This may sound weird, (and yes it's definitely is not completely sane, but remember I am a cartoonist) . . . but I'm getting nostalgic over a cartoon character as I start completing the ending to my book. The reason? This story allows me to use an old favorite character of mine, Professor Knozstuv.
Somewhere in the scrambling of thoughts, stories, toys and products I had the concept of creating a weekly educational comic strip. Today, comic strips in newspapers are becoming scarce, but still, I don't want to give away the idea for fear of someone else using the concept . . . but let's just say the comic strip starred a talking bear, a huge monster and all-knowing clumsy Prof. Knozstuv. (No, I don't know why those 3 characters.)
 |
| The pencil, ink and color transformation: fleshing out ol' Professor Knozstuv |
I don't know where my characters come from, I'm sure it's combination of memories, inspirations and brain storming. To be honest, I'm sure over 50% of the things I have sketched in the past were lost, destroyed or thrown away. But every once in awhile, a character appears on the paper - and there's recognition. I can imagine and "see" the voice, movement and personality of the character. Those are the ones I squirrel away; and the Professor is one of those characters.
He's a little bit Chaplin, pinch of Jerry Lewis' Nutty Professor and even a smidgen of Gabe Caplin's Mr. Kotter. It's probably been over 15 years since I last drew an image of him . . . yet there he is now, in my story playing a key part to the ending.
It feels real good to see the ol' Professor back on the paper again.
Welcome Back, Professor . . .
He's a little bit Chaplin, pinch of Jerry Lewis' Nutty Professor and even a smidgen of Gabe Caplin's Mr. Kotter. It's probably been over 15 years since I last drew an image of him . . . yet there he is now, in my story playing a key part to the ending.
It feels real good to see the ol' Professor back on the paper again.
Welcome Back, Professor . . .
- - - - - UPDATE - - - - -
I found the very first sketch of the Prof today. This file says it is from Nov 23, 1997 -- but I believe it is much older than that based on the style of my drawing.
I found the very first sketch of the Prof today. This file says it is from Nov 23, 1997 -- but I believe it is much older than that based on the style of my drawing.
To see this now is strange, seeing the first impression of a character that I have created a few decades ago. But as time goes on, you tend to improve your characters by eliminating their weaker aspects and emphasizing the better.
(Sidenote: Just look at the first few original comic strips of the Peanuts and Garfield, you won't believe what those characters looked like when they were first created.)
(Sidenote: Just look at the first few original comic strips of the Peanuts and Garfield, you won't believe what those characters looked like when they were first created.)
- - - - - END OF UPDATE - - - - -
