Laugh Tracks

ALPHA HOUSE

If you've ever wondered what a television show by Doonesbury creator G.B. Trudeau would look like, now's your chance to find out. Amazon Originals has just released the pilot episode of ALPHA HOUSE, about four Republican senators who share a rented house in Washington, D.C. John Goodman stars as North Carolina's Gil John Biggs, and there are cameos by Bill Murray and Stephen Colbert.

 

So check the pilot out HERE, and let them know what you think. If the reception is enthusiastic, they will proceed to produce a dozen episodes. Here's a link to Michael Cavna's WaPo article and interview with Trudeau. And to whet your appetite, here's the trailer:

 

The Boston Marathon Tragedy: Our Cartoonists Speak Out

Yesterday's tragedies surrounding explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon struck a nerve worldwide. Once again, a group of unknowing citizens were hit when most vulnerable. Many of our creators, the GoComics staff and readers are a part of the running community and are also residents of the northeastern United States. We offer our sympathies and condolences. 

 

Once again, I am proud to be a part of an industry where our technology and creativity allows us to speak out in a time of crisis. Through our artists' works and images, they speak for many who acknowledge the pain, focus on the triumphs and illustrate the raw emotion and sensitivities of our lives. Here now is a collection of our artists' work that took note of the Boston Marathon tragedies. 

 

 
Clay Bennett (announced this week as a 2013 Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Editorial Cartoons):


Tony Auth: 

Steve Benson: 

  Steve Breen:   

  Jeff Danzinger: 

 Joe Heller:  

 

Glenn McCoy: 

 

Signe Wilkinson:

 

  - Gene Willis

 

March Madness

It’s my favorite time of the year -- a time when people come together to support and uplift a common goal. A time filled with excitement and energy. A time spent with friends and family gathered together.

 

No, I’m not talking about the holiday season. I’m talking about March Madness!

 

Kansas City has been a buzz the past five days with the Big 12 tournament and now with the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Sprint Center.

 

 

That is Priceless  

 

Have you filled out your brackets yet? 

 

I am cheering for Kansas!

 

--Julia

GoComics Weekend Staff Faves (March 17)

 

I hope you are making the most of your spring break. 

 

--Julia

 

 

I can relate. After a summer internship years ago, I was in a car accident in a major city intersection, during afternoon rush hour. Few things are more humbling than hearing the traffic report broadcasting to the entire metro area that your car is the reason for the 15-minute delay on a highway. 

 

--Gene

 

 

Did you know that we've started back to the origin days and story for Luann? It's called "Luann Againn" and launched yesterday. The unique story here is that these are the same day-and-date postings as they were when Greg Evans was first syndicated 28 years ago.  Follow along with one of the most beloved comic strips in recent history. 

 

--Gene

 

 

The Pink Panther crashed Off the Mark's St. Paddy's Day party this past Sunday! Can you name all the characters in this Sunday funny?

 

--Lindsay

Scaring the Locals

In recent years, the zombie theme has exploded. Zombies have popped up in television shows, movies, books, comics and more. There is something entertaining in this macabre fantasy that finds itself ever-more popular. Zombies are comical and provide for an entire storyline of “what if” scenarios. 

 

You expect to see such gruesome creatures as zombies in the more edgy comics, like Lio and Break of Day, but they are also being played out in some of the classics, including Nancy and Marmaduke. 

Lio

Break of Day

 

Nancy

 

Marmaduke

 

I have fallen prey to the zombie revolution. At this point, The Walking Dead television series on AMC is almost a religion for me. I never miss an episode! I discovered an app called Dead Yourself. It is fantastic! You can snap a picture of yourself and, using Dead Yourself, see what you would look like as a zombie. Aren’t I a beaut!   

 

 

Embrace the undead hype, because this trend will never die.

 

--Julia

 

Snow Stud

The Midwest has been hit hard in the past couple weeks with snow -- about 24 inches in Kansas City.

 

I have come to realize that children see the snow so differently than adults do. Kids see a snow day filled with snowball fights, snow forts, sledding and no school. 

 

 

Nancy

Calvin and Hobbes

Soup to Nutz

Adults become a bit jaded to the beauty of snow because they experience all the repercussions. They deal with hazardous road conditions, cold cars, shoveling and power outages. There are a few adults, however, who never lose the fun in a snow day and one of those adults is my dad. 

He loves the snow and his engineered industrial snow blower. His “playing in the snow” consists of plowing every driveway on our block. This snow stud sincerely enjoys every minute of it. Helping others has always made my dad happy, and if he gets to use a cool piece of machinery in the process … all the better.

 

Be more childish and enjoy the snow!

 

--Julia

GoComics Oscar Comics

 

 

Biographic's great moments in Oscar history from the talented Steve McGarry! 

 

--Lindsay

 

 

I may not be wearing a ball gown and pearls anymore but I am still a little girl at heart who loves to make a night of the Oscars. 

 

-- Julia

 

 

OK, fine. This is true.  BUT! I still won my Oscar pool last night, so I'm a happy camper!

 

--Elizabeth

GoComics Weekend Staff Faves (Feb. 17-18)

 

The hustle isn't a hustle, once the thrill is gone. 

 

--Gene

 

 

Linus, when you figure this one out, give me a call. 

 

--Gene

 

 

Next time they discuss the housing market on NPR, I hope they read this Frank and Ernest Sunday instead of discussing the actual figures. 

-- Lucas

 

 

Oh, the ever-growing disconnect between generations...

 

--Julia

 

 

C'mon parents! Never leave your baby unsupervised with crayons! 

 

--Lindsay

Pope Benedict XVI to Resign

On Monday, Feb. 11, Pope Benedict XVI announced his intent to resign from the papacy because of his advanced age. The Holy Pontiff is 85 years old and feels that he is too weak, physically, to carry out the duties of the position. On Feb. 28 at 8:00 p.m. (Rome time) he will officially step down.

 

The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415 -- nearly 600 years ago.

 

The pope has a tough job. The past few years have been especially stressful for the Roman Catholic Church and the pope. On top of the sex abuse scandals, there is this tension between preserving tradition and fostering progress that the Holy Pontiff must grapple with every day. For someone who is getting up in years, it can be very taxing.

 

According to Canon law, a resignation must be made freely and properly manifested. The resigning pope must also be of sound mind. I have mixed feelings about Pope Benedict’s resignation, but if he feels it is his duty to the Church to step down,  who am I to argue with the pope?

 

This announcement, however, has caused quite the stir in the Catholic community and society abroad. Even our GoComics cartoonists are contributing to the conversation.

 

Steve Benson

 

Ken Catalino

 

Chip Bok 

 

Glenn McCoy

 

Chan Lowe

A new pope is to be elected and in place by Easter. I am eager to see who fills the position and if he can handle the immense pressures and expectations of the job. 

 

--Julia

The NRA Blacklist

**UPDATE (2/20): The NRA's lobbying organization have removed the list from their site. However, thanks to one of our readers (Mokurai), we have the archived link here.

 

There's always some kind of blacklist throughout history. But the difference is, in America they usually let you live. -- Rip Torn
Our creators are accustomed to making all kinds of lists with their work. Yearly "best-of" lists, holiday wish lists, list of five people I'd like to have dinner with.

 

We've got a new one, folks. The National Rifle Association's (NRA's) lobbying organization has created a blacklist of "anti-gun individuals and celebrities." Normally, most of our creators aren't associated with Jessica Alba, Maya Angelou, George Clooney and Lenny Kravitz, but today, we're in a new class.

Introducing the Universal Uclick/GoComics NRA Blacklist Class of 2013!

 

Tony Auth – Cartoonist

Steve Benson – Cartoonist

Mike Luckovich – Cartoonist

Jim Morin – Cartoonist

Ed Stein – Cartoonist

Tom Toles – Cartoonist

Garry Trudeau – Cartoonist

Cynthia Tucker - Columnist

 

Read the entire list here.