Comic: Cat Backpack

Cartoon of a boy with a cat on his back. Boy says, "I grabbed him in the dark. I thought he was my backpack."

Cases of mistaken identity can happen all the time when it's dark and the middle of winter. I just checked and I am happy to say I wore the same color socks today.

If you ever catch me with a weird combination of socks or a cat on my back, I'll just say it is a fashion statement. I would advise you to do the same.

I drew this in Adobe Photoshop.

Illustration Friday-Wilderness

Illustration Friday-Wilderness, originally uploaded by speartoons.

This is my sketch for Illustration Friday. This week's word is ";wilderness" Whenever I think of wilderness, I envision the old Hanna Barbera, Yogi Bear cartoons. As a kid, I thought everyone was mean because they wouldn't feed the bears. This is how I would have liked those cartoons to turn out.

My idealism changed when we went on a vacation to the Smoky Mountains and I saw a bear charge a tourist. That settles it. It's not a good idea to feed the bears.

I drew this in Adobe Photoshop

Cartoon: Musical Tech

Spear-Cartoon_3560, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Cartoon of boy and dad at computer. Boy says, "You're listening to classical music on the Internet? Doesn't that violate some techie code of conduct?"

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2. It also is for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "music."

Sketchbook: Curiosity in a Box

Spear_sbook0906_pg99, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Sketch of kids in a classroom. It's fun how kids are attracted to boxes. It always piques their curiosity. Even if it's empty, kids will wonder what's going on, especially when it wasn't there before.

Webcomic: The Plague of Chores

Cartoon of Moses and a boy. Boy says, “It’s not fair being Moses’ son! If I don’t do my chores, you send a plague."

Have you ever noticed life isn't fair if you make someone work? What they're really saying is "It's only fair if I don't have to lift a finger!" Oops! Looks like I better change my attitude and do a little more work!

I drew this web comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Panting for School

Cartoon of two boys. One says, "If a dog goes around with his tongue hanging out, it's okay. But if I do it, I get sent to the school counselor."

There are so many things our pets do we think is cute. But if a person did the same thing, trouble would be brewing. Be sure you do your panting at home. It's safe that way.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Dignity Insurance

Cartoon of boy and girl. Boy is wearing an eagle costume. Boy says, "I agreed to be the school mascot if they would pay for my dignity insurance."

You have to be a special breed to be a mascot. You have to be able to fire up the crowd while ignoring those who fear you or want to humiliate you. It's a good lesson for life in general. I think it would have been good for Charlie Brown to play a mascot. It builds character.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Language Lessons

Cartoon of boy at a computer. Mom says to him, “We didn’t get you a computer so you could learn how to call someone a moron in seven different languages.”

This is an illustration I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

I envy today's kids. The Internet is a vast resource for people looking for subversive ways to insult friends and loved ones. It's one giant thesaurus, baby!

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this image. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: Health Insurance

Cartoon of boy sick in bed. He says to his mom, "But if we have health insurance, why didn't it keep me from getting sick?"

Have you ever tried to explain insurance to children? It's not the easiest thing. One would assume health insurance would keep you from the flu bug. Then again, that same logic would say life insurance would keep you from dying. I suppose it depends on whether you get term or whole life.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Internet Play

Cartoon of girl at a neighbor's door. Girl says, “Can Michael come over and surf the net?”

This is a comic I did back in 1996 for the sixth edition of the "New Rider's Internet Yellow Pages."

New Rider's Publishing and me own the copyright to this web comic. Please do not use without permission.

Webcomic: Skinny Halloween

Spear-Cartoon_3551, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Cartoon of girl and dad. Girl says,"I don't know. I was hoping for a Halloween costume that makes me look skinny."

I've noticed Halloween costumes have gone from the old, traditional creepy crawlies to the more... oh... bewitching. Come one, people! kids have enough pressure on body image. Give them a break!

I drew this web comic for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "skinny."

I also drew this cartoon in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Scapegoat Spooks

Comic of a boy and a ghost. The boy says, "You're welcomed to stay here. I could always use a scapeghost."

I've been on the Halloween kick. I think I just discovered a very useful occupation for spooks. Everyone could use a scapegoat, why not use a translucent specter for one?

I drew this cartoon in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Monster Mashed

Cartoon of a mom and boy. Child reacts to monstrous plate. He says, "Mom! My favorite! You made Monster Mashed Potatoes!"

This is what happens when I have "Monster Mash" by Bobby "Boris" Pickett running through my mind. I better stock up on some more candy.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Illustration Friday: Frozen

Illustration Friday: Frozen, originally uploaded by speartoons.

Webcomic of a dad and daughter. The daughter says, "I just realized your wardrobe is frozen in time."

Every dad will one day face the disgust of his daughter. Fashion can play a big part of that. Fashion is just another way of saying, "What were you thinking?

I drew this cartoon for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "frozen."

I drew comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: Soccer to Me

Cartoon of soccer boy and girl. Boy says, "We play the game. Next week we'll just do it all over again. What's the point?"

What's my motivation, coach? It must be a challenge to keep early elementary kids into a game. Attention spans can't be as long as the game. That's what makes watching the games fun. I can relate to the kid out in the field who is picking dandelions instead of paying attention to the game. No need to have playoff pressure when you are six years old.

I drew this comic in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Webcomic: I'm Flying!

Cartoon of injured boy. He says to another, "I learned even if it feels like you're flying, it isn't worth it to jump off a swing in mid air."

Yes, I tried this a few times as a child. The swing is an unforgiving master. I got smacked in the back a few time. But I didn't get any broken bones. I have no idea how I escaped that fate!

I drew this comic for Illustration Friday. This week's word is "Flying."

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Taste for Adventure

Cartoon of a boy with a bike and a helmet. Boy says, “Whenever I wear a helmet, I have a taste for adventure.”

Clothes make a man. A helmet makes for adventure. I've had issues with bike helmets. I've often wondered if they made them look more adventurous would more people wear them. Right now, bike helmets just look dorky.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon: Birthday cheer

Cartoon of two girls. One says, "Happy Birthday! You don't look a day over seven."

My sister has a birthday today. She looks a little older than seven, but still much younger than me. That's the way it should be. All is right in the world.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS3

Cartoon: Pointy Homework

Cartoon of a boy with a test and a dog. Boy says, "For a pointer, you're pretty lousy at pointing out homework answers."

I never used our dog to do my homework. She was a collie and whenever I'd ask a question, she'd just nip at my heels.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2

Cartoon: Attitudinal License

Cartoon of two boys playing. One says, "How do they expect me to go the extra mile when I'm not old enough to drive?

It can be tough to go the extra mile, especially when the highway is plugged up. But it's worth it to go that extra distance. That must be why I'm posting a cartoon on Saturday. It's an extra blog post on the Information Superhighway.

I drew this in Adobe Illustrator CS2