Masheka Toon: Rejected Sidekicks and Henchmen

Masheka sez:

Behold my latest cartoon in the latest issue of UVC Magazine, The Urban Voice in Comics. It's all flipped because, I dunno, sometimes I like to make ya work for it.

Egg Rescue Squad: Defending the Rights of Microscopic Americans Everywhere!

Inspired by a proposed law in Colorado giving Constitutional rights to human eggs.

Totally Safe American Toys!

Totally Safe American Toys!

See this Nation article for more on toxic toys...

Where do I sign up for the cartoonists and bloggers union?

Creators deserve to be paid for the use of their content online, whether they're TV writers or bloggers--or cartoonists. Ted has a great column (When Media Content is Free, It's Worth Every Cent) on this subject, the first in a three-part series. Here's one key bit:

The Huffington Post, capitalized to the tune of $10 million, employs 43 full-time employees, all of whom presumably receive actual cash money, and health benefits, and maybe even a 401(k), for their efforts. But, USA Today reports, "it has no plans to begin paying bloggers. Ever." Ken Lerer, company co-founder, former Time Warner executive, and probably himself in it for the money, says: "That's not our financial model. We offer them visibility, promotion and distribution with a great company."

It's hypocritical for moneyed and supposedly progressive outlets like HuffPo asking writers to opine on subjects such as labor issues for no money whatsoever. (Smaller blogs run by unpaid editors are another matter). What would Arianna Huffington say if she heard about a factory in which workers were paid in internet exposure? Some other choice points:

Hardly a day passes without finding a pitch from some wannabe freeloader in my e-mail. "Our magazine doesn't have a budget for content, but we'd love to use your cartoon about…" "We can't offer a salary per se, but you would get amazing exposure to thousands of discrete users if…" Content is still king. Online leeches just don't want to pay the kingmakers.

I can relate to this 100%. Outlets seem shocked that I don't want to work for free--after all, don't I want exposure FOR MY CARTOON ABOUT OPPRESSED WORKERS?
Finally, Ted tries an experiment:

I called the bank that holds my mortgage. "I don't have a budget to pay you per se," I cooed. "But think of the awesome prestige your corporation receives just by being associated with a cartoonist and columnist whose work is literally read by millions of--" Click. Citibank (Bangalore), Ltd., signing out. Back to work!

The only reason this website doesn't lose money is my Google Ads. I did have hopes when I first put out Attack of the 50-Foot Mikhaela! that all that magical exposure I've been getting would help me sell enough books to make up for the work I put into designing it, but so far, I haven't quite broken even. Hint, hint...

Trying to learn Flash...

Here's my first random awful little attempt at animation. If I can figure out how to do this better and faster, I may do some animated political cartoons soonish. Click to view:

Not Political: Happy Chanukah Cat Cards For Sale

I designed this simple little kitty-cat Chanukah card to send to my relatives. If you'd like to buy some for yours, they're for sale in packets of 10 here. There are no words inside.

P.S. Don't worry, he's not singing his whiskers, I would never allow either of my real cats to light the menorah.

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2007

Transgender Day of Remembrance 2007 Cartoon

November 20 is an annual day for remembering those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. See http://www.gender.org/remember for more information.

Toon: Barney Frank and the Slippery Split-ENDA Slope

Barney Frank and the Slippery Split-ENDA Slope

Regarding Rep. Barney Frank's divisive and disgusting decision to kick transgender people out of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Toon: Badly Needed Jamming Devices

Badly Needed Jamming Devices

Cell phone silencers are just the beginning... let's make jammers for harassers, Hummers and warmongers, too!

Toon: Your Yucky Body: Why You Need a Mommy Job!

Your Yucky Body: Why You Need a Mommy Job!

Get thee to a plastic surgeon, you tragic post-pregnancy ladies, you!

And yes, I know, I know--I need to be posting here more often. I promise to catch up all the archives. I draw 1-3 cartoons every week, but what with the wedding and a recent trip to Mexico, turning them into the newspaper is all I've been managing.