Lip Service Podcast with John Lustig

Rod Jenkins of Kiss Me Comix did a fine job of interviewing me for a recent Lip Service podcast. I just wish my answers were as good as his questions.

The problem? I’d only had 2 1/2 hours of sleep the night before and I sounded as if I’d had none.

This didn’t faze me during the interview, though. I thought I was brilliant.

In fact, I was pretty sure that the interview was going something like this: Question from Rod. Witty remark by me. Hilarious explanation by me. Fascinating anecdote by me. Great gag by me. Next question…

What actually happened was more like this:

ROD: What’s your name?

ME: Uh…Uh…Uh…Uh…Uh…

I believe I set the North American record for saying “Uh” more consecutive times than any other human (or parrot.)

Given that caveat, if you’d like to listen to the interview, please do. I think I do have a few insightful thoughts between my “uhs.” And Rod is a cheerful and entertaining interviewer.

(The interview with me begins about 10 minutes into the podcasts. Prior to that, Rod talks about the dangers of doing work-for-hire in comics.)

I’m warning you, though, if you turn this into a game and try to take a drink every time I say “uh” then you’ll pass out…in the first few minutes.

 

J.P. Patches R.I.P.

Several years ago when I was doing my Last Kiss comic for The Seattle Times, I found a way to work local kids TV show host J.P. Patches into one of the gags. (See right.)

Of course, it being Last Kiss is was somewhat sarcastic/flip. But I really admired Chris Wedes (J.P.’s alter ego who passed away today–July 22, 2012.)

If Chris wasn’t the funniest man on TV—not just local TV, but TV in general—he was darn close.

His shows with sidekick Bob Newman (Gertrude, Ketchikan the Animal Man, Boris S. Wort—the second meanest man in the world) performed live on TV twice a day every weekday (plus Saturday mornings) and it was mostly unscripted.

Chris and Bob would discuss what they were going to do before the show and then just wing it.

As a kid, I thought they were extremely funny. But their genius was that they were funny to adults too. In fact, in some ways, they were even funnier to adults. They were doing a kids show, but there would be all these extra little references and jokes that only adults would understand.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Chris many times and he was hilarious offstage. And very kind.

Last Kiss couldn’t be more different than the J.P. Patches show. But I suspect that some of his whimsy is an influence on my approach to humor.

One thing I can say—without a doubt—no one in Seattle has ever been more loved than J.P. Patches.

Christmas in July Card Sale


No, you aren’t hallucinating from the heat. Sleigh bells are ringing…because NobleWorks is have a “Christmas In July” greeting card sale!

Stock up on any NobleWorks Christmas cards now—especially the Last Kiss Christmas cards, of course—and save 40% off your order of $40 or more.  Use coupon code XMASINJULY when you check out to take advantage of this great deal!

The sale ends on July 25th. So act now…and avoid Santa’s naughty list!

Schedule for Comic-Con International

I’ll mostly be at the Last Kiss booth (2302) the rest of the con. But I will be at the World Famous Comics booth (5560) from 3:30-5:30 Saturday (July 14) and 1-3 p.m. Sunday (July 15.) Come see me if you can. And get a free Last Kiss tattoo.

Free Last Kiss Tattoos at Comic-Con—July 12-15

Comic-Con International is early this year—July 12-15. But the Last Kiss Entertainment booth is the same as last year—Booth #2302. It’s near the middle of the con floor, close to one of the front doors. So it’s easy to find.

I’ll be at the Last Kiss booth roughly 39,000 hours a day…eagerly waiting to talk to you…and any other unwary souls who wander by. So come by.

We’re giving away Last Kiss (temporary) tattoos this year. They’re free to members of my Last Kiss mailing list. (Three times a week, I e-mail Last Kiss comics to list members.) Join now or at the convention.
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