BEHIND THE BLUFFS #9 ( A NEW LOOK )
I'm back at the drawing board writing, rewriting, sketching, inking and coloring some new HISTORY BLUFFS. While I have the LAPTOPS toons posted on Gocomics.com for awhile, I'm drawing about 3 dozen Bluffs with a new look. I'm working on more of a portrait or vertical layout instead of always a landscape or horizonal one. Now, believe me, I love watching the movies on the widescreen version, because you see more of the picture, so not all of the Bluffs will be square. The first one I have here is in square format and the second in rectangle. Mostly because the second one is spoofing a movie.
Some of you have asked about the bottom right of my panels and why the paper is folding up. When I first started writing the strip, I had the title with a caption and it read HISTORY BLUFFS; TURNING THE PAGES OF HISTORY, AND THEN BENDING THEM A BIT. Then, I started using another saying with a cartoon header. Imagine Abe Lincoln wearing clown make up, Ben Franklin with a Richard Nixon false face and Napolean donning on the infamous Groucho Marx glasses, eyebrows and moustache. Then the caption was HISTORY BLUFFS; CHANGING THE FACES OF HISTORY
These new Bluffs are still in the blue print stages. The first is the inventor of the peanut requesting a pay raise and the caption will read GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER DEMANDS A PROMOTION
By the way, take notice to the font styles ontop of the toon. The title is done in a fancy old fashioned crowquill pen font and my name is actually done in a type called Poor Richard. How about that, history buffs? This second one is from my good buddy Cuzzin Mikey Wieland. Spoofing a recent movie, this one took awhile to draw. What cracks me up on this one is the lady snake in the back of the wagon tossing out a bucket of water,chow or mush. She's wearing a bonnet and actually has arms....priceless. Do you have a favorite snake on the wagon train?
It' s also been brought to my attention by fellow teachers, professors and instructors that I need to put a side blurb with each Bluff actually telling the historical significance of the cartoon. What to you history buffs think? Do I educate the viewer right there? I mean Gary Larson of the Far Side fame didn't have science notes beside his toons and I laughed at his stuff. Then I actually looked up the word and meaning, and laughed even harder. Delayed reaction laughter is better than none at all. Comments, please.
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Comments
I think I agree with Erin
It would just depend on your target audience...if it is in an educational setting, I think a little explaination is helpful. Maybe a little parchment scroll with a brief explaination or additional facts about the event, era, historical figure, etc.
PS-I always love a good Peanuts cartoon...
Julie - Alexandria, VA
thanks, Mitch
I liked your educational comment. I had another one on my email today that is almost exactly like yours. Very interesting. The feedback on this question has been great.
half and half
Interesting. Jess says NO and Erin says YES to the historical backgrounds of the cartoons. Anybody else out there want to comment? Thanks for both of your input again. I think you are the only two that read my cartoons. :)
nice improvements
I really like the header fonts...def gives it a more historical look.
i think no on the explanantions tho, going with the Far Side rationale, he had wide appeal even tho ppl have limited scientific literacy. People know tons more about history --- i think the Bluffs are funny and clever without being too obvious.
just my humble .02
Include the history
I did not always understand the Far Side humor. I mean some of it was just to scientific at times. I will admit I never looked up the meaning of some of the words but would have found it helpful if the definition were on the back of the cartoon.
Anyway, include the history. It could be small but would be helpful.