Small Wonder

Another Review of Kid Houdini

2008-05-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

The guys over at the Geeks of Doom were kind enough to review the Free Comic Book Day issue of Kid Houdini.

First Review of Kid Houdini

2008-04-24T06:58:00.001-07:00

And it's a good one!

The guys at "Comics And..." just reviewed the Free Comic Book Day issue of Kid Houdini and the Silver-Dollar Misfits.

Kid Houdini on MySpace

2008-04-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

MySpace is promoting Kid Houdini and the Silver-Dollar Misfits as its "featured preview."

Check it out at http://www.myspace.com/comicbooks

Comics Coast to Coast

2008-04-14T07:54:00.001-07:00

If you haven't caught this podcast about comics, check it out! This week they interview ...(gulp) ME.

Justin, Brian, and Tom talk about life, liberty, and the pursuit of comics. I do my best to not sound like a dweeb.

Previewing Kid Houdini

2008-04-12T09:03:00.000-07:00

Already the Free Comic Book Day version of Kid Houdini and the Silver-Dollar Misfits has a preorder of 20,000 copies. If you haven't done so already, head on down to your friendly neighborhood comic book store and ask for the Kid.

Also just listed in the April comic book/graphic novel previews, page 354:

Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits!

Diamond Order Code: APR08 4171.

I promise it will be good, wholesome, escapist summertime reading for the whole family!

Rex Steele: Nazi Smasher

2008-03-03T07:56:00.001-08:00

I know I'm usually a decade behind on things like this (I'm still using a Betamax when the rest of the world is about to switch over to Blu-Ray DVD), but I recently discovered this great animated short based on the comic series, "Rex Steele: Nazi Smasher." A 2004 student academy award winner, Alexander Woo directed this in radiant 2-D animation!

Smokey's On Your Tail

2008-02-27T08:05:00.000-08:00

Smokey the Bear, Smokey the Bear.
Prowlin' and a growlin' and a sniffin' the air.
He can find a fire before it starts to flame.
That's why they call him Smokey,
That was how he got his name.

words and music by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins

Wiley Miller on Comics Coast-to-Coast

2008-02-08T08:03:00.001-08:00

Justin, Brian, and Tom interview cartoonist extraordinaire Wiley Miller. There was so much good information about the cartooning industry unearthed that the CCC podcast turned into a two-parter.

Only the Shadow Knows

2008-02-01T07:31:00.000-08:00

I never can keep that whole groundhog thing straight. Is it: if he sees his shadow it’s six more weeks of winter, or is it if he doesn’t see his shadow? I mean, if he does see his shadow, doesn’t that imply that it’s sunny outside? Isn’t that a good thing?

All I know is that earlier this week it was 50 degrees outside. Then we had a 45-degree drop in temperature in two hours. Today we got dumped on by snow.

Excuse me while I go outside and hunt for my car.

Intermission

2008-01-28T07:04:00.001-08:00

Work is chaotic this week. I hope you can forgive the lack of cartoons for Monday and Wednesday.

“Small Wonder” will return Friday, February 1.

That Tingly Feeling

2008-01-25T01:40:00.001-08:00

True confession: This is actually an old comic, one I did when I was on Comics Sherpa. How can you tell? The hand-lettered font is different--more traditional than what I do now.

This cartoon was sparked by an actual product that my wife had purchased. Curious, I read the instructions on how to use it, and ...

I Had a Dream

2008-01-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

I apologize for interrupting your "Small Wonder" viewing pleasure with this.

It’s late. I’ve just polished off a pepperoni pizza. I sat through the Democratic debate, listening intently to the heated arguments between, at least, two out of the three candidates. Finally, I turn off the tv and head up to bed. I pick up the Schulz biography and read until I fall asleep.

I know there's been much debate about the validity of what was said in the book, but nothing like this.

All in the Family

2008-01-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

I apologize that today's "Small Wonder" comes to you in glorious black and white. A color version will be available tomorrow for your viewing pleasure.

A Milestone AND a Tombstone

2007-12-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Jarrett Osborne and The Pursuit of Mandy for finally reaching the milestone of 100 strips. Alas, this joy is bittersweet, since Jarrett has decided to hang up his pen and end Mandy's adventures.

While I must bid goodbye to Mandy--I eagerly look forward to the return of Jarrett and his inkslinging ways. Be well and come back soon!

Cow Journeys

2007-12-13T21:52:00.000-08:00

Fellow webcomicker Mike Maihack has lost his cow. His title character from Cow & Buffalo (no relation to Stewart) is loose and running rampant throughout webcomics all across the Internet--including mine.

Mike and some other very talented artists are part of the Lunchbox Funnies, a collective of excellent all-ages comics. If you haven't visited this site yet, please do.

Mythtickle a Go-Go

2007-11-19T10:03:00.001-08:00

Justin Thompson's great webcomic, Mythtickle, debuts over at GoComics today! Check it out here.

Justin is also one of the hosts of the weekly podcast Comics Coast-to-Coast.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T07:14:00.001-07:00

Today --on All Hallow's Eve (anniversary of Harry Houdini's death)-- the first page of Kid Houdini and the Silver-Dollar Misfits, appears over at the Chemistry Set.

Subsequent pages will appear every Wednesday. I hope you enjoy this little story dreamt up by the twisted minds of Dwight MacPherson and yours truly, beautifully colored by Kevin Conley!

Pinkerton Makes the Move

2007-10-26T08:04:00.001-07:00

This morning Mike Witmer announced that his webcomic, "Pinkerton," has been picked up by U-Click's GoComics for online syndication. GoComics will begin running Pinkerton on Monday, November 5.

This means that Pinkerton will join the ranks of many other great comic strips including: "Calvin and Hobbes," "Foxtrot," "Lio," "Bloom County," "the Argyle Sweater," and newcomer (and one of my favorites) "Myth-Tickle."

Kid Houdini

2007-10-05T07:13:00.001-07:00

Self-Promotion time: This is a project I've been working on with Dwight MacPherson. The following is the press release at the Chemistry Set.

The Chemistry Set and creator Dwight L. MacPherson are pleased to announce the launch of Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits on the 81st anniversary of the death of legendary escape artist and showman: Harry Houdini.

Kid Houdini mastermind Dwight L. MacPherson is the creator and writer of such titles as Shadowline/Image's "The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo" and "Archibald Saves Christmas" as well as Arcana Studio's "Dead Men Tell No Tales" and Silent Devil Productions' "Jim Reaper: Week One" and "Lil' Hellions: A Day at the Zoo." MacPherson also penned two stories for IDW's "Gene Simmons' House of Horrors."

Co-creator and illustrator Worth Gowell is also the creator of the hit webcomic "Small Wonder," which is featured on Viper Comics' website.

"Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits" follows the adventures of young Harry Houdini after he ran away from his family home in Appleton, Wisconsin in 1886. Caged and mistreated by the cruel circus owner, Professor Murat, Harry and his misfit friends Lydia the snake girl, Hans the legless boy and the Siamese twins Jacques and Joe solve mysteries under cover of night. No case is too daunting nor dangerous to sway their scrutiny… if you can pay their fee: one shiny silver dollar.

"I have wanted to do this series for quite some time," says creator Dwight L. MacPherson. "Imagine 'Scooby Doo' meets HBO's 'Carnivale,' and that gives you an idea as to the feel of the story. There are supernatural aspects to the stories, but they are also grounded in good old-fashioned Sherlock Holmes-styled detective work. Regardless of age, I'm certain that readers will find something to enjoy in these new detective stories."

"When we brought Dwight into the Chemistry Set, we knew we were getting someone with talent and imagination," said Chemistry Set co-founder, Vito Delsante. "'Kid Houdini' is exactly the kind of story we expect from Dwight; fun, colorful and most of all, entertaining. We're happy that he chose to run it with us, as he could have clearly chosen other outlets."

"Kid Houdini and the Silver Dollar Misfits" is vibrantly colored by Kevin Conley.

The first page will be posted on the anniversary of Houdini's death: October 31st, and subsequent pages will be posted every Wednesday following the initial launch.

After-MAS*H

2007-09-19T08:37:00.001-07:00

What do you do when the Korean War ends?

Spectacular

2007-08-22T13:44:00.001-07:00

I haven't been this excited about the premiere of an animated cartoon since the Justice League. Okay, I admit it, I'm a boy at heart.

Legos

2007-08-21T10:51:00.001-07:00

If you have young children, I bet you are familiar with all things Lego: Lego Bionicles, Lego Batman, Lego Star Wars, Lego My Eggo (sorry ... different product).

Now my good friend Mark Anderson has developed a new brand of Lego toys and I predict great success. After all, what little girl or boy wouldn't want to play with the Lego Cartoonist!

To Oz?

2007-08-13T15:37:00.001-07:00

Why is Rufus in Oz? Read the story from the beginning.

Where's the Color?

2007-08-10T10:46:00.000-07:00

Yep, I know. Today's comic is in black and white. I promise a colorized version for everyone tomorrow.

It's Not the Years, It's the Mileage.

2007-07-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yep, Harrison Ford is at it again. His donning the fedora, cracking the whip, and becoming Indiana Jones once again. Check out the first day of shooting with Steven Spielberg here.

I was disappointed to learn Sean Connery couldn't be lured out of retirement for one more adventure. The chemistry between he and Harrison Ford really made their last crusade.

However, I was excited to learn that Karen Allen will be reprising her role as Marion.