With the launch of the Kickstarter for Tom the Dancing Bug from Clover Press, we are delighted to be joined by cartoonist Ruben Bolling.
Hi Ruben, it’s so great to have you here with us.
It’s great to be here! “Here” being: In my office alone, typing responses on my computer.
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, I’m Ruben Bolling. Sagittarius. I like a woman who’s strong. And long walks on the beach.
Could you tell us about the origins of Tom the Dancing Bug?
Tom the Dancing Bug is a weekly comic strip of social and political satire that has appeared in newspapers, websites, email subscription services, and gas station restroom walls for 35 years.
On average, how long does it take you to create a Tom the Dancing Bug comic strip?
It takes a week to create a Tom the Dancing Bug, which is a happy coincidence, since one has to be created every week.
As a creator, do you prefer writing or creating art?
I prefer writing, because I hate drawing.
How did Clover Press get involved with Tom the Dancing Bug?
A few years ago, Clover Press approached me about publishing a multi-volume set of books comprising the complete Tom the Dancing Bug. Each volume would contain every single Tom the Dancing Bug comic strip from a given four- or five-year period. We started in 2020 publishing Volume 7 because we wanted to start with the most current comics. Then we published a volume about every year, working our way back in time. So with this new Kickstarter, publishing Volumes 1 and 2, containing the very first Tom the Dancing Bugs, The Complete Tom the Dancing Bug Library will be finally be completed.
How would you describe Tom the Dancing Bug?
Tom the Dancing Bug is a unique comic strip, about the size of a comic book page, usually with nine panels, and I created it as a kind of sketch comedy approach to cartooning. Like a sketch comedy TV show (for example, Saturday Night Live), any given week can feature brand new characters, recurring characters, or political figures. And I vary the premise, humor, tone, and art style from week to week to match the content. This keeps each week’s comic fresh, for the reader and for me.
Any message for the ComicBuzz readers?
Help.
We would like to say a big thank you to Ruben for chatting with us and wish the best of luck with the Kickstarter for Tom the Dancing Bug.
Feel free to check out Tom the Dancing Bug on Kickstarter.
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