Laugh Tracks

NEW! Comics Sherpa Pick of the Week

 

Over the past few years, we've learned a lot about our readers through our social media engagement and surveys.

 

One, you're pretty awesome -- this is a quantifiable statement for the research analysts reading this blog post. 

 

Two, our readers like to discover what's new and exciting. This is represented by some of our Pacific Rim readers using GoComics to learn the nuances of American humor and also by the reactions to our new comics when they roll out. 

 

We want to introduce you to our Comics Sherpa area, the section of GoComics where our up-and-coming artists develop a following and hone their skills in a safe, nurturing environment before the little comic birds are pushed out of the nest. We're happy to be your guide to what's new and what's next. Hence, our little sherpa guy.

 

Some of you already know about Sherpa? Good. Many don't, and that's a sad thing -- to deprive a reader of humor. So, each week, we're going to post a "Comics Sherpa Pick of the Week" highlighting a comic and its creator. There are more than 60 comics waiting to be discovered and taken to a new home. 

First up is one of my favorite comics on the "Comics Sherpa" platform: "Adult Children," by Stephen Beals. The artwork is crisp, the story lines are quick and they make me smile. Beals' work highlights the little nuances in the dating world, but also is a story of a guy, a girl and their overly ambitious and lovable dog. 

 

 

Click here to flip through the "Adult Children" catalog of comic strips. Hope you like it. 

- Gene  

"Hey Mom! Your Lil' GoComics Made It Big!"

 

It's a must that you download the new GoComics mobile/tablet app. It's not just us saying it. It's Entertainment Weekly, the premiere pop culture magazine, shouting it out! 

On newsstands today, the new GoComics mobile/tablet app was included in EW's "The Must List", denoting the top 10 things in the entertainment world that you must take note of this week. At a time of television series and season premieres, blockbuster movie releases and great music launches, your favorite comics provider was noted as one of the most wonderful things in the world. 

 

See for yourself:

Entertainment Weekly™ magazine, Week of May 17, 2013 (#1259)

 

Entertainment Weekly's "The Must List" mobile app:

 

 

 

Choose your platform and download our mobile app!

 

 

- Gene

The Weekend Update - GoComics Style

 

 

The REAL Walking Dead! I love Brevity! 

- Lindsay

 

 

I dog-sat for my parents this weekend, and part of my instructions included having Jerry choose (pre-cooked) steak or hamburger to have with breakfast.  He went with the hamburger every time.

- Elizabeth

 

 

Hopefully, they can find some measure of fun between the end of dragonfly mating season and the annual return of lightning bugs. Otherwise, it's gonna be a long summer. 

- Dave

 

 

Love the artwork in this Over The Hedge. To borrow a phrase from GoComics commenter Odd Dog, "Hammy surfs the light fantastic."

- Lucas

 

 

First, I wish Americans would adopt the term "mum". Second, she has a valid point. 

- Gene 

"Small Apartments" at the Free State Film Festival This Weekend!

 

If you happen to be readers in the Midwest (and also a Jayhawk fan), we're giving you a reason to make a visit to Lawrence, KS and the Kansas City area this weekend. 

 

Indie darling movie "Small Apartments", produced by GoComics' sister company AMUSE and by the president of Universal Uclick/GoComics (John Glynn), will be one of the featured films at this weekend's Free State Film Festival on Sunday evening, April 28th at the Lawrence Arts Center Main Stage at 6PM CDT. 

 

The film has received compliments on its cast, storyline and unique performances from James Caan, Johnny Knoxville, James Marsden, 2013 Sundance Film Festival darling Juno Temple, Billy Crystal and lead actor Matt Lucas. 

For more information on the festival and tickets, click here. As a part of the screening, executive producer John Glynn will field questions from the audience. Be sure to ask him about GoComics as well.

- Gene  

 

Your Comics Just Became Mobile. The FREE GoComics App is Now LIVE!

 

We've been waiting for this day for a long time, comics lovers. After months of development, testing and partnerships with mobile phone and tablet platforms, we are excited to share the following news with you: 

THERE IS A NEW, FREE GOCOMICS MOBILE/TABLET APP ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS! 

 

Download here:

On no other app will you find Calvin and Hobbes, Peanuts, Dilbert, Doonesbury, FoxTrot, Garfield, The Boondocks, Pearls Before Swine, Get Fuzzy and hundreds of others. It's the same content that you've loved on the GoComics website, but available to fit your active lifestyle. 

 

You will be able to share your favorite comics with friends via Facebook and Twitter posts, text them to friends (charges may apply) or email them to brighten that special person's day.  

 

Within the app, you have the ability to:

• Bookmark your favorite comics.
• Share comics via social media, e-mail and text/SMS (charges may apply).
• Access over 20 years of back issues of comic strips. Read the first-ever Calvin and Hobbes strips! Rediscover Charlie Brown and the Little Red-Headed Girl! Share FoxTrot with a younger generation! See Huey and Riley before The Boondocks became a cult classic!
• Leer en español. GoComics tiene más de 30 cómics que están disponibles para nuestros Españoles fans de habla.
• Read our liberal, moderate and conservative editorial/political cartoonists represent that all sides. Collectively, they have won more than 20 Pulitzer Prizes for editorial cartooning.
• Gain insight into the comics industry with our blog that's updated multiple times a week.
• Check out burgeoning cartoonists before they break out in our Comics Sherpa section.

The reviews are already extremely positive from bloggers and media outlets:

"If you’re anything like me, you used to read household name comics such as Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield; the list goes on. Well, if you’re feeling a bit nostalgic and want a digital fix for your comic craving, GoComics has you covered." - Stephen Yuen, AndroidSpin.com

 

"Today calls for a minor celebration, GoComics app has been released for Windows Phone 7 and 8; bringing the full archives of the most beloved comics to your phone; including Garfield, Calvin & Hobbes (my absolute favorite), Peanuts, Dilbert and many more. Even more important is the fact that the app was released for iOS, Android and Windows Phone simultaneously!" - Ali Al-Qudsi, MyNokiaBlog.com

 

"I’d wager one of the places a lot of comic book fans got their start was with the comics in the Sunday newspaper. If you’re a fan of Sunday comics in your local paper, you might want to check out a new app from GoComics that is available for Android now." - Shane McGlaun, AndroidCommunity.com

 

"As far as syndicates go, Universal Uclick has always been a leader in the mobile space. They were the first to have a mobile friendly website and one of the first to release iPhone apps for various comic titles. But I failed to realize that they didn’t have a native mobile app available. They’ve now released a new (free!) native app for iOS, Android and Windows phones for the 250+ comic features found on GoComics.com." - Alan Gardner, DailyCartoonist.com

Let us know what you think and be sure to share the news via social media to your friends! 

 

- Gene Willis

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

 

New Comics Ebooks for Frazz and Close to Home!

 

Spring is all about the presence of new life, vibrant colors coming to life and coming out of hibernation. With that spirit, we're happy to announce two new series of ebooks under our Udig brand partnership with our sister company, Andrews McMeel Publishing! 

The new collections are comprised of three short curated collections of Frazz (by Jef Mallett) and Close to Home (by John McPherson). Each collection is available on multiple ebook formats - Google Play, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble's Nook and Kobo. 

To see the entire collection, click here to visit the Udig page. Order a few to read over the weekend - all are $2.99 or less. 

GOCOMICS WEEKEND STAFF FAVES (MARCH 10)

Had to pick this Sunday funny based on my crush alone.  - Lindsay

 

 

WORKING DAZE

Baseball season is upon us. However, there's a distinct reason as to why "spring" training is held in Arizona and Florida.  - Gene

 

 

DARK SIDE OF THE HORSE

 

Dark Side of the Horse is one of my favorite comics on GoComics right now. Yesterday's Sunday funny was perfect in my opinion. Why? Well, did you know March is National Save Your Vision Month? Some of our features have super-tiny print, but thanks to our magnify tool (shown up above), you no longer have to strain your eyes! Simply click the magnifying glass. All better. Thanks, Samson for illustrating this.

- Lindsay

 

 

I grew up with a few people who fit this description. - Gene

 

 

As the proud owner of a six-pound Brussels Griffon, I can fully say that this is an accurate representation of the small-dog mentality. She also doesn't like the pizza delivery man. But loves the leftover pepperonis. I can't call it. - Gene

The Ladies Of GoComics

"Angry Little Girls" creator Lela Lee laughs with her fans at 2012 San Diego Comic-Con.

 

I love the diversity of our comics and creators at GoComics. While some could easily be classified by gender, geography, age, influences or ethnicity, their work and characters speak well beyond those walls to introduce their worlds to millions of people every week. 

 

March is Women's History Month. We're going to celebrate it by highlighting a few of our wonderful female creators through our social media outreach and the blog. 

 

If you look throughout the history of comic strips/panels/"funnies," some of the most memorable storylines have circulated around female characters.  Cathy getting married. Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown. Alice Otterloop shouting from the top of a manhole cover. Linus and Charlie Brown's teacher lecturing … whatever it is that she taught or said. 

Cartoonist Lynn Johnston autographing her iconic "For Better or For Worse" art at 2012 San Diego Comic-Con. 

Who is your favorite female comic character of all time? Of today? Let us know below. In the meanwhile, click on some of the links to the ladies that help to make GoComics what it is. 

 

 

Jan Eliot (Stone Soup)

Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse)

Cathy Guisewise (Cathy)

Julie Larson (The Dinette Set)

Stephanie McMillan (Minimum Security)

Lela Lee (Angry Little Girls)

Dana Simpson (Heavenly Nostrils and Ozy and Millie)

Lisa Benson (Editorial Cartoonist)

Jen Sorensen (Editorial Cartoonist)

Signe Wilkinson (Editorial Cartoonist and Family Tree)

Jennifer Babcock (C'est La Vie)

Jean Floch (The Creeps)

Jenny Campbell (Flo and Friends)

Teresa Burritt (Frog Applause)

Allison Garwood (Haiku Ewe)

Nicole Hollander (Sylvia)

 

- Gene

Lee Salem to Receive National Cartoonists Society Silver T-Square Award

Image courtesy of Michael Cavna/Washington Post.

 

When I was interviewing to join the GoComics team, my second meeting was with Lee Salem, president of Universal Uclick (GoComics' parent company). I remember sitting across the table from him, offering to show my portfolio of work, my thoughts on the brand and how I may be able to contribute to this great line of work. Lee listened and spoke with measure, then expressed that he was equally (if not more) interested in me as a person. I left the meeting impressed with the man and the company that he had helped to build over the past 40 years. I also left knowing that this was a man who would be beyond a worthy adversary at a negotiating table. 

 

I've had the pleasure of learning from the man who signed Bill Watterson, Richard Thompson, Garry Trudeau, Aaron McGruder and countless other talented creators. This is the man who was the editor of Calvin and Hobbes. This bears repeating: This is the man who was the editor of Calvin and Hobbes. As Lee enters the stage of transition where he is now the president emeritus, the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) will acknowledge him at this year's Reuben Awards with one of its highest honors: the Silver T-Square Award.  The prize, according to the NCS, "is awarded, by unanimous vote of the NCS Board of Directors, to persons who have demonstrated outstanding dedication or service to the Society or the profession." Lee joins Universal Uclick founder John McMeel as GoComics family members who have received this prestigious prize.

 

Read the words of Watterson, Thompson, Trudeau and others in the story on the NCS website: http://www.reuben.org/2013/02/lee-salem-to-receive-silver-t-square/ 

 

If you appreciate the work of GoComics and of its newspaper "funny pages" partners over the past 40 years, then it's highly likely that you've appreciated Lee's work. Feel free to leave notes below and we'll share them with him. 

 

A tip of the hat to you, sir. Well-deserved praise.