Hopes and Dreams

My buddy is coming into town this weekend for New Year's Eve.  We have had this discussion before...

And that is exactly how it went.

Thanks.

Brian

Don't Leave Things Laying Around

About thirty-five hundred and fifty-two times a day, I say to my kids, "don't leave things laying around."  Likewise, about one time more than that, my wife says the same thing to me.  It can, after all, be dangerous.

I took a week off from cartooning and I have to say... I missed it.  Now, I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth here, but I feel like maybe some of the readers missed it, too.  I have been checking this site during my break and the page views are steadily increasing without any new posts.  That means people are checking on their own, without a reminder from Facebook or Twitter.  I am so flattered.  I do really appreciate each and every person who takes the time to read this blog.

Thanks.

Brian.

It's a Nelson- Varacelli- Fisher- Karm Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone.  See you all tonight!

My original plan was to have this inked and printed for everyone, but time got away from me.  I hope no on is offended by the way they look as a cartoon!  Heh-heh.  Guess I'll find out soon enough.

Thanks.

Brian.

And Now For a Short Break

I had this sketch laying around for a long time.  I think it's funny.

A little break from "My Life in Comics" was needed.  Not for me... for you all.

Thanks.

Brian.

Good Things Are Coming

The kids (especially the boy) are getting cabin fever.  It is too wet to play outside.  If the temperature would just drop about ten degrees and stay there, we could play in a winter wonderland.  But, we wait.

When we have ten feet of snow on the ground in February you can all remind me of this foolish wish.

On a completely separate note, I would really like to thank all of you who read this blog regularly.  This site only contains twenty-one comics but has been visited over 1350 times.  The comments, well wishes, and laughs that I am getting from family, friends, and (in a few cases) complete strangers, are really encouraging.  So, when I write "Thanks" at the end of each posting, please know that I truly mean it.

For those of you who are viewing this for the first time... Welcome!  Have a look around and if you like what you see, tell a friend (or click share...or whatever it is you kids do these days.)

I will soon be trying with some persistence to have this seen on a larger media scale.  Wish me luck!

Thanks.

Brian.

Introducing: JoyBot 2.0.

I am pretty deflated by everyone's attempt at modernizing, streamlining, and therefore diluting the holidays.

Everyone probably thinks I'm a Scrooge now.  Bah.

Thanks.

Brian.

My Life in Comics presents a comic about my life in comics.

I think she secretly wonders what I am doing on the computer at midnight.

I'm sure she would be more comfortable with nearly anything else, but comic book and cartoon browsing for hours at a time is bothersome... as it would be to anyone besides me.

Thanks.

Brian.

Santa's Helper

I noticed this year that more kids are scared of Santa than not.  Some (one particular in our house) won't even look at him, let alone sit on his lap.  It made me wonder how kids view that jolly old elf.

What's so scary about that?  Thanks.

Brian.

Sometimes at Night

I love my little boy and I love my dad.

Thanks for reading this blog.  I appreciate all of the kind words that are being thrown my way.

Brian.

Sad But True

This is a snapshot of a very typical trip to the library with me and my son.

Poor kid.  It is safe to assume that I will be embarrassing him for the rest of his life.  Thanks for reading.

Brian.

I'm Getting Used to It

Hi everyone... not much to say today.

Wait a minute.  I do have something to say.  Everybody I know says they pay so dang much for television but all they do is complain about what kind of crap is on t.v.  We should all go to the library more often.  And stay out of the DVD section!  Thanks.

Brian.

You Might Be Picking On a Hero

This is quite different from what I've been posting here.  I actually had a reoccurring dream like this when I was a kid and always wanted to draw it... so here it is.

This is just a pencil drawing that I scanned in.  No marker, ink, or color.  It was kinda fun.  Thanks.

Brian.

Strange Voices

I am going to start trying more "strip style" comics instead of the full page layout or one-shots.  This is my first attempt.

This is definitely harder to do.  The full page layout style allows more room to expand the story.  Thanks for looking.

Brian.

I'll Be Soaked for Christmas

Oh no, not a weather joke.  Oh yes.  It had to be done.

That's right... a weather joke.  And, it's in black and white.  I feel like such a slacker.  Thanks for reading this blog.

Brian.

Christmas Tree Add and Subtract

As you can see, we finally went out and bought our Christmas tree.  During the decorating process we were continually finding big bare spots that we were sure had been filled.  Then we found the culprit.

It took a little longer than expected, but she was having so much fun taking them off as we were putting them on.  Besides... she is so dang cute that discipline is almost always out of the question.  Here's to a happy start to everyone's Holiday Season.  Thanks.

Brian.

Holiday Bargains

This type of conversation happens every year around this time.  The truth is, everybody loves our kids so much that we feel like they'd be crushed if they didn't get some "quality time" on each holiday.  In these negotiations, we simply seek fairness.

And, usually fairness is achieved.  By the way, I am feeling much better now.  More comics are soon to come.  Thanks again for reading.

Brian.

The Necessary Precautions

True story.  I hate being sick.

Haz-Mat suits available on-line for $39.95, while supplies last. I'm going to take a nap now. Thanks.

Brian.

Fantasy Football in Ohio

When I started this blog, I swore up and down that I would never draw someone with whom I work.  That little edict lasted all of ten days.  Anyhow, read the little caption below... no one will know who this is because I haven't used any names.  I should be safe.

Uh oh.  I think the hair color gave it away.

I'll let you know if I get my pink slip over this.

Thanks.

Brian.

Giving Thanks

I sketched this over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  Just got to the inking and coloring processes today.

I should have a few to post over the next three or four days.  Thanks again to those of you who are checking this out from time to time.  As always, comments are encouraged.

Brian.

Choose Your Battles Carefully

Anyone who has ever had children or has ever met a child will understand this.  Especially if you've met our children.  This scene describes any number of interactions throughout a normal day at our house.

So, this one is dated November 23, 2011.  I have worked ahead so that I can take a few days off for Thanksgiving.  I hope you are all enjoying this as much as I am.

Thanks.

Brian.

Superheroes Rule

I have dated this one for November 22, 2011 but I am putting it up a day early because I have to work all day tomorrow.  This one is pretty simple, but it does get the point across.

I love the story this one tells.  However, it does expose the fact that, from time to time, I have to tell my children little white lies.  Grandpa does say bad words sometimes.  I've heard 'em.

Thanks for coming by.

Brian.

Distracted Drivers Make Me Mad

The title of this one says it all.

This lesson actually applies to other areas of my life, too.  I get so distracted trying to figure out what everyone else is doing wrong that I end up making a mistake myself.  Maybe I should just keep my eyes on the road... of life.  Get it?

Thanks for reading.  And, oh yeah, that's a Dodge Grand Caravan I'm driving.  Jealous?

Brian.

Curiosity Made My Day

This actually happened yesterday morning.  I finished the pencils last night and didn't ink this until today.  No matter what anyone says about the harsh winters, being in Ohio this time of year definitely has its benefits.  This is one of them.

This really did make my day.  Thanks for stopping by.

Brian.

P.S. Happy Birthday to my brother Bill.

Undercover Grunt

This actually happened.  So, today being like any other day, I decided to let my mind wander.  What would be a mundane task for a secret agent?  Would he/she change a light bulb if duty called?  I should hope so.

Silly, I know.  They're not all going to be jems.  Also, I will hopefully get more comfortable adding

color as time goes by.  Thanks for lookin' and as always, comments are encouraged!

Brian.

An Introduction

Alright, here it is.  This is my first attempt.  As you can see there is no real color yet.  That will come over time, I hope.  Enjoy!  Oh, and feel free to comment because I am looking for honest feedback.

Thanks for visiting.  Tell a friend.

Sincerely,

Brian