One of my favorite things to do is stay up late and draw or paint. Now I like to listen to podcasts but back in the day the TV would be blaring in the background. It was interesting because I witnessed the birth of alot of things while staying up late drawing. I saw many things before they really took off: Comedy Central, or The Comedy Channel as it was called then, Mystery Science Theater 3000 and many early standup comedians. One thing I watched was the birth of The Cartoon Network. Mostly they played old Hanna Barbara cartoons but they had a few originals like: Cow and Chicken, Ed, Edd n Eddy and Dexter’s Laboratory. In 2001 a new show debuted on the Cartoon Network, Samurai Jack. There have been a few shows that I fell in love with before they even launched. For example, the first time I saw a commercial for South Park I wrote the premiere date on my calendar. I canceled a trip to visit my girlfriend so I could record it on a VHS tape. Comedy Central wasn’t on every cable provider yet so that tape was mailed to Florida and definitely made its rounds. When I saw the advertising for Samurai Jack I felt the same way.
I’ve been wanting to do some Samurai Jack stuff for a while but never got around to it. That has changed as of now. I’m starting with Aku, the villain of the series. I’m not sure what direction I want to go with him so I am starting with a few character studies…
I’m starting to get a feel for the character and having alot of fun. I’m really looking forward to this next month. The kids are getting back to school and one of my latest favorite podcasts is starting back up. It’s called Camp Monsters and it’s produced by REI and Yeti. I was skeptical at first but I have fallen for it hook, line and sinker. It is a fun show about cryptids and local legends. It is hokey but well produced and fun. Its new season is starting in September and I can’t wait. I drew these while listening to their filler episodes about the narrator’s encounter with Sasquatch.