He really looked like this.

OK, maybe it’s a bit off but I don’t pencil these things in first, so shh.

I got tricked into entering into a storm of controversy about a mascot called Unit Man.

From the Australian Financial Review, Friday 30th October:

Unit Man will show up in grocery catalogues, online and at checkouts. But the Queensland Consumers Association doubted the unit prices would be as visible as their heroic mascot.
“We have found far too many of the labels are either difficult or impossible to read for a normal-sighted person,” spokesman Ian Jarratt said.
“The print height isn’t big enough, the print isn’t dense enough, in some cases the characters are too close together and in others they are too low on the shelves.”
Melbourne-based cartoonist Ben Hutchings did not share consumer groups’ apprehension.
“He’s quite well drawn – and cute,” he said.

Now I sound like an antagonistic shit-stirrer.  I wonder if when Ian Jarratt reads this (if it’s printed on paper) he’ll scrunch the very page with his clenched fist (of rage) as he reads it, his face turning a deep shade of crimson and his whole body shaking.  Then he might get his index finger and stick it in his collar and pull it out to let cool air flow and swirl around his tits to reduce his body temperature.

I wonder if he is actually really insecure and reading some hip cartoonists laid-back, laconic counterpoint will make him feel foolish and uncool in front of his fiancee.  Or maybe I am the fool, because Ian Jarrat seems to have a no-nonsense design sensibility but my opinion is just baseless.

I guess only time will tell who is the fool, and indeed if perhaps in our own ways we are all fools.

THE END

By Ben aged 34.

PS:  I have like two itchy bites on my arse.

Comics of Smallness. Limited Run!

The amazing Comics of Smallness has finally been reprinted!  Due to the sheer annoyingness of printing these things, Comics of Smallness is only available very rarely, and in print runs of only 12 at a time.  Each comic has been lovingly printed on my vintage Epson Stylus Photo RX530, carelessly stapled, hand guillotined (which hurts if you bang your thumb when you put it under the handle) and folded with my own artistic hands.  The comic itself is a 37 x 47mm, 32 page oddyssey, starring the surreal adventures of a cat named Barry.  For a measly $1 + postage you can have this fat little comic wilting in the palm of your hand in no time!

Tales From the Pub: The Dickhead Only Calls Once…

This is one of the most outrageous Tales I ever did but the cool thing is it’s verified true coz it’s from my rockin’ chum Belinda.

Observe: my linework is considerably competent.

Sadly I can’t really tell you what these drawings are for.  But just enjoy them for my linework of flair and proficiency.

Ignore the pots in the first drawing actually – they’re slightly fucked.

 

Post-it package portrait

Lesson Master: Master of Lessons

Here’s the first Picture Mag episode of our jolly Master of Lessons.

Tales from the Pub: Screamin’ F*ck Knuckles

In other news, Fatal Rage of Conflict is mentioned in Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Game

By someone who doesn’t understand grammar.