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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 18, 2013 21:14:12 GMT
Next May, "A Man Called Horace" will have been appearing in U.K. newspapers for 25 years. That is, of course, unless an editor decides otherwise or, equally likely, I keel over due to a less-than-ideal lifestyle. I'm rather proud of this. (Not the lifestyle---the 25 year thing). Given that "Beau Peep" will reach its 35th anniversary in a couple of months, forgive me for saying that I'm pretty chuffed. I have managed to make a living from something I love doing. There is no question that Andrew Christine and I have been extremely lucky. We arrived on the comic strip scene in the late seventies when newspapers still valued the medium and were willing to give new ideas a chance. This is no longer the case and I have absolutely no doubt that neither of our strips would stand a chance of being published in today's market. There is nothing original or innovative in what I write---both strips are standard spoofs of established, typical heroes---so it's incredible to me that I'm still employed.
What pleases me most about "Horace" is that Andrew and I never had any intention of producing two daily strips---the Daily Mirror contacted US and asked if we could do something for them. (As compared to having Beau Peep rejected about thirty times before we finally sold it).
So, to sum up, I'm chuffed and I'm very lucky.
Thanks!
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Post by sandy buttcheeks on Sept 18, 2013 22:30:52 GMT
I disagree completely about the publishing. The humour in the writing of both Horace and Beau Peep, coupled with the superb artwork, means that both would have surfaced and gained a foothold somewhere in the public realm; they are too good not to have done so. I defy anyone not to find them funny, and I don't mean chuckle-funny...I mean laugh-out-loud, tears-down-face funny. There are no funnier cartoon strips, than these. Full stop. You are right to be chuffed. I have read both strips all my life (god, I'm getting old), and they always cheer me up. I can only imagine how good it must feel to be able to produce something that actually, genuinely makes people happier for that brief moment of time. Here's to many more years Roger, and don't worry about the lifestyle. Non-drinking, non-smoking, clean-living sucks...and it sucks for longer.  |
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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 19, 2013 8:34:42 GMT
Excellent final point, Sandy!
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Brighty
New Member
Regeneration is not for Time Lords alone...
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Post by Brighty on Sept 19, 2013 11:38:46 GMT
I wish I could say I read Beau and Horace on a daily basis, and that I've followed them from the start. Neither would be true. But only because after 36 years of working in the cartoon game, I stopped avidly seeking out any regular cartoons of any type at least 20 of those years ago. I'm far from addicted to my business.
However, that doesn't stop me from agreeing with every word Sandy has written in praise of both strips, nor disagreeing with most of what Roger has written by way of modest dismissal of both, on any of the grounds he mentions. I have seen enough to know that they are always funny, always beautifully drawn and lettered, and still, after all these years, streets ahead of any competition I've encountered (and I do look, even if not avidly). It would be my hope that they continue to clock up the years for as long as both creators need the money are enjoying their production. I'm certain there are many, like Sandy, who would feel genuine loss if either strip were to end, and the importance of that daily chuckle to people's lives should never be underestimated.
You're right to be proud, Roger, even if you attempt to downplay that as pertaining to your survival. There is only one reason why you've both managed that - top quality work from the best in the business.
Sláinte Mhath, Roger and Andrew!
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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 19, 2013 17:56:31 GMT
Many thanks for the kind words, gentlemen---it is much appreciated. I think the point I make about the chances of these strips being published today is valid. As Brighty knows, doing spoof versions of established hero-characters is a staple of the children's comics, where Steve and I learned our trade. That kind of humour is rather dated these days and I firmly believe that neither of our strips would get column space in current newspapers had they been submitted today. That's why I'm sort of proud of our longevity---we've managed to hang on in there.
I have two ambtions left. To sing like Roy Orbison and to draw like Steve Bright!
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Brighty
New Member
Regeneration is not for Time Lords alone...
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Post by Brighty on Sept 19, 2013 18:56:15 GMT
Whereas sadly, you currently draw like Roy Orbison and sing like... hang on - I'll have you know I sing like an angel (Lucifer), and you draw pretty damned good, as I know very well.
It's funny, but I never really think of either Beau or Horace as spoofs of Beau Geste and 'A Man Called Horse', though I obviously know that's what originally inspired them. Nor do I suspect very many fans, past and certainly present, sit down to read either strip with any thought for those original inspirations. The strips are classics in their own right now, and have been for many, many years. In fact, I think it's a safe bet (dead cert) that far, far more readers than not, of both newspapers they appear in today, won't even know of either or both of the works that they spoof, far less need to know. It's the interplay of the characters in their setting that is important, not their origins, and I do think that both these strips work beautifully in that regard, and would be a welcome addition to any newspaper that appreciated cartoons (there's the rub! Not many left.)
If you and Andrew were lucky, Roger, you made that luck, and have continued to do so for 35 years. There has to come a point when either that luck runs out, or you rebrand it for what it is - perseverence, endurance, professionalism, and above all, sheer talent.
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Post by sandy buttcheeks on Sept 19, 2013 22:28:55 GMT
Wot Brighty said.  But if I may...good humour doesn't date and never will. Horace and BP is just as funny now as the very first strip was. In the same way that I can always stick on some Monty Python and have a laugh, I can read any Horace or BP strip/book and do the same. Genuine class. |
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Post by Rob Baker on Sept 21, 2013 21:39:58 GMT
Roger, can you (or ask Mrs Kettle to) upload the very first Horace strip on here?
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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 22, 2013 8:32:41 GMT
Possibly. It's the first strip in the first Horace book.
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Post by Rob Baker on Sept 22, 2013 10:25:16 GMT
Possibly. It's the first strip in the first Horace book. Ah, I didn't know that -- the serial number X127 threw me. |
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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 22, 2013 13:45:12 GMT
The strips in The Mirror were all given the same number, Rob, so when Horace appeared, it was numbered along with the others. If I remember correctly, the letter stood for a particular year and the number represented the published newspaper of that year. In Horace's case, it must have first appeared in the 127th Daily Mirror of 1989.
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Brighty
New Member
Regeneration is not for Time Lords alone...
Posts: 16
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Post by Brighty on Sept 23, 2013 11:50:41 GMT
Not your highest snooker break of the day then?
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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 23, 2013 20:54:30 GMT
Steve, my highest snooker break was 68. It was during a match when I thrashed a certain old amigo of ours---former Hearts, Dunfermline and St. Johnstone legend, Dave McNicholl. I didn't rub it in---you know the bloody size of him.
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Brighty
New Member
Regeneration is not for Time Lords alone...
Posts: 16
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Post by Brighty on Sept 24, 2013 12:11:56 GMT
That was brave of you, Roger. Where is Dave (I think it's McNicoll, by the way) now? I Googled and came up with very little other than some football stats, and this...  I recall a rather bizarre pub lunch heated 'debate' with Dave, about which you'd rather face in conflict; an armed human or a vicious dog. I argued the former, on the grounds that you have at least a slim chance of reasoning with a human. Dave thought I was 'aff ma heid', and the longer the argument went on, the more I realised he was right... 68 is an impressive break! Happy days! |
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Post by rogerkettle on Sept 24, 2013 12:51:07 GMT
You're right about the spelling, Steve. I googled Dave after I posted here and realised I'd added an "h"---it was an attack of laziness that prevented me going back to change it.
I haven't seen Dave for a few years but I think he's still a salesman for a top golf club manufacturer. Great character.
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