I live in strange area… a crossroads of old and new ideas for sure. I don’t want to paint the whole Fayette / Westmoreland County area as “racist” or anything. The comments I’d hear use to shock me a little bit and anger me, but now I have a different outlook on the idiots around me. They can’t help it. It’s not their fault. It’s how they were raised…generation after generation, filled with DUMB backward ideas. I forgive them. I humor them when I come into contact with the “natives” now. I think it’s cute how they call their medicine “DRUGS” and how they have to pick up their drugs.

It’s always funny to me how these conversations start. First we’re chatting about gas mileage…. then drugs…. then suddenly from out of nowhere… OBAMA IS THE DEVIL. It often takes much self control for me not to just laugh out loud. What was really cute was there was an old lady in this situation who was being quiet and nodding her head a lot to appease this old man and his rantings. But when he got to the point about Obama being so bad she asked, “Well, who would you suggest? Who’s going to do a better job on the other side?” — and the guy’s answer was “Uhhhh…uhmm…uhhhh…well…uh….” He didn’t really have an answer… then he finished up with “Well I’ll tell you…I’d vote for Trump”

Good lord. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to chime in and drop some knowledge. I told the old man that Trump wasn’t going to run, I’d bet him 10 dollars. Trump is just being…well, Trump! All this guy knows is the Celebrity Apprentice and Obama haters are just ITCHING to use the catchphrase “You’re Fired” in a campaign. That’s it. Nothing more. Trump will not run.

When he mentioned that “America isn’t ready for Sarah Palin” — I just laughed out loud and said… look man… why would anyone want to ELECT someone who was ELECTED for a job before and then quit early to pursue money. That’s not what America needs, we need a leader who will make tough decisions and stick to his guns. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be Obama yet either. I closed my statement by explaining to this room of 68-75 yr olds that the real problems aren’t with ONE man or woman… it’s the entire system. All of Washington needs change, and it will take more than one person or party to do that. It’s not likely to happen any time soon, so don’t fret about it, and don’t get played by the media or the propaganda machines on both sides because it makes you look like a fool. I also told the old timers that it wasn’t fair how they were being treated like second class citizens after all their hard work, and I can understand feeling frustrated with a broken system in Washington running amuck, and being subservient to the rich and Wall Street while the little guys suffer at the gas pumps.

The old man’s car was done and he left, but they seemed to all agree with me and all got a spark in their eye. If I was running for something, I could have had their vote.

Fat chance of that ever happening.

Derby Paranoia…

It might just be my paranoia, but on an unrelated note I keep thinking that our car was sabotaged by the Jersey Shore Roller Girls who beat our Derby Team handidly Saturday night. Another car was broken into that night and skate gear stolen…then we get a screw in our tire. I just envision these rough Jersey Shore girls rolling into town, beating our gals up, breaking into cars, mugging people, throwing screws in the parking lot then rolling out counting their money and werther’s originals. (inside joke) – Of course THAT’S NOT true. Jersey was a fast team… sure there were some questionable PUNCHES to the faces of our gals, but hey, it happens! The truth is this…. They were an “A” team who came in and beat our “B” team. I’m pretty confident that our “A” team would level the holy shit out of them, and this is something I would pay to see.

Back to the drawing board…

So I attended Pittsburgh Comicon very last minute thanks to my old pal James Patrick who had to bail on his table spot at the last minute. I got to share a spot with a nice guy named Michael K. Easton (his “professional” title) of Short Pants Romance –

Pittsburgh Comicon is run by some great/friendly folks who have been holding it down in Pittsburgh for ages. The “comicon” scene around Pittsburgh has been kinda confusing for the natives because there’s this other show called “Steel City Con” that’s held like three times a year and everyone who’s not a comic fan thinks it’s the same “show”. It is not. I kinda feel like this sort of hurts attendance or profits for the local creators just because the local fans only have so much to spend and if they see you 3 times a year it’s not as special. I don’t like the feeling of competition (even though you’re not actively competing) for that college kid’s dollar or commission sketch. It’s even tougher when you’re two artists sharing one table. I guess what I’m getting at is, unless you’re willing to totally “whore” out, there’s no money to be made at these types of shows for the “little guy” — and that’s not why I was really there, in fact it was a GREAT relief to me to know I didn’t pay for a table, or a hotel room or gas, or product…. I was just goofing off…

What the heck was I doing there? Well, I had no real rhyme or reason seeing as how I’m a “has been” in the comic book world who hasn’t had a new title out really since Hero By Night, but I wanted to say hello to some old friends while they were in town.

I did notice that the “whores” were back at shows. This has probably been going on, but I haven’t been at shows to really notice. The “massage” gimmick was so friggin sad. At one point two ho-bags stopped at our table and asked us to stop by their table for a photo and a massage… but they didn’t stop at the table next to me where the guy was sitting with his wife. Questions persist…  Did I look THAT desperate for a woman? Do they hone in on dork duos? Even worse, do OTHER creators actually go do that shit? Pathetic. I wish it didn’t exist at shows, period.

What’s worse than whores offering “massages” and after hours lap dances???

ENERGY GUM PEOPLE. You know, I don’t know how safe it is… but it was really odd to see this company I’d never heard of giving away “free samples” of a gum they say had more effect than redbull, coffee, 5 hour energy… all instantly. And god knows what’s in it. What will they do when some uber nerd gobbles a whole box or two and has a heart attack? Dumb…. I honestly can’t believe the show let them in to do this at all. Seems like it could be a lawsuit waiting to happen… Imagine dropping your kid off at a comicon and there are these “pushers” inside pretty much selling you Four Loco in a gum. GREAT.

I didn’t return on Saturday (which would have been busier) – mostly because of Roller Derby day, but also because I just felt very distant from this scene. I was out of place. I didn’t belong. I’d honestly rather see Michael K. Easton sell his prints and commissions then me squatting at his table doing “Will Draw Anythings” …. here are a couple of them for your amusement…

The last one is because of the rumor of the new Batman movie which is filming in Pittsburgh going to blow up the Civic Arena…. which I actually heard from a little bird that this is true and an offer will or has been made.

AHOY! There be changes ahead….

Here’s the basics… Instead of once a week updates that take me much longer, I’m going to update with shorter black and white comics more often. Why? Well, frankly I’m quite busy… with drawing two Bigfoot and Tiki strips a week, working on a graphic novel for a publisher, cartoonist coaching, web design/consulting clients AND that’s not to mention having a wife and 3 kids with a busy family life……. but ironically, I can update MORE by doing black and white strips. So…everybody wins. Well, at least Yirmumah fans.

There will AT LEAST be a M-W-F update here, but I may shoot for M-F if enough interesting things happen in my life for me to mock here. Thank you for your support… all 12 of you.

It’s been awhile since the COBRA made an appearance in the strip. Funny that on the same week that Donald Trump deserves a Spaking that a Cobra escaped from the Bronx Zoo… he was also just found. Now you know what the snake was out doing all that time. It takes awhile to slither over to Trump tower and get yourself into an envelope marked “To Asshole”… alas we know he’s immune to venom, but we thought it was worth a shot anyways. The cobra wishes to apologize for making Donald even stronger.

“My Bad.”

Who else do you think deserves a SPAK SPAK this week??? Let me know in the comments.

Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!

It may come as a surprise to some, but Mr. T and Ice-T actually have collaborated before. It’s a fact the Ice-T actually wrote all of Mr. T’s raps in the 8o’s. No, I’m not making this up… google it, bitches.

Here’s a little treat for you. I love how Mr. T is totally rapping about the bible while kicking dude’s asses and throwing them down elevator shafts. NOW THAT IS SOME CHANGE I CAN GET BEHIND!

So here’s the deal… Japan is in some SERIOUS trouble and they need our help. But what can a webcartoonist do besides donate a little cash? Well we have audiences that we can share information with! This is the idea behind comicsforjapan.com – I started it this week after an old YIRMUMAH fan messaged me from Japan saying things were BAD. They’re all trying to get back to work there, but everyone is frustrated that they feel like they can’t do enough. He gave me the following links to share knowing that they would be the best immediate way to help survivors on the ground.

• SECOND HARVEST JAPAN: http://www.2hj.org/index.php/eng_home People can send supplies directly to survivors on the ground!!!
• RED CROSS Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund
• or text REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 from your phone

I’m always VERY skeptical with “relief” benefits and tributes because I’ve known in the past that the $ never usually gets to where your heart wants it to go. So, plain and simple here, we’re not selling anything, but those are the two BEST ways to help survivors right now! Just imagine if everyone of our readers gave $10 to SECOND HARVEST to help feed people there? Let’s do this thing!!!

To my fellow webcomic creators, just imagine if all of your audiences gave a little…. we’ll build a wave of relief. Period. The best thing is, this doesn’t take much of your time to help out or mention these links. You’re going to draw a comic anyway, so why not spread the word about these agencies (especially Second Harvest)

HEY! If you’re attending C2E2 (Chicago Comic Show) this weekend, the WEBCOMICS ALLIANCE folks are doing awesome sketchcards for people who make a mobile donation to the red cross at the table! Details here. (what a fantastic idea!)

THANK YOU!!!!!

I really tried NOT to do a Charlie Sheen joke, but just couldn’t help myself. Also, if you haven’t seen the SONGIFY version of Sheen’s interview you are LOSING.

Warning, this may get stuck in your head.

And this cover is GREAT.

The Gregory brothers are mad genius.

Today’s comic is based on an actual email (almost word for word) that I received from Bob on Wednesday night.

Also the term “Kentucky Shitters” is what we call it when you walk into a restroom and it smells as if a truck driver  held his shit all the way from Kentucky before pulling into your neighborhood to drop off a load. It can be a lethal experience if you’re not careful.

Good day.

Don’t debate me here, I know the truth. Want to know what Jack Kirby himself said about the creation process of who WROTE and CREATED the things he worked on at Marvel? Listen to the words straight from his mouth in this mp3: “Jack Kirby Tells You The Truth”

Little do people know that Jack Kirby SINGLE HANDILY saved Marvel Comics and literally stopped them from closing the doors. Seriously, they were taking out the furniture when Jack showed up one day and made them stop. All Jack wanted back then was a little respect and acknowledgment and a new title from the company he saved and the NEW industry he spawned from his imagination. Marvel Comics has made BILLIONS off the back of Jack’s creations and energy, but all he saw from it was a page rate and NO contract. He didn’t even want his “fair share”

All these years later, and billions of dollars in movie money and licensing based off things Jack created,  and Marvel has never dropped ONE DIME to the estate of Jack Kirby. That’s fucking sad. What’s even more sad is, the MAIN thing keeping that company going is still Jack Kirby’s creations. It’s why they never really came up with anything new… just the same characters and stories rehashed over and over again. They just bring in new Stan Lees to change the words around.

Now that DISNEY owns Marvel and has money to spare, MAYBE they’ll do the right thing. Of course we’ve heard the rumors of how evil they can be too… but here’s a BIG chance for both of these companies to step up and do the honorable thing. Wouldn’t that be an awesome story and make you believe in heroes again? Imagine if the Jack Kirby Museum had the backing of Disney Dollars???

Disney, do what’s right. Hook up these old schoolers and their estate. Walt would have loved that. Remember Walt? That guy who made you?

Fans… if you truly love these creations and love these movies and things, pay a little tribute to Jack by donating to the Jack Kirby Museum and Research Center. You can also actively help out old schoolers in need by donating to the Hero Initiative.

Do the right thing!