Mormon Cartoonist

Early Morning Seminary

2010-03-11T06:39:00.005-07:00

Here's a comic that appeared in this month's New Era. Prior to submitting it, I did a YouTube search for "early morning seminary", I wanted to make sure that the gag was at least truthful. Especially, after I submitted another gag earlier only to find out that that what I thought was an exaggeration was, in fact, exactly what was happening.

More Sci Fi Geekiness

2010-03-08T07:22:00.004-07:00

Last week's strip touched on Star Wars, this week's covers both Star Wars and Star Trek. When I created my alter-ego Elder Van Dyke, I removed from him any of my embarrassing geekiness. He doesn't collect comic books, he doesn't know a Klingon from a Cardassian, he doesn't even follow Star Wars. Still, my geeky side can't help but sneak into some of my work from time to time.

Boy Scout Colors

2010-03-04T06:29:00.003-07:00

Yep, it's another Boy Scout joke.

The Gospel According to Lucas

2010-03-01T06:23:00.004-07:00

When I was in the MTC, about the only piece of instruction I remember from my Branch Presidency was that they would not tolerate any Sacrament Meeting talks referring to Star Wars.

Of course, this was before the prequels or even the special editions of the original trilogy; so no one at the time had heard about Jar Jar Binks, Han Solo still shot first, and constructing a lesson centered around the teachings of Yoda was a lot more appealing.

A Swing and a Miss

2010-02-25T06:57:00.006-07:00

I realized after reading some of the comments from last week's post that I might have come off a little cocky comparing myself to Sting. That wasn't my intent (I'd also remind everyone that Sting hasn't always been as good as he was with "Every Breath You Take"--anyone remember that song he did for the utterly forgettable Three Musketeers movie?).

Rather I wanted to point out that sometimes whether your writing songs for the masses or a gag for a handful of editors in the Church Office Building, sometimes you just know you've done your job.

And sometimes you're wrong. Sometimes you write "All for Love" and sometimes you submit the following gag:
I still like it, though.

Missionary Photos and Some Housekeeping

2010-02-22T07:02:00.004-07:00

Here's another strip that probably doesn't accurately capture the experience of missionaries today. I mean, now days missionaries probably just email any pictures they take to their family. Boy, I'm so old. Now onto a hale of bullets that have nothing to do with today's strip.

Now That I Am Baptized is now available to purchase online or in LDS bookstores. So now you don't have any excuse to delay your children's baptisms.
We were on the Friend's website yesterday where we go to give our kids Sunday appropriate computer activities and stumbled upon a missionary game based on a piece I drew for that publications several years ago. Now you can see what my stuff would look like animated, check it out here.
And finally, the folks at Sugar Doodle have put together an awesome General Conference packet for primary children with some of my art. It is probably the best General Conference packet I've ever seen (and that has very little to do with my contribution), you'll want to print it out for any children (and easily distracted adults) in your home for April's upcoming General Conference.

The Quintessential New Era Gag

2010-02-18T07:01:00.004-07:00

I remember reading an interview with the musician Sting years ago where he talked about his craft. In the article he observed that at around the time The Police released Synchronicity and he was at the pinnacle of his song writing powers, he knew that "Every Breath You Take" was going to be the biggest song in the world.

Today's gag is my "Every Breath You Take" in that when I drew it, I knew as much as I've known anything that The New Era was going to buy it and publish it. I don't think I've ever done anything that better captures the feel of the Extra Smile page in that magazine.

Yet Another Way to Break a Missionary's Heart

2010-02-15T08:45:00.006-07:00

The last couple of weeks we've been exploring diverse ways for missionaries to get "Dear Johned". Today's installment is a demonstration of the best way to do it while not hurting the proselyting efforts of the missionary.

This strip takes place mere days before Alex Van Dyke enters the MTC:

Coming Soon!

2010-02-12T19:44:00.007-07:00

I got my copies delivered to my house this afternoon, which means it should be in stores in a couple of weeks. Here's the blurb on the back of the book:

OVER 85 EXCITING PUZZLES ABOUT BAPTISM!

This book is filled with puzzles, mazes, secret codes, and matching exercises that teach about baptism and about what we should do after we are baptized. It is perfect for the child who is nearing the age of baptism, as well as for the recently baptized child.

With sections on getting ready for baptism, gospel principles to follow after baptism, and great stories from the scriptures and Church history, this fun book will keep a child busy for hours.

Valentine's Day Special

2010-02-11T06:52:00.003-07:00

What's that? You don't think this joke has anything to do with Valentine's Day? How about February 14, 1929--Chicago, Illinois?

Another Way to Break a Missionary's Heart

2010-02-08T06:53:00.003-07:00

Last week's comic on "Dear Johns" elicited this comment from faithful reader Jena: "I think that the best way to Dear John a missionary is to just slowly phase out the letters."

That strategy may or may not have worked for Jena and her ex-boyfriends (you'd have to ask them), but often it leaves the missionary preoccupied with thoughts on home for weeks or months on end--as this week's comic strip demonstrates.

Next week, I'll share the more-effective way (to steal a phrase from the old Missionary Guide) to Dear John a missionary.

Kids These Days and Their Darn Phones

2010-02-04T07:14:00.002-07:00

Originally, this joke just included the sacrifice bit, then I came up with the service line. It's like two jokes in one.

Subjects of the Heart

2010-02-01T07:23:00.003-07:00

One of the ideas I had as I created my missionary comic strip was to have every companion Elder Van Dyke served with get "Dear Johned" while working with him. Due to this, getting assigned in a companionship with Van Dyke would be a punishment to the missionaries in the field. Elder Van Dyke became known as the mission curse.

Executing this idea became a huge challenge. It was a real struggle coming up with a dozen different ways to get dumped. Still some of them turned out well. I particularly like this one.

Anyway, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, what better time than to share a couple of these "Dear John" comics with you.

Another Boy Scout Joke

2010-01-28T07:09:00.005-07:00

It's never a good thing to feel the need to explain a joke, but apparently The New Era didn't get it--they didn't buy this (or if they did, they didn't think it was funny). Anyway, from what I remember from Boy Scouts, I had to have my parents or my Young Men leaders stick my feet to the fire if I was to accomplish anything. So when I heard that there was a merit badge named "Personal Management," I laughed to myself. Boy Scouts earning a Personal Management merit badge, as if.

Then again, maybe I'm not the best person to judge a Boy Scout's internal drive. As it has been mentioned in the comments of this blog several times, I never advanced to Eagle Scout (as I type this, my head is hung in shame).

Hopefully, I won't have to try and find a new job while the economy is in its current state. According to every story I heard in Boy Scouts: during the depression, earning your Eagle Scout was the sole difference between getting a job or not.

Missionary Conversations

2010-01-25T06:59:00.003-07:00

When you spend 24 hours a day with a person, you end up covering a wide range of conversations. And, hate to say it, but 19 and 20 year old boys aren't always the most stimulating of conversationalist. I don't remember if I ever had this particular conversation on my mission, but it wouldn't surprise me--there's only so many times you can discuss the merits of Optimus Prime versus Voltron in a steel cage battle to the death.

The Deep Doctrine

2010-01-21T06:46:00.003-07:00

This one is based on a true story. A couple of weeks ago, I was trying to build a cabinet-thingie that we'd purchased over the internet that came in a big box and required some assembly. I spent a couple of hours in complete frustration as I attempted follow the instructions in putting the thing together.

It was in the midst of some dark thoughts about the furniture, my skills as a carpenter, and the universe in general; that I came up with this gag. And, suddenly, my struggles were worth it.

And it wasn't until my wife helped me with the cabinet that we were able to finish it. Encouraging me that maybe I could make it to the Celestial Kingdom (but I couldn't make it there alone).

Mormon Cinema

2010-01-18T09:09:00.004-07:00

My sentiments are with Elder Toms all the way on this one.

If you've never seen The Phone Call, I recommend you check it out. I'm convinced that it is the major influence behind Napoleon Dynamite.

The Singles Ward

2010-01-14T06:53:00.003-07:00

Now it's been a while since I was in a singles ward (thank goodness), but I assume the bishopric in singles wards today want their congregation married off as badly as the bishoprics in my wards did. So, here's a suggestion to expedite the process.
You're welcome, and, yes, I do expect an invitation to all the weddings my change in policy will produce.

The Wordless Gag

2010-01-11T06:47:00.005-07:00

I have a huge amount of respect for syndicated cartoonist Mark Tatulli, who's comic strip Lio is completely wordless. It's a rare, rare event that I can come up with a gag so perfect that it doesn't require the written word. This is probably why I'm so fond of today's strip.
Of course, if we're talking cartoonist who can sell a gag without words, I would be remiss if I didn't mention my cartooning idol: Sergio Aragones. For nearly 50 years, Aragones has been providing wordless gags to Mad Magazine. His gags have run in the magazine's margins as well as on pages dedicated solely to him. Aragones also created my all-time favorite comic book Groo the Wanderer. He's the cartoonist I'd like to be when I grow up.

Best. Gag. Ever.

2010-01-07T06:13:00.005-07:00

In interviews with creative types you'll read all the time that asking them to select a favorite movie/project/album/etc. would be like asking them to pick a favorite child. That they appreciate every thing they've done equally and that together every movie/project/album represents the artists' progression, blah, blah, blah...

Now, maybe I'm not creative enough or maybe they're a bunch of liars, but I've never had a problem ranking my favorite works. And right now, I think today's comic is my favorite gag I've ever done.I love the simplicity of it. And I think it works on many levels. (Of course, knowing my luck, I may discover in posting this that one of the Bagleys, Grondahl, or Beckstrom already came up with this joke ten years ago.)

Snow

2010-01-04T07:22:00.006-07:00

We Utahn missionaries always had fun at the expense of the Southern Californian missionaries after the first snowfall. (Fortunately, for all of us, we weren't in an area where the missionaries had cars.)

Me Tarzan You Family History Service Missionary

2009-12-31T06:21:00.005-07:00

I created this blog on January 15, 2009. Since then I've posted 104 entries which works out to two entries a week for the year. It's been a good experience to flex my cartooning muscle and come up with gags for this blog week after week.

And while it's true that I'm not receiving any financial rewards for this little endeavor, I have been enriched by this blog. I have greatly enjoyed interacting with you, my internet friends, through the comments and email correspondence. Your participation has made this all the better (I'm serious, I've been impressed with your clever comments which have never devolved into a series of ":)" and "LOLs"--which is pretty much all I expected when I began this project).

So, thank you and I'll see you in 2010.

Liken The Scriptures

2009-12-28T06:57:00.003-07:00

On my mission we had stuff thrown at us just like Samuel the Lamanite! Only unlike Samuel; the snowballs thrown at us couldn't kill you, they often hit us, and we often threw them back.

Santa's Naughty/Nice List

2009-12-24T07:06:00.003-07:00

Do you want to know who's been on Santa's nice list? Faithful readers of this blog. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Missionary Christmas Phone Call

2009-12-21T06:10:00.005-07:00

Technology is moving so quickly now days that there are a number of missionary comic strips of mine that seem terribly out of date just eight or so years after I first drew them. In this strip, Elder Van Dyke is crying about losing his CDs and having his stereo used. In reality, a missionary today wouldn't own any CDs (he would have purchased all his music as MP3s) and he'd play all his music off his computer or a little docking station for his iPod.

Sadly, I'm so out of touch with teenagers right now that I have no idea what loss of personal property would make an Elder cry. Any ideas?