Comic Strip Superstar

For those unaware, Amazon.com and Universal Uclick have sponsored a contest to find the next Comic Strip Superstar (that's the name of the contest).

Back in September Universal accepted thousands of submissions from writers, artists and cartoonists all over the world for entry into the contest. The grand prize winner receives a book publishing contract (including a generous advance) and is considered for a newspaper syndication contract as well. The first round was narrowed down to 250 quarterfinalists by U/U staff and editors. In the second round U/U President and Editor, Lee Salem and U/U VP of Rights and Acquisitions, John Glynn eliminated 200 contestants leaving only 50 in the semifinal round.

I was fortunate enough to be included on a panel of judges comprised of some people far more revered, accomplished and experienced than myself. Gary Trudeau (Doonesbury), Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), Mark Tatulli (Lio and Heart of the City) and myself whittled the list from 50 down to 10 - and let me just say that it was an incredibly difficult task. There were some very talented cartoonists and some very entertaining strips to choose from.

So, first, I'd like to congratulate the final 10. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to watch your success from the front row. Also, I know how anxious you must be find out the final results - but don't get too impatient. Trust me... Just enjoy the ride.

Next, for the casual comics reader, I'd like to say - GO VOTE. These creators have put their souls into their work and shared it with the world. Art, writing and humor is often very personal to cartoonists as they're baring a very intimate part of themselves to you and allowing you to judge their work in a public setting. Please don't let them down and show your support by voting for your favorite.

Log in to Amazon.com and vote here: Comic Strip Superstar

Better Than the Mayan Calendar...

Yep. They're available now - the 2010 Argyle Sweater Calendars!

That's right, I said calendarS with an "S". Plural. Meaning more than one! It's a great gift for yourself and also makes a great stocking stuffer or birthday present.

There's the desk calendar with 313 full color pages of daily panels.

on the back of each page is something extra - trivia, puzzles, etc.

and it's available online or in stores at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Calendar Club and Amazon.

OR if you prefer, there's the BRAND NEW weekly wall organizer.

The wall organizer contains 52 (count 'em) 52 pages of Argyle Sweater Sunday panels!

For those who prefer a monthly calendar, there are also monthly pages inside and can be used in that format as well! And once again, it's available online or in stores at Borders, Barnes and Noble, Calendar Club and Amazon.

If you think you can refrain from purchasing one now and still live with yourself, I say, it won't be easy for you, but go ahead. I'll remind you that they're available at Christmas, but you should probably just go ahead and get one. Or two... You know, to be safe.

Regrets, I've Got a few

I get a lot of e-mails – probably 98 percent of it positive. But once in a while, I do get complaints from people who’ve taken offense to a particular panel I’ve drawn. Sometimes I feel like they may have misinterpreted my comic’s intent. Other times I feel like they understood its intent perfectly but may just be too easily offended. And still other times after reading a reader’s e-mail and then re-reading my comic, I agree that I might have crossed the line. Today is the first time I’ve ever felt like I crossed the line without having it pointed out to me by my readers.

For that, I’d like to sincerely apologize. After looking at today’s comic from an objective standpoint, it’s clear to me that it’s in bad taste and I apologize to my readers and to the Carpenter family.

And to be clear, nobody has asked me to apologize – not my editors, nor the newspapers who carry my comic – at this point, I haven’t even received one single e-mail complaining about today’s panel (although it’s still early). Hindsight’s 20/20 and seeing today’s comic in print gave me more of an objective eye. Rarely (if ever) am I actually shocked at my own comic but seeing it in that perspective made me cringe. So just know that these are my unprompted words of regret.

Those familiar with my work know that my humor does tend to be a bit edgy at times but I do typically try to stay within the boundaries of good taste. Today it’s apparent to me that I didn’t do that and I’m sorry.

Tragedy in Chicago

Okay, maybe it's not quite tragic for everyone, but it is for me. I've just been informed by my syndicate that The Chicago Tribune has made some changes -some tragic changes.
Apparently, the Trib has changed their comics format - essentially down-sizing it and cut 5 of it's newest comics in the process. A lot of newspapers, when cutting costs, cut comics. And when newspapers cut comics, it's often the newest comics that get cut.
I suspect the logic is that the newest comics will have the fewest loyal readers and won't cause much of a ruckus when it goes missing. For me (and I'm sure all of the other cartoonists affected) this is a big loss - in readership and income.

Anyhow, here's my plea:
If you live in the Chicago area and enjoy The Argyle Sweater in the Tribune, please e-mail the editor and let them know that you enjoy it and that you'd like to see it reinstated.
Also, if you have a blog or a Twitter account, I encourage you to encourage others to do the same. You'd be surprised at what a difference a few voices can make.

For those wishing to request The Argyle Sweater’s reinstatement, the feature editor’s name is Geoff Brown.
Send all e-mails to:
gfbrown@tribune.com
or snail mail:
Geoff Brown,
Chicago Tribune, 435 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Thanks in advance,
Scott

Get out the champagne and confetti!

Although The Argyle Sweater has been around on-line since September of 2006, it hasn't been in print for quite as long.
In fact, today marks the one year anniversary of The Argyle Sweater's print syndication.
One year down - 25 more to go. Wish me luck.

By the way, I'm celebrating by doing my taxes today. Feel free to join in.

No, It's Not an Autobiography, but...

the first Argyle Sweater Book is here (actually, I think it's available for pre-order - but it'll be here in March).

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Now, I know what you're thinking...Why read the book? Why not just wait for the movie?

To answer your questions,

A. we all know that the movie is never as good as the book and

B. There is no movie.

Anyhow, next month you can walk (don't run - there's plenty for everyone) into your Barnes and Noble or your Borders bookstore and purchase your very own copy.

OR you can pre-order it now online at Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble

Also, I wanted to give a shout out to Tom Gammill. Thanks so much for the T-shirt!

I'm actually wearing it now!

iPhone update

Uclick's GoComics web app is the number 1 web app for the iPhone!
Click here to see the top 10 list.

Also, The Argyle Sweater's first year of comics is now available as an iPhone application!
Downloadable in 3 volumes, you can now purchase over 300 Argyle Sweater panels and view them on your iPhone for only 99 cents per volume.
Just go to iTunes and search for "The Argyle Sweater."

Tomorrow: Argyle Sweater Book news! Woo-hoo!