Tom's Mad Blog
June 23rd, 2019 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: You’ve mentioned that artists/caricaturists needed to use social media to increase their presence, “particularly Instagram.” I am wondering, why particularly Instagram? Do you have suggestions as to how to build up that presence and ‘stand out’? A: Instagram has become the platform that seems most effective for visual artists to build an audience and find tangible benefits past just getting “likes”, which last I checked doesn’t pay any bills. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is basically 100% visual so it makes a lot more sense for visual artists and their content. I know several working artists who have developed their careers around promotion on… READ MORE
June 18th, 2019 | Posted in News
Summer Comic Cons are ramping up! This year I’ll be a special guest at Atlanta Comic Con, taking place July 12-14th at the Georgia World Congress Center. You’ll find me in the guest creators area, where I will be doing my usual thing. Wondering what comic cons I’ll be appear at this year? You can always check out my “Appearances” page for the conventions and dates I’ll be at. READ MORE
June 17th, 2019 | Posted in Monday MADness
In 2004 MAD added a feature called “The Fundalini Pages”, which consisted of short listicles, mini-features, gag cartoons and other quick-read content. I didn’t contribute to the Fundalini Pages much, but I did do the occasional spot illustration. In honor of Father’s Day this one was for a mini-listicle called “Signs Your Dad Loves Football More Than Your Family”. MAD #496, Dec 2008. Writer uncredited. READ MORE
June 12th, 2019 | Posted in General
There won’t be any posting going on here for a while, I’m afraid. Crunch time. READ MORE
June 11th, 2019 | Posted in MAD Magazine
As promised, here’s a look at the splash page from my piece in MAD #8, written by Alec Owen. Of course you really didn’t need a peek at this since this issue in on news stands right now, and surely you’ve already bought your copy? Right? Right? Shirley? READ MORE
June 10th, 2019 | Posted in MAD Magazine
In subscriber’s mailboxes now, on the stands tomorrow! Cover (Idea: M. Warella, Artist: Jason Seiler) Inside Cover (Uncredited) Shorts & Briefs Mid-Haircut Comments You Don’t Want to Hear (Evan Waite, Johnny Sampson) Panel Cartoon (Peter Kuper) Panel Cartoon (Bob Eckstein) Panel Cartoon (Ivan Ehlers) Panel Cartoon (P.C. Vey) Way-Too-Specialty Camps (Rob Kutner) Panel Cartoon (Jon Adams) Panel Cartoon (Lars Kenseth) What People in Starbucks are REALLY Working On (Kenny Keil, Daulton Vaughn ) Game of Thrones Spin-Offs!! (Brian Firenzi, Ryan Flanders) Meanwhile… (Ian Boothby, Pia Guerra) Spy vs. Spy (Peter Kuper) Glutton Gormet (Dick Debartolo) Silly Wonka and the Town of Flavor (Alec Owen, Tom… READ MORE
June 9th, 2019 | Posted in Mailbag
Q: I’ve seen you mention a few times – including in your book – that in the studio you start a caricature with the head shape, but live you start with the features. I also recall reading (I think) that with live caricature, even though you don’t draw it first, you still visualize the head shape before you start drawing. The obvious question is … why not just draw the head shape first? A: That’s true. I consider head shape, and the exaggeration of the head shape, to be the most powerful tool in a caricaturists toolbox. I ALWAYS start a caricature by examining the… READ MORE
June 8th, 2019 | Posted in General
Well… okay. Not really “battle” damaged like your favorite action figure variation, but sort of. Books bought wholesale for brick and mortar stores can be returned if unsold within a certain timeframe. Sometimes these returned books come back with a crease on the cover, a bent corner, a little wear on the spine… very minor damage that does not reduce the readability of the book at all, but does preclude the distributor from selling it again as “new”. I picked up a limited supply of these returned but lightly damaged copies from my distributor the other day, and am selling them for a mere $9.99!… READ MORE
