And now for something completely different.
While attending the University of Illinois, I published Blue Rice: an irreverent comic strip read by almost 20,000 students daily. From 1999-2002, it ran five days a week in the Daily Illini (almost 500 strips total) and published in three year-end collections.
(A Blue Rice website is currently in the works, and will launch in April 2011. Visit bluericecomic.com)
While attending the University of Illinois, I published Blue Rice: an irreverent comic strip read by almost 20,000 students daily. From 1999-2002, it ran five days a week in the Daily Illini (almost 500 strips total) and published in three year-end collections.
(A Blue Rice website is currently in the works, and will launch in April 2011. Visit bluericecomic.com)
Book cover and sample page from Rice Rice Baby, the first Blue Rice collection (published by Illini Media Group and sold at two campus bookstores):
Book cover and sample page from Back in Blue, the second Blue Rice collection:
Cover and sample page from President Gnomesnail, the third (and final) Blue Rice collection:
Over the years, Blue Rice developed a loyal fan base, and the characters took on a life of their own.
In 2002, this culminated with two characters running for student body government and winning in a landslide; an emergency committee hearing was held to deny two cartoons (and myself) the Presidency.
2002 was also the year that Blue Rice won "Best College Comic Strip in Illinois" (Illinois Student Press Association) and "2nd Best College Comic Strip in America" (Columbia Scholastic Press Association).
Coming on the heels of this recognition, I was approached by a representative of Universal Press Syndicate, the largest syndicator of comic strips in the United States. Eventually the strip was deemed too risque for family-friendly newspapers, but it continues to enjoy the recognition of edgy audiences for over a decade.
In 2002, this culminated with two characters running for student body government and winning in a landslide; an emergency committee hearing was held to deny two cartoons (and myself) the Presidency.
2002 was also the year that Blue Rice won "Best College Comic Strip in Illinois" (Illinois Student Press Association) and "2nd Best College Comic Strip in America" (Columbia Scholastic Press Association).
Coming on the heels of this recognition, I was approached by a representative of Universal Press Syndicate, the largest syndicator of comic strips in the United States. Eventually the strip was deemed too risque for family-friendly newspapers, but it continues to enjoy the recognition of edgy audiences for over a decade.
