January 24, 2009 | New Film | by Xavier Toby |

If slapstick, violence and sex get you off, you’re going to love this. It’s not so much a social critique as social terrorism, with every viewpoint and ideology attacked. Highlights are plentiful and spoofs of old cartoon series’, like He-Man, the Smurfs and Voltron, are standouts. Also watch for when Saved by the Bell is combined with Jigsaw from the Saw movie series. Forget plot, recurring characters and political correctness, this is sketch comedy starring plasticine figures and stop-motion photography, so anything goes, including sex, murder and suicide. Each ten-minute episode covers extensive ground, keeping the laugh quotient high and making this ideal viewing while devouring a burger or kebab after a big night out.

Cool Websites / Things Bears Love

December 17, 2008 | Cool Websites | by Gerry Mak |

Just in case you’re planning a camping trip, here’s a website that has a list of things that bears love, so you can avoid them or attract them, depending on your mood. Read more

New Illustration / Adam Bartlett

December 7, 2008 | New Illustration | by Zolton |

Adam Bartlett’s illustrations take me back to a time when Saturday mornings were all Coco Pops and soft drinks, a soft, lazy pillow and a well-worn position in front of the TV. When the funny faces, sounds, and storylines of the bright-eyed cartoons somehow seemed more real than the scattered world around me. On this cold, windswept Brooklyn morning, it’s a wonderfully sharp burst of mid-80s nostalgia. Read more

New Art / Brandt Peters

November 14, 2008 | New Art | by Jo Spurling |

Trapped in a time warp between then and now, the work of Brandt Peters combines an old school aesthetic with a modernity bordering on futuristic fantasy, with a touch of morbid fascination thrown in for good measure. In other words, he creates wonderful imagery combining cartoon-like pin-ups with sometimes freakish attributes (large skulled beings, for instance), and every now and then seems to throw in a nod to sci-fi — such as a mechanical glass jar — for good measure. Muted tones replace the bawdy colours often associated with such mediums, giving his pieces a whimsical, dream like quality. He must live in a delightfully wispy world.

New Illustration / Steve Bell’s cartoons

October 31, 2008 | New Illustration | by Francis Andrews |

Guardian newspaper cartoonist Steve Bell is a bit of a household treasure in England: a very astute political observer who picks up so well on the little nuances in speech and image that are key to good cartoonists. His work is nothing short of hilarious. So he must have felt like a present landed on his lap the day Bush came into power — depictions of him as a monkey, a lame duck, his ‘special relationship’ with Blair, and so on, are some of the best I’ve seen. No-one gets an easy ride: he’s now having a whale of a time with Palin.

Cool Websites / The Fart Party

September 21, 2008 | Cool Websites | by Gerry Mak |

I’ve been reading Julia Wertz’s web comic, The Fart Party, which is simply a first person account of her every day life. The artwork is pretty rudimentary, but that works to the comic’s advantage, making it rather accessible and earnest seeming. Updated every few days, it’s not hard to keep up, and you never have to wait long to get your next fix.

September 16, 2008 | Video | by Zolton |

After a long day of tapping the keys, there’s nothing quite like unwinding on the sofa with a glass of New Zealand white and an episode, or two, of Home Movies. Brendan Cannon from Broken Social Scene first put us onto it, and now it’s become an addiction. This episode is probably my favourite. Read more

September 5, 2008 | Video | by Zolton |

More manic madness from Salad Fingers creator, David Firth. In Firth’s own words, Pulch is ‘about a giant Pulch that grows in order to cheer people up’. But of course, like all of his animations, it comes with a dark twist. Or three.

New Art / Jon Boam

September 5, 2008 | New Art | by Zolton |

Fun, fun, fun! And that’s just the name of the city illustrator Jon Boam is from — Chesterfield — which is where he creates his engaging, playful artwork. Read more

New Art / Valery’s Broken Toyland

August 21, 2008 | New Art | by Zolton |

The work of artist Valery is very dark, yet imbued with a sense of playfulness: ‘Most of the Broken Toyland characters came to life in the late 90s and early 00s. The visuals have to do with my love of the past, vintage toys, cartoons, and such. Then came the rag dolls and patchwork bunnies. Broken Toyland’s base is in behavior, emotion, situation and imperfection. While Bunny very often has a smoke or a drink (or both) in hand, this is not what’s being promoted. There’s much more going on than what might be first assumed at first glance. The anesthetics symbolize something else. I have a lot of empathy for the characters and feel drawn to keep recreating them again and again. I suppose I identify with them all too well, as would many’. Read more

Cool Websites / Dead in the Now

August 5, 2008 | Cool Websites | by Gerry Mak |

Dead in the Now is a great new web comic by an artist named Rey about a boy who decides to raise an army of zombies. The style is anime inspired, but really loose and unfussy. There’s an almost frantic, psychedelic feel to it, which makes it unique. Not your typical fanboy fare.

Cool Websites / Don’t Cry For Me, I’m Already Dead

July 29, 2008 | Cool Websites | by Gerry Mak |

SugarBoukas Comics just posted this devastating short comic about two Simpsons-obsessed brothers. This is guaranteed to simultaneously make and ruin your day.

New Illustration / Martin Abel’s comic flair

July 15, 2008 | New Illustration | by Jo Spurling |

Sassy waifs are the hallmark of Martin Abel’s work. Graphite collides with vector style to create edgy damsels with only a dash of decorum between them. This is some sexy work, regardless of your persuasion. Complimented with a classic comic flair, Abel’s other contributions include work for the official X-box magazine. Keep an eye on this rising star ladies and gentlemen.

June 10, 2008 | Video | by Gerry Mak |

Here’s a heart-warming story of a hefty bunny, who, after being taunted by a gang of malicious rodents, decides to exact righteous vengeance a la Looney Toons-style violence.

April 8, 2008 | Video | by Gerry Mak |

This great little cartoon is about two lonely people who finally find each other and fall in love, only to have the past catch up with them. It’s a bit morbid, but still very cute.