Folly of the Faithful Canine

Ain't That the Cat's Pajamas

2025-01-05T05:13:30Z

The worlds of cartoon animals have different rules for clothes.
One might not wear a stitch if nothing controversial shows.
Perhaps the species differ in how much they have to wear.
For instance, snakes will typically go nude without a care.
In some works, critters settle for what we would call half-dressed.
They might wear just one article of clothing, like a vest.
The females often cover more, for reasons I won't say
But you can guess, as double standards still exist today.
Old-fashioned toons wear gloves to help gloss over dext'rous fingers.
We hardly feel the need now, but for some, the practice lingers.
The least-worn clothes are footwear; I suspect it's so we see
Reminders of their species at each end (a fur feng shui?).
Societies might not enshrine their dress code in the law,
But if one disregards it, folks may point and say, "Haw-haw!"
Some artists keep it simple with the customs of their land.
If you draw anthros, choose whichever system fits your brand.

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Only Mostly Human

2024-11-24T03:51:34Z

In some works with anthropomorphism, characters
Act fully human despite their appearance,
Which leads many viewers to ask why the artist
Did not make them human. Just where’s the coherence?

It could be the author is planning to throw in
Some animal gags when they’re not too expected.
If that never happens, perhaps things have changed
So the plan’s not so savvy and thus is rejected.

Some artists find beast forms convenient for dropping
Inelegant social constructions like race,
While others will do much the opposite, having
Each species assigned to a group to replace.

More often, the species are chosen at random
Or else to reflect individuals’ traits.
At times, it’s a shorthand to let viewers know
When a person’s a good sort or someone to hate.

Some artists find animals simpler to draw,
With their fur, ears, and tails doing more to emote.
For marketing purposes, animals tend
To look extra distinctive and easy to note.

Beyond that, the artist may well find the critters
More fun to create than a bland human band,
And viewers may find them more fun to behold.
While your mileage may vary, you should understand.

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Not to Put Too Fine a Point on It

2024-10-20T01:27:47Z

Though Charles Schulz has influenced a lot of comic strips,
He did one thing I’ve never seen among cartoonist tips:
He ended declarations with two periods, not one.
Who else does that, and really, why’s the practice ever done?
Few sources have discussed it, so I’m simply left to guess:
His early long ellipses took up space and made a mess.
At times, he’d use no ending punctuation whatsoever.
That still is done today by some cartoonists who endeavor
To keep the mood quite casual, unless in imitation
Of headlines in the papers where they have their publication.
I doubt they keep the dots out just to save a bit of ink.
Schulz did use single periods a little, but I think
He found their tone too final, like the characters were sure
They had no more to say. A second period could blur
Distinction from a signal that they had a further thought.
Regardless, I’ll decline the supernumerary dot.

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Book Review: Metabarons

2024-05-31T23:40:42Z

Months ago, I was hanging around a comic book store because a friend worked there. Another employee talked me into buying this immense graphic novel compilation. It cost as much as a college textbook, so I knew I'd have to get around to it eventually.

( Cut for length )

Now reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. There's a tome I won't finish within a month, let alone a week.

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Bombing at Modernity

2023-05-08T03:36:54Z

We’ve all seen a lot of cartoons in which bombs
Are rotund and most frequently black,
But most works that aren’t animations don’t go there,
Unless they’re set centuries back.

The orb shape was meant to be aerodynamic
For shooting right out of a mortar.
(I don’t know the name for the bomb; with few sources
At hand, I’m a shallow reporter.)

The bombs bursting in air in “The Star-Spangled Banner”
No doubt were the spherical kind.
Were fuses exposed? I get different responses
From each of the sites I could find.

The last big American war to use round bombs
Was that between states long ago.
Today they’re just useful for visual shorthand
So viewers can instantly know.

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Anthropomorphism Scores

2023-02-20T03:56:18Z

I made a scoring system to apply to works of fiction
With animals in prominence, describing their depiction.
A zero means they act the same as critters in RL.
A one means they converse, but human characters can’t tell.
A two means they speak human tongues but occupy the same
Old roles as livestock, zoo exhibits, pets, or hunting game.
A three means they’re the humans’ peers, if humans should exist,
But still perform some animal behaviors with a twist.
And finally, a four means they’re behaving just like us.
(So why not make them human? There’s a topic to discuss.)
A lot of works would get a score that’s somewhere in between.
In Downscale, for example, hardly anyone has seen
The talking snake, so I would think to rate it 1.5.
I hope you like my system, tho I doubt that it’ll thrive.

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Why Webcomics

2023-02-13T04:37:56Z

Why bother with Internet comics, you ask?
Most comics in papers aren’t great.
The question’s not bad, and I’m up to the task
Of setting the answer quite straight.

It’s true that the Web has no seal of approval.
There’s no telling what you won’t find.
Most strips end abruptly, and then their removal
Might follow, no trace left behind.

But comic strip syndicates don’t always choose
The ones I consider most fun.
They’re hoping a merchandise franchise ensues
From formulas chosen to run.

Some webcomics offer more beautiful art
Than seen on a newspaper page.
They fill up more space, and they often take part
In boons of the digital age.

For instance, I’ve seen animations and sorts
Of interactivity too.
The artists are quick to receive the reports
Of feedback from readers like you.

The medium helps support lengthier arcs,
With links to keep newbies apprised,
And after some duly insightful remarks,
Old details are sometimes revised.

Perhaps you’d like comics too spicy to print
In papers that aren’t underground.
Some editors won’t allow even a hint
Of edgier stuff to be found.

Or maybe your topic of int’rest is rare
By newspaper standards, and yet
The webcomics cat’ring to people who care
For that one are easy to get.

For decades, the comics I’ve read for my kicks
Have largely been non-paper fare.
I’m hoping the digital medium sticks
And people will see my work there.

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Porky

2022-08-29T03:55:45Z

Among the extant Looney Tunes, old Porky Pig stands out
As practic’ly a human with a porcine tail and snout.
He isn’t farmed for eating, and he doesn’t roll in mud.
He even was a hunter once, predating Elmer Fudd.

Compare him with most other talking animals he knows.
Bugs Bunny, for example, often makes his home in holes.
Sylvester is a household pet who tries consuming Tweety,
While Daffy Duck gets shot at or sets traps to capture Speedy.

So why does Porky differ? Well, he came before the rest.
Perhaps those few years earlier, the makers thought it best
To have a toon act humanlike (except for lacking pants)
Despite not being human, but just what would that enhance?

I guess they thought a human looked too boring for a toon.
A pig could seem more signature and cuter; that’s a boon.
From short to short, he might become more childlike or adult
Without a changed appearance. It’s an int’resting result.

At times, he’d lose all clothing, yet no censorship was needed.
He might evoke some grunting when his vocal sounds repeated.
Whatever rationale they had, the makers had a star,
Outstripping all the prior silly characters by far.

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Lio

2022-08-08T03:29:17Z

Recently, I heard Duran Duran's "Rio." Then I made up new words:

Going back to school now, boy, you’re a terror in disguise.
Bringing shrunken heads? I don’t think that’s very wise.
With a snake in your bed as you sleep through the night, you dream up mayhem quite diverse.
You know you’re something special, and I think it’s for the worse.

CHORUS: His name is Lio, and he’s one eccentric kid.
His main companion is a huge, land-dwelling squid.
He’s always doing things authorities forbid.
Oh, Lio, Lio, do you see what you just did?

I’ve seen you in a lab, and I’ve seen you out in space.
You lead kids to their deaths, if not the human race,
With the Reaper or a giant beast.
But then, I’m sure that your friends could use a feast.

CHORUS

Hey, now, woo, look at that; did young Eva shoot you down?
With the things you contrive to make her your wife,
You’re lucky you’re alive, alive, alive!
Don’t take that chance, ‘cause she won’t take your side
For nothing. I know what you’re thinkin’,
But she’d sooner go join your kitten in drinkin’.

CHORUS

His name is Lio, and it’s hard to guess his age.
He deals with characters across the comics page.
Most folks react to him with fear, disgust, or rage.
All of his friends belong within a tomb or cage.

Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo…

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Political Cartoonists

2021-12-06T04:39:31Z

Political cartoonists are advantaged in a way:
They’re bound to find developments to speak of every day.
Not only is their output fresh; it’s relevant to boot.
At times, it goes in textbooks for historical repute.
I wouldn’t be surprised if all cartoonists once, at least,
Considered editorials: Their clout could be increased!
But I for one would hate to go political in art.
Inherently, it bothers half the viewers, for a start.
I’d have to stay apprised and keep to deadlines all the more.
It’s hard to be original when humorists galore
Are covering the very selfsame topics at the time,
And some events are tragic, like a case of vi’lent crime.
Within a month, I’d find the job depressing more than fun.
I’m glad some people do it, but I’m gladder I’m not one.

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Graphic Novel Review: The Doll's House

2021-01-01T21:59:59Z

So I didn't wait all that long to move on to the second volume of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. It's not that I was particularly eager. Mainly I bought it to help keep Alliance Comics afloat during the pandemic. (The fact that I couldn't think of a more promising purchase doesn't speak well of my attitude toward the medium.)

( Cut for length )

Next up is a Christmas present from this year, The Grammarians: A Novel by Cathleen Schine. That promises to be different not just from TDH but from almost anything else I read.

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Advent Calendar, Day 24

2020-12-24T03:16:06Z

It's here!

( And here! )

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Advent Calendar, Day 23

2020-12-23T02:48:47Z

Check it out here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 22

2020-12-22T17:00:32Z

Available here.

( And here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 21

2020-12-21T03:37:49Z

Check it out here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 20

2020-12-20T05:38:50Z

Available here.

( And here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 19

2020-12-19T05:07:58Z

Viewable here.

( And here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 18

2020-12-18T05:26:54Z

To be seen here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 17

2020-12-17T03:39:02Z

For viewing here.

( And here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 16

2020-12-16T04:26:04Z

To be viewed here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 15

2020-12-15T04:31:57Z

For viewing here.

( And here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 14

2020-12-14T03:50:18Z

View it here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 13

2020-12-13T04:02:02Z

Take a look here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 12

2020-12-12T02:46:32Z

You can view it here.

( Or here. )

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Advent Calendar, Day 11

2020-12-11T03:59:32Z

It's here.

( And here. )

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