[Last Week's Comic]
[]Who am I?
--My names Bobby Pauls. Im 33 years old and live in New Jersey. I have been drawing comics since I was a kid. Just not professionally. I am what you would call a web cartoonist.
[]What is Lil' toe?!?
--Lil' toe is a comic strip I currently do. It is updated once a week on Sundays. The strip up above is last weeks edition. To get the latest check out the blog and even suscribe to it to be in the "know" of when I update the strip.
[] Who is Lil' toe?
--Lil' toe is LOOSELY based on my nephew in real life named Tony. He is a junior named after his dad. Toe is short for Tony. In the strip toe is a rowdy 8 year old with a slight attitude problem. Lil' toe will follow the "adventures" of his name sake toe and show the kind of trouble an 8 year old can cause.
[]Who are these other characters in the comic?
--There are a few characters in the strip, so here we go...
Pops: This is Lil' toe's father in the strip. He is a laid back guy who kind of just allows Lil' toe to be himself. And every once in awhile will interject the meaning of life to toe. Well, his meaning of life anyway.
Ashlin: Ashlin is Lil' toe's younger sister. She is about 4 years younger than he is so there is a bitter sibling rivalry going on there. Toe was the only child for years so now that there is a new attention getter he feels slighted and doesnt particularly enjoy his sister being around. Thus portrayed within the content of the comic.
Chris: Chris is Lil' toe's best friend. He pops in and out from time to time to express some witty banter. Although Chris comes off much wiser than toe does.
Mr. Jones: He is Chris and Toe's school teacher. He from time to time becomes frustrated with toe's antics but a cooler head typically prevails with Mr. Jones.
[]Where did the concept of Lil' toe come from?
--Well, I used to do a comic strip called Damn Yankee back in 2000. At the time I would have a story flow monday through saturday. Then on Sundays to break things up I would put out a stand alone comic that was not related to the current storyline. That come was called To-To and Amber. Then as time went on it became Damn Yankee presents To-to and Amber. Then eventually I dropped the name and Amber and it just became the trials and tribulations of To-to. I then stopped drawing Damn Yankee in 2004. When I stopped alot of people told me they missed my comics and they wanted me to draw them again. It was just I really had no desire to go back and restart Damn Yankee. I basically dragged my feet for 3 years till I got to this point. I had been playing with the concept of Lil' toe for about two years now. I finally got the comic named Lil' toe (it was changed two times, once it was called TKO, then it went to the name Ohio and finally Lil' toe). This time out the box though I am having much more fun. And I think it shows.
[] How would I describe Lil' toe?
--I guess it is best to say it is a cross between Calvin and Hobbes and a comic book. I say this because it is based on a little kid with a slight attitude problem. But I think thats where the similarities stop. The reason I say a comic book because I feel my style is ALOT different than what is typically read in newspapers or on the web. I have talking bubbles outside of the boxes, as well characters are drawn outside the frames. I just think I take on a different style all together.
[]Where do I get my inspiration?
--Well, it starts with my nephew alot of the time, When i see him (a couple times a year now a days.) Or if I ever talk to him, I get inspired by his demeanor. He is a funny kid who is sometimes bad, but is REALLY good at heart. He does things that make me shake my head at times. As far as artistically? Any comic strips that are WELL drawn inspire me, or good artists. The Jim Lees, Bill Wattersons, the Alex Ross', the Time Sales, these are the guys that make me go, "WOW, thats some wicked STUFF!!" It also puts me in perspective as to what I need to be trying to do in order to get solid art done. My girlfriend also inspires me. She really has this undying support of my artwork. She is always pushing me to draw. As well always tells me how much she likes my work. Even if it is something Im not happy with she praises it. Thats VERY important in what I do. 100% of the web cartoonists out there will agree. When you arent being paid to do this? You NEED that, that is your payment of sorts. That is the thing that drives you to continue doing what you are doing and sacrificing to get new stuff produced.
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