A Bean Escapes

Unlike most silly strips, this came from my mom, which explains why Julia is there. Julia got her personality from my mom. Julia pounding her arms and legs on the floor weren't originally in my sketch. Did you notice that the ha ha has in panel 9 are the same as the yeses in this strip? Well, they are. The bean is shaped a lot like Brennan's head, isn't it? Moe is wearing green pants. Just another reason to prove he was lying when he said, "These are the only clothes I have." Also, did you notice that next to the blog URL, I put "NEW BLOGGER!"? That will be on there for the rest of the week.

Goood Grief

This came from my dad again, just like all of them this week except this one.

Just One of Moe's Average Tricks, I Guess

Today and tomorrow, you will see some shading behind the talk bubbles, just for a change. We haven't seen any other of Moe's tricks on Julia, have we?

The Calendar is Alive!

The words in the talk bubble on the calendar say, "Here comes 2007!" Here's the second example of inanimate objects coming to life. The first example was shown in this strip.

Dad is SO SILLY!!

This also came from my dad. Fortunately for me, I happened to be right in front of him, and I saw the whole thing. Judging from the pile of Kleenexes in the wastebasket, he probably is sneezing like a sneezy sneezer.

See Also Genesis 1:3

My dad wrote this gag, all of it, even the part of Moe just standing there with the comb.

Merry Christmas!!

Moe loves They Might Be Giants. They're his favorite band.

Long Christmas List!

Christmas Countdown: tomorrow

This is just a reason to prove that Moe was lying in this strip. The numbers 653 and 723 were just random numbers between 400 and 900. I just CAN'T BELIEVE it's Christmas Eve!! Can you?!

The Christmas Story Part VI

Christmas Countdown: 2

Moe's original line for panel 1 was, "BYE, SANTA! SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!" but I didn't have enough room for it, so I changed it to this.

The Christmas Story Part V

Christmas Countdown: 3

When I drew this strip, I wasn't sure whether or not to draw Santa, because, to any kids who might read this, they have their own idea of what Santa looks like, and I didn't want them to think I was wrong, but I thought, "Ohh, why not?" But the only problem with that was that I forgot to make him fat. And, how in the world could he have forgotten his hat? It was on him in panel 1.

The Christmas Story Part IV

Christmas Countdown: 4

It took me a few tries to get "St. Nicholas come with a bound" right. After practicing for nearly two years, I finally got it right. Sometime in 2004, was the first time I sketched this out, and the original version didn't have Santa saying "Nice pajamas." And, the white stuff on his outfit (I'm guessing it's fleece, as referred to in this strip) wasn't very good. Now that I'm two years older, and better at drawing, I've finally been able to improve those. But it was only in the last month or so that I found the time to sketch out the strip for the second time. Anyways, the first panel was also a bit different. The first half wasn't in there, and we heard some prancing and pawing of each little hoof. And, Moe was turning around, and was "drawing in his head." This is the first time I've drawn a strip where there's a main part of a panel, but the remaining part is cut in half. I guess you could say there's 3½ panels.

The Christmas Story Part III

Christmas Countdown: 5

Notice, in the panel 3, all the lines behind him were drawn sideways, not crooked like the darkness in panels 1 and 2. I did that to make it look more "speedy." In the original sketch, Moe actually saw a Rudolph, but Santa didn't say it, so Moe "said 'On, Rudolph!' for him," as he told me later. But that didn't stop me from changing the strip. When I told Moe, he was furious. He tried to make me change it back, but I resisted. Finally, sometime after that, he agreed.

The Christmas Story Part II

Christmas Countdown: 6

"About the Panels"

Panel 1: Moe's original pose was just getting his head off the pillow.
Panel 2: After Moe's line, "Who's that up front?" my original sketch had him saying, "I can't make it out..."
Panel 3: My very original sketch had Moe saying, "Quick? Did he win the 'Santa Claus race?'" I thought that was pretty lame, so I changed it to this pretty much two months before I drew this version.

The Christmas Story Part I

Christmas Countdown: one week

I like Dad's big hat in panel 3. Notice that the panel 1 said "Twas the week before Christmas." Well, I drew this, if you know what I'm saying, "the week before the week before Christmas." Merlin's line in panel 2 wasn't originally in my sketch. And the stockings, in order, are:

Moe, Merlin, Julia, Mom, Dad

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

Christmas Countdown: 8

This probably came from a Fox Trot strip I remember reading. This is the first time I've drawn Mom and Dad since September 3, and the first time I've drawn Julia since September 1. Wow. Long time, no see, huh guys? And it's been a long time since we saw the enemy, the bed monster, or Brennan, too! They've already set up their Christmas tree, huh? And right next to the calendar, too! Also, this is the first time I've split the logo box into more than one panel. This has to be the most use of my Sharpie permanent marker in a strip. And Mom's remark in the last panel?...you'll find out on Christmas Eve.

From September 4 to December 16...Which Happens to Be Today!

Christms Countdown: 9

Finally, the end of the Nermia story! This is the other only daily strip with color in it. The stick in the first panel is a solid color again. This wasn't actually entirely my original sketch. Here it is (the ///s are where a different character speaks):

Panel 1: MOE: Thanks for letting us be in your show! /// NERM: You fit the plot perfectly. /// THE STICK: Boy, I had fun tawking wike dis.
Panel 2 (Merlin is sneaking up on the stick.): THE STICK: But, since the movie's over, I'm going to have to start talking normal.
Panel 3 (a squeezed-in panel where the right part of Panel 2 is now): MOE: You know, I think the stick would've worked just as well with a CG one... /// THIDWICK: ...instead of a robot one!
Panel 4: (same except only Moe, Thidwick, Merlin, Bob, "The Stick," Tooth Fairy [I was going to draw her squished since Thidwick did it here] and President Nerm a.k.a. Sir were in there.)

I Hope This Didn't Spoil Your Enjoyment of the Story...

Christmas Countdown: 10 (I've been forgetting it every now and then.)

Whoa. This is one of the only daily strips with color in it. I did the stick's color in Photoshop, so this is (so far) the only non-black color that is perfect solid. All those Nermia scenes were just done with bluescreen. Moe's original pose in panel 1 was a different one, which was one that made me think he was just acting. Also, what Thidwick does in panel 2 wasn't originally in my sketch. Here are everybody's jobs on the set:

• Nerm: filmer
  
• the pig: cue card boy
  
• the dog: holds the frames in place (only for scenes at home) so the stick can stand on it
  
• the stick: "microphone holder"
  

So, now you know what I meant when I said "this is the second-to-last strip of the actual story, but fourth-to-last strip of the entire story." On December 17, I'm gonna get back to my normal strips without 4-month stories. This is the first and last time I let myself have the story go on for longer than 1 month. Incidentally, that same day is the day the cast starts getting ready for Christmas. Whoa! This is the longest post on the blog! The second-longest is Introducing Brennan.

The Last Major Appearance of The StickA.K.A. Return of the Stick IV

"Automatic Stick Translation"

Panel 1: Sigh! I miss the two kids and two pets.
Panel 2: I just hope we have a Merry Christmas.
Panel 3: Hey, do you have Christmas where you live?
Footnote: If so, have a Merry Christmas! See you! -the stick

By the way, the stick's signature will sometimes be in a different font, depending on your browser/computer.

This Time, Thidwick, and Not Moe, Faints! ...Again!

Christmas Countdown: 12

To keep the size of Thidwick consistent, I just traced over the first panel of this strip. This is another time a character other than Moe faints. This is the fourth-to-last strip of the entire story, but the second-to-last strip of the actual story. You'll find out what I mean on December 15.

Whoa. She HAS?!

Christmas Countdown: 13

That sounds a lot like The Magician's Nephew, doesn't it?

She Must Not Be Very Believing!

Christmas Countdown: 14

I'm not sure if it was a very good idea to "color in" Thidwick's mom's body. Maybe I should just keep her the same color as everybody else. Thidwick's line, "I think it's the almost un-magical land next door to Narnia" is something my mother said when we came up with the title, "The Tiger, the Tooth Fairy, and the Closet: The Almanac of Nermia." Even the word Nermia seems less magical than the word Narnia. She is sooo not like Professer Kirke, who believes them in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. But, "hearing isn't always believing"...as you'll find out tomorrow.

Thidwick is Soooo Late!

Christmas Countdown: 15

The reason I gave the "strange passageway" so many colors is kind of complicated. First of all, the original idea was to have it a sort of Star Wars-style hyperspace feeling, but then I thought, "I can't do that. To color something like that would take more shades (darker versions) and tints (lighter versions) of blue than I have! Also, since I didn't have very many colors left when it came time to color the walls, I decided to color them all one color and see how that looked. I didn't like it. Though I bet I would have if it were orange like Moe's shirt, Moe's favorite color, and, coincidentally, mine too!

Strange Passageway

Christmas Countdown: 16

Moe and Thidwick in panel 1 weren't originally in my sketch. The way I drew the background is actually the way I draw hyperspace from Star Wars. It looks like somewhere totally different. My favorite part is the lack of floor/ground (depending on whether you think it's inside or outside), so the characters appear to hang in the air.

What the...?

The original sound effect was "Vwap!" But I think that "vwoip" fits what happens tomorrow better. I just love it when the characters go "WAAAAAAH!" It is just so funny!!

That Must Be Heavy! ...For a Stick!

Christmas Countdown: 18

"Automatic Stick Translation"

Panel 1: Yeah...
Panel 3: Can you help me carry these?

"About the Panels"

Panel 1: I guess nobody in Nermia except Nerm has an actual name. Their "names" are: the dog, the pig, and the stick. I haven't come up with a name for the strange guy with striped arms in this strip yet.
Panel 2: It took me a little while to get the position of the stick right.
Panel 3: I think I should have put quick motion lines between Nerm's paws and the stack of pictures.

What's His Idea? You'll Find Out Tomorrow!

Christmas Countdown: 19

"Automatic Stick Translation"

Panel 1: sigh...
Panel 2: We wasted some of the most hilarious pictures ever taken in Nermia!
Panel 3: ?

By the way, here's something you should know: the time in Nermia is the same as time in our world. So if they stayed there for exactly 15 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 4 hours, 37 minutes, and 5 seconds they would come back to our world exactly 15 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 4 hours, 37 minutes, and 5 seconds later than when they left.

That's Actually a Sixty-Fourth of Where the REAL Closet Starts

Moe's pointing to where the closet starts was originally with his foot, but I changed this. Thidwick's "oh" in panel 3 wasn't originally in my sketch, and neither was Moe looking down to find out where his closet started. And, if you look closely, you can see the wooden floor in the first panel.

Glug, Glug, Glug

Christmas Countdown: 21

Moe jumping up in the first panel wasn't originally in my sketch. How come the water doesn't blow him away like it did in these two strips? (The word "these" and the word "two" are separate links. Just so you know.) Moe must be really thirsty, if he wants a few more gallons!

Ohh, I Bet That Hurt. Are You Okay?

Christmas Countdown: 22

The last panel wasn't originally in the rough. I put it in to have a funnier punchline, and to explain how they end up mysteriously stopped tomorrow. (Whoops! Did I say that? Someone else must have.) Did you notice the wheels on Moe's feet in the logo? Like I said in this post, Moe's outfit may change due to the weather/holiday/season/whatever. Or, if he just has normal clothes on, they will match the colors of the shirt in the strip. Otherwise, he will be in his normal orange-and-red outfit.

And those are the actual words. No, they really are. Click on the link and see for yourself.

THAT'S How He's Going to Smash it if They're Riding On It!

Christmas Countdown: 23

About the panels:

Panel 1: The original sketch had an "AAAAAAA" in the panel, but I eliminated that, because then it wouldn't match panels 2 and 3. Also, if you look closely, you can see him smashing it.
Panel 2: He's smashing it as they go. But, you can still see the stuff he smashed behind it, so...
Panel 3: I eliminated the stuff he already smashed in this panel. Thidwick's hand motion looks more like motion than it does in panel 2.