Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1119

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1119, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1118

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1118, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Tweets from a Very Old Man

It's official. Everyone is on twitter., originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Here's a repost of a previously transmitted message regarding a (no longer difficult to locate) twitter account wherein you can win original art and other things from my possibly non-existent Great-Grandfather:
---
Greetings from Pitcairn Island.
In order to combat the loneliness inherent to manning this desolate numbers station, I've started using twitter.com, as I'm sure many of you have (though I hope for better reasons than mine).
If you would like to find and follow me on Twitter, please refer to the first video featuring me on BoingBoing tv.
My Fark handle is the same as my Twitter handle, with no spaces.
Be the first to find me on Twitter and my no good great-grandson will send you something. [Congratulations @sgnp]
But wait, there's more: from time to time, I will post updates on Twitter that will begin and end with 3 stars. Like so: ***blah blah blah***
Be the very first to properly translate these starred tweets and you will receive one of many possible surprises:
Original art from "the laugh-out-loud cats sell out", signed postcards, or something else.
In order to win, simply be the first to reply with an "at" symbol, followed by my Twitter name, then the decoded message.
If you are the first, I will contact you in due time: there's no need to pester me. I am very old.
You will need to sign up with Twitter in order to win (you were going to anyway), and you can only win something once.

Good night. May the calming hiss of the ocean be your lullaby.
---

So far I've given away several pages of original art from the book, a poster, some postcards, a sticker or two, and other things. Will you be the next winner? WILL YOU?!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1117

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1117, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1116

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1116, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

As seen in Chicago, next to Colbert

Thank you, Noah.

An abbreviated preview of John Hodgman's introduction to the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats Sell Out

, originally uploaded by soundfromwayout.

---BEGIN QUOTED TEXT---

Good evening.

My name is John Hodgman, and I regret to inform you that the book you hold in your hand is not real.

Do not be alarmed. I am not suggesting that this book is a figment of your imagination. For that would suggest that these very words of introduction themselves are a product of your diseased mind. But the fact is that you are not insane, and I do not live inside your head (yet.)

No. Obviously this book EXISTS. But as a former professional literary agent, I have had some experience in elaborate literary hoaxes (I’m looking at you “Michael Chabon,” All of you.). And as a current famous minor television personality, I am naturally a first class authority on being a fraud.

And so, having carefully examined these LAUGH OUT LOUD CATS cartoons, I have determined that while they are VERY ENJOYABLE and certainly ABOUT CATS, they were not drawn in 1912, as is claimed.

How can I tell? Three things.

First, the slang used by the cats “Kitteh” and “Pip” is quite contemporary, and almost surely inspired by the “LOL CATS,” (even the names are similar). If you are not familiar with it, LOL CATS is a popular Internet trend involving taking pictures of actual live cats at the precise moment they are talking. It’s a challenging hobby, requiring considerable skill and patience, and also a computer. It is much much harder than just sitting down and drawing an old-timey picture of cats.

Second, Kitteh and Pip, you will notice, are portrayed as loveable hoboes. Throughout the strips, they gently chase their small, typically feline desires (naps, stew, and a good game of cards) along the back alleys and meandering country roads of a cartoon version of the early 20th century.

Now, anyone can tell you that there certainly were hobo cats during this time, they were vicious creatures who lived cruel lives, and frequently killed their masters. More telling, however, is the fact that cats did not actually start standing on their hind legs until 1972, after the experiments.

And it was not until 1980 that Pip’s arbitrary, overwhelming obsession with falling leaves was first bred in the American Shorthair at the Yale Feline Studies lab.

Third, I applied the ACID TEST, which is something of a misnomer, as the test involves no acid at all. Instead, the original, hand-drawn cartoons are simply inserted into a small fire. Based on the burn rate of the paper (Fast! Fast! So merry and fast!), I can attest that those cartoons that survived the process and are now collected here almost certainly were not created before the year 2007.

YES: 2007.

But, you protest, we all remember Aloysius Gemiel Koford. He was a major historical figure: a daring walrus-hunter, statesman and spy! Why, if it were not for the many folktales and young adult novels based on his life, the whole public image of the cartoonist as a glamorous, sexually confident, man of adventure would probably not exist!

But it is so. For my research leads to one inescapable conclusion: Aloysius Koford is nothing but a myth, an internet rumor, a shadow puppet cast upon the wall all formed by the twisted, stubby fingers of man standing the darkness. A man named ADAM KOFORD.

But, you continue to protest: ADAM “APE LAD” KOFORD?!? The supposed great grandson of the now thoroughly debunked Aloysius Koford? But that man is a DISGUSTING NOBODY. How could he possibly be a CARTOONIST?

Let me tell you the story as best as I can reconstruct it.

---END QUOTED TEXT---

The remainder of Hodgman's exposé is available in my book, and I leave it to you to judge the soundness of his conclusion.
I will tell you one thing, I do not want to get into a shouting match with him.
Thank you, John Hodgman, and thank you soundfromwayout for the photo.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1115

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1115, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

book cover

front and back, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Here's the full cover of the book, which I hadn't yet posted. To see the "far too clever for its own good" visual pun on the back, click on the image above, then on "all sizes". If you still don't see/get it, check the comments on flickr.
Is it worth all the effort? Only you can answer that question.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1114

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1114, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

I think I have to disagree with Pip on this one.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1113

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1113, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

I've been twittering for about as long as I've been drawing these comics. From the beginning of both, one question has lingered: "how long will this last, I wonder?".
Also, Pip plays the ocarina.

Super Mario Theme on Ocarina

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1112

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1112, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1111

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1111, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Thanks for playing, everyone!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1111

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1111, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Write a winning caption and I'll send this to you. Don't post a caption here though, only on Neatorama.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1110

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1110, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

The President has a new dog. The dog's name is Bo. Hopefully the significance is not lost on any of you.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1109

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1109, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1108

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1108, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1107

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1107, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1106

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1106, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1105

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1105, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1104

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1104, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1103, and Thanks!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1103, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Thanks to everyone who purchased a drawing today on etsy. There are still a few left, including this one. I plan on having them all in the mail within the next few days.

One Hour Till the Sale on Etsy

Rush Hour, originally uploaded by gmonster25.

See previous post for link.

This is one of the first photos that came up when I searched for "hour" in the creative commons pool on flickr. Thanks gmonster25!

Some notes regarding tomorrow's sale of comics on Etsy

Etsy shop banner, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

First, the link. Here. I might change the banner though.
Second, the cost: still $21.00, including worldwide shipping.
Thirdly, several comics are drawn on white paper with a yellow marker under-drawing visible. The rest are drawn on old-timey looking paper. Each will appear on etsy as it appears in real life (though the under-drawing isn't quite so visible as on the scans I've posted). Also some of the scans are lower resolution that I would have liked. I assure you they are drawn in full resolution*.
Fourthmost, if you don't see a comic there, it's probably already sold or is not available.
Finally, the sale will begin at 2PM Mountain time. Mountain is minus 6 GMT, so synchronize your watch accordingly.

*There's no such thing as full resolution in a real live drawing. This is supposed to be a joke, but I felt like I should clarify in case anyone doesn't understand my witticism.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1102

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1102, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1101, and a note

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1101, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

I'll be selling comics (including this one) on etsy soon (within the next week, probably over the weekend), though I'm still working out the details (there are a surprising number of details to figure out, and my specialty is not logistics). It may be short notice, so don't say I didn't warn you.
I'll also be opening up sales of comics here before the end of the month. If you miss both chances, maybe we can work something out. I don't wanna send anyone away comicless.
You can follow updates to this blog on twitter at twitter.com/hobotopia, and there are continuing sporadic opportunities to win original art and other stuff on Aloysius's secret twitter account.

The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1100

The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1100, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1096, #1097, #1098, and #1099

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1095

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1095, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1094

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1094, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #770

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #770, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

I'm knee deep in tax time fun, so there won't be a new comic today, but there probably will be tomorrow.
Also: is this one really over a year old?!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1093

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1093, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1092

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1092, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1091

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1091, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1090

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1090, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Welcome, visitors from the wikipedias!
Context: the big one loathes ducks!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1089

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1089, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Previously seen here and here.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1088

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1088, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

The signing at Meltdown was wonderful. Thanks to everyone who turned out. It was nice to put faces with internet names and vice versa.
Also, there are still lots of signed copies of the book at Meltdown on Sunset in L.A. if you are in the neighborhood.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1087

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1087, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Happy Spring! See you tomorrow at Meltdown!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1086

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1086, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

new blog alert!

Draw Pip!, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Draw Pip dot com!

Space Bat, Rest in Peace

Or, as Dan Coulter sez, Rest in Space.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1085

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1085, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1084

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1084, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

delicious

delicious sidebar thing for blog, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

You may notice this on the sidebar. I've started tagging things on delicious again for some reason. Here's the link.
Avoid the marble game!

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1083

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1083, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

This Saturday from 3-5pm I'll be signing copies of my new book (The Laugh-Out-Loud Cats Sell Out, published by Abrams ComicArts and featuring an introduction by John Hodgman) at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles (7522 Sunset Blvd). Come say hi (to me, not Herman Melville).

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1082

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1082, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

I am not attending SXSW this year, though I'm sure I will someday. I'd like to think that's where we'll all meet someday, and you'll all buy me dinner.

wikiwikiwikiwikiwiki

wikipedia-logo, originally uploaded by throwthedamnthing.

wiki

US $305.00

Mustache girl, originally uploaded by scragz.

That's the winning bid on the All-Mustache-Edition of the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats Sell Out, and the amount that'll be donated to Comedy Relief via RedNoseNet.com. If you missed the 24 hour broadcast, it was truly something special. They've tallied £ 3,843.69 so far, and it's never too late to donate.

(Thanks to scragz on flickr for using a cc license on this photo!)

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1081

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1081, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

The Auction is Live

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1079, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

You can bid on the All-Mustache Edition of the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats Sell Out here. All proceeds from this auction will go to Comic Relief.

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1080

Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1080, originally uploaded by Ape Lad.

PREVIEW: All Mustache Edition

All Mustache Edition
Originally uploaded by Ape Lad

Tomorrow morning, this one of a kind edition of the Laugh-Out-Loud Cats Sell Out will be up for auction on ebay. 100% of the proceeds will go to Comic Relief.