Playing the Blame Game, Huh?

I bet now Moe wishes he had asked Tom not to come near ANYONE with his red paint.

Beret Girl

A little while ago I was thinking about introducing a character that always wears a beret. Also, I was trying to think of possible last names for Tom, and Foster was one of them. I suddenly thought of the name Katie, and how Katie Foster seemed like a really good name. Then I did some sketches of my beret girl and realized that she looked like a Katie Foster (I then had to make sure there weren't any extremely famous people with that name). I then knew Tom's last name had to start with something that would come soon after Foster, and Hadley was suggested. So, now we have a Katie Foster and Tom Hadley.

Also, this is my 2012th post. It's not exactly cause to celebrate, but that's this year.

He Spoke Too Soon

I think the main reason I do school strips is to show either Daniel or Tom (well, not actually "show" him, but you know what I mean).

Clever, Very Clever!

I realized a little while ago that I never show Julia's school (she goes to Springton High School).

And the Tide Goes Out

I did do a sketch showing the moon in the Jones' backyard, but I knew beforehand I wouldn't be putting it in the strip. So I guess it was just for my own comic pleasure.

And actually, Tom has been in Moe's school for at least two years now (maybe three, as hinted by his first mention).

Wow, We're Behind

 Remember, Moe called it Iikutaat because his knowledge of the real name was blocked out.

 I've started needing to use a different shade of green for Bob, since my old one had its last use in our 2000th post celebration.

And this strip marks the use of another new colored pencil - Prismacolor light cerulean blue! (It's used in the pool color).

Hey, Erica Let Her Hair Down!

I also decided to un-exaggerate the length of her hair from the first time we saw it down.

And no, Elisha and Erica are not related. They're probably just best friends.

What Will Tom Do Over Summer Vacation?

Moe's phrase about "anyone to not terrorize with red paint" is an intentional reference to Homestar Runner.

Good, No Tom

Not Scary One Bit

I was originally planning on using this idea for a calendar. But then I was looking for a good Halloween joke for this year, and I thought I'd use this strip.

Crud, I forgot to color in the pumpkin in the last panel!

It All Makes Sense Now!

I'm Drawing The Line There

That's Not A Metaphor

I don't really think this one actually has a joke...it's just kind of silly.

Tom, Tom, Tom...

In case you don't remember who that kid is, it's Mike.

You're Fired.

Erica

Erica was modeled after a real friend of mine. (Okay, I exaggerated the size of the ponytail, but still...)

I am never going to draw Tom in my strip.

Even More Red Paint

I was thinking of having Moe actually get cut (like on the water fountain, or something). But like Sunday and Tuesday, that wasn't as funny as making a reference to more red paint.

Moe's Friend, Mike

I wonder if the "victim" of the accident was Tom again (he was mentioned in yesterday's strip)?

The First Day Of School! ... Boo!

The original idea for this strip came out when I thought of Moe saying something about a grave and relating it to school, and it just sort of evolved into this strip. Michelle's last line was originally "Moe, he was FAKING!" But, like Sunday's strip, that's not as funny as this is, in my opinion. So it was necessary to white it out and re-write the punch line.