Saturday, December 31, 2011

Ziggy Harbordust + the Lobsters from Mars


Definitely in the running for 2011's worst gag of the year (second only to this one). Convoluted confession: this particular panel's a great example of why, for me, letting gags incubate in a sketchbook beforehand is, in lieu of an actual editor, probably a better process than doodling directly out in ink. Below is the initial idea, punning on the Jim Bowie character, which turned out to be mixed-up with Davey Crockett anyways. Don't ask - chalk it up to yet another personal Alamo. So after completely messing up the trail of mental breadcrumbs, a quick cut & paste coupled with judicious editing finally got me to where I wanted to be: inspired by the iconic cover from David Bowie's 1973 album. Still probably too much of an obscure glam-rock reference (or, as a member of my ad hoc review board diplomatically put it: "Nobody over under thirty will get it").

7 comments:

  1. Luckily I recently saw a documentary on Bowie so, even way over 30, I get it. Best wishes for the new year.

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  2. Oops - I meant *under* 30 ...fixed, thanks (it's a problem us old folks have).
    Best to ya too!
    CHEERS!

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  3. Just turned 25, and totally busted up laughing...but then, I'm weird, a hardcore Bowie fan despite being born a few decades too late to be around in his prime.

    (Also, my new kitten's name is Ziggy, because I'm that much of a dork)

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  4. GREAT name for a cat, I bet you'll find glitter in the litterbox...

    Hep-py Birthday!

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  5. The only trouble I had with the gag was reading the caption. At first pass I thought it said DAVID BUDY. Fortunately your title about it had put me in the right context to be expecting a David Bowie reference so I figured it out.

    Happy New Year!

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  6. Nice! I only recently came across your blog, but have enjoyed this post and will be back to read more.

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  7. I think my handwriting is adopting some of the local New England accents now - there have been times I've in conversation with some life-long locals, looked right at them and haven't had a clue what they just said...

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