Thursday, October 23, 2008

Death Gets A Holiday


This cartoon is no joke. In (Salem's) neighboring city of Peabody; MA, the city administration, led by Mayor Michael Bonfanti, recently negoiated a new contract with the city's Police Union.


The contract, besides granting a pay raise, also added a provision that- get this-makes Sept.11 a paid holiday in which the police get time-and-a half whether they work or not.


Needless to say, there has been a massive public outrage. Although many agree that the Police should receive adequate compensation for a dangerous job, and that 9/11 should be at LEAST a day of remembrance, making it a union perk- at taxpayer's cost, at that- is both a dishonor and an insult to both the victims AND the heroes of that tragic day.


And of course, both Mayor Bonfanti AND Police Union prez Manny Costa both claim they hadn't anticipated the public reaction. Well, Hello??


Not many people like to cash a check made out in blood..

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

'Tis the Season....


I love Halloween. It's always a bittersweet time for me. I just don't enjoy it as much as I used to..

I live in Salem, MA, best known for the historic Salem Witch Trails, which this city capitalizes on big time to the point of becoming the "Halloween Capital of the World"

You'd think being in the center of it all, I'd have a great time, right? Used to be I'd make myself a sweet costume, go to a party or two or walk around town in the crowds getting pictures of myself taken by tourists and gawking at all the other costumes, right?


Wrong.


Halloween in Salem has gotten WAY too successful, Way too big..While that's good for the city economy, that's not good for people like me who would like to simply enjoy the holiday.

The crowds are well, crowded, it takes like an hour just to walk a ten -yard distance, the admission price to the best parties has gone up at least fivefold ($100 a person? yeah, RIGHT!!)

not to mention that we're a college town, and that means LOTS of drunken, obnoxious assholes

from all over the place in the mix, which means civility goes flying out the window. The last few years I dared to go out in costume I've been groped, assaulted, and one time, even whipped. Never mind trying to get a cop in a crowd like that.


I just decided that it just wasn't worth the trouble anymore. All the fun had been taken out of it for me. For the past few years, I"ve just gotten out of work before the tourism traffic fouled up the buses and just stayed in my apartment until the following morning. I could always catch the highlights on the news or the Public Access channel later.


Don't let my bad experiences prevent you from having a happy Halloween. Just don't let things get you more than you can handle.


Too much hype.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

For Art's Sake: Cosplay


My latest installment of my strip FOR ART'S SAKE from COMIC BUYER'S GUIDE.

I think the month of Halloween is a VERY appropriate time for a cosplay- based episode, eh?


(COSPLAY is when Comic/Fantasy/Anime/Sci-Fi fans design, build,and wear elaborate costumes based on their favorite games, characters, tv shows, etc.)

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Bailout For WHO???


This is what the $700 BILLION Finanacial Industries Bailout (with added sweeteners) is going to come down to..and you can bet it's business as usual.

More Muppet Fan Art



As you know from a previous post. I contribute art to the Muppet fansite TOUGHPIGS. These are the latest ones.