Subscribe to Posts 
"Go Easy" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (August 2007)
 The August 2007 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 69 ... If you're not a subscriber, I highly encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine! The following gag was inspired by all my video-gaming relatives -- most especially my dad! From those pixelated Commodore 64 and Atari 800 games to PC gaming, and now, the Nintendo Wii ... we've challenged, conquered, and defended our high scores. I only hope that I'm such a worthy opponent for my own kids one day ... 
"Go Easy" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (August 2007).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
"Fill Up" Gag Cartoon in Living Well Magazine (Summer 2007)
 I'm happy to announce that one of my gag cartoons is published in the Summer 2007 issue of Living Well, a Canadian mini-magazine provided by McNeil Consumer Healthcare and the publishers at Reader's Digest Canada. It's quite a neat little publication with all sorts of summer survival tips, including stuff on "Sizzle and Sip Backway BBQ" ... mmm! You'll find my cartoon in the Laughing Well section on Page 11. I vividly remember sitting outside on those hot summer days with my sisters and friends at our own makeshift lemonade stands -- drinking our profits away! But if this summer's forecast is right when it comes to gas and oil prices, here's a timely gag that I'm sure many will be able to relate to ... Enjoy! 
"Fill Up" in Living Well Magazine (Summer 2007).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
"Good Genes" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (June 2007)
 The June 2007 issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine is now available at bookstores and newsstands. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 75 ... If you're not a subscriber, I highly encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine! As the eldest (and only male) child in our family, I was lucky enough not to be on the hand-me-down receiving end ... err, too often! But here's a little pun that I'm sure many other sibblings can relate too ... 
"Good Genes" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (June 2007).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. One special note about this particular cartoon ... If you click the link above, you'll discover that the original sample was coloured differently than the magazine edition. At the request of the Reader's Digest editors, I provided them with a few revisions that were "brighter/more vivid." 
"Good Genes" Colour Variations.
Personally, I still like the original ... But my wife likes the one that appears in the magazine. Nevertheless, this is a good lesson for aspiring cartoonists. Revisions are simply part of the business. Publications (such as magazines) are your clients. As such, there's nothing wrong with keeping the editor(s) happy ... After all, they decide whether or not to publish you! Even though I liked the original colours, it wasn't that difficult to swap them in Adobe Photoshop. In the end, everyone is happy :) Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
"Surgery Warmup" Gag Cartoon in Stitches Magazine (May/June 2007)
 I'm happy to announce that one of my gag cartoons is published in the May/June 2007 issue of Stitches magazine ... Take a look for the magazine the next time you're in the waiting room!
This particular cartoon was inspired by a recent news story that I saw about a study conducted at a medical university. Apparently, playing video games help young surgeons develop nimble reflexes. And so, if you ever need to go under the knife, make sure your doc has warmed-up ...
"Surgery Warmup" in Stitches Magazine (May/June 2007).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, magazines, published
Cartooning Philosophy: "On Rejection ..."
Nobody likes to be rejected. But if you’re aspiring to be a professional cartoonist, that’s one of the first things you need to adapt to. Rejection is simply part of the business. Even the legendary cartoonist, Charles M. Schulz (creator of Peanuts), wasn’t immune to rejection. The same rings true for most creative careers – Just watch an episode of Canadian or American Idol. There, in the form of “Reality TV,” you’ll witness a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows ... Climbs. Falls. Loops. Twists & Turns. As the old saying goes, “Strap yourself in, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride!” However, there are good sides to rejection... For example, a rejected cartoon(s) means that an editor thought, for one reason or another, your work wasn't ready / suitable / usable for their publication at the present time. You can’t argue with that. After all, they know what’s best for their company. In essence, they’re doing you a favour because they’ve saved you the embarrassment of sharing your not-quite-up-to-standard cartoon(s) with millions and millions of potential readers. Therefore, as a cartoonist, a rejection can/should motivate you to do better ... work harder ... and (if necessary) give up. Not give up on cartooning altogether, but maybe change the drawing and/or humour style that you’ve been using ever since you started creating cartoons. Most people grow up and mature. There’s no reason why your cartoons shouldn’t do the same. Still, editors receive thousands and thousands of submissions every year. So, there’s always a chance that you were number 11 on their "Top 10 List." That said, whether you’re an aspiring, young cartoonist, or a seasoned professional, a rejection will always remind you of one important thing: You’re only human. And it’s moments like these that keep you humble. 
Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: cartoon business, cartooning, cartoonist, gag cartoons, magazines
"Flag of Canada" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (March 2007)
 The latest issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine hits newsstands this week. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 72 ... If you're not a subscriber, I highly encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine! To all those hockey fans out there ... Game on! 
"Flag of Canada" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (March 2007).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
"Pre-Valentine" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (February 2007)
 The latest issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine hits newsstands this week. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 77 ... If you're not a subscriber, I highly encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine! To all those lovebirds out there ... Happy Valentine's Day!
"Pre-Valentine" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (February 2007).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
"Christmas Wish List" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (December 2006)
 The latest issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine hits newsstands this week. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 107 ... If you're not a subscriber, I highly encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine! The holidays are fast approaching ... Don't miss RD's 31 Everyday Ways to Lose Weight this season!
"Christmas Wish List" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (December 2006).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
"Free Samples" Gag Cartoon in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (August 2006)
 The latest issue of Reader's Digest Canada Magazine arrived today. This month, one of my gag cartoons is published in the As Kids See It department on Page 75 ... If you're not a subscriber, I encourage you to pickup a copy of the magazine! Hmm ... I wonder if Mr. Harper likes ice cream?
"Free Samples" in Reader's Digest Canada Magazine (August 2006).
Click the above image to see the full cartoon. Stay TOONed! - Mike Cope Labels: gag cartoons, kids, magazines, published, Reader's Digest Canada
|
