Space Moose feature cartoon annotations

Space Moose annotations

The following is a listing of cartoons and comments which have been featured on the Space Moose home page. The dates in parentheses indicate the time at which the comments, not the strips, were written.

Suborbital attack buffalo

Is THAT Space Moose? Yep. That's what he looked like six years ago when he first graced/defiled the pages of The Gateway. The primitive moose-like creature you see in the final frame was developed in the margins of my high school notes. Back then, he was called "Mental Moose," but, for the sake of our cartoon, Space Moose assumed his likeness. A lot of evolution has gone on since then, and now the cartoons usually make at least a little sense.

In the first year, I was not the only person working on the cartoon. Jason Kapalka collaborated on story for the first few episodes, and drew a total of six strips himself. Eventually, Jason went on to other cartooning projects, and I was left to chronicle the adventures of Space Moose on my own. [August 30, 1995]

Space Moose gets an education

This is the third strip that I drew. It is notable on several counts: (1) Space Moose is wearing a Next Generation uniform, the pants and shoes of which appear to change color from frame to frame, (2) it is the first appearance of Space Moose's patented weapon, the death-saw, (3) instead of feet, Billy has treads (possibly just one of his bionic accessories), and (4) Billy is established as a heavy beer drinker.

This is also the only strip that was ever altered by an editor. At the bottom of the fifth frame, where there is a heavy black line, I had written "Guba the bear sucks," referring to another Gateway cartoon. The managing editor wanted to prevent infighting on the comics page, so he drew right on the original with a jiffy marker and blocked out the provocative phrase. I did not care about this at the time, because I was just so excited to be in print. But now, I do not tolerate my cartoons being printed in altered form nor anyone marking up my original drawings. [November 7, 1996]

Beefalo riders of death

Of all the atrocious first year strips, this one has to be my favorite. The image of Space Moose riding the snorting beefalo with Bald Dwarf swinging from its tail is perfect. I also love how Billy does not miss a beat when he realizes he has lost the inheritance and gives the unsightly couple a piece of his mind. That is Billy's strength - he can turn any loss into a personal victory.

Unfortunately, the phrase "beefalo riders of death" is rather stale, as are all phrases ending with "...of death" or "...from hell". I wish I had called them something else, like the "beefalo riders from Sodom". [July 17, 1997]

Look at me

Here is a very old strip. After learning a little about Charles Manson several years ago, I realized that I made a terrible mistake in the punchline. Manson was not the blade-wielding slasher I had him made out to be. Turns out he was just a misunderstood prophet who made a bunch of friends who did some unfortunate stuff. Manson never murdered a soul. So, Charlie, if you are reading this, please accept my humblest apologies.

In the spirit of Lucasfilm's special edition of Star Wars, I have altered this old strip using modern cartoon technology. I sincerely hope you enjoy...

Look at me: the special edition

[February 4, 1997]