Sharing Bears Blog

New PCS book

2006-10-03T21:31:02Z

The Philadelphia
Cartoonist Society
Anthology Volume 2 (2006)

The PCS Anthologies improve with every volume. This time around, 25 cartoonists stepped up to the plate to fill 150 pages with their best efforts.

As usual, there are 5 brand new pages of my Thanks for Sharing comic.

Copies are now available on my site, for $8 (6+shipping) with Paypal.

New comics

2006-08-29T04:29:26Z

Yes indeedy, Sharing Bears is back to its weekly status. Now in color with spaces between the panels and a new title, Thanks for Sharing episodes can be found regularly on their brand new Website. Stumpy, Lumpy and Grumpy, however, are still exactly the same.

Linkies

2006-01-25T00:38:33Z

• I've been meaning to put a link up for The Perry Bible Fellowship which is an amazing Webcomic (not entirely work safe). Odds are good you've seen it already.

• This is a terrific Flash animation site, where you can make your own Flipbook.

• Hugh Macleod draws on the back of business cards. I like the writing. Some of them are particularly clever.

• Kyle Margiotta is a painter and a friend of mine who does beautiful work. Everything I've bought from him is worth more to me than what I paid for it.

• And this is an illustration magazine called Drawn, with links to illustration portfolios.

Truth in advertising

2006-01-25T00:12:17Z

I couldn't resist buying some Doritos,
now that they taste better.

Monkey sketch

2006-01-15T00:16:58Z

I wasn't sure how realistic or cartoony I should go with a recent King Kong cartoon. This is both extremes on the same post-it note. The finished version was halfway between the two.

ATC show

2006-01-06T04:03:20Z

If you're wondering what happened to Sharing Bears, they're appearing at the Vineland Community Art Alliance in Vineland, NJ! The opening reception for the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society Artist Trading Cards show will be on January 13. Meet the artists on Jan 21 and Jan 29.

New Sharing Bears strip next week.

Librarian review

2005-11-04T21:41:12Z

On behalf of my local libraries, Jennifer Brank has been kind enough to write a swell review of my Website.

While you're there, check out the reviews she has written about my associates, The Philadelphia Cartoonist Society and Hinge Online.

Vague memories of unusual television

2005-11-04T16:47:43Z

6. Misfits of Science (1985)

I still remember this as the greatest TV show ever. There was the guy who shot lightning out of his fingers, the girl who got nosebleeds when she used her mental powers (that was Courtney Cox?) and the guy who would shrink when he touched the back of his neck. I don't think I knew what X-men was at the time, but Misfits of Science was like X-men driving around in an ice cream truck. Anything that combines comedy and sci-fi is OK by me.

More info on Misfits of Science here.

Katrina book arrives

2005-10-28T21:19:40Z

I just got my copy in the mail and yes indeed, it's very cool. It's a big book; well crafted, sturdy and worth the cash – especially since 100% of the profits go to the Red Cross. The Sharing Bears are in there, as are a lot of other various Webcomics. Copies are available for sale at Lulu.com.

Vague memories of unusual television

2005-10-14T13:04:43Z

5. Turbo Teen (1984)

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show that was so obviously produced by a committee, you could hear the marketing meeting that spawned it? Turbo Teen was like that. You could hear them saying, 'we know kids like cars. We know kids like watching robots turn into cars. Lets make a cartoon where the kid turns into a car.' Apparently, no one stopped to think what a kid turning into a car would look like.

So in 1984, poor unfortunate Brett Mathews was shot with a ray gun and genetically fused to his sports car - beginning an animated freak show, both horrific and comical. His face would stretch in order to become the front of the car. His back would grow seats. His arms and legs would become wheels and no lie, his ass would stretch out to become the trunk.

Reminiscent of An American Werewolf in London, the transformation was slow and tedious and shown from many angles. Brett would make revving noises as his flesh turned into metal and his teeth became the front bumper. Turbo Teen raised interesting questions. Did his heart become the engine? Did his stomach become the gas tank? Does he still have to pay for both car and health insurance? What happens if he pops a tire, then turns back into a human? The show wasn't renewed for a second season. I wouldn't be surprised if the creators were relieved by the news.

Vague memories of unusual television

2005-10-07T21:24:25Z

4. Lost Saucer (1975-1976)

This is the real reason I started writing these VMoUT entries. When I was very very young (like, 2 years old and younger), I spent some time each day, watching Krofft shows like HR Pufnstuf. For years after, I thought those shows were my childhood nightmares. I was in my twenties before I found out those bizarre images existed outside my own head. You've seen them too!?

I'm haunted by a lot of vague memories from unusual shows I've seen. They get more interesting when I remember them wrong. Everyone has those images in the back of their heads that they can't shake, and I figured it would be good writing practice to share some of my own TV ghosts.

My most disturbing vague memory is Jim Nabors dressed as a pinball machine. The show was called Lost Saucer, but I didn't know it at the time. All I knew was that a couple of grownups, who were robots, spent a lot of time in a little room pressing buttons on a control panel in an attempt to get two kids back to earth. The blandness of it was chilling. Somehow I missed or don't remember the wacky adventures they must've had, because in my mind, they never left the spaceship. They just stayed in that little room, pressing buttons and expressing concern for the hopelessness of their situation. 'I'm sorry we couldn't get you home,' Jim Nabors would say. 'That's OK,' the kid would reply. 'I'm sure you'll figure it out some day.'

And they're still out there – with Jim Nabors in his pinball machine suit, pressing buttons in that little room that floats around in deep space. Brrrrrrrr.

Dear Sharing Bears,

2005-10-07T18:12:45Z

Bill writes:

I've looked at your latest some more. You are really becoming a master of expression. The faces on those Bears almost tell the whole story despite the unreadable words. Your improvement in drawing the bears is remarkable. No wonder you're getting a fan base. Keep it up.

Cool. Thanks Dad!

Take the kids along

2005-10-04T21:13:32Z

According to Comic Nation, Sharing Bears is rated PG.

Linkies

2005-09-30T21:05:15Z

Linkies

2005-09-30T15:35:28Z

This snowball fight game was recommended by PCS founder, Jeff Kilpatrick.

Katrina book available

2005-09-28T13:34:03Z

The latest Sharing Bears appearance is in this book. As advertised on the Webcomic Telethon Site, the collected Katrina book is available for sale at Lulu.com. 100% of the profits go to the Red Cross.

Vague memories of unusual television

2005-09-27T21:18:20Z

3. The Wizard (1986)

This is the only photo from The Wizard I could find on the Internet. If you recognize the guy on the left, you've probably seen Time Bandits. He also showed up in odd places like The Young Ones, Peter Gunn, and Mr. Belvedere. In 1986 David Rappaport starred in his own show. I was watching because to me, Time Bandits wouldn't have been half as good as it was without him.

The Wizard (not to be mistaken for Mr. Wizard) didn't have much of a plot. Essentially, anyone who didn't know who David Rappaport was, wasn't going to tune in. Rappaport played a brilliant inventor and toy maker who may or may not have had mysterious powers. He carried around a suitcase full of gadgets and solved mysteries.

The show barely lasted a season, but it's the only TV show I've seen that had a little person in the starring role. Rappaport killed himself in 1990. On Terry Gilliam's commentary for Time Bandits, Gilliam mentions that Rappaport felt he could play any character regardless of height. He'd refuse to play any robots or puppets and even turned down the role of R2D2. Gilliam probably wasn't the first to argue with him about it. Of course, it's true that appearance is a relevant factor in casting actors. But the guy was a lot of fun to watch and it would've been nice to see him in some other roles.

SPX Convention

2005-09-22T14:41:13Z

This is where I'll be for the next two days. There are 3 conventions I can generally be found at. This year I skipped the first 2, but there's no way I'm missing out on SPX. Parking, hotel and convention are all in the same building. It's well organized and all kinds of fun.

I'll be there with the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society and Baboon Books, promoting the Cartoonist Society Anthology and selling Sharing Bears T-shirts.

I'll post a new Sharing Bears strip early next week.

My Name is Earl

2005-09-21T14:28:14Z

I caught the first episode last night and it was damn funny. I haven't laughed like that at a television show since the early seasons of Seinfeld. There was a review of the series on public radio last night and the reviewer said the second episode is even better. I wouldn't be surprised if they moved it to thursday nights by the end of the year.

Webcomics Telethon Over

2005-09-19T13:35:10Z

A thousand thanks to Brad Guigar and friends for allowing Sharing Bears a part in the Webcomics Telethon.

They even posted my second strip here (deceiving is spelled wrong but it'll be fixed in future appearances). My first submission is still right here.

The telethon is over and a book is in the works. The telethon site will continue to update with a new strip every week.

Book review

2005-09-16T20:43:18Z

The Philadelphia Cartoonist Society Anthology
Featuring Sharing Bears

Comics Buyers Guide
Review by Timothy J. Wood

"As far as anthologies go, this one's pretty good. It's got an eclectic mix of art, from extreme cartoon to fine pen-and-ink work, along with a nice blend of storytelling, from the absurd and silly to the touching and personal."

"The Philadelphia Cartoonist Society was formed in 1997 by Jeffro Kilpatrick, Andrew Hart and Chrissy Pomroy. Membership grew slowly but steadily, with the group sponsoring art workshops for children and doing several benefit projects. Mostly, though, it's an excuse to meet at the local lounge, connect and draw."

"Most of the 20 cartoonists represented here have done one form of comic or another, although for some this is their first attempt at sequential art. Some have ongoing self-publishing projects; most work in various art-related jobs and pursue cartooning as a passion. Each has given a generious five pages to tell a story; some simply present finished art or sketches, although those tend to be less interesting offerings. Among the best are Richard Marcej, Andrew Hoffmann, Jamar Nicholas' "hip-hop cartoon" and Jacob Lambert, who writes for Mad."

Copies of this limited edition book are available from Baboon Books.

Linkies

2005-09-16T17:42:03Z

One of my favorites, Stephen Notley's Bob the Angry Flower, has a real good Katrina strip today called Looting.

Censorship Set part 5

2005-09-16T15:08:07Z

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Welcome to Sharing Bears Blog. More Sharing Bears comic strips can be found at AndrewHoffmann.com. Post a response by clicking on the 'comment' button. Bloggers, feel free to add me to your friends page. This journal is promotional, not personal.

KATRINA comics DAY 4

2005-09-16T13:56:44Z

Holy Katrina! It's a FLOOD of Webcomics!

The mighty Webcomic Telethon is still updating every 20 minutes!

It really is a lot of fun to browse through all the creators. I get the impression many of them are teenagers and younger. I've also found some of my Philadelphia Cartoonist Society friends in there.

KATRINA comics DAY 3

2005-09-15T14:34:47Z

YEEEEEE-HAAAA!

The mighty Webcomic Telethon is on its third and final day! The event was extended due to excessive contributions and support.

The mighty Webcomic Telethon updates with a new comic, Every 20 Minutes!

(I didn't create the photo.)