"Gilroy"

I think it's much more fun to create new characters, instead of drawing someone else's. This is an exploration I worked on many years ago.
I think I was a better cartoonist when I worked in advertising. There's an 'in-breeding' that comes from working in the cartoon industry that weakens you from being exposed to the same ground and sources over an over.

WB Marvin Stacking Mugs...

(Concept & Pencils: Vince Musacchia / Color Art: Greg Wray)

This was one of my favorite assignments at WB. I was asked to design a set of stacking mugs that were shaped like a rocket ship, with the capsule on top as a sugar bowl. At Warner we were always told that Egghead, Sniffles, Baby Face, Ollie Owl and Ralph Philips weren't good for product because people preferred Bugs, Daffy, Taz, Tweety and Marvin. And we couldn't even think about using The Do-Do, because they felt that no one knew him. So when I designed this one I had to include all of them! I even brought back the original Bob Clampett-designed Tweety for the occasion. I'm glad I got at least one chance to feature these classic characters on an item.

Snuffy Belagos...

...when he was cool.

Promo Art from '91...

Who shot the better Jessica Rabbit?

I've always liked this Playboy cover from '88. But the recent portrait by Ryan Astamendi is really something else.


The difference between these two images is like night and day. The Playboy cover merely places the subject, as if to say that all the model had to do was 'show up'. No storytelling or emotion at all. And the blank expression on the model's face is more like a catalogue
photo than an impression of a character as iconic as Jessica Rabbit. In short, they phoned it in. It seems the only details they have gotten right are the gown and gloves. But they too fall short as they're too slavishly an echo of the film.
Plus the perspective of her bustline is off!
Ryan's shot, on the other hand is a great piece of storytelling. Jessica looks like the torch song siren she is in the film. And the sideways glance she gives at the audience is engaging and sensual. The bare stage setting frames the figure perfectly and the old-fashioned microphone, that Ryan bought especially for the shoot brings it
all together perfectly.
Check out Ry's photography by using the link in the 'Link-O-Rama' section on the right, there's lots of great portrait work there, and even a few Disney Princesses that I think you'll find enchanting.