Comments on: Initiation

By: Lizad

Lizad — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:14 +0000

Thanks for the support, Raffi!

By: Lizad

Lizad — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:57:10 +0000

Hi Julia, Thanks! Dinosaurs' Halloween might be out there, not easy to find. I want to get it republished…Thanks for your comments!!

By: Julia Suits

Julia Suits — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:13:30 +0000

Just saw this. Reminded me to look for your “Dinosaur's Halloween”, one of my kids' favorites when they were wee.

By: Alex Raffi

Alex Raffi — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:40:46 +0000

This is great.

By: lizadonnelly.com » Blog Archive » Grim Halloween: story of an almost New Yorker cover

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:10:45 +0000

[...] http://revolvingfloor.com/issues/3/initiation/ [...]

By: Lizad

Lizad — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:33:41 +0000

I have to say I love hearing cartoons analyzed, contrary to EB White's proclamation that analyzing humor is like dissecting frogs: nobody likes it and the thing dies (actual quote: “Humor can be dissected as a frog can, but the thing dies in the process and the innards are discouraging to any but the pure scientific mind.”). You point out things I don't know about what I've done, or at least I don't consciously know it. I try things on in my mind–such as putting parents or other kids in–and it just doesn't feel right, so I leave them out. You're right about certain situations, such as Halloween, being a kid world (I hate parents who dress up on Halloween) and your observation about begging is really good.
This is why I am enjoying posting cartoons on the internet and getting responses–it informs me about what I am doing or not doing.

By: Michael Bennett Cohn

Michael Bennett Cohn — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:03:17 +0000

I really like that the kids are alone. It reminds me of the high school graduation scene in Buffy The Vampire Slayer. It takes place at night, outside, and nobody is there except the students, the principal, and the mayor. Empirically, it makes no sense, but mythically, it's perfect, because after all, graduation isn't about the parents, it's about the kids, even though the parents are usually there.

Similarly, having the kids be alone here adds a bleakness that I love. There is nobody there to explain to them why they aren't going to get any candy. Not only does that say something realistic about what it's like to grow up, but it posits the kids as surrogates, if you will, for the way adults feel disoriented and confused by what has happened to the economy. There isn't really that much of a gap… and the fact that the kids are, in a sense, begging for food is just perfect in that regard.

By: Lizad

Lizad — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:55:41 +0000

Thanks, all. Katha, I love YOUR work.

My question, when doing this drawing, was: should these kids be alone? Should there be pumpkins at each house? Actually, my original idea was to have the signs say “Foreclosed”, but that's too long to write on a tiny sign several times. Would be hard to read. Figured “For Sale” was just as true, and maybe more relatable for more communities. I see a lot of empty stores in our town and for sale signs.

By: Katha Pollitt

Katha Pollitt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:45:20 +0000

terrific cartoon. Very dark! I love Liza donnelly's work.

By: martaszabo

martaszabo — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:39:29 +0000

Great one, Liza! Have no idea how you do this! Great! m

By: julia

julia — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:22:45 +0000

It's a ghost town.

By: Mimi Pond

Mimi Pond — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:10:06 +0000

GREAT! LOVE IT! Nice color.

By: Mick

Mick — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:33:44 +0000

You're scarin' me now!

Boo!
M