20 years later, during a long period of no artistic output whatsoever, I watched a video by artist Andy J. Pizza about finding your creative voice. Andy’s video made me realize how much of my creative DNA was made up of comics and cartoons, and how important they were to my identity as a creator. Luckily for me, this revelation came in 2020 when I was stuck inside with a lot of time on my hands, so for the first time since childhood I found myself drawing every day, and eventually this led to making comics.

Coming up with comic ideas is like freeform jazz in my brain, because it involves a lot of improvisation and most of it is terrible. Usually I’ll start with a mundane topic or situation and play around with it until something makes me laugh, or I’ll doodle a goofy-looking character and think about what they might say.

Other times I’ll think about what I would like to see when searching for comics and art. If I can’t find anything that scratches the itch for ‘90s horror nostalgia, I’ll just make it myself. It’s a great feeling when you get to say “I made that” instead of “I wish I made that.”

Since the tone of my work is usually very stupid, I like to populate my comics with idiots and jerks that lack any self awareness. A lot of the funniest stuff in life comes from failure and embarrassment, so I want characters that are the butt of the joke instead of the ones pointing and laughing at others. I’m not interested in the high school quarterback that overcomes impossible odds to win the big game and get the girl, I want the dork in the marching band that pisses his pants on the field in front of the whole school.

The main theme that I strive for with my comics is escapism. I don’t want to make work that is relatable or topical or thought-provoking in any way. My goal is simply to have the reader shut off their brain and be entertained.

I hope the takeaway from that is a reminder that it’s okay to check out and laugh every once in a while, and to not take life so seriously. There’s a time and place for dealing with the harsh realities of life, but that shouldn’t be when you’re sitting on the toilet scrolling through Instagram.

The artists and comedians that I admire most are Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Sick Animation, ‘90s Adam Sandler, Stella (David Wain, Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter), Perry Bible Fellowship, Evan Dorkin, Peter Bagge and Daniel Clowes.

I’m also lucky enough to have some very talented and admirable friends, like Glass Houses Comics, Realfunghi Comics, Barely Baked Beans, Mooseylips and Be Gentle I’m Stupid. Check them out!