While I’m proud that Phoenix Productions is doing its part to preserve Steve Willis‘s amazing cartooning for the ages, it’s appropriate to note that Phoenix isn’t the only person/operation doing this.
Rick Bradford, genius behind the Poopsheet Foundation, has dipped his toe into the water once or twice as well. (And he’s not the only one!) Rick, of course, was kind enough to write the foreword for The Collected Cranium Frenzy by Steve Willis Volume 4. The man clearly knows his Willis – and Morty – so it makes perfect sense.
Still, every fresh look at Steve’s cartooning brings its own joy. Even doodles from the notepad that came out of meetings in which Willis sat in while being gainfully employed (he’s now retired). Which brings us to…Meeting Notes.
A simple, eight-page minicomic with nothing just idle cartooning while matters of librarianship were being discussed. It’s pretty cool. Take a look.
Lordy, Steve has cartooning skill coming out of his pores. My meeting “notes”? The best I can muster are tiny 3-D box sketches and shading in imaginary squares on lined notebook paper. Steve plays on an entirely different level.
In case you didn’t get the hint, Rick is doing the Lord’s work in helping catalog the ever-expanding universe of minicomics, zines and self-published cartoons that makes up our small press world. The Poopsheet Foundation website is an invaluable tool for collectors, historians and casual fans who just want to learn more about the ridiculous diversity of our hobby. And it’s free! Just run over there, enter your search terms and soak it all in.
Rick has a full-time job and does this as a side gig, hoping that some day he can put the 9-to-5 world behind and focus entirely on Poopsheet. To get there, he’s going to need everyone’s help.
PLEASE, support Rick and Poopsheet at his Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/poopsheet
Morty would approve.
While Meeting Notes is not in The Collected Cranium Frenzy by Steve Willis, you’ll occasionally see cartooning in this style sprinkled throughout. Cranium Frenzy #3 in Volume One especially comes to mind.
And as you know, all FIVE volumes covering the fifty-issue run over 45 years (so far!) of Cranium Frenzy are available right now for you at Amazon. Pick up a book or five right now!
Phoenix Productions 