TCAFinated
TCAF complete! And by extension, so to does my crazy three show marathon come to an end. It was wonderful to wrap things up with an event like TCAF, which is as much a fun, relaxed hangout as it is an exhibition. As always, I saw a lot of familiar faces, and also met a lot of really swell readers and really talented creators. Thanks for the good times, friends!
But now, time to decompress. But only for a bit! After all, it will soon be time to wind myself up for the innagural Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, which arrives later this month! As you can imagine, I'm especially excited about that one.
-Sam Logan
Guest Comic: Rikk Estoban
Yikes! With all these trips and conventions lately, I've been running myself a little ragged. Fortunately, reknowned alternative cartoonist Rikk Estoban was willing to step up to the plate and fill in for me today. You can read more of Rikk's comics at Skull Panda Loves Everything -- Sam and Fuzzy vets will recognize a few of the "classic" Skull Panda strips over there, but most of them are new and some of them might even be good.
TCAF
Speaking of trips and conventions... I am at TCAF this weekend! And barring travel disaster, I will also be at the Topatoco-hosted welcome party tonight, although I'll be arriving a little late. Both events are totally free to attend, and recommended with maximum force.
Sam and Fuzzy Q & A: Wine Edition
Got a question you want answered? Just drop me an email with "Q & A" in the subject line!
"Oh no... are the drops Aaron is giving Buddy made of Chateau Mort-Noire 1691?" -David
Yes! Which, for those who have forgotten, is the same wine Don Gerbo of the Grrbils used to mutate himself back in Sam and Fuzzy Fix Your Problem.
Easter Egg Notice: If you dig around in the archive, you'll probably find a few strips (like this one) where you can see Aaron rather nervously or suspiciously administering the drops when no one is looking.
"What made you decide to pick the web-comic format over a more traditional book method? " -Taylor
I wish I could say it was a particularly profound reason! But the honest answer is: when I started Sam and Fuzzy, I was a big poor nobody university student and the web seemed like the only way to go.
The biggest strength of the webcomics model is it's low barrier of entry: if you can figure out how to make a website, you can start sharing your work with the world right away for almost no upfront cost. You also don't need the approval or support of a print comics publisher or newspaper comic syndicate. (Which, in both cases, were not doing very well at the time I was getting into comics.) That was very attractive to an aspiring cartoonist, and I recommend it fully and without hesitation.
The biggest weakness of the webcomics model is that it can be difficult to transition from hobby to job. Such is the way with the website business! Some, like myself, are really lucky and find a way to build off the base of free comics and start earning a viable income. Others can really struggle with it. It's difficult, because there is no one solution that works for everyone! (Which is why I generally avoid trying to give anyone business advice.)
"Did you know that in the middle of your noosehead story arc sin actually says the words "Fix his Problem"? Was this foreshadowing to the new story arc or was it complete coincidence?" -Leann
Coincidence, probably! I was actually lifting the joke from our old Dr. Crab Can Fix Your Problem t-shirt, which I was always rather fond up. I like telling someone you will "fix your problem" can sound either helpful or threatening, depending on your tone of voice.
All right! That's a wrap for this week. Come back on Monday for the start of our next chapter!
-Sam Logan
Chop chop
I hope you are all enjoying our current story... the climax of the Sam and Fuzzy Under the Influence volume! I've actually decided to chop this story into two chapters -- it's pretty much entirely an aesthetic decision, but it just felt like there was a clean conceptual break in there that was worth acknowledging with a new chapter title.
Anyhow, the first of these chapters concludes today, and the second half begins in full-force on Monday! In between, on Friday, we break for a slight stand-alone-comic intermission as I gear up for part two. (And TCAF!)
Speaking of TCAF... let's speak of TCAF! It's in Toronto this weekend, and as usual, I will be there! I will also be at the Topatoco-hosted welcome party on Friday night, although I'll be arriving a little late. (I'll be heading there straight from the airport!) If you are in Toronto, you absolutely have to go to these things. They are free, and they are awesome. It is the LAW.
-Sam Logan
