22 Feb
2012

Posted in: Blog, Comics, Pictures, Words
By Fanton    No Comments

Hip Replacement

THIS WEEK’S Dandy sees the introduction of the latest strip I’ve been working on, Bad Grandad, replacing George vs Dragon after their lengthy run ended last week.

Bad Grandad sees me entering new territory, as this strip was created and written in-house at Dandy HQ, whereas I’ve normally written all my strips myself so far. It’s proving to be a great experience, however, and the scripts (by Dandy deputy ed Michelle O’Donnell) have been brilliant, and forced me to draw stuff I might not otherwise have done, which is excellent.

Above you’ll see the first sketches of Bad Grandad I drew after I was approached by The Dandy to work on the strip. For Grandad himself, they wanted something along the lines of the old fellah from Pixar’s movie ‘Up‘ (i.e a dumpy old man) so I used that as the starting point, gave him a big, comedy nose (I like big noses, you’ll have noticed) a funky quiff and dressed him up in the sort of clothes I remembered my own grandad wearing a lot – blue jacket and trousers, waistcoat, tie etc…my own way of paying a bit of a tribute to my grandad, who himself rather loves cartoons and counts Tom and Jerry among his favourites!

I also added a smattering of Ronnie Barker to the mix for good measure.

They were delighted with the look of Bad Grandad, so we pressed ahead, and now the results of our collaboration can be seen in the all-new strip debuting in this week’s issue. HOORAY!

Hope you all welcome this geriatric japester into the comic, there’s plenty more life in the old rogue yet!

Don’t forget to bring biscuits though.

- Fanton.

8 Feb
2012

Posted in: Blog, Comics, Words
By Fanton    5 Comments

Bad Grandad!

THIS WEEK’S issue of The Dandy (out NOW!) carries with it some terrible news, as it includes the last George vs Dragon of the current run. Awwwwww!

But wait! Before you storm Dandy HQ in protest, put down those pitchforks! Forget the flaming torches! Because there’s also news of my BRAND NEW full-page strip, which begins VERY SOON! Hooray!

It’s called ‘Bad Grandad’ and features the misadventures of the titular geriatric japester, as he makes life difficult for his poor, long-suffering grandson, Timmy. This is the first time I’ve had an ongoing strip that I haven’t written, as this series was penned by a wondrous wordsmith within Dandy Towers! I’m enjoying working on it, and I find having to draw stuff I might otherwise not have done is helping me to push myself a bit further, the results of  which you should see as the run progresses. (Hopefully!)

Anyway, enough of my blitherings.  Enjoy the last George vs Dragon this week, then brace yourselves for the 22nd of February to welcome Bad Grandad to the fold. Or he’ll thwack you across the bonce with his cane. TWICE.

Tara!

- Fanton.

1 Feb
2012

Posted in: Blog, Comics, Pictures, Words
By Fanton    5 Comments

Mini-Strip Mayhem

IF YOU’VE bought the latest issue of The Dandy (and if not, why not? It’s out NOW!) then you’ll have seen a little preview of a new strip I’ve got starting next week called ‘Stupid Barrio Bros,’ (see left) a Mario Brothers parody, no less. Mama-mia!

It’s the latest in an ever-growing number of mini-strips I’ve been lucky enough to get commissioned by The Dandy, and I never cease to get a bit excited when I manage to get new ones picked up.

I really like doing these three-panel gag-strips, as they get you flexing a different part of your writing brain. You have three, short panels in which to set up and introduce a character and write a good gag based around them, so it’s always a challenge. I find a good starting point is to come up with a strong, simple (and funny) premise, which needs little explanation so you’re not wasting time setting everything up. For example, I’ve found success with ‘a geriatric vampire’, ‘a rude reindeer’, and a ‘Thor parody’. Simple, snappy ideas, but with enough room to sustain anything from four to twelve strips.

As well as Barrio Bros. starting next week, I’m also working on my tenth mini-strip, a six-strip series that was commissioned last month. To celebrate hitting double figures, I’ve decided to put up a small selection of my mini-strip so far, including this one from my first mini-strip series ‘Grampire’ :

Click here for more mini-strip mayhem!

Enjoy!

- Fanton.

The Dandy, issue 3570, is out now, and only £1.99!