#inktober #webcomic
New Bot Day! R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) is a toy robot accessory made by Nintendo for the NES in 1985. It was used for only 2 games. It’s now considered a “marketing trojan horse” – making people think the NES was especially sophisticated. Also you can play him in Smash Brothers!
It was foggy this morning at Mission Bay, too. Lifeguards asked folks to stay out of the water until the fog cleared. The water was nice.
Seagull tracks. When I got out of the water one of ‘em was climbing on my bag, curious! Little jerk thought the fog meant the rules didn’t apply anymore!
South Mission at the Jetty was so foggy the lifeguard tower warned a vessel that they were coming in on the wrong side of the jetty. Plenty of surfers out anyway.
New Bot Day! Leopardon (レオパルドン) is a giant robot driven by 1978’s Japanese Spider-Man. Why?! Because comics are weird, and comics multiplied by seventies Japanese tv is even weirder. Do yourself a favor and look it up!
Costume Ideas by Cube Cat #webcomic #cubecat #halloweencostumes #inktober
Posted because it’s flattering. Comics and toy robots coming this week!
Luckiest man in the world
Egress creep
“It is impossible for me to harm or by omission of action, allow to be harmed, a human being.” – New Bot Day welcomes Bishop from 1986’s “Aliens.” In the film, he’s played by actor Lance Henriksen. He prefers the term “artifical person” to “synthetic,” which is derogatory in the year 2122. In a tight spot, trust Bishop to get it done, whatever it takes!
I love it when Q, MODOK & I can watch a great Californian talk to an unctuous supervillain.
New Bot Day—a Pit Droid! A gaggle of these robots debuted in 1999’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace working on podracers. They’re sort of comedic and hapless but I like how economical and simple they are. A charming bot for times which are full of trouble.
stop and smell the roses 🛑🌹 #webcomic #nailedit
Liberty Station Squirrel. A few weeks ago.
New Bot Day! On this hot day, welcome a second, larger H.E.R.B.I.E.! (Humanoid Experimental Robot, B-type, Integrated Electronics) from the 1978 Fantastic Four cartoon. Conceived as a replacement for the Human Torch and because cute robots are cute. Comics are indeed weird. Stay cool!
Anita doesn’t like her picture taken. #webcomic #robomerman #california #anitagaribaldi #garibaldifish
OB. This evening.
New Bot Day! Chibi-style Cylon Centurion from Battlestar Galactica (1978)! In March I added a vintage 1978 figure. This rendition was too cute to pass up. He’s pictured with a snippet of my freewriting. I’m making comics at a more regular pace which only happens because I’m writing, drawing, improvising words and pictures regularly. A “practice.” I make things I discard. Throwing interesting ideas in the trash is hard for me. But that editing process is core to completing every comic. Which makes me think of BSG: it was derided as a Star Wars ripoff at the time. Galactica sure wasn’t as amazing as Star Wars but it inspired me at the time. In this tire-fire of a world, where so many are struggling, I’m lucky to have time for creative endeavors. We are in a time of incredible injustice and governmental malfeasance. Keep working for good. Onward, everybody.
New Bot Day! EVE stands for Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator and first appeared in 2008’s post-apocalyptic fable WALL·E. She is dutiful, graceful and heavily armed. Do not mess with EVE! She reminds me of the brilliant, tough & funny RBG, who died last week. EVE is pictured with artwork by Gillian Dreher & Rick Geary of Justice Ginsberg #rickgeary @theresgill
Experimental Sunday doodling.
Got a drive-in flu shot then stopped at the great Southern California Comics for a robot selfie. Take care!
New Bot Day! Lore is a sentient android robot from the tv show Star Trek: The Next Generation’s first season (1988). Lore was villainous, believing himself superior to organic creatures. Dr. Noonian Soong & Juliana Soong’s experiences with Lore caused them to build Data, a “younger brother” to Lore, without emotions. Lore made trouble throughout his existence and was deactivated in 2370.
New Bot Day! Getter Poseidon is from the Getter series of 1975-6. This is a sofubi (ソフビ) soft vinyl toys. It’s made by filling molds with melted vinyl. Based on my research this is an unlicensed bootleg toy. I paid a Japanese seller on March 22 on eBay. Yuichi, the seller, warned me by message “Due to the influence of COVID-19, the shipment of ‘International e-packet light’ SAL flights from Japan to overseas has been urgently canceled.” At the same time I had a purchase from Hong Kong that the seller cancelled even though I won it. Yuichi was very thorough in explaining the options for cancellation and refund. We messaged periodically throughout, and 94 days later the package arrived. Getter Poseidon means a lot to me. I realized 8 years ago that this bot is one that I’ve been drawing subconsciously since I was about 10 years old. Bot collecting has taught me a certain amount of patience. I thanked Yuichi profusely when it arrived in June. It’s a time of hardship for many, and patience and care means so much. Hang in there everybody.
Antique shopping to me is casserole pans and MODOKs.
Underpass.
Last week I was thinking about how lucky I was to be a teenager in San Diego. I attended San Diego Comic Con in the Summer and didn’t realize what a luxury that was. I learned all I could about comics, comic art, newspaper strips, publishing, copyright, comics history, animation history. I submitted one comic to the New Yorker in 1988, got a rejection letter and thought that meant being a cartoonist was impossible. I’m amazed to see these 7 comics I’ve made since January printed out. No plan. I like making comics. That’s enough.
New Bot Day! Diana A (ダイアナンA) was piloted by Sayaka Yumi, who also piloted Aphrodite A. Both are mecha of peace, but include oppai chest missiles . Diana A is named for the Roman goddess of the hunt. She’s from the Great Mazinger franchise in the mid 1970s. This Diana is a gashapon (ガシャポン), a toy that can be sold from a vending machine. She’s seen with other gashapons from my collection.
New Bot Day! Preston is a robotic dog — “Cyberdog” — he appeared in the short “A Close Shave (1995).” Fred Ramsbottom built him to help in his wool factory and after the scientist dies Wendolene Ramsbottom inherits the factory and Preston. But Preston turns bad and shenanigans ensue, resolved by Wallace & Gromit of course!
Expedited Shipping #webcomic #nailedit
Gwen and the fiery sunset.
On such a Winter’s Day with Kelly in 2017 at Griffith.
In February I got a snapshot of me printed into the top of a Guinness beer at @supply_and_demand_lbc / @ink_and_drink_lb oh boy I love goofy fun stuff like this at great events across Southern California. I miss it. #savelongbeachbusinesses
New Bot Day! Getter Dragon joins others in the Getter family. Truthfully, I’ve had Getter Dragon (ゲッタードラゴン) several years but never introduced it. The mid-1970s were wonderful for giant robots.
“Everyone Needs An Answer” with Hippolyta & Surly. #webcomic #cubecatextendedunuverse
10 minutes to sunset (unfiltered)
The waves were just ok therefore shots of my feet. Too cold and underwhelming but I am the luckiest person in the world.
New Bot Day! Roberto first appeared in 2001 on “Futurama” in the episode “Insane in the Mainframe.” Roberto is in the Asylum for Criminally Insane Robots because his comic impulses are to stab and rob banks.
This documentary about Rubén Salazar: Man in the Middle streaming free now is amazing. @univision34 — it’s amazing history about a man straddling cultures and I immediately identify with him.
Scene from a Saturday in.
It was a bit overcast today.
Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter. If you think saying this is worse than black people being killed by police you are in a moral abyss. Iron Giant is an animated film but manages to be about moral rightness. We can overcome a violent nature. We can change violent systems. We can refuse to be a gun. New Bot Day is an #SDCC 2020 Cosmo Burger Edition Iron Giant @collectdst exclusive. Behind him are Riso prints from @burn_all_books. Take a knee. Black Lives Matter. Defund The Police. #riso #blacklivesmatter #irongiant
And where there was just one set of footprints that was just me, social distancing.
Was that there before? #morningcomic
Behind the scenes at ArtLung Bot Manor.
New Bot Day! Postler (ポストーラー) is a beautiful die cast toy from Japan in 1981. He’s a functional robot – he is a functional Japan Post mailbox and he has functional skates. His torso is marked with slots for Tokyo on the right, and other prefectures on the left. He originates with related to Ganbare!!Robocon. I’ve given him some mail to carry. He reminds me that we keep the mail safe and secure! @japanposthd_official @uspostalservice #savethepostoffice
Following beach with cocktails. Kelly suggested adding fried chicken to it but sticking with hot carrots and olives and celery. Next time I’ll season the rim.
A bit of watermanning. Dog Beach.
Dan, Carrie & Martha.
New Bot Day! Gamerot (ガメロット) aka Gamelot, is a villainous robot from Ultraman Leo, a series from 1975. Gamerot, like a turtle, can pull his limbs into his body. He is a rebellious giant robot from the planet Sarlin. Be safe out there!
It’s so good to have friends. Thanks for asking questions @chrisgreazel. #cubecat #webcomic
The other morning the sky was pretty.
New Bot Day! C-3PO is well known to all as a translator and protocol droid since 1977’s Star Wars. I got this guy at Frank & Son’s up in L.A. a few months ago. Threepio is always a bit put upon and worried and seldom far away from his friend R2-D2. Here’s to being wrong that the odds are not against us! “Thank the maker!”
T-Deb says “Hiya!” #cube-cat-extended-universe
Went to the park. Beautiful day in the second half of it. Kate Sessions.
A simple repast can be luxurious.
New Bot Day! Schylling Tin Bot X-306 is a wind-up tin toy. I’ve had him since early 2014, if not earlier. He’s “a reproduction of similar styled Japanese Robots of the 1940s and 1950s.” He was a gift, but I don’t remember from who. Wow a lot has happened in 6 years. Welcome X-306!
The Romantic Slug “On Vacation” ©1993 JOE CRAWFORD
New Bot Day! Welcome Dynomutt, Dog Wonder. The Dog Wonder can extend his neck and paws and often his heroics go awry. He worked with Blue Falcon to protect Big City in Hanna-Barbera’s The Scooby-Doo/Dynomutt Hour (1976). I love dog-bots. And Joe Cool. And art. And social justice.
New Bot Day! Long time no bots. Welcome Silent Running (1972)’s Dewey (01), Huey (02), Louie (03). They are bots that help Freeman Lowell’s fraught effort to preserve Earth’s forests on a spaceship called the Valley Forge. Behind it is Kelvin @klart760/ @thehillstreetcountryclub’s lovely screen-printed #BLM canvas bag. Have hope—eyes on the prize!
I don’t know how it ends. #comic #cubecat
Today’s Tips. “Don’t worry twice.”
Very inspiring talk by Keith Knight for @cm_rdu! Quickie doodle. Looking forward to his new Hulu show in September! #cmunderdog
This am @CM_RDU had Keith Knight present. I’m San Diego, not Raleigh (conceived there tho). They asked us to share a selfie on social media. I also included a cartoon I did the last time I saw Keith inspire an audience at San Diego Comic Con 2016! #cmunderdog
Redrawing a Ray Bradbury doodle from 2002 for #ComicConAtHome #ComicCon2020
Follow up: Covid antibody test that came with my blood donation came up negative. A lot of frazzled edges on the people I love. And I’m no different. All you can do is all you can do. But hang in there, positive change is afoot if we work at it. <3
New Bot Day! Great Mazinger (グレートマジンガー) is from 1974. Created by Go Nagai, who is credited with inventing the super robot genre, among others. Great Mazinger is an improved Mazinger Z, built to oppose the Mycenae Empire in anime and manga. Fight for what’s right in every medium!
Today’s donation comes with a test for SARS-CoV-2 antibody test. @sandiegobloodbank professional as always. I’ll get results in a week or 10 days.
New Bot Day! Robot Spongebob debuted in 2002! Created by hilariously evil Plankton, he is used to force the real Spongebob to make Krabby Patties at the Chum Bucket. In a chaotic, dangerous world, it feels good to laugh at great animation! Stay safe everybody.
Me next to Covent Garden Market, 1999. I have led a privileged life!
New Bot Day! Cherno Alpha (Черный Альфа) comes from Pacific Rim (2013), a movie I love dearly. Robots in PR are called “jaegers.” Cherno Alpha is piloted by husband and wife Sasha & Aleksis Kaidonovsky to fight kaiju. And “SAY HER NAME” is about Breonna Taylor, who STILL needs justice. Proceeds from that went to @campaignzero via @girlsdrawingirls’ Etsy. Stay strong, it’s a hard year.
1989. Sunday afternoon looking at scrapbooks.
Benefits of scrapbooks, benefits of paper. Business card from Hankee’s RPG & Comics on 7900 La Palma in #BuenaPark. 1994. Before I got my place in Koreatown and was still living with Chris & Sharon. Terrific comic book store.
Long time no selfie.
Enchiladas are family. Even if they’re only for me.
25-ish year old photo of @chrisgreazel and me.
New Bot Day! Transformer Smokescreen G2 is a Transformer Decepticon robot from 1994 who also is a fighter jet. He’s the partner to Dreadwing from earlier this week. Apparently this bot somehow hates both Autobots and Decepticons. Not a fan of such nihilism… Transformers are weird though.
I felt moved to add an image to the #JTLArtChallenge — art against the Duterte #JunkTerrorBill which can mark critics of the Philippine government as “terrorists.” I am not Filipino but have great love of both freedom and Filipino culture, especially #VoltesV who would definitely be against this bill!
New Bot Day! Transformer Dreadwing G2 is a Transformer Decepticon robot from 1994 who also is a stealth fighter. One of my first acquisitions but only getting a day now. I like the colors and look!
I thought I’d take a shot at explaining what ANTIFA is all about.
Long time no Dog Beach.
What to a Slave is “Independence Day?” Thank you Frederick Douglass for the words.
Seen at Mission Bay / Seen in Ocean Beach 🇺🇸 Defund Police/Black Lives Matter/Be Anti-Fascist/Be Anti-Racist/Form a more perfect Union
New Bot Day! Baymax in the beta green armor is a recent acquisition (joining full flying armor and plain healthcare companion Baymax). I think Baymax is what we would put money toward if we defunded police. If you haven’t seen 2014’s Big Hero 6? See it.
Putting @proopdog on my tv via @nowherecomedy makes me so happy. Signs off with Melba Moore’s version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing!”—the kind of positivity that gives strength to carry on.
Yes, a calculator watch. Age 12-13.
New Bot Day! Dermot Joshua Gramo aka D.J. Gramo is a quirky steampunk bot gramophone. He’s a vinyl collectible designed in 2008 in the Mechtorians series. I imagine him playing jazz or blues by Louis Armstrong or Robert Johnson at 78 revolutions per minute on vinyl! “If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.”—Satchmo.
New Bot Day! Daikū Maryū is a giant dragon-shaped robot. aka Great Space Dragon aka Kargosaur. It defends Earth from invaders and also parts emerge and the head pops off to become the torso of Gaiking. Japanese super robots from anime in 1976-77 are super weird!
New Bot Day! Welcome Getter-3. From 1974-5’s Getter Robo (ゲッターロボ) manga and anime. Getter 3 forms from ships named Jaguar, Bear & Eagle assembling in that order. If it’s Eagle-Jaguar-Bear it’s Getter-1. If it’s Jaguar-Bear-Eagle it’s 2. This is unique across the classic Japanese bots as far as I know. The creativity and vivid designs of the Getter robots caught my eye when I was age 7 in the Philippines and still inspire me now.
I thought this lost tractor left on a beach water fountain was weirdly evocative.
Dad and me in Riverside California. A while ago.
Took a short walk in Del Mar today. Saw signs in yards that said Black Lives Matter. It felt encouraging. Because: Black Lives Matter.
New Bot Day! Giant Robo (ジャイアントロボ, Jaianto Robo) had his heyday in 1967-1968 as a manga and live action tv show. In the US it was called Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot. It ran alongside the tumultuous years of civil unrest and political change. It feels weird to keep to a twice a week schedule of posting toy robots when 2020 is full of social trauma. I press on because it feeds my soul. But besides the toys: Black Lives Matter. Defund The Police. If you react negatively to those phrases: learn what they mean to the people for whom they represent positive change, and a better USA. It’s about the continuous improvement the United States has promised consistently. Stay safe – Joe.
Went to Frank & Son last week. Was good.
New Bot Day! B.E.N. (Bio Electronic Navigator) is from the non-hit Disney animated film Treasure Planet (2002). He’s “wacky.” Voiced by Martin Short, when we meet him he’s been stranded alone for years, with a key part of his brain having been removed. Eventually BEN gets that memory back and (spoiler alert) good prevails over bad and treasure is found! Happy endings in movies aren’t like real life. Real life happy endings require constant vigilance—life goes on. Be well and stay safe and keep the pressure on.
Peppers are good. Thinking hard on stuff.
