A Swing and a Miss

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.