SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ - Episode 109

 

The Talk

“I yam what I yam and I think that I yam now embracing that I yam a Cartoonist.”

Today is National Cartoonist Day. I never thought of myself as a cartoonist before. I wrongly associated the term previously with other definitions. However, I write comics. I illustrate comics. I also letter comics. I color comics. I prepare comics for the press to go to printers. I self-publish comics.

Yet working in comics is NOT my full-time profession.

Outside my “day job” as a graphic designer (and previously teaching college art courses as an adjunct faculty member for nearly 20 years) where I make/made my living, working in comics was either (1) part-time paid work or (2) a self-published/self-indulgent side hustle that bordered more on hobby because I've been unable to make any significant income from it over the last 25 years. I did some work for DC Comics in the past. I was also an Art Director at a small press comic book publishing company called Shooting Star Comics, LLC about 20 years ago.  I failed in my side-hustle financially, but creatively I have been proud of my work over the years. I always felt I could have been a contender but just never achieved all the goals I pursued ... but I am still driven to make comics here in my mid-fifties... just as I was driven to do so as a boy, teenager, and young adult in his twenties.

I continue to make comics for the love of it, to entertain others, bring smiles to the world, and to scratch a personal creative itch and express myself.

Let it be known for the first time in my life… today on National Cartoonist Day, I will finally accept and proudly embrace the notion that I am a Cartoonist.

Looking at definitions of CARTOONIST, it reads:

“A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in BOTH drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comics illustrators/artists in that they produce both the literary and graphic components of the work as part of their practice. While every "cartoonist" might be considered a "comics illustrator", "comics artist", or a "comic book artist", not every "comics illustrator", "comics artist", or a "comic book artist" is a "cartoonist".

The role of a cartoonist extends beyond mere illustration. Many cartoonists craft captions, dialogue, or scripts to complement their visuals, balancing text and imagery for maximum impact.

A cartoonist specializes in producing both the artistic and literary components of cartoons or comics, which can be single images or sequential illustrations that tell a story or convey a message. Their work spans comic strips, editorial cartoons, gag cartoons, graphic novels, storyboards, and animated media, often using humor, satire, or exaggeration to engage audiences. Cartoonists may work in newspapers, magazines, books, digital platforms, animation studios, or advertising, making their role versatile and culturally influential.”

And so forth.

So, on this National Cartoonist Day, let me say this:

“I yam what I yam and I think that I yam now embracing that I yam a Cartoonist.”

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ A Key Moment - Mini-Episode #3

 

From the Archive Journals... (In the Pre-Popeye Days over a century ago)

E.C. Segar debuted THIMBLE THEATRE newspaper comic strip about a decade before he would even introduce Popeye. Olive Oyl dated Harold 'Ham' Gravy and had an on-again-off-again relationship with him where Popeye would later replace her suitor. Olive introduced her (then) boyfriend to her brother in his debut over a century ago on January 14, 1920. 

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ - Episode 108

 

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ A Key Moment - Mini-Episode #2

 

In a 1933 storyline, Popeye receives a mysterious rattling crate left for him. (Is it a rattlesnake inside? No, it is Swee'Pea!)

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ - Episode 107

 

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ - Episode 106

 

Good morning. Sorry for the slight delay in this morning's comic strip, but here she be...

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES™ - Episode 105

 

Special thanks to my "real life" childhood friend Troy Vilayhong who truly happens to be a real life little league umpire and for allowing me to use his likeness and personality in today's brand new character for my comic strip. He is really a true life character himself and one of my best friends. He's also one of the daily readers and supporters here at SEA SHANTY FUNNIES. Thanks, pal!

SEA SHANTY FUNNIES Fan Club Membeship and Issue #1 now available

 

Here is a direct link to go to the online store

 

You can now go to https://www.seashantyfunnies.com and click on the SECURE Online Store (Link is up in the TOP HEADER) to see all the various purchasing options for SEA SHANTY FUNNIES Fan Club Membership and how to acquire the comic book. 

 

I have three main tiers...

BASIC FAN CLUB MEMBERSHIP (both U.S. Domestic and International Options) that includes the first issue.
ÜBERFAN CLUB MEMBERSHIP (both U.S. Domestic and International Options) that includes not only the first issue, but you will also get issue #2 (Available Late Summer/Early Fall 2026*) and a special SHANTY FUNNIES PRESENTS ‘THIMBLE-EYE THEATRICAL CLASSICS’ #1 (Available Fall 2026*) that includes reprints of original works in the public domain featuring Popeye and friends that has had the art respectfully and carefully cleaned up, remastered, and in some instances made available in full color for the first time (by me). (Available Late Summer/Early Fall 2026*). Plus an art print.
JUST THE COMIC BOOK (AND NO CLUB MEMBERSHIP) (both U.S. Domestic and International Options)
ADD-ON OPTION for Original 9”x 12” commissioned inked drawing of a character from the SEA SHANTY FUNNIES Universe by Scott McCullar.
Also while you are there, take a look at my THRILL SEEKER COMICS ANTHOLOGY comic books that I also write and illustrate. The first two issues are available also. Thanks.