Popcorn Picnic

Purple Violets

2007-11-22T11:32:00.000-05:00

Okay. Now this is news.

Ed Burns, director of The Brothers McMullen and She's the One, and actor in such small-time movies as Saving Private Ryan (and, apparently, the guy on the 10-dollar bill), has broken the digital distribution wall. He's decided to debut his new film, Purple Violets, via iTunes before it's available in theaters.

How to feel about this? I'm torn. I love, love, LOVE seeing movies in the theater, but not only do I live in a town that's seen a real decrease in the number of art-house movie theaters, I often find myself choosing my movie-theater movies based on whether they should be seen on a big screen.

Ed Burns' movies -- in case you haven't seen any -- are the sort I most often find myself waiting to see on video: most of the action involves people sitting around in restaurants, strolling through Central Park... y'know, the sorts of things we've all done ourselves, in places we've all been to. What I haven't done -- and hopefully never will -- is run through the jungle in an attempt to escape the gnashing teeth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex! In other words, Burns' films aren't cinematic.

So. Is this a good thing? I'm undecided, but this does seem to be a bit of the beginning of a trend. It's not exactly the same thing, but the DVD of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will ship with versions of the movie that will easily download to your computer, iPod, iPhone, etc. Which demonstrates an awareness, at least, that as far as pirating is concerned the zeitgeist seems to be realizing that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

A Quicker Way

2007-04-29T11:23:00.000-04:00

There's been quite a bit of curiosity about when I'll be updating my comic again. I'm sorry I've been so quiet about it. I've been thinking. I've also been somewhat sick.

My first two months of this year were spent sick, and outside of work and the occasional social situation, I've been unable to keep up with cartooning. It's been so impossible to dedicate the time -- 20 to 30 hours per strip -- that I've been seeking out another way of doing it, a better way, a quicker way, a way that will mean constant, more frequent updates. A way that will mean multiple updates a week. Oh, yes. I mean it. Multiple. Per week.

I've found the way. You'll see it very soon.

Multiplex & Narbonic

2007-01-05T00:02:00.000-05:00

Okay. I'm getting my act together for the New Year. The strip pictured above is an excerpt of a guest strip I did for Multiplex, by Gordon McAlpin. Go read it. Then read the rest of Gordon's stuff. It's good!

Also, I drew a panel for the very last (sniff!) episode of Narbonic. WARNING! Do not click this link unless you've already read all of Narbonic and/or don't mind spoilers! It's the last episode, after all. Oh, Shaenon Garrity, what will the world of webcomics do without your everpresent, um, presence? I guess We'll just have to wait patiently for your return.

Speaking of which, two new Popcorn Picnic strips -- for Eragon and Rocky Balboa -- will be posted within days. Thank you for your continued patience.

Yet Another Guest Strip

2006-11-08T01:29:00.000-05:00

I know, I know. I've been a big slacker. Only, um, not so much; it just looks that way to everyone but me. Y'see, I'm really putting a lot of thought into the new approach to Popcorn Picnic, and figure you'd rather see something substantial than something I just crap out. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the way I'm rollin' the dice.

To that end, I agreed to do a guest strip for Mr. Gordon McAlpin, who does the mighty fine Multiplex. Though I, ah, might've forgotten to tell Gordon my secret plan to use the opportunity to experiment a bit (Oops! Silly me!) and as you can see by the panels above, things look a little different than usual. To read the remaining four panels, check the whole shebang out on the Multiplex site.

Anyway, this may not be the final look of the new Popcorn Picnic, but I'm liking it a lot. But as always, do feel free to tell me otherwise.

Guest Strip!

2006-10-23T00:48:00.000-04:00

Tired of not seeing new Popcorn Picnic strips? Then head on over to Pirate and Alien today! I did a guest strip for Tyson, who's just had a baby. Well... to be fair, his wife had the baby. He just helped a little nine months ago, then fainted in the delivery room.

I really hope that last bit isn't true. If it is, I'll feel bad for thinking I was making it up. Um, uh... congratulations, Tyson!

Also, please stay tuned. The big time Popcorn Picnic developments I promised a week ago are imminent. How'll they start? Oh, my. With everyone's favorite weird movie of the moment, Marie Antoinette!

Holy crap, this is gonna be good.

Technical Difficulties, Sorta

2006-10-16T00:22:00.000-04:00

You may've noticed a lack of updates last week. I could make up some crazy excuse -- Canadian Geese swooped down and hacked paté onto my drawing tablet or something -- but that would be dumb, since I've actually got a GREAT, totally true excuse.

Here's the thing, though. I'm not going to tell you what it is. Yet. Soon, though. Very, very soon. As a lame apology, I offer the following hint: It's a change that was recommended a long time ago by a much more well-established webtoonist. Okay, one more teaser: This change may alter the feel of Popcorn Picnic a teensy bit, but I assure you... it's the Popcorn Picnic that should've always been.

Oh, and if you're new to the strip? Like, maybe you came here from Beaver and Steve? You can start with the latest strip, or you can trudge way on back to the beginning and see just how much my art's changed over the last year. You can also consider stopping back in the unbelievably near future to see the, um, future.

More soon. Stay tuned!

Geishas, Part 2

2006-09-27T01:20:00.000-04:00

I dunno. Maybe I'm making Danny too dumb here. He's not really supposed to dumb, just... well, we'll get into that when we get into it.

So I have to admit something. Something EMBARRASSING. You guys know how nerdy I can be with this pop-culture stuff, right? You've had some of my jokes fly under your feet or wherever. But here's the thing: the phrase girl drink drunk from Kids in the Hall? Yeah. Just learned it this week. As the kids say, got schooled, yo. So. Thanks for the lesson, N.

Okay. I guess it isn't that embarrassing.

Feeling the need to top myself with some truly obscure pop-culture, I snuck a tidbit into this strip. Anyone care to point it out?

Seeya Friday.

Geishas, Part 1

2006-09-25T01:16:00.000-04:00

We, the mighty staff of Popcorn Picnic, are trying to keep the M-W-F updates going strong. Last week worked amazingly well, with only a minor side effect of massive exhaustion. So no big deal.

As Clive Owen would say, I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Interesting movie, by the way. Pretty much the definitive Clive Owen role.

The Grudge 2 - Part 2

2006-09-22T01:53:00.000-04:00

This strip is weird. But maybe not as weird as it looks. It's a two-parter that started here. Annnnnd now I'm too tired to write anything else. Hope you enjoyed the three-peat action this week. I'm going to bed.

Seeya Monday, eeps!

The Grudge 2 - Part 1

2006-09-20T02:50:00.000-04:00

As promised, I gotta break away from the action for a coupla strips in order to fulfill my upcoming in-print requirements, which are much more reviewish in tone and have to be encapsulated. But really... I wouldn't consider this approach if I didn't think you'd find fun within the incontinuity. If I'm wrong, be sure to let me know.

Also, I'm well aware that this strip will make for better reading when both halves are available to read, but it's either this or only two updates this week. Feedback on the M.U.P.W. (More Updates Per Week) plan has been positive so far, so that's the way I'm a-gonna keep goin'.

Seeya Friday! (Oh, and the payoff for this strip's gonna be good, so don't miss it.)

"THEY CALL ME MR. GLASS"

2006-09-15T16:25:00.000-04:00

Why haven't I committed to the permanent three update week yet? Easy-peasy. I'm a LAME-O.

Nah. That's not it. Here's the thing: I scheduled a mini vacation (two teensy days) awhile ago, the first I've taken in quite awhile. And I really thought I'd be able to finish a strip in time to post it this morning. Nope! I couldn't quite make it.

To make it up to y'all, I'm hanging out on Cape Cod and working on a possible FOUR strip week for next week, a guest strip for another site, AND the sweet-ass illustrations for the winners of the Snakes on a Plane contest. I can't tell you how psyched I am to draw these things. Both winners have excellent, excellent taste in Sam Jackson characters. Not a single Coach Carter in sight!

All lightness aside, I'm sorry for the lack of a real update today. I'm good for it, I swear.

Seeya Monday, midnight-style.

I'm Sorry, Bruce Springsteen

2006-09-13T01:01:00.000-04:00

First of all, it seems the rumors regarding Mr. Springsteen and Mrs. 9/11 Widow are exactly that: RUMORS. Bruce says so himself. It wouldn't be the first time a celebrity lied about an affair, but somehow, well, I don't see Bruce being a good enough liar to get away with it.

In other news, Anna Nicole's 20-year-old son died (mysteriously) just three days after Anna gave birth to a daughter. And this all happened in the Bahamas. I'm not sure whether I feel more sorry for her loss or for the fact that she can't seem to do ANYTHING that isn't totally crazy.

AND! Congratulations to Jesse J. and Dakotah N., the big winners of the 72nd Annual Samuel L. Jackson Snakes on a Plane dialogue contest! Dakotah and Jesse will each receive an original illustration of the Sam Jackson character of their choice. As soon as I find out which characters they want -- and I'm done drawing 'em -- I'll post scans here. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Crush the Cook!

2006-09-08T18:43:00.000-04:00

The second installment of the first Popcorn Picnic story arc: what will happen? Who will live? Who will die? Considering how recently Roger blew a hole in his head, I guess I wouldn't be too worried. PP isn't the sort of comic where the living stay living and the dead stay dead.

I'm also continuing the well-deserved tribute to my fellow Massachusettsian, R. Stevens, who has seemingly successfully negotiated his way into the world of syndicated comics without having to sell his soul or anything even resembling it. Amazing!

Hey, R! If I promise to try to avoid running you over with my bike again, will you tell me your secret negotiating technique?

See y'all Monday!

Here We Go

2006-09-06T04:18:00.000-04:00

It's been awhile, kids, since Mr. Brando made his presence known. It's time he spoke up. In fact, it's time he spoke a bit more than usual.

As you can see, today's comic is a continuation of last Friday's strip, which was the third installment in my triple review of The Black Dahlia. What today's comic is NOT doing, however, is attaching itself to a single movie. Please welcome the first Popcorn Picnic story, ongoing for, um, well... I dunno!

Since PP does appear in print as well (and in a somewhat seldomly printed publication), the story may be occasionally interrupted by a brief reversion to the standalone "review" format. But the interruptions will be brief, like Sunday strips that don't appear on Sunday, and I'm betting you'll enjoy the standalones too.

Observant readers may notice a li'l guest appearance up there. Hello, fellow Massachusettsian!

:C

A Lack of Love for Labor

2006-09-04T14:05:00.002-04:00

It's Labor Day. I shoulda mentioned this before I led any diligent, non-office-bound readers to believe I would be starting my three-updates-per-week weeks, um, today, but I honestly forgot about Labor Day. Don't worry. You'll still have Wednesday and Friday this week. Next week will be all MWF.

The Snakes on a Plane contest deadline has officially come and gone. Thanks to those who've entered. Thanks to those who haven't! You're equals in my book, except in terms of potentially getting a prize. If you didn't enter, you're screwed. Gotta be in it to win it, as the ancient Lottery People of the Apocalypse would say.

In other news, and really, I'm being serious now, the Crocodile Hunter is dead. That makes me very, very, very sad. All is not apples today.

Seeya, Steve. Good on ya, mate.

:C

Snakes on a Contest Entry

2006-09-01T23:38:00.000-04:00

REMEMBER!
The Popcorn Picnic Snakes on a Plane Contest ends at the end of this weekend.

ALSO REMEMBER!
You no longer have to fill out the PDF form ('cause I screwed it up). All you have to do is send me an email. You don't even have to write anything. All I need's a way to get in touch with you (like, um, email) and you're entered!

ONE ADDITIONAL THING TO REMEMBER!
Popcorn Picnic updated three times this week. Miss any? Here's where things started on Monday.

Will the three update weeks continue forever? Answer hazy. Ask again later.

:C

Wikipedia

2006-08-24T14:16:00.000-04:00

Okay. I must've just banged my head on something, because I can remember again. That's what would've happened if this'd been a movie. Since it's real life, all that happened is that I've stopped being a dope.

Anyway, I really did remember what I sat down to write the other day. I've created a super-basic entry for Popcorn Picnic on Wikipedia. I'm not sure if that's frowned on, mucking with entries about your own stuff, but thought it'd probably be okay if I put up the starter kit and, y'know, owned up to it.

So head on over. Edit, don't edit. I won't mess with what you've got to say unless you call me a doosh without backing it up. If you've got good logic, well, I can't argue with that.

:C

What's the name of that forgetting disease again?

2006-08-21T18:40:00.000-04:00

I'm just a mess of forgetfulness these days. Sorry, I forgot to... wait. What'd I forget?

Holy crap. You probably think I'm just trying to be funny, but no. I've actually forgotten what I sat down to write a blog entry about. I forgot to mention something earlier. Then I remembered, now I've forgotten again. Oh, my God. Hang on. Give me a second.

...

I don't believe this. I should just discard this stupid post, but what the hell -- here y'go. Now you can see what it's really like inside my head sometimes. I can remember virtually every line from every Star Wars movie, but what I wanted to write about six seconds ago? Nope. Sorry.

:C

I'm also on your iPod!

2006-08-21T02:26:00.000-04:00

Jeez. Almost forgot. There's a new phone interview between me and Joey Manley at TalkAboutComics. For your convenience, Here's the direct link. I think I came off okay, except for the bit where I said I was the best movie cartoonist. Oops!

I tried to act nice and say I like the other movie-related webcomics, but that isn't true. I'm the best.

No, no. They're good, too.

Just kidding. I'm better.

Ha-ha! Gotcha again! We're all great!

Nope, um . . . wait. Where was I?

Anyway, check it out. You can even download an iPod-compatible version.

:C

World Trade Center

2006-08-21T02:17:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd avoid mouthing off the way I did with my strip about United 93, though I aslo didn't want to see the movie. I think it's pretty damned sick, these 9/11 movies, and... well, how 'bout I shut the hell up and you just read the United 93 strip.

In other PP news, Popcorn Picnic has joined the ranks of Modern Tales. I used to contribute my old strip, Streets of Northampton to MT (sorry, no current link, so drop me a line if you really want to see that stuff), and I'm proud as hell to be re-associating with the awesome crowd over there. It's changed a lot in the last couple years, and one of my favorite cartoonists, Shaenon Garrity, is the new editor! So congrats to Shaenon, to MT, to Joey Manley (who runs the whole thing), and, well, to me, I guess.

Also, don't forget my Snakes on a Plane Contest. There's still time to enter, and plenty of room for winning. So why not give it a shot? It's easy!

:C

"Always Do the Right Thing"

2006-08-18T13:41:00.000-04:00

You've noticed: there's no new strip today. That isn't because I don't have one ready, though. I do, for World Trade Center. Here's the thing, though:

Popcorn Picnic is joining a webcomics collective that's launching on Monday. It won't change your enjoyment of PP in any way other than forcing you to survive one weekend without new stuff -- which I regret -- but the way the arrangements worked with this other site, that's the way it has to be. I'm sorry.

I want PP to gain the maximum visibility possible from this launch, and to do that I need my first contribution to be STUPID-fresh, as Martin Lawrence (right) said in his feature movie debut, Do the Right Thing, which I watched this last weekend. So I'm left with no choice but to punish you, my valued readers, with an extra weekend of staleness.

I would cry for you, if my mighty tear-ducts were less mighty.

The good news: more readers for PP! Which means more lovin' from me. Next week, for example, you'll have two PPs instead of the usual one!

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain who's telling you that's because there isn't a new strip this week. He's lying.

:C

Snakes on a Plane CONTEST!

2006-08-11T12:12:00.000-04:00

In a blatant attempt to discern which Popcorn Picnic readers love me the most (which doesn't really matter -- I love you all), I have begat the Snakes on a Plane contest! Just go to the main PP site and follow the super simple instructions. Win original art prizes guaranteed to be worth, um, something.

Yes, the contest runs until the end of the month. No, I won't be slacking on strips. There will be updates as usual. Perhaps even more than usual! The only difference will be a contest-specific page on the site after this week's strip is too old and stale to sustain readership.

Now.

It's totally go time.

:C

Mel Gibson's Crazy Pants (TM)

2006-08-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

First of all, I know he shaved -- I've seen the head shot. I just couldn't resist drawing the crazy beard. Oops! I meant "mug shot." He just looks so smug and self-satisfied and psyched to be Mel Gibson in that photo, doesn't he? Seems like the worst possible time to be Mel Gibson to me, but what do I know?

The last time I was arrested? I didn't look smug at ALL.

I was hesitant to publish Mel's actual language, 'cause for the most part I want people to think of Popcorn Picnic as a fun, safe, occasionally violent and/or lewd place to spend some time -- while drunk -- and ol' Mel really pulled out all the stops when he was bitching out the cops. What he said was horribly hurtful and utterly crazy to boot, but I decided it's important to talk about stuff like that without repressing the harshness so maybe people'll learn a thing or two.

I wrote a whole other script, actually, which contained more of his wackiness. Maybe you'll be disappointed I didn't draw it. The ending's weak, but I especially liked working in Haley Joel Osment's car crash. But since that's really getting too old to talk about at this point, I guess it's okay to give you guys my unused, dessicated crap.

Enjoy!

:C

-------

PANEL 1
ROGER: Have you noticed, Marlon? Our pals've been having a lotta car trouble lately.
MARLON: I'm too rich to notice stuff.

PANEL 2
ROGER: First Danny Baldwin wrecked his car...
MARLON: I'll notice if it's fashionable. Global warming, Pammy and Kid Rock... they're hot right now. My agent's issuing statements.
ROGER: ...then Haley Joel Osment totaled his Saturn.
BRANDO: The '95? Too bad! That baby was a classic!

PANEL 3
ROGER: And just last night Mel Gibson got pulled over for DUI.
BRANDO: Yeah? What'd ol' crazy-beard say THIS time?
ROGER: After a deputy tossed him in the cruiser, he said, "You mother fucker! I'm gonna fuck you!" Then something about owning Malibu and spending all his money to get even.

PANEL 4
BRANDO: Doesn't sound up to the usual Crazy Mel standard...
ROGER: Until he added, "Fucking Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."
BRANDO: That's more like it!
ROGER: Then he turned and asked the officer: "Are you a Jew?"
BRANDO: AH-HAHAHAHA! Good timing!

PANEL 5
ROGER: And THEN -- get this -- he called a female officer "sugar tits!"
BRANDO: Yeah? So?
ROGER: Um, don't you think that's kinda objective and crass?
BRANDO: Nah.
ROGER: Huh? Why not?

PANEL 6
BRANDO: She was probably Greek. I dated a Greek girl named Diane Sugartitis for awhile. Hey! Maybe it was the same girl!
ROGER: Yeah. Sure, Marlon. It was the same Greek girl.
BRANDO: She was one wild ride. Y'think ol' Melly can get her number for me?

Lady in the Water

2006-07-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

As you've noticed, the strip is smaller today. There's a couple reasons for that:

1. I want to draw strips more frequently. That's for YOU. And a single-tiered format would allow for that.

2. This joke just worked better as a four panel comic.

Number two is the biggie, the thing that got me to try this approach. I wrote a couple versions of the script with six panels, seven panels, five . . . and all of them just seemed to explain-y. I'm good at that, you might've noticed -- using more words than I gotta.

I'm not sure where that comes from. Certainly not my father. He's one of the most impressive linguists I've ever met, but when I was a kid? I didn't realize he could speak more than one syllable at a time. He tended to -- and still does -- limit his speechifying to quick comments like, "Mm! Hot dogs!" and "Go Cubs!" But get him reading his poetry, or talking to his classes and holy cow! It's like a whole different person's taken him over. It's amazing, really. And his writing . . . so complex and eloquent and intricate and readable all at the same time. Maybe he was always that way. Maybe I just couldn't understand as a kid. Who knows?

Anyway, you'll likely get a few single-tiered PP strips here and there, but don't worry. I'll make it worth your while.

Out of curiosity, if given the choice, would you prefer LONG strips or MORE strips?

:C

P.S. - Lady in the Water was TERRIBLE.

Comixpedia Interview

2006-07-21T00:33:00.000-04:00

Just so y'all know, there's an interview with me up at Comixpedia!

So if the scattering of words found in a week's worth of Popcorn Picnic ain't enough for you, then head on over and check it out, 'cause I blabber on and on and on.

And ON.

:C