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Comics Update: September, 2002

This fall there are lots of new features at Comics.com. This issue of the Comics Update includes:

Peanuts Animated E-cards
Charles M. Schulz Museum Opens
E-cards for Working Daze and Marmaduke
Test Your Comics Knowledge
Interview with Off the Mark Cartoonist Mark Parisi
Flo and Friends Launches
9 Chickweed Lane "Hallmarks of Felinity" Strips in Color
Rose Is Rose Selected Daily Strips in Color
Raising Duncan Character Art for Products
Guess Who Said That
Ginger Meggs Cartoonist James Kelmsley's Latest Award
Get Fuzzy Sunday Strips on Mugs
What Do You Call a Sociopath in a Cubicle?

Peanuts Animated E-Cards
------------------------

Celebrate birthdays and special occasions, or just say hello! Don't miss the new animated cards starring Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang:

http://www.snoopy.com/comics/peanuts/fun_and_games/e_cards.html

Charles M. Schulz Museum Opens
------------------------------

The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, opened to the public on August 17th.

Highlights include:

- A tile mural with an image of Charlie Brown running to kick the football held by Lucy. Each of the 3,588 tiles has a different cartoon strip image.

- A 7000-pound morphing Snoopy sculpture that illustrates the evolution of Snoopy, beginning with Spike, Schulz's childhood pet and inspiration for the world-famous beagle.

- Two galleries with exhibitions of original strips and memorabilia illustrating Schulz's career and his influence on the art of the comic strip.

- A re-creation of Schulz's studio work area.

For more information, visit:

http://www.snoopy.com/comics/peanuts/news/news_080902.html

Marmaduke E-cards
-----------------

The beloved Great Dane is now featured in e-cards! Wish someone a happy birthday or just say hello.

http://www.comics.com/ecards/html/marmaduke.html

Working Daze E-cards
--------------------

If you know anyone who's ever had a bad day at work, you'll want to send the new Working Daze e-card.

http://www.comics.com/ecards/html/workingdaze.html

Test Your Comics Knowledge
--------------------------

Which comic character fits this description?

He has no ego, no hang-ups, no issues. Unfortunately, he also has no brains. He's no doubt the dumbest person in school.

The answer appears after the next section.

Interview With Off the Mark Cartoonist Mark Parisi
--------------------------------------------------

Off the Mark launched this week on Comics.com. Filled with scheming pets, evil computers and talking plants, this comic is a twisted look at the little things we take for granted.

Q. Who are some of your cartooning influences?

Mark Parisi: My biggest influences were Charles Schulz, MAD Magazine, and Gary Larson. "Peanuts" grabbed me early on. I loved copying the characters and laughing at Snoopy. MAD Magazine was the next step. The biting satire, the dead-on parodies and the tasteless humor spoke to my sensibilities. And anyone who reads my work can tell you that "The Far Side" had a big impact on me.

Q. Does fan feedback affect your work?

MP: Yes. If someone suggests attacking certain topics like cell phones or Spongebob Squarepants, I consider it. I can get a feel for trends and waves by listening to readers; I also get a feel for what works. In addition, I can learn a lot by the occasional factual correction. At the moment, there seems to be some disagreement about how many muscles it takes to frown.

Q. Many of your comics feature cats or dogs. Do you have any pets? What are their names?

MP: As a child, I had a dog named, not surprisingly, Peanuts. Later, we had a grumpy cat named Jerome. Now, I have three cats: Tuey is the kindly old man; Smoky brings live birds into the house, and Emily vaporizes when strangers approach.

Q. What career would you like to try if you weren't a cartoonist?

MP: I think something involving video or film, probably editing. I had some experience in college and really enjoyed it. I'd also love to be a songwriter, if I had any talent.

Q. What advice do you have for aspiring cartoonists?

MP: Part One: Don't get into it for the money. Part Two: Keep drawing, be persistent and be funny. Part Three: Show your work to family, friends, newspapers, newsletters, syndicates, etc. Get it out there so people can judge you and either build you up or crush your spirit. Part Three: Go back to Part One.

Read Off the Mark here:

http://www.comics.com/comics/offthemark/index.html

Answer to the Comics Knowledge Question
---------------------------------------

In Luann, Knute has no ego, no hang-ups, no issues. Unfortunately, he also has no brains. He's no doubt the dumbest person in school. Read 30 days of Luann here:

http://www.comics.com/comics/luann/index.html

Flo and Friends
---------------

Recently launched on Comics.com, this comic by John Gibel and Jenny Campbell focuses on seniors who find the humor in aging while remaining youthful in spirit.

Read a month of Flo and Friends here:

http://www.comics.com/creators/floandfriends/index.html

New 9 Chickweed Lane Designs
----------------------------

Nothing's cuter than a cat - get one of the "Hallmarks of Felinity" strips on clothing, canvas bags and mousepads! Brooke McEldowney has colored these exclusively for the Comics.com store.

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/store.aspx?s=chickweed.2306

Rose Is Rose Strips in Color
----------------------------

Pat Brady has colored 12 selected Rose Is Rose daily strips exclusively for the Comics.com store. Order one on a mug, mousepad or clothing.

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/category.aspx?category=rrcolor&storeid=roseisrose&type=strip

New Designs for Raising Duncan Products
---------------------------------------

Now you can order each Raising Duncan strip the day it's published! You can also choose an older strip, or select one of the adorable new character-art designs featuring the little black Scotty and the family that loves him. Get your favorite design printed on clothing, a mug or a mousepad:

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/store.aspx?s=raisingduncan

Guess Who Said That
-------------------

Which comic character said, "Blew a spit bubble the size of my head. Signing off now." The answer appears after the next section.

Ginger Meggs Cartoonist James Kelmsley's Latest Award
-----------------------------------------------------

James Kelmsley, winner of the 2001 Stanley Award for Cartoonist of the Year, has won the award for Best Comic Strip at the 2002 Rotary National and International Cartoon Awards.

Read a month of Ginger Meggs here:

http://www.comics.com/comics/gingermeggs/index.html

Here's Who Said That
--------------------

Zelda, the baby in Committed, wrote in her toddler diary:

"Blew a spit bubble the size of my head. Signing off now."

See what else she wrote here:

http://www.comics.com/comics/committed/archive/committed-20020822.html

Get Fuzzy Sunday Strips on Mugs
-------------------------------

Now you can order all Get Fuzzy strips on mugs, not just dailies. And as always, you can get any strip published in the last 90 days on prints or clothing.

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/store.aspx?s=getfuzzy

What Do You Call A Sociopath in a Cubicle? Answer: A Co-Worker
--------------------------------------------------------------

This upcoming Dilbert book is a treasury of strips featuring some of the most outrageous and annoying characters who have tormented Dilbert over the years. Order now, and be one of the first to receive a copy when it's published!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0740726633/dilbertcom-20

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