The Shark Podcast: Episode 3

 

Annoying people virtually is simply not the same.  As much we love our own space, this pandemic has shown us that we are indeed social beings and going without human interaction for long does crazy things to our minds. All the zoom and FaceTime calls cannot match up to ten minutes at a coffee shop in person. 

The Shark Podcast: Episode 2

 

Bob does not think it is right to complain about masks being an inconvenience. There are people actually struggling to breathe because there isn't any oxygen in many hospitals in India. So when people outside are still taking things lightly, it makes us wonder if our apathy deserves a wake-up call. 

The Shark Podcast Series: Episode 1

 

I wanted to do a series on current feels with a slightly lighter note - not to take the situation lightly or make light of it. It has been a while since I've done any of my comics so hopefully this will help create some awareness and also make you smile. Keep praying for those struggling in these times.

Sharktivity #18: Angelshark spends way too much time online!

Sometimes I think that this is all that the angelshark can do during a lockdown - lie down and explore the internet. This is one of those sharks that I dread drawing - it's not even that sharkish! There are several types of angelsharks (this is another generic one) and once used to be quite common.

However, angelsharks are now listed as CRITICALLY ENDANGERED in the IUCN red list - this means they are one step away from being extinct in the wild. :(

I hope this angelshark is looking at happier things online.

Be sensitive and sensible.

Did you know that a shark can sense you in the water in many different ways? It can see you, smell you, hear you, feel you and feel you. The lateral line of a shark can sense pressure changes in the water and their ampullae of Lorenzini can pick up the faintest of electrical fields. Except, they have better things to do than stalk you for the sadistic pleasure of it.

As much as I love the song "Every breath you take" by The Police, I always thought it was a bit stalkery. I've had a stalker or two in my life (and not because they love my cartoons and want a commissioned piece) which is already a stalker or two too many. I just watched the show "You"which aims to make you almost root for the psycho but victims of stalking would only be sickened by it. It's any day better to be stalked by a shark, than a psychotic human.

Selfie adventures

I have not taken a single successful selfie till date. Perhaps with a selfie stick (or as I like to call it - an 'I-pod'). I am fascinated by how far the selfie has taken over the world though. They are almost worth a series of comics. 

Episode #1 - Make like a duck

Episode #2 - Ducks don't have lips either

Episode #3 - Selfie-Stick it to them

Episode #4 - The Invasive Species

Episode # 5 - The cheesy finalé

Hugging Day?

I was supposed to post this yesterday. That's how much I care about "hugging day". I can't believe they actually have a "hugging day".

My Incredible Super Phone

As phones become more than just phones day by the day, we probably shouldn't be surprised if our phones eventually have superpowers. For the time being, I'd be happy if my phone could do some of the above. Hopefully someday, our phones will be our avengers or dark knights but for now perhaps they will be the best phones they can be - and make top quality, reliable phone calls without interference, fade outs, disconnects or low volume. This is how we stay connected and safe.
This comic blog was drawn specially for the Indiblogger ASUS contest.

Better things to do - Part 1

There are times (oftentimes) when we aren't as quick to respond to social calls and excuses are made when we can't make it for a reunion or family gathering or even reply to a voicemail/email/text message/ any of the zillion communication methods we have these days. The standard excuse is that you've been busy and usually people accept that because they use it too. However, sometimes some people actually ask you what you were actually up to. They come to learn that "I've been really busy" is the socially less offensive way of saying "there were times we could have caught up but I had better things to do".
Of course, it's good to sometimes actually take the time to be social so that you don't end up being a sociopath but it's also good not to get offended if someone would just rather read comic books.

I say "part 1" because I can think of many more and maybe if people sent in their excuses, I'd use a few of those too.

Not another cat one!

Just when you think sharks are growing in popularity, a cat comes along and ruins everything. That's just what cats do.
Okay, I must admit that some of their pictures are rather likeable. But sharks are awesomer.

I'M NOT REALLY SHOUTING!

I DO PONDER ABOUT SILLY STUFF LIKE THIS. I REMEMBER READING THAT IT'S BAD E-ETIQUETTE TO WRITE EMAILS IN ALL CAPS. THEN I NOTICED MY ARCHIE COMICS AND FEW OTHER COMICS WHOSE SCRIPTING WAS ALL IN CAPS AND I REALISED THAT I NEVER THOUGHT OF THEM AS YELLING CONSTANTLY. BUT RIGHT NOW IT PROBABLY SEEMS LIKE I AM SHOUTING ALL OF THIS. INTERESTING HUH?

Comic Con India!

Comic Con India is happening in Bangalore in less than a month. I didn't really think of having a stall to showcase my comic. But a friend suggested that I use the stall to promote shark conservation..now that seemed like a better idea. It would primarily be a comic stall but showcasing shark awareness in a fun way and hopefully I'll get people excited about sharks. I don't have a lot of space - only 2x1m - but it would be awesome if I can display a collage of shark art/facts/comics/fan photos from all over the world. Since I haven't done anything like this before, I could use all the help/ideas/suggestions/resources I can get! Nobody really knows my comic so it will be a bit challenging but I hope it goes well.

Looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks a lot.

ps-
Here's a list of what I thought I should have:
1. A couple of self-published books with a collection of comics from my site
2. Cardboard cutouts of characters
3. A fun fact sheet about sharks with information about my comic
4. Banners: One showing various sharks in the world of comics, one about shark conservation and one with stuff about my comic.
5. Coffee mugs? T-shirts? Badges?

Facebook must be wrong. Everyone loves me!

Strangely enough (I'd drafted this comic several weeks ago), my post yesterday only got about half a dozen likes but Facebook claims that about 200 people viewed it. It must be because I posted a link instead of the full picture. No one seems to like moving from one page to another anymore. It's one of the more difficult chores of the new century. Lazy humans. 

My original comic didn't include the last panel. I wasn't sure about adding it but then I thought it would be fun to get a bit dramatic.

The inevitable question

This seems to be quite true. When I mentioned "profile photo", did you instantly think of Facebook or what? 

Now, THIS is "A whole new world"!

Ever since the internet entered our lives full-time (remember aol?) and we could be a whole different person with an active social [media] life, it's taken over so much of our daily routines.

Now that I've finally got a dumb smart phone that works, I get very excited when I'm around wi-fi areas or my vodafone mobile internet connection is on. While I used to check my email/social media sites maybe a dozen times a day, it's probably more like several dozen times an hour now. 

There are several reasons why internet on-the-go has become necessary. For instance, now, I can wake up in the middle of the night wondering what that actor's name was or how do I spell "cemetery" and find out with my imdb.com and dictionary.com apps! Or if I'm waiting for hours for someone at a restaurant (I like being there 5 minutes before agreed time and most people follow GMT while in India), I can watch silly parodies on youtube or play "words with friends" (and check dictionary.com at the same time!). 

This seemingly random post is my entry for the Indiblogger  "Internet is fun" contest sponsored by http://www.vodafone.in/fun

ps - I actually tried posting this via my mobile but my many accounts confused me.

pps - yes, I caved in and entered a contest. I'm such a sell-out. :D

I need to be lazy!

I can't quite remember what brought about this idea but it must have been some daydream about some gadgets or why we'd need to have a gadget that would fold all your clothes and sort them. (Sometimes my mind goes into nerd mode. I'm secretly proud of it.) I can't be bothered with such tasks when I could be doing great things instead! It is amazing to see how far we've come and what might have inspired or caused it.

But it does seem that the more we invented things to make life easier, the more we feel everything needs to be effortless. 

How to sound wisdomous

I hope I don't offend any wise people. I should probably stop talking in that case. 

(But I do think some "wise quotes" just sound that way because of how they are said and not because it's some radical new thought or piece of advice).

Until we meet Facebook to Facebook

I do love forbidden cake. 

This strip was probably done just for the "Facebook to Facebook" line. Also, I can't make up my mind if I'm needy for some web communication or could not have less of it. 

This comic is available for a short period of time only. View today!

Yes, limited or collectors' edition/ stickers/captions make me want to buy items more than I would otherwise. It's a clever ploy to lure people like me. I own several (some embarrassing) memorabilia simply because I believed it was my last chance to own something that I'd someday wish for a chance to get rid of. The worst is when they bring out DVDs and CDs and after you've bought them, they bring out collectors' editions or Director's cut edition or some special editions. I own 3 different versions of Shania Twain's "Up!" album. True story.

Totally different note:  Would anyone like to buy a few collectors' editions DVDs?

Once upon a time sharks and humans coexisted peacefully

Once upon a time there lived a princess and she had a magical hourglass that could...
See? Those stories are way more interesting than the usual rubbish I write under each post. Some fairy tales are a bit annoying but it's nice to get an occasional dose of fantasy. I'm also really enjoying the new TV show "Once upon a time".

ps - Maybe mermaids existed once upon a time and then sharks ate them all.