by John | Jun 26, 2012 | Blog
Click to enlarge.
Last Kiss specializes in outrageous, sexually charged, single-panel gags. But, for the next few weeks, that’s going to change.
Starting June 27, there will still be plenty of outrageous humor (and some sexual innuendos), but Last Kiss creator John Lustig is going long and wide with a 10-part storyline featuring perhaps the unlikeliest hero in comics:
“Martha StewTart…Domestic Superhero.”
“Most of my current readers have never seen this story,” said Lustig. “But back in 2001 a black-and-white version of ‘Martha StewTart’ appeared in my Last Kiss comic book series. It was easily one of the most popular stories in the series.”
The story shows how Martha—once a homemaker who’d need a cookbook and massive luck just to boil water—gains superpowers that turn her into a crazed, culinary superhero.
“In a way, she’s really more of a super villain,” explained Lustig. “She totally loses touch with reality. What she does to her poor husband is loony, but definitely criminal.”
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by John | Jun 24, 2012 | Blog
[amazon_link id=”1593936826″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]
[/amazon_link]First of all I write comics for Disney. So, of course, I’m going to be interested in Cathy Sherman Freeman’s life—growing up with a father who was in charge of Disney comic books (long before my time.)
Of course, I’d be interested in hearing about her dad (George Sherman), Carl Barks, Del Connell and other legends in my business.
She spent her childhood living just down the street from Disneyland; knew “Uncle Walt”; acted as a child guide for various dignitaries visiting Disneyland; and got to help decide which comic book stories were published? Heck, yes. You bet I’m interested—and jealous!
But I was also predisposed to like this book because I liked Cathy immediately when she wrote to me and asked if I’d be interested in reading the book. Not because she offered me a free copy (although that helped), but because she just seemed so nice, down-to-earth, friendly and chatty.
And that’s exactly the writing voice she has in her book [amazon_link id=”1593936826″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]”A Disney Childhood: Comic Books to Sailing Ships – A Memoir.”[/amazon_link]You feel like you’re reading a letter from a friend. (Assuming, of course, you have friends who lead exciting lives and do great jobs writing about it.)
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by John | Jun 10, 2012 | Blog
Ancient Kisses…
Click image to enlarge
Back in the primitive Last Kiss past, I did my own coloring. And it was—ehh, okay. Sometimes.
But about a decade ago, I wised up and I turned over the coloring to Allen Freeman. Instantly, Last Kiss looked a zillion and two times better. And Allen has been coloring for me ever since.
That isn’t changing, but Allen has been getting increasingly busy with his grueling photography business (Shooting photos of gorgeous models is tough, tough work!)
Enter, Dan the Man…
So I’ve asked my longtime pal Dan McConnell to officially become part of the Last Kiss color team. What can I say? He’s good. He’s fast. And he even wrote his own bio…
“I’ve been making art of one type or another since I was a small child working with a #2 pencil on butcher paper. I moved on to colored pencil, pen and ink, brush and ink, watercolors, oils, computer graphics and sculpture.
“In 1981 I started a weekly comic strip, Apple Andy. That strip ran for 20 years.
“My first comic book inking was on the Green Hornet for NOW comics. I did issues #s 33, 34 and 35 if memory serves. I worked as an inker for Marvel Comics in the early nineties.
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by John | Jun 3, 2012 | Blog
“Up Up Down Down: The Series” finished in third place making it 2nd Runner Up in Mingle Media’s New Media Film Festival Audience Choice 2012 Awards.
As far as I can tell, the top two spots went to series which were both foreign and received a huge amount of votes from overseas supporters.
There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. I just thought I’d point out that UUDD was the homegrown series with the most votes.
Many thanks to all of you who voted for this funny live-action series about the nerds working at a video game store. Future episodes will feature Last Kiss images and gags.
by John | May 24, 2012 | Blog
Although I won’t be attending the Phoenix Comicon this year, Last Kiss will be there. My pals at World Famous Comics (Booth 423) are selling some of my popular fridge magnets, tote bags, cards and more. Drop by and take a gasp at the Last Kiss goodies.
It sounds like a fun show. I’m hoping to attend it in person next year. Good sales this year would will be a big factor in my decision. So, if you buy a Last Kiss trinket, you’ll be helping me go to Phoenix next year. Thanks!
by John | May 13, 2012 | Blog
Thanks to enthusiastic Last Kiss fans, “Up Up Down Down: The Series” has moved up to Second Place in the final round of the 2012 New Media Film Festival Audience Choice Awards.
There’s still time to vote for this funny, live-action series about the nerds working at a video game store. Future episodes will feature Last Kiss images and gags.
(In fact, if you voted before May 15, you can vote a second time. The vote count was reset to zero when the finals began May 15.)
Finishing in one of the top spots will help the series receive a distribution deal. Voting goes through May 31.
So…vote!
by John | May 6, 2012 | Blog
The difference between success and failure can be ridiculously small. Sometimes all it takes is a little help. And presto: success!
My pal R.A. Rayne needs a tiny amount of help from a ton or two of people if his project “Up Up Down Down: The Series” is going to win this year’s Audience Choice Awards.
Why should you go on the contest site and vote?
Well, you could vote because it’s a funny, live-action series about the nerds at a video game store and you’d love to see it win and get a distribution deal. But an even better reason (if you’re a Last Kiss fan) is that R.A. plans to use Last Kiss visuals in the series when he starts filming new episodes.
So—if you’ve got time for a few chuckles—go watch the video and please vote!
by John | Apr 30, 2012 | Blog
©2012 Scott R. Kurtz
Who’s the best cartoonist in the Northwest?
Join me on May 5, 2012 and find out when cartoonists, animators and illustrators gather for the 21st Annual Toonie Awards. The Seattle banquet—which is open to the public—will include live cartoon-themed music by the Amazing Martin Brothers and feature webcomics legend Scott Kurtz as the guest speaker.
In addition to the Golden Toonie for the Cartoonist of the Year, awards will be given out in categories such as comic books, comic strips, editorial cartoons and best publisher. In addition to a raffle and silent auction, the event includes a contest where diners will be given modeling clay and can create clay figures for a prize.
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by John | Apr 19, 2012 | Blog
Clint Neilson was the first reader to submit a gag in my most recent dialog contest. There were approximately 50 other submissions after that from other people. But when the dust settled, Neilson was the clear winner with nearly twice as many votes as anyone else. (See above for his dialog.)
His prize—10 Last Kiss note cards.
(Okay, it’s not as grand as winning a new car and a smile from Vanna White, but hey—they’re nice cards!)
Runners-up in the vote count included…
Richard Gretsch (14 votes): “Dear Madam, We thank you for your suggestion, but we believe our Maidenform Bras should be worn under the clothes, and not over them.”
Schuyler Corson (13 votes): “Sexting and off color emails are nice, but nothing shows respect like a good old dirty letter!”
Nikolai Garcia (13 votes): “What happened at Comic Con was a one-time thing. Please stop stalking me. Sincerely, John Lustig”
Jim Guida (11 votes): ”Oh, isn’t that cute. Another restraining order. I’ll put it with the others.”
Morten Haugen (10 votes): A restraint order? From my hairdresser?
Great job, folks!
by John | Apr 13, 2012 | Blog
NobleWorks is having a sale on all its greeting cards—including the Last Kiss cards. Discount expires April 15. Just enter the coupon code (see image above) during checkout. All the Last Kiss cards are here!
