Today’s Episode: Flashback: Fear does not exist, in this Dojo..
Okay, a couple of things:
I adjusted my sleep schedule so instead of doing this at 3:00 am, I went to bed and then got up at 6:00 and drew it in the morning. This will be my method, hopefully. I like to draw in the morning with fresh coffee next to me.
Secondly, Young Chippy’s fight instructor is indeed a Bulldog named “Crusher”. Why? Well, it’s a little gift for my Dad.
You see, when I was a young aspiring cartoonist of about 13, I created a little comic strip about a bulldog named “Crusher”. My Dad loved it, because my Dad loves English bulldogs. Always has. He raises and shows them. Can’t get enough of ‘em. Now, “Crusher” was my 13 year old vision of a comic strip. It was basically a rip off of “Garfield” with a dash of ”Pogo” thrown in. It didn’t matter to Dad though, he loved it. Years later, I out-grew the character and moved on to other things. This was a huge disappointment to my Dad who would constantly ask “Why don’t you draw Crusher anymore?” He asked me this 2 years ago when I first started this strip.
Well, Dad, here he is, making a cameo. It’s Crusher. Only he’s not making smart aleck remarks to an owner who looks vaguely like you at about 40. He’s a fight instructor to a youthful Chippy.
Neat huh?
Thanks for reading folks!
-John
November 24th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
What a cool story.
For the record, coffee and cartoons in the morning works for me as well!
November 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Thanks for the backstory on Crusher. Makes it all the more special.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Crusher REVEALED!! Always love the art, man.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Hey Mac!! Thanks!!! I agree! I enjoyed drawing as the sun comes up…for once. Probably because I’d had about 5 ours of sleep beforehand.
Greg! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll try to do more of these in the future, as there are quite a few things in the strip that I glean from real life.
David!! Thank you sir! I’m a big fan sir!
November 24th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
I’m really diggin’ the design of that bulldog. It’s really refreshing to see a cartoon bulldog that isn’t just a blatant Preston Blair rip off. You obviously did your research.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Thanks Ben! My family has owned Bulldogs since 1980, and I had one myself. I love ‘em.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
heh, good transitional scene there. “catch 22″ a nice touch.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
YES!! Bulldogs are awesome, and so is martial arts training! (ever read the non-DBZ Dragonball manga? It’s incredible and hilarious.)
Chippy is drawn so cool in today’s strip! I love this comic.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Hey Mitch! I have read the Dragonball (sans Z) manga and I love them. Toriyama has indeec become an influence. Love his stuff.
Thanks for the props regarding Chippy in this particular strip. I still don’t think he reads as “Young Chippy”. I have no idea what to do to his design to make this anymore clear.
I’ll work on it.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I like the “Many, Many Years Ago” caption. It sounds mystical, ambiant and serious, so it fits perfectly to me. The mood makes me laugh out even louder at Young Chippy’s foul mouth, and “Young Chippy” is convincing, because he tries to be so proper: “It fucking blows, SIR.” [emphasis added].