100 years of Sparky

Cartoonists everywhere are including Peanuts references in their comics today to celebrate the 100th birthday of Charles Schulz.

Although there have been many cartoonists who have influenced me, none has had a greater or more profound impact on me as a cartoonist — both in style and in writing. 

Schulz once said that a cartoonist has to be a “fairly” person — a fairly good writer and a fairly good artist. I try to be a little bit of both.

Thank you, Mr. Schulz, for the profound influence you’ve had on my life!

At the Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA

 

Magical vacation

Another sneak preview of the Disney cartoons I’m working on with fellow cartoonist Ryan Stoker. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy (US) Thanksgiving! It's a great day to remember our blessings and how much we have that we can be grateful for.

Today I've added a hidden picture puzzle. It might be difficult to do on a small screen, so here's a link to download a PDF.

Have a great day!
 

Dinner plans?

Yeah, I prefer my dinner inside me.
 

That's cold.

Because nothing says Thanksgiving like a Shakespearian tragedy.*

*Some scholars contend that Richard III is a history, while others call it a tragedy. Either way, it's Shakespeare's second-longest play. Hamlet is the longest.

The more you know. 
 

Sketchbook: Somebody's watching

On Sunday our ward said goodbye to two wonderful sister missionaries, Sis. Steele and Sis. Lynum. Sis. Steele is going home, and Sis. Lynum is moving to a new area. They are amazing, powerful missionaries, and made a huge difference to many people in our ward.

That got me thinking about the people who cross our paths each day. How much of a difference can we make to them? How much difference can they make to us? There's a reason our paths intersect.

How often have you heard someone say something like the guy in this sketch? I love the answer: the Lord knows where we are, and he knows who we are. He keeps an eye on each of us. He knows us by name. Knowing that can make a huge difference.
 

What's in your box?

Bird Box was a movie that became famous because of two things: Tik Tok and Netflix —it was something to watch when nothing else was on. The premise of the movie is if you see the "monster" (which takes the form of your worst fears) then you will die. That led to a Tik Tok trend of Bird Box stunts, such as driving while blindfolded. Most of them had disastrous results.

That leads to the second, undeveloped take on this cartoon idea. At Thanksgiving time, the Bird Box is more likely to be the freezer. And if you don't thaw your bird on time, it could lead to disastrous results.

 

Flocking to see it

This turned out to be scarier than I intended!
 

Glory looking day

Jonathan Livingston Seagull is the story of a seagull who pushes beyond his limitations in flight and beyond. The soundtrack is by Neil Diamond, who in his usual subtle manner reinforces this message.

Turkeys aren't usually known for their glorious flying skills. But what if there was a turkey who pushed beyond his limitations?

I don’t mind a certain amount of trouble

There are a lot of Halloween movies. There are a lot of Christmas movies. But just how many Thanksgiving movies are there?

We’ve come up with few suggestions that could become classics. Unless they wind up turkeys.  
 

Sketchbook: Appy Thanksgiving

Sometimes I get good ideas in the middle of the night, sometimes the ideas are less good. My mind got distracted trying to figure out what the app would do. I do like the idea of turkey software engineers. That has some potential. 
 

'Tis the season to think about gift giving!

 It's the time of year when our thoughts turn to gift-giving. In a shameless pitch, I have a few suggestions for you!

Tastes Good with Giblets and Gravy Blues

Traveling somewhere for Thanksgiving? Are you in need of a hostess gift — or a diversion from family drama? Tastes Good with Giblets and Gravy Blues is a fun collection of Thanksgiving-related cartoons! It makes a great stocking stuffer (better than a turkey stuffer, anyway). And it easily fits into a carry-on.

Available on Amazon as a paperback; Kindle edition is available as well.

That's One Small Step for a Mom, One Giant Leap for Missionarykind

A perfect gift for a missionary, a soon-to-be missionary, returned missionary, or a missionary family. And wasn't it Pres. Kimball who said, "Every member a missionary."? Winner of the 2019 Association for Mormon Letters award for comics, this collection looks at missionary life from all sorts of angles! 

Available on Amazon.

The Sis. Kerry Jo Missionary Blog Collection

These three volumes cover the best eighteen months of Sis. Kerry Jo's life as a missionary. This series spans the time from when Kerry Jo first got her call to the time she returned home. Anyone who served a mission can relate to her experiences — from the first days in the MTC, going through a variety of companions, and then returning home. Based on real experiences of several missionaries, sisters and elders, these books are relatable, amusing and occasionally poignant.

Volumes 1, 2 and 3 available on Amazon.

Check out my author page and see other books that are available!

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Note: If you want to add a little variety to your holiday book buying, I also highly recommend you visit Ward Cartoonist Arie Van De Graaff's page. Not only does he have cartoon collections, he has puzzles and game as well!

Sounds of the seasoning

Well, it is kind of a catchy tune...
 

By any other name it wouldn't smell as sweet

Of all the rooms in the church building, the nursery has the most distinctive smell. 
 

When only the best will do

You can tell a lot about someone by the snacks they bring to church.
 

It’s that time again!

As a missionary, I was aware that there were elections going on. I knew who many of the candidates were, and I was aware of some of the major issues under consideration. 

What I didn’t hear were the attack ads, and I didn’t see the nasty campaign literature. 

I was able to vote via absentee ballot. Those were the days!

Sketchbook: Just do it

For my friends in the United States: if you've already voted, thank you. If you haven't voted yet, do it.
 

As circumstance allows

There's always that one guy who — no matter what — dresses in shorts and sandals.
 

As you were

No matter how home teaching/ministering has changed, one thing remains: the last minute clean-up before they get there!
 

Kindred spirits

I used to have terrific fights with my brother when I was a kid. I've got several scars that are still visible as a result of some of those altercations. We didn't get called to the same mission, but we were in neighboring missions and overlapped by a couple of months. Nowadays we get along great — and he hasn't given me a new scar in a long time!
 

Add it to your wish list now!

By the time we finish this year in the Old Testament, this kid is going to have an amazing collection of toys!
 

Sketchbook: Rock stars

Couldn’t decide which I liked better. What do you think?

Have a safe and happy Halloween, and may you score more candy than rocks!

 

We now return to our irregular programming

From what I hear, if either the Democrats or the Republicans win, the world is coming to an end. Unless the independents win, then we're in big trouble.
 

Illegal use of hands

There are a lot of jokes that could stem from this one: "They look dead out there" or "Our team seems lifeless" or worse. The same could be said, however, of last week's BYU game. Let's just let that go. 
 

Give this guy a hand

If this one makes you groan, just think — it was almost Igor and his Coat of Many Cadavers.
 

Down in the valley

See? The Old Testament is full of surprises!
 

Sketchbook: Magic solution

She can also put a hex on line cutters, or those who ignore flaggers. 
 

But there are always parts left over

Can you imagine trying to build your own monster with Ikea instructions and that little L-shaped wrench tool?
 

Mealtime is a breeze!

I'm sure that even for zombies having the same thing every night could get tedious. Imagine the things you could do with Brain Helper!

Or, no. Maybe you should think of something a little less disgusting. 
 

Scary movies

I'm not sure what he was expecting them watch. Most of the movies I saw as a missionary had to do with the First Vision. That and Meet the Mormons.*

*That was in a time before the re-emphasis on the proper name of the Church. 
 

The one that you feed

My journalist friends will like this.
 

Sketchbook: Short supply

I like this idea, but I'm not sure I want to see it in color.
 

A good grip on fashion

It’s okay if you groan at this one. Should I have included tassels?

Can ye feel so now?

I guess that means he’s got to update his business cards, stationery and the website. 
 

Each man in his time plays many parts

I was Moses one year for our YW/YM Halloween dance, complete with tablets and a staff. It was a great costume, but it sure was difficult to dance!
 

It's quality family time

There's more than one way to make a family!
 

Sketchbook: Hopping over to the next book

I've waited all year for this one!
 

Old as the mountains

I don't know about you, but I'm thrilled about the 18 new temples that were announced in General Conference — especially the first one on the list. Busan, Korea, from my old mission! 
 

For your own protection

I should have had one of these for my trig class in high school. Maybe that would have helped.
 

Child care

It's October, so that means it's time again for Halloween cartoons!

This is a reworking of one I did a long, long time ago, and I like this one much better.

And can I just point out the toy in the crib? Yes, it's a batmobile.
 

He walks, he talks, he calls you to repentance

The Old Testament Toy Kids are back! If there's not one already, someone really should start a line of these things. There's a mint to be made!
 

Monday Sketchbook: Early Edition

What a great conference! I hope you were able to participate in it wherever you are!

I've compiled my sketch notes into a downloadable PDF. Feel free to use them as a study aid, a reminder, or however works for you.

The sessions are available on the broadcast page of the Church website. Watch them if you missed them, or view them again!

Sunday Afternoon Sketch Notes