Dolly Madison Cakes labels

Mickey Mouse Pepsi Glass Display

Some items are so horrible they are kind of cool. This display is from 1978 and I almost didn't buy it when I saw it. I had an instant revulsion to the 70's Mickey. He is such a diluted version of himself. It is interesting to look at classic characters like Mickey and Superman that have gone through numerous looks and incarnations. Some are good and some are very bad.

Magic Mountain - 1970's

I dug out some 70's Magic Mountain photos. While looking at them I was really struck at how boring the park looked early on. Other then the Wizard and the Trolls, the park was pretty standard amusement park fare. But I loved it as a kid, going on the Gold Rusher , Swiss Twist and the Jolly Monster. But I could never get the courage to do Spin Out or the Mountain Express.

My Donut Shirt Design on Threadless

I decided to try out the site Threadless with my Donut T Shirt design. Threadless is a cool site where artists can submit T Shirt designs which then are voted on and the best ones are made into shirts which you can then buy!

I have been meaning to try it out and thought the 5 Servings Daily shirt would be a good fit. So if you want one go to Threadless and vote for it. Thanks.

VOTE ON THREADLESS

Giant Scary Jack-in-the-Boxes

The jack-in-the-box is a scary thing to start out with, add enormous size to that and you have some very creepy man made structures. The top postcard is from Mother Gooseladn in Canton, OH. It was used as the Administration building. Imagine going to work there everyday...

The next postcard is from Story Book Forest in Ligonier, PA. The final snapshot is from Santa's VIllage in Arrowhead, CA. That one was actually a snack bar where they sold Good Humor ice cream and popcorn. I just hope these things stay out of my dreams.

Silent Pictures

Spillikin Corners

I am not sure why Magic Mountain opened Spillikin Corners in 1978. They billed it as the only year long large scale crafts village in Southern California. It was kind of like the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach but smaller and full time.

But I loved it as a kid and basically ran around the entire park to get there. Once I got there, the only thing I remember doing was making some candles. But I kept those candles for years and never lit them.

A Day for Reflection

I am glad to live in a country that allows all the freedoms that I have.

The First Comic Book

Today as we were walking around at the flea market, I looked over on a table and saw a box of comics. Right there in the front was a copy of Funnies on Parade. At first I could not believe it but I pulled it out and it looked right. There was also a nice copy of Popular Comics #19 from 1937 right behind it. All the other comics were from the 70's and 80's so I paid for the books and moved on.

When I got home I did some research on this book and found out that it is considered to be the first comic published. It was produced in 1933 and contained reprints of popular Sunday newspaper comics reproduced at half size. It was given away as a premium for Procter and Gamble and only 10,000 copies were printed. It was a huge success and many other reprint comics followed as did a flood of superhero, romance, horror and genre comics that continue up to today.

I don't know that I will keep it but as a life long comic collector, it is quite a neat thing to find on a Sunday morning.

Donut T-shirt design

Not my standard character type but I think the classic pie eyes were necessary.

West Hollywood Book Fair

If you are not doing anything next Sunday, come on down to the West Hollywood Book Fair. I will be set up with Mr Toast books, dolls and even some t-shirts. I am always happy to sign books and do sketches and I will be giving out free posters. It is a great event and Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is one of the special guests. Fun Fun Fun!

West Hollywood Book Fair

Sugar Coated