Old toys

At first, Toy Story 3 struck me as a bad idea. The second movie had seemingly done the impossible by matching (and in my opinion, topping) the first, and had left things on a great note. Why sully it all with a completely unnecessary triple dip?

Well, maybe it wasn't necessary, but it sure was a heck of an encore. It may have had a bit too much of the Pixar schmaltz in places, and it lifted from Brave Little Toaster even more liberally than the first two did... but it was a great escape flick, with strong characterization and completely disarming dramatic oomph. (And some beautifully animated dancing -- take that, Happy Feet!)

So what can I say? I was wrong. By the apocalyptic climax, Toy Story 3 had convinced me that Toy Story 3 was actually a good idea. And that's about the highest compliment I could have given it. Just like the second film (which began as a direct-to-video production with severe script problems), an ill-advised project eventually grew into something really special. Good job, Pixar!

You still haven't sold me on Cars 2, though.

-Sam Logan

Hiss!

A busy weekend makes for a short Monday newspost. But here is a new comic for you! Enjoy!

-Sam Logan

Sam and Fuzzy Q & A: Sinful Edition
Got a question you want answered? Just drop me an email with "Q & A" in the subject line!

"Just read the Fig Pig and Friends strip, and I thought for a moment it was a guest strip as the speech bubbles and art looked slightly different. Are you trying a new method out?" -Oliver

Mostly! The actual "screenshots" of the Fig Pig TV show were a mixed media experiment... the characters bodies are digital vector objects, with their facial features drawn by hand on top.

The last panel, on the other hand, was drawn in the same style that I used for the guest strip that Shannon wrote. I think I may turn it into my house style for these sorts of side strips!

"Just wondering, are the watch hippos still watching? If they are, how come they like to watch?" -Aaron

Aaron, I wouldn't dream of speaking on behalf of the hippos. That is their own business!

Man, I always thought "hippos like to watch" would make a great t-shirt. But I think I am probably the only one.

"With Mr. Sin switching his first initial, does this explain the history
of Mr. Sin?
I mean, he must have started trying tennis as A. Sin, eventually retired
as E. Sin, and getting old as G. Sin... But he came back! (After a brief
cooperation with Mr. Fridge as I. Sin) He hunted - rabbits maybe? - as
J. Sin, and must have started in the music business with N. Sin (pardon me).
After inspiring Sidney as Q. Sin, it was only natural to become a record
exec as R. Sin.
Now, I realize S. Sin (9) may have been a little too silly, but where did I
miss the fleeting appearance of T. Sin? Although I guess he'll stay a
little more in the shadows as U. Sin.
And what's to come? Will he return again, supersized, as W. Sin? Or will
there just be movie about his life, played by Sean Connery as russian
evil mastermind Z. Sin?" -Karsten

Yes!

Wait, what?

"I sent this a loooooooooong time ago, but I guess it just got deleted/lost, but I made a fuzzy early 2009, and I put black stiches on the back of his head. I can't find the strip, but I swear I saw a mark on the back of Fuzzy's head. I don't recall seeing the back of Fuzzy's head since then, so I was wondering if he really had a mark like that?" -Agni

Sorry I missed it the first time! In fact, let me take this opportunity to apologize to everyone who ever sent me a cool email and was greeted with only cruel, digital silence in reply. I am pretty notoriously awful at keeping track of my emails, but I am trying to do better!

Anyhow! Your stuffed Fuzzy is very adorable, Agni... especially with the accessories. I like the scar on the back of his head! I have never intentionally drawn him with one, but I think back in the day I think I did often draw a line right down the middle of the back of his head. I guess it was meant to be like the small of his back, only... uh... on his head. I can see now why I stopped drawing it.



That's a wrap for this week, friends! See you on Monday.

-Sam Logan