Earl: When I decided to attempt a daily comic strip, I felt the dog I had been drawing in my illustrations could be the star. He had an innocence about him, a fine trait for a lead comic character as he constantly sees his world anew. Earl is based on my own dog, Earl, although the cartoon Earl came first. Let me explain. I had been drawing what I thought was a generic dog in my magazine illustrations for many years.When I decided to move out of the city and get my own dog, an art director informed me that what I was drawing was a Jack Russell Terrier, a relatively uncommon breed at the time. I then found my "real" Earl. Thus the cartoon became a real dog and the real dog became a cartoon. When I was developing Mutts I had trouble choosing names for the characters. Sparky recommended naming Earl after my own dog. I figured he might know what he was talking about.
Now fourteen, Earl's my first dog and he's perfect, surpassing all my childhood dreams. Like all dogs, Earl constantly celebrates life. He is very easy going, can often be seen walking around with a ball in his mouth, has a daily mailman dance ritual, likes spaghetti, barks at squirrels, howls when left alone, sleeps at the head of the bed, and snores. Earl has not only been a great friend, but also a wonderful teacher. I feel if I can convey any of his good-hearted spirit in the strip I've succeeded.
Cartoonists and dogs are similar; we spend our days at home in our favorite spot, are set in our ways, and love routine. The strips of Earl alone with his Ozzie tend to be autobiographical.
Mooch: Every home is better for having a cat, and Mooch made himself right at home in the strip, living with Frank and Millie next door to Earl. Pals in spite of all their natural differences, Earl and Mooch's friendship is at the heart ofMutts. The ever-trusting Earl will always loyally follow the ever-curious Mooch. They are oil and water that mix.Like any cat worth his or her salt, Mooch is an enigma: curious yet relaxed, independent yet needy, out of control yet totally cool. When trying to create ideas for Mutts, I'll sketch out a random scene or situation. Then I draw Mooch into it and wait to see what happens. He's the spark.I'm never sure what he might say or do; he's unpredictable enough that the gag could go anywhere. It may be cliché, but after a while it seems that the characters really do write themselves. Mooch has become this cartoonist's good friend, someone I can count on.
Mooch's name came form a term my mother uses for the way a cat will affectionately rub up against you ---giving a "mooch". He's based on a number of cats I've had the pleasure to know throughout my life. Lately he has picked up some of the habits of my MeeMow, a feral cat rescued from a parking garage by Karen. When I work on Mutts in my home studio, Earl is generally at my feet while MeeMow sleeps on the top of the drawing table. On occasion, a swish of MeeMow's tail has wiped away a freshly inked strip. A small price to pay for her inspiration.
As in the tradition of the older comics, Mooch has his own way of talking. This occurred shpontaneously. It started with his saying "Yesh", then "Shmaybe". Soon it got out of hand and he was "shhhing" all over. A woman, totally offended, once wrote to say, "My cat would never talk like that! Desist!" Yet another wrote "I love when Mooch says yesh in his squeaky high-pitched voice." Squeaky? High-pitched? Shmaybe.
Ozzie: Earl's guardian, Ozzie, is a variation of the big nosed, mustached character I've been drawing since college. He gets his looks from old comic strip characters, silent film comedians, and me. The human characters are presented through the eyes of Earl and Mooch.If you're wondering what Ozzie does for a living, Earl states it best, "He feeds me, walks me, and rubs my belly." Ozzie is named for my friend Ozzie Cadena, the legendary jazz record producer. When I draw my Ozzie, bebop plays in my head.
Frank and Millie: Mooch's caretakers. A long-married, retired couple, Frank loves Millie and tolerates Mooch. Millie loves Mooch and tolerates Frank.
Shtinky Puddin (aka Jules): This little lost tabby who has a home but can't seem to find it, holds to the "I dunno" mind. He's a sensitive soul who's obsessed with saving endangered species. "somebody has to do it." Shtinky's mentor is a feral alley cat, Mr. Noodles.As hard as I try, it seems that it is impossible to draw Shtinky's nose too big.
Guard Dog: He is a rough and tough canine with a soft heart. I originally thought of him as being antagonistic, but, because I always draw him chained, he became a tragic figure. Especially so when you think of all the real dogs who share his fate.
Butchie: Butchie is the proprietor of the Fatty Snax Deli, which is Earl and Mooch's favorite hangout. He alone stands between them and pig-out heaven. With his massive weight, potato nose, and tiny toothpick, Butchie is my favorite character to draw.Sourpuss: My most modern-day comic character. He hates everything. It started as an inside joke of his hating Mondays but didn't stop there. He hates the whole week.
I'm a little too comfortable writing for Sourpuss.
Woofie: We all know that unconditional love comes in a furry coat, a black shiny nose, and a big shloppy tongue. Woofie wuvs wuv.
Crabby: Mutts is played out in the New Jersey of my mind. Thus Earl and Mooch spend the summers down the shore. There they get to enjoy the company of the world's crabbiest crab. Crabby uses salty language and loves telling "fish" tales, much to the chagrin of his wife, Lollipop, and a bivalve pal Mussels Marinara. Crabby gives Mutts a different tone and another world to explore. It's healthy for me and for the strip, plus I @#$% love to @#$% curse in $#% comic language!Birds: A variety of birds have flown in and out of Mutts over the years. Sitting at the drawing board in front of a large window, a cartoonist searching for ideas can find a lot of birds. It's one of the things I like best about this job. Watching birds immediately reminds me that there is more to life than whatever my mind is chattering about at the moment.
Sid: A fish in a bowl.The Squirrels: Classic comic anarchists. BONK!...
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