old comic now runs in 2,000-plus papers.

He also recalled the many instances when his comic inadvertently offended organizations and people. For example, a "Dilbert" reference to a fictitious luggage line called "Dorkkage" brought an indignant letter from a Mr. Dork -- leading to this in-comic mea culpa read by Dogbert: "I apologize to all the Dorks who were offended ... ."

Conley received some obscenity-laden e-mails after having Satchel the dog show a sign saying, "Don't Bom Irak" (prior to the U.S. invasion). Usually, the topical references in "Get Fuzzy" are of the everyday kind, such as when Rob Wilco wears a Boston Red Sox cap. "I've always wondered why there is the real world and the comics world," said Conley, noting that he likes to mix the two.

When Price entered the world of syndication in 1995, her comic was perceived as a Generation-X feature. After that demographic term went to the "lingo graveyard," said Price, "Rhymes With Orange" began reaching broader audience.

Price added that she's "a lesbian doing a strip with no gay element to it." But she said many gay readers pick up on her sexual orientation through clues such as the gender-neutral language in the comic.

Speaking of gender, Price said female characters need to be the butt of jokes in comics, just like many male characters are.

'FoxTrot' Dances Into Middle Age

Amend, whose "FoxTrot" strip turned 15 this spring, discussed how he's dealing with a middle-aged comic. He said many readers want their favorite comics to stay the same, but "the way I keep this job interesting is to shift things a little bit."

For instance, Amend takes more of a gag-a-day approach than he used to -- figuring that after years of mixing character development with humor, the members of his cartoon cast are pretty well defined. Also, with "FoxTrot" established, Amend feels comfortable doing occasional strips appealing to a limited audience -- such as those only people who know calculus can understand. And Amend is using the computer more during the past couple of years to move characters around and add gray and black tones. But he still draws "FoxTrot" before scanning it in.

Amend joked that majoring in physics (at Amherst College) was actually relevant to cartooning. "A typical problem a cartoonist has to solve: if your strip is due at 4 p.m., and your vehicle travels at 80 miles per hour, how long does it take for the cartoonist to get from the studio to the Federal Express station?" And if the strip was due the day before, he added, the theory of relativity gets involved in making that deadline!

Another NCS speaker was James Kemsley, Australia's most widely read strip cartoonist.

The History of an Organization

Amidst the talk of cartooning present, there was also a session on the early days of the 1946-founded NCS. Historian R.C. Harvey said the organization had its roots in a group of cartoonists who entertained wounded World War II veterans with "chalk talks." These shows were sponsored by the American Theatre Wing and organized by choreographer/dancer Toni Mendez, who went on to become an agent for a number of cartoonists and who died this year at age 94. (A memorial service is scheduled for 5:30 on June 19 at the Anti-Defamation League, 823 United Nations Plaza, New York City.)

A woman -- Mendez -- had a hand in founding the NCS, but the group didn't allow female members until 1950. Another thing that looks politically incorrect today was the prize of a silver cigarette box to the winner of the Billy DeBeck Award as top cartoonist of the year. The NCS prize was renamed the Reuben Award in 1953 in honor of Rube Goldberg, the organization's first president.

Longtime member Tom Gill, "The Lone Ranger" cartoonist who turned 90 last month, recalled an NCS meeting with President Truman. He said a group of cartoonists flew to Washington in a plane decorated on the outside with big versions of their characters -- many of which fell off on the way!

"Truman loved political cartoons," said Gill, but wasn't always pleased with Goldberg's New York Sun work. At the White House, Truman greeted him: "Rube Goldberg, you old son of a bitch! What would the Sun do without you?" Goldberg replied: "It would probably go Democratic, Mr. President."

Among the half dozen or so other NCS founders were "Terry and the Pirates"/"Steve Canyon" creator Milton Caniff and "Nancy" creator Ernie Bushmiller.

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More on Locher's Mideast Cartoon

It Continues to Draw Support and Criticism

None of Dick Locher's 200-plus newspaper clients canceled the cartoonist in the week after his controversial May 30 drawing, according to Tribune Media Services.

The cartoon showed President Bush placing American dollars on a bridge over "Mideast Gulch" in an effort to lure Israel into negotiating with the Palestinians. "On second thought, the pathway to peace is looking a bit brighter," says an Ariel Sharon-like figure as he eyes the money.

The Chicago Tribune reported that more than 100 people gathered outside the newspaper June 4 to protest the cartoon, which they felt was anti-Semitic. The story noted that a local rabbi asked protesters to cancel their Tribune subscriptions and contact advertisers with their concerns until the paper apologized. Tribune Editor Ann Marie Lipinski later said: "I take exception to the imagery used in the cartoon and deeply regret the anguish it has caused some of our readers. At the same time, I know that hate was not the intent of the cartoonist or the editors who selected it."

On June 8, the Tribune published a statement that made similar points. "The cartoon's imagery was viewed by many readers as virulently anti-Semitic. That was a valid response," the paper wrote, adding: "We failed to recognize that the cartoon conveyed symbols and stereotypes that slur the Jewish people and that are offensive. The editors of this newspaper regret publishing the cartoon." The statement did note that Locher "intended no slight ... . He intended a commentary on the role of U.S. foreign aid in brokering a peace agreement. The editors who selected [the cartoon] saw nothing more than that ... ."

Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman, in criticizing the cartoon, said: "The image of the stereotypical, greedy, hooked-nose Jew who is motivated by money has been a persistent theme in anti-Semitic literature through the centuries."

Locher said he intended no slur. He noted that editorial cartoonists exaggerate the features of various people and that "I was trying to go to bat for the American taxpayer. Israel is a good friend, but let's get an accounting of where the money is going."

Universal Press Syndicate columnist John Leo also weighed in, writing June 10: "Most of the elements of classic anti-Semitic cartoons are there -- the nose, the greed. But suppose you think Bush really is bribing Israel to go along with an unworkable peace plan. Is it anti-Semitic to have this opinion? Or is it okay to think it but not okay to do a cartoon about it?"

He added: "Granted, Locher and his editors should have recognized that the images are familiar ones in Nazi propaganda. They didn't because political cartooning is a form of pictorial assault that depends on exaggeration, and editors tend to get used to over-the-top metaphors from cartoonists."

Leo further noted that "Locher has no reputation for anti-Semitism."

E&P Online received about 10 e-mails since its first Locher-cartoon story (which ran June 3 and was repeated in the June 5 Syndicate World). Opinions were split 50-50. One e-mailer said: "The cartoon was undeniably racist and the paper's decision to publish it was bad judgment, at best." Another wrote: "What, now we can't even criticize Israel? Those who have complained don't really believe in free speeech, unless of course it's their speech."

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Two 'askMartha' Columns Still Available

Indictment Doesn't Affect Status of Stewart Features

Martha Stewart's two New York Times Syndicate columns are still available despite her June 4 indictment on insider-trading charges.

"The syndicate will continue to sell and distribute 'askMartha' and 'askMartha Weddings,'" said Managing Editor Michael Oricchio, when asked by E&P Online. "Martha hasn't been proven guilty of anything."

He added: "The trouble she's facing has nothing to do with her columns. They're not financial columns. And people still want to read them."

Oricchio said none of Stewart's 200-plus newspaper clients had canceled as of a day after the indictment announcement. At least two papers had previously dropped Stewart because of her legal difficulties.

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'Lucky' Large in Mississippi

Huge Comic Is Displayed at School

Comics might be shrinking in newspapers, but not at Gentry High School in Indianola, Miss. Students there built an enormous 135x47-foot strip that was displayed June 7.

Indianola resident Mark Pett, who does "Lucky Cow" for Universal Press Syndicate, approached Gentry art teacher Sarah Miller about trying to set a Guinness record for the world's largest comic. The idea was originally suggested by Maryland-based Norm Suchar, a longtime friend of Pett's.

The cartoonist drew a "Lucky Cow" strip, used his computer to separate it into 1,508 gridded rectangular fragments, and enlarged each fragment to a 2x3-inch size. On Dollar General-donated poster board, Gentry art students painted the pieces to match the fragments and taped them together. "There were 135 students involved," said Pett, who noted that the blown-up comic was 67,000 times bigger than the original!

Members of the public were invited to see the comic in the Gentry parking lot, where photographs of the event included some taken from a hot-air balloon. When the strip that was enlarged runs in newspaper comic pages later this year, Pett said he'd love for it to appear as it was photographed from above. But he's not sure if that would be possible.

As a fundraiser for the Gentry art department, onlookers could purchase pieces of the comic.

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Columnists Discuss News at 'Times'

Reaction to Raines, Boyd Resignations

Columnists were among the people commenting on the June 5 resignations of Executive Editor Howell Raines and Managing Editor Gerald Boyd from The New York Times.

Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. of The Miami Herald and Tribune Media Services told E&P Online he was initially surprised by the two resignations. "But when you think about it, what else would you expect? The Times was wracked by not one but two big hits."

The resignations alone won't right the ship, Pitts continued. "This has got to be just the first step." He said the Times has to continue trying to clarify various policies, ranging from when to use datelines to what to do when faced again with a reporter who does what Jayson Blair did. "And I hope that the experience with Mr. Blair won't cause newspapers to pull back from diversifying their newsrooms," said Pitts, noting that this diversification is absolutely necessary in a multicultural world.

Pitts said the Times situation affects the newspaper industry as a whole. He observed that it contributes to a perception by some readers that newspapers don't provide truthful and accurate information.

Richard Reeves of Universal Press Syndicate told E&P Online: "I admire Howell's courage in resigning. Maybe this will stop the bloodletting. I don't know if it will, but I hope it does." He added: "The Times is really lucky to have Joe Lelyveld around. That comes from having great depth."

Lelyveld is the former Times executive editor who was named interim executive editor to succeed Raines.

Reeves, a Times reporter from 1966 to 1972, called the Blair situation and its aftermath "a real tragedy. The Times is one of the great institutions of this country. I just hope this doesn't take down the Times. You don't build that kind of quality newspaper overnight."

He said the situation reflects on the Times specifically, not on newspapers in general.

Reeves noted that newspapers need to continue hiring a diverse staff. This, he said, also means employing Muslim-Americans, people who know Arabic, people with conservative beliefs, and others.

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Kelly Interview Published Posthumously

He Had Talked to 'The Atlantic' in February

Michael Kelly told The Atlantic magazine, in a February interview not published until recently, that he thought covering this year's Iraq war would be less risky than covering the early-1990s Persian Gulf war because he would be embedded.

"I don't think it will be that dangerous for me," he said. "Last time it was different, because I was wandering around by myself in the desert. This time ... I'll go over attached to a U.S. military outfit, so I'll be surrounded by a large number of young men with automatic weapons. That's a luxury I didn't have last time."

The interview was conducted about seven weeks before Kelly's April 4 death in Iraq. Kelly, 46, was editor at large (and former editor) of The Atlantic, as well as a columnist for the Washington Post Writers Group.

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A Summing Up of Surveys

Report Focuses on Comic Polls

A recent NelsonReport took a 32-page look at newspaper comic polls.

It found that the majority of surveys are "unscientifically conducted," but have benefits. It also found that "Peanuts" reruns still do well in a number of polls (such as one at the Los Angeles Times) despite some newspapers and readers feeling these reruns take space away from newer comics.

The report, which included detailed results of surveys conducted by two dozen newspapers since 2001, concluded with 12 polling tips.

NelsonReport is a monthly publication edited by Carl Nelson (http://www.cartoonartassociation.org).

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Fellowship Bears Fruit

'Bo Nanas' Comic Introduced

The Washington Post Writers Group (WPWG) is syndicating the "Bo Nanas" comic by John Kovaleski.

It stars a talking monkey dealing with jobs, relationships, and other aspects of life.

Kovaleski is a former art director and graphic designer who was awarded a "Fine Toon Fellowship" by the WPWG in 2002.

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Basset's Drive: To Help Animals

His 'Red and Rover' Art Is Even on a Van

The side of a van used by The Humane Society of Seattle/King County features a large drawing of the boy and dog who star in the "Red and Rover" comic.

Brian Basset, who creates "Red and Rover" for the Washington Post Writers Group, has helped the Seattle/King humane society for a decade -- mostly with artwork for its annual "Tuxes and Tails" fundraiser. He was one of the co-chairs this past year.

"It was from one of those artwork endeavors that I began to think about developing a character which eventually became Rover," said Basset, who is also involved with the Washington (D.C.) Humane Society's "Bark Ball" fundraiser. And he was keynote speaker at last year's Greater Kansas City Humane Society gala.

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Et cetera ...

An exhibit called "Too Hot to Handle: Creating Controversy Through Political Cartoons" will run June 15 through Aug. 31 at the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. The early days of the show will coincide with the June 18-21 Association of American Editorial Cartoonists convention in Pittsburgh. ...

Dan Nguyen of Iowa State University is the recipient of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists' 2003 College Scholarship Competition. He wins $1,000, and will be the guest of the NSNC at the organization's June 20-22 convention in Tucson, Ariz. ...

The stepson of Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Dave Lieber was chosen in the recent Major League Baseball draft. Jonathan Bertschinger, an outfielder and first baseman, was taken in the 46th round by the New York Yankees. ...

"Tom the Dancing Bug" by Ruben Bolling (Ken Fisher) of Universal Press Syndicate was named best cartoon (of those that run in five or more papers) in the Alternative Newsweekly Awards contest. Judges said the cartoon is "consistently funny, pointed without being dogmatic, and takes on subjects that no one else does." ...

Featurewell.com signed deals to syndicate content from The New York Observer weekly newspaper and the London-based New Internationalist magazine. ...

KRT Graphics won a bronze medal in the 2003 Malofiej Infographics Awards sponsored by the Spanish Chapter of the Society for News Design. It was honored in the features portfolio category for agencies/wire services. No gold or silver medals were awarded in that category this year. ...

The Norm Magazine is being launched. The inaugural issue features a special 28-page story, in comic book format, of the year missing from Norm's life before he woke up married. "The Norm" strip (http://www.thenorm.com) is by Michael Jantze of King Features Syndicate. ...

Oil paintings by Kathryn LeMieux (http://www.klemieux.com) are being exhibited at the Bodega Landmark Gallery in Bodega, Calif. LeMieux is one of the cartoonists contributing to the "Six Chix" comic feature syndicated by King. ...

The University of Dayton's Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop held a contest for the best flight humor. "We thought the 100th anniversary of flight was an opportunity to celebrate 100 years of flight humor," said Tim Bete, humor columnist and director of the writers' workshop. For the winners, see http://www.FlightHumor.org. Bombeck was the widely syndicated humor columnist who died in 1996. ...

Continental Features/Continental News Service cartoonists Frank Hill ("Long Shots") and Gary Salamone ("Pike") did radio-personality caricatures for a broadcasting company in the Pacific Northwest. In exchange, they received seven 60-second spots on Sportstalk 940 AM/KICE, which airs out of Bend, Ore.