A less-refined observer might call the art in today's comic "cartoony." But if you have even one cylinder firing in your undoubtbly vacuous skull, you'll realize these visuals were employed ironically to honour the work of my favourite relative. Other cartoonists usually make me want to rip off my ears and stab them into my eyes, but I've never had this problem with Great Uncle Welton. Perhaps it is because he hasn't actually drawn any comics since 1907. If only all the hacks working today were so generously unproductive!



But at least some artists are wising up. I hear that Scarygoround's John Allison proclaimed on his website that he really "identified" with yesterday's comic. I seriously doubt that any so-called "webcartoonist" could appreciate the many layers of rich symbolism in that work, but at this point I will take what I can get.



Rikk Estoban

What is love? A chemical reaction? An artificial significance ascribed to instinctual physical comforts? A capitalistic lie endorsed by opportunistic greeting card companies? A tool for lazy songwriters? A town in Saskatchewan? Seven points in Scrabble?



Speaking of love, Sam's inbox tells me that some people believe his girlfriend Claire was responsible for yesterday's strip. Do you people even listen to yourselves? On the rare occassion that an artist's portfolio shows any diversity, everyone accuses each work of being produced by a seperate person. What a sad commentary on the state of the comic industry today. I think I will go cry in my inkwell.



Rikk Estoban

"Why does Skull Panda love kitties?" This is the one question I am asked more often than any other, and it doesn't get any less stupid with each successive posing. The works of Rikk Estoban do not come with Cliff Notes, people. All the "answers" -- all the layers of meaning and expression -- are right there in the art. Asking me to explain it to you is like bragging about your own ineptitude. Please, at least pretend to follow along and avoid embarassing yourself.

Now that the Skull Panda character is solely my own, my hands have been untied and my interest in creating new Panda comics has risen dramatically. Today's comic is a deeper exploration of the Skull Panda / Kitties dynamic. What if there was a kitty that Skull Panda could not love? What, indeed.

There has been some suggestion that I did not draw yesterday's strip. A handful of Sam's more ignorant readers are eager to credit it to the author of Niego. Please. As if Mr. Sigala was capable of producing a work of even half the genius of that comic. I don't have time for this.

Rikk Estoban