"Behold... PLODD!"

In high school, I created a character called PLODD who was born of boredom and a hankering to simply draw a really bizarre character who didn't fit into the mold of a typical superhero. Basically, he was an amalgamation of a bunch of doodles -- taking the most bizarre elements and mashing them together. He originally ended up having a full bodysuit, scuba mask with oxygen tanks and breathing tubes, goggles, plastic head "feathers", a kilt, big-ass boots and a giant hammer. I cooked up a whole backstory and some plot outlines and begin drawing a comic with the help of one of my friends, but it was abandoned due to my realizing I really didn't know what I was doing. Plodd's been simmering in the back of my mind ever since, and I've always wanted to revisit him, so why wait any longer?

I did this sketch while basking in the warmth of the new fall TV season. I kept most of the elements of the old Plodd, though I've simplified and streamlined him (losing the scuba mask and hoses). His hammer is now gas-powered (linked to the tank on his back), and his boots aren't quite so big and bulky. I'm going to try and dig out all the plot outlines and scripts I wrote and see what I can make of them. More Plodd to come, hopefully.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD!"

Here's the Birthday card image I did for my Dad's birthday last weekend. I've been an artist for a long time, and I don't think I've ever actually MADE a card for anybody before! Does that seem lazy and thoughtless? It sort of does, and I've wanted to do it in the past, but schoolwork and the job always seemed to get in the way. Hopefully family members and loved ones can look forward to my "homemade" cards from now on (of course, now they'll expect it).

It seemed like such an easy task -- one that would allow me to skirt my usual frutrating perfectionist hang-ups which cause me to redo a piece several times before I'm satisfied -- but, alas, it was not meant to be. After sketching, penciling, inking and scanning in my first attempt, I convinced myself I needed to start over from scratch. The idea was kept, but I decided I needed to take it further along Exaggeration Avenue, and I'm glad I did. You want to go a little further with a goofy concept like this, and the first attempt was a bit too tame and stiff. I'm not going to reproduce the interior text here, but the gag has to do with a "birthday suit" (get it?). Har-dee-har!

Happy birthday to my dad! He turned 60 this year, but I wouldn't guess it from looking at him. We had a great time visiting, especially now that we're closer (a 2 1/2 hour drive instead of 12), and I wish him the best.