Eric's editorial cartoon

losttoy · Post by **losttoy** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 1:03 am

Zwol's Eric F. Myers posted an editorial comic on his website this Friday. While i tried to make a blogger comment, it was too long so I decided to post it here. See the comic at http://www.ericfmyers.com/
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To Eric,
This is a really good editorial cartoon. In fact I recently have been reading the "Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year" an annual publication edited by Charles Brooks. Within you have illustrators from all over the country who do this for a living and win awards like the Pulitzer, the Nation Headline Award, the National Society of Professional Journalist Award, the Scripps-Howard Foundation National Journalism Award and so on. Your cartoon if published by a newspaper should be in this book! You have effectively captured the style, look, tone, and feel of a professional editorial cartoon. Trust me, this is not an easy accomplishment. I have tried to enter the world of the editorial cartoon, yet did not get the style and feel quite right.

The only advice is that I suggest to work on making a stronger voice with your editorial cartoons. Make sure you have a solid opinion and the research behind that opinion to make it work. I think this is a very fine quality comic here. This could become a new creative outlet for you.

I want to say that you have really grown as an artist. When you first came on Zwol and hyped your Hot Dog comics, I felt bad and decided not to give you a bad critique. I did not want to tell you that it was amateurish with bad form, no backgrounds or perspective and bad jokes. Now, your work has improved from high school scribbles to being professional quality in just a short time.

Good job! Stick with it and you will go far!

Eric F Myers · Post by **Eric F Myers** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 7:30 am

Did I capture Vice Chairmen Lee Hamilton with that caricature?

Thanks for the compliments, David. The only reason I'm improving as an artist is because I'm taking my time. I used to rush myself so I could get to the next project. I think resent projects have made me more patient. Yet I still think that my first web comic is my best piece. For the atmosphere and emotional truth of it I have haven't come close to it since, not that I've tried.

As for the Hot Dog. The Hot Dog was terrible and I would be the first to tell anyone that. It was supposed to be stupid. It was made with my brother-in-law in mind. You see, we're both big fans of Troma Films, the guys that made the Toxic Avenger. Troma movies are not great because of the acting, writing or special effects, it's because they are so god-awful at all of them. I tried to capture that same feeling, yet only my brother-in-law and I laughed. You might see him (as various celebrities) comment on my blog screaming for more Hot Dog, I don't know if I'll ever bring it back.

Back to the editorial cartoon. I wasn't going to say anything, but... I'm going to try and do one editorial cartoon everyday for a month and see how it turns out. So stay tuned.

losttoy · Post by **losttoy** » Sat Jul 24, 2004 6:37 pm

Yes, you did a good job capturing Hamilton. Keep us updated on those comics!

Eric F Myers · Post by **Eric F Myers** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 10:29 am

I hope everyone is still watching. Yes, It's been more than a month and I'm still doing these daily. Some of them suck but those are the ones that I rushed to do. I'm going to start making more time for my art. I need to be more serious about it. I've just sent out a submission package to a few sydicates (I know, I know... "print comics .. bla bla bla..."). It'll be interesting to see the different types of rejection slips I get from across the nation.

Tim Mallos · Post by **Tim Mallos** » Tue Dec 07, 2004 3:38 pm

What a great set of work Eric!

Nothing wrong with print. I'd love to be printed. Being paid would be cool too!

Keep at it!

Tim

Eric F Myers · Post by **Eric F Myers** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 10:39 am

Thanks, Tim. Being printed would be nice and it's the only way I see myself getting paid for doing editorial cartoons. I don't think anyone is willing to pay to read the archived comics of last weeks' news.

losttoy · Post by **losttoy** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 3:13 pm

I am always amazed by your editorial cartoons and how witty, knowledgeable, and to the point they are in one little panel. Furthermore you actually draw decent looking comics almost everyday. Color me green with envy. You rock! Keep it up and I am sure somebody will come to appreciate your work and give you a chance in this crazy syndicate world out there.

One suggestion is when you submit comics to newspapers; make sure to send some comics based on local issues. Most newspapers send you that rejection letter saying they either already have an artist for national editorials or that they use the national syndicate. Local issues will grab their eyes better then yet another Bush comic (no offence). Good luck!