Troubletown

Something Fun

2009-02-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

Hey, this is a cool interview with one of my heroes, Paul Krassner. The Overachieving Dude: An Interview With Paul Krassner (February 5, 2009)

Lloyd's Career Makeover Part 2: Obama's Works Program

2009-02-05T09:02:00.000-08:00

I'm expecting Obama to create a new deal for me, like FDR would've done. Click it to make it bigger.

This Weeks Cartoon: How This Depression Will Be Remembered

2009-02-03T14:09:00.001-08:00

ttown945, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

Dangle Career Makeover, Part 1

2009-02-03T10:55:00.000-08:00

I've been exploring mid-life career changes a lot lately; today I'm considering tattoo artist. Nobody looks at art on paper anymore, but everybody has skin and they want it tattooed! Businesses are drying up everywhere around my town, but tattoo parlors are on the increase. I don't know if you even call them "tattoo parlors" anymore, they are so cool. They're more like tattoo emporiums. It seems like every vacant storefront has someone hanging out a new skull shingle. Am I right to assume there's a shortage of needlers?...
Con: ass-kickings

Looking at the pros and cons of this career change:

Pros:
There appears to be no shortage of willing skin
With the obesity epidemic, actual human surface area is increasing
It would increase my popularity with the youth of today
It's a "helping" profession
It would mean less isolation for me
It offers the ability to cause real physical pain to people who probably deserve it
Employee discounts on facial jewelry and scrotum rings
More punk girls in my life, which have been missing since my youth
I'll be doing creative work, my work

Cons:
No do-overs
Will have to learn how to puncture the epidermis with a motorized sewing machine needle
Mistakes will result in ass-kickings by boyfriends
Bikers
Ass-kicking related stress would be constant
Having to please teenage fashion victims
Proximity to the fashion-conscious generally
Having to face angry parents of tattooed under-agers
Ii might be forced occasionally to draw "pretty"
May have to get my scrotum pierced for acceptance
But what if tattoos are just be the latest economic bubble?

Hmmm...If I decide to move forward on this career move I will need all the help I can get from my online community, so I am reaching out. In no particular order, who can help me break into the business? Where can I get trained running one of those puncture-needle things? Is there a mortuary college or medical school that teaches techniques? Are there certain tips for preparing for a tattoo shop interview? What should I wear? Important: I will need easy-going volunteers with blank areas of skin to let me practice on. I look forward to hearing from you.

Newspaper Apolcalypse: Don't Cry for Me Altie Blogoshphere

2009-02-02T09:09:00.000-08:00

Last week's post about weekly newspapers tragically deciding to eliminate cartoons got a lot of play as news this weekend in the altie universe, mostly thanks to Tom Tomorrow (all links lead to him) and Max Cannon's enormous gif image editorial. Reminder: be careful what you write in your blog! Sometimes you'll get quoted! Don't use words like "shit-canned." Something called Meta Filter is funny example, mostly for the comment thread. Us precious, money-grubbing alternative cartoonists receive little sympathy from the thoughtful and unintentionally hilarious posters there; it's impossible to pick a favorite but I loved this one:

“If cartoonists would look at this more as an art than as a part time job or a get-rich-quick scheme, I think comics overall would be better."

What I learned from Tom Tomorrow's blog, and what caused the sudden interest in the altie cartoonists' plight, is not that a few independent weeklies gave up syndicated features to save $20 here and there, but that the big weekly kahuna, Village Voice Media, formerly New Times, suspended all cartoons across their entire empire. I didn't even know about this, since I only had one VVM paper in my syndication, the OC (Orange County) Weekly, who must've forgotten to send me the memo. They discontinued Troubletown, which had been running there since 1995. (Was my best source for rabid right-wing hate mail)
My first thought was, free papers with no cartoons? What's next: Cracker Jack suspends little prizes? Grocery stores eliminate gumball machines and the little horsey rides? Porn sites suspend free two-second teasers? (Not that I would know anything about that.)
Second, I was thinking again about The Great Depression II, and how it will be so different from The Great Depression I. My dad told me when he was a kid they got by on cheap thrills: for a nickel you'd go to the movies and see a newsreel, double-feature, and sometimes a live band. You could get bleacher seats at a ballgame for practically nothing. They'd ride the streetcar for something to do. But this time there's no such thing as free entertainment. Your internet connection and cable TV cost money, even if your mom pays for it. David Pogue who normally writes about the newest electronic gadgets for the NY Times, started off the year with an interesting article on how to cut back on tech expenses as you go broke.

What'll you do when you're down and out and you turn to the free paper for a quick diversion? Read letters to the editor? The table of contents? This week's theater review? Look at the thinly-disguised prostitution ads?

I want to make sure, dear Troubletown readers, that you don't think I'm whining about this! Deadlines, rabid hate-mailers, and gaining and losing papers is what my life's all about. It's just preferable, when you have to lose one, that it be for insulting an entire community, not for some penny-ante, Depression-era cost-cutting measure. I may have grown fat and soft in this present occupation, but underneath I'm still mean and resilient, and beware: if there's only food for one in the life raft, I won't be the one to die! Once you've lived this long as a cartoonist you're prepared for anything.

Funny Headline Alert

2009-02-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

Never mind Gaza - the real fight is inside Kate Winslet's pants

More Altie Cartoonists Feel the Pain

2009-01-29T12:16:00.000-08:00

Red Meat : Newsfinger : An Urgent Message from Max Cannon to All Red Meat Readers

This Week's Troubletown

2009-01-27T11:11:00.001-08:00

ttown944, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

When people asked whether he picked his cabinet appointments for their policy positions, Obama said, no. He picked them because they were the kind of people who could get things done and that he would make the policy. That's awesome, especially since their policy positions were less hopey & changey than what we were expecting. But wouldn't it be even awesomer if he purposely picked them so they'd have to do the exact opposite of what they used to stand for? I think that's got to be it!

Today's Sketch: Iguanas

2009-01-24T09:27:00.001-08:00

iguanas03, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

Here's one from my Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo Sketchbook that I finally loaded up on flickr. Click it and go see some more.

This Week's Inauguration Troubletown

2009-01-21T14:49:00.001-08:00

ttown943, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

Here's a good-feelin' strip for this momentous occasion.

Good Riddance Bush

2009-01-18T15:14:00.000-08:00

You might want to get one of these:

Troubletown store.

Great Depression Hits Troubletown Newspapers

2009-01-16T17:52:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to give a special welcome to all the readers who come here to see Troubletown because your local weeklies have shit-canned it. When you're a syndicated cartoonist and you lose a paper it's like losing an arm in a meat grinder. It's terrible for the ego and distressing for the soul.

But all of us self-syndicated cartoonists are losing papers left and right, even Tom Tomorrow, the king of the weeklies, lost a big chunk of his syndication when Village Voice Media instituted its chain-wide suspension of cartoons. Some of the papers who dropped me said that they might bring Troubletown back when things get better, but for newspapers, I don't know anybody who thinks it's going to get better.

So this is it! Troubletown still appears in seventeen papers and here on the web. If you see it in the local paper and like it, please send in an email to the editor onced in a while and say so. Even though it's an inconvenience, I'm still fond of depositing those small weekly newspaper checks.

But more and more, just like public radio, Troubletown cartoons will have to be supported by Viewers Like You. That's why I've added the DONATE BUTTON. Drop a few nickels in my bowl. Go to my store and buy some books, T-shirts, and stuff so I don't have to start holding pledge-a-thons.

Good Night Sweet Prince

2009-01-14T08:40:00.001-08:00

ttown942, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

This could possibly be my last cartoon making fun of George Bush. It's a transition cartoon. Did you see that news conference the other day? What a mug! What a clown! I guess if the war crimes trial ever comes to be his face will be back in the news. He'll probably continue to make a few cameos in Troubletown, I imagine. God's gift to satirists, he will be sorely missed. Oops, I almost wrote "satanists."

Madoff Victim Vacation Ttown

2009-01-14T08:31:00.001-08:00

ttown941, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

This cartoon is based on a true story. I went on vacation and people actually did reserve the beach chairs. I almost forgot, I've got about a hundred sketches to post.

Troubletown: The Citizen and the Banker

2009-01-08T11:28:00.001-08:00

ttown.940, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

Troubletown Holiday Cartoon

2009-01-08T09:50:00.001-08:00

ttown.939, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

Motown Meltdown Opportunity

2008-12-16T15:35:00.001-08:00

ttown938, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

This Week's In Color

2008-12-09T16:09:00.001-08:00

tt.937, originally uploaded by Lloyd Dangle.

Here's this week's installment. It's one of those where I relate to both characters equally. Is that bad for an editorial cartoonist? I'm sure it is.

Troubletown Open Studio

2008-12-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

Attention fans in the San Francisco Bay area: The worldwide depression is upon us, and I know a lot of you are nervous about your IRA's and mortgages and think you can't afford decent holiday gifts for your loved ones. True, you probably can't, but don't worry, because on Saturday I'm having my Troubletown Down-and-out Holiday Open Studio where you'll find my comic art, books, mugs, jigsaw puzzles, t-shirts, sno-globes, and one-of-a-kind ephemera at ridiculously cheap prices.

WHERE: 382 49th Street, Oakland (map)

WHEN: Saturday, December 6, 11am-6pm

Yeah, come on by, free snacks, bring the kiddies, free five-minute tour of the Troubletown museum!

Sketch-up Catch-up

2008-11-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

I attended my 40th APE (Alternative Press Expo) in early November. This year everybody was wearing hats, all sorts of fancy toppers. Lots of nice goatee variations. One guy had cow bells for earrings. I didn't draw any hotties this year because they never stopped by my table, just old white-haired dudes with conspiracy theories. Matt Groening said hello. What happened to the sketch I made of him?

Click 'em and they get a little bigger.

Election Nite Pics

2008-11-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

The Riptide is way the #@%& out by the beach in San Francisco, but people came up from the peninsula, Oakland, and all over. It has that old salty dog flavor that bars all over the Mission and South of Market used to have when I first moved to San Francisco, but have now been completely replaced by luxury lofts and french bistros. It's the kind of place where you'd be happy to drink a beer after being released from fifteen years in the joint. A perfect ending to my grandiose "20 Years of Troubletown" world tour!

I was mashed against the wall for two hours and couldn't even get to my books to try to hawk them. Thankfully the cookies and dry salty crackers were on hand so that people could attach them to the interactive election map.

The moose let out an audible cheer when Sarah Palin was defeated, which was creepy since it's been dead since sometime in the 1890's.

(Pic: Dorothy Reinhardt)

Me in front of the map before any of the chocolate-dipped Madeleines and salty crackers were added.

Here's Jeff Grubler, my pal at the Riptide who set everything up, and is famous for his hilarious street protests at the Republican Convention and other activism and coolness. Go out to the Riptide the next time you're out by the beach and have a beer. Thanks Jeff!

The liberal media was there: Thanks Indy Media, Golden Gate X Press, and the SF Chronicle, even though the Chron writer didn't bother to mention Troubletown in his piece! And Dorothy Reinhardt!

Troubletown Election Nite Party!

2008-10-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

(Click to see it a little bigger)

Event just added! The Troubletown Election Nite Party and Art Show is on! Why spend the night biting your nails by yourself when you can be biting and squirming along with your friends in front of a giant screen and a cheap drink, free food, Pabst Blue Ribbon, cartoons on the wall, an "interactive" election map, photos with the candidates, and other silly antics!

The Riptide is a hipster hangout way out on Taraval Street by the beach. Thanks to my pal, Jeff Grubler for setting it all up. The location is essential: after Obama's victory speech everyone can run down the beach frolicking, naked bodies mingling in the icy surf, or, if that's not your thing you can watch the Daily Show and Colbert with me until the bar closes. On the other hand, if McCain does manage to steal all the swing states we can collectively drown our sorrows in the Pacific Ocean.

Tuesday, November 4, 6:30 pm on
The Riptide
3639 Taraval Street (@ 47th Avenue) San Francisco

The L Taraval runs all night

Today's Sketch

2008-10-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

SPX Sketch Roundup

2008-10-06T10:10:00.000-07:00

Jeff Sharp and his famous cricket clickers.

Swarte enthusiasts.

Sexist "before" pic.

Keith devouring his chinese sparerib. He's all about food. Jen Sorensen has eaten well. Warren Bernard, friend to all cartoonists, watches the news on TV at the Hunan House. Thanks, Warren, for taking us to see the originals in the Library of Congress vault. That was amazing.

Keith Knight telling it like it is.

Another horribly sexist "after" sketch.
Okay, time to pack up. It's past checkout time. Goodbye suburban Maryland!

Today in DC

2008-10-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

I'm here in DC for the Small Press Expo. Yesterday I was in a chinese restaurant on capitol hill with Jen Sorensen, Keith Knight, and Warren Bernard when the bailout bill went through. On the Washington Post this morning there's a picture of Henry Paulson looking batshit crazy. Like he just won the $700 billion lottery.

Actually SPX is in suburban Maryland. The Marriott here is like a European cathedral, it's been under construction for years with no apparent end in sight. It's surrounded by an enormous parking lot and you can see a McDonalds and a few strip malls off in the distance. If you've ever had an event at a hotel convention center where you had to look at the bills you can imagine what this poor comics convention has to pay for the banquet rooms and last night's reception. The milky tub of spinach dip and pita bread probably cost them five grand. It was bad because there were a lot of starving young cartoonists there who could've used a free meal.

I got to meet one of my heroes yesterday, the dutch cartoonist, Joost Swarte. In addition to finding him to be a warm, charming guy, I was happy to see that there is one person here who is older than me, even if he's not as paunchy and moth-eaten as I am. Goddamn Europeans with their wine youth!

Uh-oh, I'd better head down to the great hall.