Bug Eyes

It's been a while since my last posting during which my Christine put together a collection of these cartoons into a little book. It's pretty gratifying to see all of them (all 18!!) in one place. I can appreciate how much I've done and also how much better they have become. A huge pile of gratitude must go out to Mr. Illustrated Ghost for helping me make these better and better. Your constructive criticism and suggestions have REALLY helped. While the quality of the jokes has been quite varied,the first cartoons were only black line drawings with a computer font. They looked ok, but they look tonnes better now. THANKS MAN!!

Ok, about this one...

You can see the joke was pretty well envisioned in the rough stage. Initially I didn't have any bugs in the drawing, but then I thought of sticking them in which really helps make the thing funnier. I've always known that big eyes make a character cuter, but when I inked the Mealybug's eyes, I inked them with little pupils (see the second from the left). It could be interpreted that the bugs are taking her hostage or somehow being threatening. I thought they should be worried for their own safety and feeling vulnerable, so by giving them bigger eyes, the effect was achieved.

The Schwarzenegger-like military dude looks suitably tough, beefy and frightening.  I like how one eye looks squinty and the other is wide with rage. I was a little concerned that with recent violent episodes in the news, showing someone with a gun would offend an audience, but I decided to do it anyway. The joke required a scary looking gun.

Well, another 3 1/2 weeks another American Orchid Society Cartoon! Thanks Christine and Mr. Ghost for all your help and support. Mealybugs everywhere could wish for such kindness and help you both have given me!