Had a blast today “signing” (drawing in) Swampy’s Florida books during the Florida SpringsFest. Here are a few photos. The stories behind most of the photos can be found on the Swampy’s Florida page.

Fear in a Desert Town by Roger Fuller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Fuller” kicks off this entry in his various TV series adaptions with a perfect portrayal of paranoia of someone being sought. After the first few pages you’ll look over your own shoulder to see who’s watching. This all a half century before the digital eyes that watch us all now.

Beyond the excellent job of literally forming Dr. Richard Kimble, “Fuller” continues, what I’ve read in his other books, packing a packed story in 155 pages. Again, I wonder, why can’t this be done today????

The writing is direct and strong, as are the characters. I really like his depiction of a little boy caught in the web.

Before I wrote this I thought I’d track down the episode this book is based. Here is just another example of the book far outshining the filmed version. It’s almost startling at how different the two are. Same story with the same characters. Just with that “Fuller” touch added in.

Bottom line: I recommend this book! 10 out of 10 points.

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All the Silent Voices by Don Tracy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Wow! Author Fuller (Don Tracy) makes full use of the faux moniker. This is definitely a book Fuller with story than most books 100 times the size. This entry by “Fuller” is very well crafted and well written in story and characters.

One problem with this book is with a bit of a side story that dovetails later in the book. A character that is clearly written as being in the mountains of upstate Pennsylvania, I checked three times, is written as a Foghorn Leghorn backwoods Southern stereotype. I’ve met hundreds from upstate Pennsylvania in the mountains. None spoke with a Southern accent. It would be trivial but for how “Fuller” writes the character in a more than malicious way. The intent is clear. The result is extremely disappointing.

There is something else and that is the described very, very, very wealthy main character Tasso struggling with the abortion issue. She is written as willing to destroy her family, her husband’s business and all else in her wake to meet her goal. BUT when considering doing a procedure that she could VOLUNTEER to do – THAT is discarded instantly. That take makes the rest of the book frivolous.

I do like how the main “Defender” Preston is written with a last line to make all think.

Despite a complicated and very well written book, the setbacks really mine the entirety, so…

Bottom line: i don’t recommend this book. 3 out of ten points.

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All inked and ready for watercolor!

This newest painting is set in an exclusive area of Brevard County in Florida. Thanks to, my friends, the Cronkhite family I was able to take photos in the area. I used those to construct this illustration. More to come!

The finished painting can be seen during the 4th Anniversary open house at The Knowledge Exchange December 4th in Palm Bay, Florida.

Had a whirlwind last three days with little rest and lots done! Sunday I inked this set of cartoons for my Swampy’s Florida site.

Inked with a PITT Brush, soft brush and Tombow Fudenosuke hard brush pen.

Thought I’d add a small bit of an editorial cartoon i did tonight. This is the now infamous Melissa Click of the University of Missouri. I’m posting this involving producing the art and not the politics.

Inked with a Kuretake brush, she was easy to draw. Coloring even easier. Drawing so many family members who have red, curly hair over the decades, this was easy! So, I include the color version used in the final cartoon, too.

If you would like to see the whole cartoon, let me know below or in a private message and I’ll send you over to my editorial cartoon Facebook page. I’ve kept it kinda quiet, but you can join in, if you would like.

My inked cartoon for Friday’s Swampy’s Florida Happy cartoon! Guess what Friday is celebrating. You can head over to the Swampy site later to see the colored version.

This was inked entirely with Kuretake brush pens.

Just finished a little less than 2 hour Cartoon Hunker Down session and knocked out cartoons for Swampy’s Florida, editorial cartoons and a pencil drawing for a children’s book. More to come this weekend.