Category: Ramblings & Reviews

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Ramblings & Reviews

Mother’s Day 2018

In honor of Mother’s Day, here’s a couple cameos done by my Mom
that have appeared in the funny papers…

This next strip is from June 1, 1997,
when I was writing and drawing Flash Gordon.

My Mom passed away just last year, but I’m very happy that
I had the opportunity to honor her in this small way with these strips.
She was my biggest supporter as far as this weird career path I took.

Ending with a glamour pic of her.

This is my Mom on her honeymoon on a cruise ship from Bermuda bound for New York where she and my Dad would see Yul Brynner in “The King and I” on Broadway. What’s classic about this picture is how much boats made her seasick.

Love you and miss you, Mom. You were one of a kind!

-Jim

Categories
Ramblings & Reviews

Jim Gainey – A True Superman

I’m using a copy of the recent Action Comics #1000 cover to pay tribute to the memory of real life Superman, Jim Gainey.

Jim died January 11, 2016 at the age of 34 of colorectal cancer. Jim was my cousin Maureen’s son. Here’s a pic of Jim with his wife Catherine and the kids, Shamus and Finn.

 “I had an amazing life. I regret nothing because everything I did made me who I am. I’m proud of the family I came from. I’m proud of the people I call friends. I was lucky enough to meet my soulmate and have her family become my family. Most of all, I’m so proud of my boys and I love them more than air.”

Jim Gainey – December 2015

Categories
Ramblings & Reviews

Mort Walker 1923-2018 – RIP

Mort Walker (September 3, 1923 – January 27, 2018).

In memory of Mort Walker – My pic with cartoonists Mort Walker, Greg Evans, and Ray Billingsley. Circa 1992 at the King Features Christmas Party.

I’m biting my lip in this shot because I was just the young pup on staff at King standing next to three guys in the big leagues. My hobbit like size and ill-fitting suit just adds to the magic.

And here’s a 24-year-old Jim Keefe with Beetle Bailey up at King Features circa 1989 (when the offices were at 216 East 45th Street in New York).

As the colorist on staff at the time, I colored Beetle with Pantone sheets that had an adhesive back that you’d lay down, cut out, then burnish down.

I’ve been coloring Beetle for close to 30 years now (first on staff and now as a freelancer). My heartfelt prayers go out to Mort’s family and friends during this difficult time.

-Jim Keefe

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Ramblings & Reviews

The High Kings at the Cedar – August 22, 2017

Being that I am the totally unauthorized official Minneapolis artist for the famed High Kings, I thought I’d show you some art I did for their upcoming show at the Cedar Cultural Center. So first, here’s the inks.

And here it is cleaned up with type and color put in digitally.

And here’s my unabashed plug…
The High Kings
with Adam Coolong and Tony Comeau
at the Cedar Cultural Center
Tuesday, August 22, 2015 – 7:30pm
Doors Open: 7:00pm
Advance: $22.00 – Day of show: $25.00
Seated show; all ages

For tickets go to: the Cedar Cultural Center

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Business of Cartooning Ramblings & Reviews

Working From Home

My daughter Anna to a friend’s mother: “My Dad can’t come out east when we go because he has to get work done first.”
Friend’s mother: “But why, doesn’t he work out of the home?”

Quick aside; I moved in with my brother for about a year when we first moved to Minneapolis. He said, “I always thought working from home would be great…until I saw you do it. Realized that working from home means you NEVER LEAVE WORK.“

Add to that (and in no particular order);
No paid sick days.
No tech department to fix your computer.
No health benefits.
No HR department to make sure you get paid.
No 401k.
Never mind someone “at the office” to fill in for you when you’re not there.
(Much less clean up and empty your waste basket during the night shift.)

And just to clarify, I get no health coverage through my work but I do get coverage through my wife’s job.

This is not the case for MANY freelancers who are one sickness or accident away from bankruptcy. GoFundMe accounts seem to crop up daily for fellow freelancers (sick or aging) caught in this trap.

Yup, just another day in the merry land of freelance-land!