I don't use gag writers either, but a number of other cartoonists do. This really is kinda like an underground sorta thing. I mean, I've met a couple of guys who wrote for Charles Addams back in the day. I didn't know he had gag writers until I spoke with them. Gag writers are sort of an open secret. THE HOKINSON FESTIVAL, a collection of Helen Hokinson's New Yorker cartoons, is introduced by the man who wrote most of her gags. So, it's not like it's a secret. Thurber's THE YEARS WITH ROSS describes "tinkering," wherein a writer (usually White) would play around with a gag or sweeten it. Some of today's daily newspaper strip cartoonists use gag writers as well. Gag writers (at least for magazine gag cartoons) typically get 30% of the sale, and that means that you better know some good-selling cartoonists to make some decent $$$.

You mean you have to wash and wear clothes? And travel more than just down your own hallway? Blurgh!

Some great advice, my friend! "Phone chops" is a great term, and it's true that you can't hide behind your email. You got a problem or a concern, CALL THEM. And, yeah, I could have learned more about business before going into cartooning full-time.

Not only does he already have that great dynamic perspective on the Doc Ock octopus arms, he letters better than I do now!

This is one of my favorites.

Nicely done!

Love it!

Baby with coffee? That's me! I think you should do a comic about SAHDs. Really. It would be good.

"'Look at me, this is me on page 41!'" I LOLed out loud & everything at this quote. Last year, I alienated one of the cashiers at the local grocery when I told her I was buying Women's World that week because a cartoon of mine was in it. "I'm a cartoonist!," I told her. She looked at me as though I'd lost my marbles. Whoever heard of a person who makes money selling little wacky drawings? I learned from then on the lesson that you so aptly imbed in the interview: "you can't do that." Cartoonists should be seen and not heard.

I've worn glasses since I was 12 years old. To draw, I have to take my glasses off. I always thought this was odd, but I can see best up close without them. I found out a while ago that Stan Goldberg, who draws Archie, also does this.

Wow! I really like this. Nice touch that one fellow has a black spacesuit on, the other a white.

I hate you for your pastry.

Ooh! That "Boss Grease Man of the World" looks like ME!!! I better buy that URL!

The "Tell me about your mother" cartoon is one of the funniest cartoons I have ever seen. Thanks for that! I get your jazzy Andertoons music in my head now. I am concerned it may shove out some valid gag cartoon ideas of my own, dang it.

I really liked these. Yeah, Heaven not working out as you had thought it would = always funny!

Please record the song that you made up with your kids & put it on iTunes!

I like these more than I should. I am succumbing to Legos! Arrgh!!!

I love the fact that at the last minute you rewrote the gag line to the "What in God's name are you talking about." One cartoonist I chat with always says it's the last cartoon you do, the one you rush through, the one you draw up just to add one to the batch you are sending -- it's THAT ONE that sells.

Ooh. I like these. Morticia ... yummy! My First Goth!

I laugh out loud more at these than I ever have at any of those animated Ringtales shorts.

"Baked ziti" is a funny couple of words, no matter the context!

Ooh. I looked at your Flickr photos. I like how the wings pivot.

I love these, but was sadly disappointed that, when reading the gag lines, you did not use your tacky Irish brogue accent. Great cartoons, as usual!!!!

I like these so much. I always laugh at them. Good ol' Mark Andertoons. You are so funny. How I hate you!