The Shark vs. Batman: Sharkham, here I come.

My apologies to all Bat-Fans out there. I'm not exactly sure why my Shark likes to pick on Superheroes. But as you can see, it's so darn easy. 

ps - I love Batman and Dracula ain't too dull either. 

Psycho Squirrels attack Shark.

I know what you're thinking - "Red pandas are not squirrels". Well, FYI, that's supposed to be a Giant Indian Squirrel or Malabar squirrel. They're really cute in reality and I doubt they'd attack sharks like that. I couldn't however say the same for the regular squirrel/chipmunk. They're nasty little creatures.
I've seen a Flying Squirrel but not in flight. And I've only seen them at night (meaning, I've only seen their eyes). So for all I know, they're probably just bats with geeky teeth.

I'm FINished With Fins

I've been loving the FINished With Fins campaign especially their posters with celebrities covering their mouths and wanted to try it. I was so happy when Shark Savers and Wild Aid responded and gave me permission to use the logos.
My Shark is not cannibalistic or anything - it just really wanted to join the picture.
Sign the pledge here.

Apex Breacher

This is an updated version of the breaching strip I did a while ago. The first time I heard and saw anything about Great white sharks breaching was on a Chris Fallows documentary on Discovery channel. Needless to say, I was in awe. His photos became quite iconic and it's my dream to go on one of his expeditions someday.

Her shark is worse than her bite!

Sorry if I made a bad day worse with this groaner.

Sharks - Extinction is NOT an option - CITES 2013

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Over the next couple of weeks in March 2013, parties will vote on a record number of proposals for controlling trade in a variety of threatened sharks and rays, including hammerheads and mantas.
Project Aware started this campaign #CITES4Sharks to raise awareness about the importance of this meeting. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to draw and comic and be a part of this.
Sharks and Rays need your love and awe and support.

The Blackheads of Lorenzini

I recently saw a close-up photo of a shark with very visible Ampullae of Lorenzini which sort of led to this. I wanted to draw them on the shark to make the point but it ended up looking like facial hair! Besides, you can't see them from this far away.

Sleeping IS exercise

This is how I work out. 

I think we should hug now.

How can I say this without sounding completely inhuman? ... I'm not one of those people who hugs someone every time something (or even nothing) happens. I think hugs are great when necessary or when you're caught up in the moment. But when they're doled out like they were free samples of food, they don't seem as special during the times of need, right?
It's pretty funny how most of my friends who know this about me either tell everyone else not to hug me or make sure everyone does hug me.
That being said, we all need hugs every now and then. Even sharks.

I actually did two versions of this sketch and decided I liked the above one better but here's the other one anyway. 

Air Jaws? Not so much.

Here's another sharkish one. It was just a rough doodle that I'd done - it was probably funnier in my head but slapstick is always welcome. White shark breaching is amazing to watch - if you've never watched the "Air Jaws" video, try and watch some of the shark breaching videos on youtube. This was what put South Africa on top of the list of places to see. I mean, who'd want to watch some trained sissy dolphins jump through hoops after this?

Happy Shark Week... anyway!

Pardon me for being a teeny tiny bit bitter during Shark Week but it's justifiable considering that Shark week didn't even air on our Discovery Channel! We actually have "telebrands" for an hour on Discovery channel - to help us further discover how stupid and annoying humans can be.

I was meaning to do a post around Shark Week all year and then the lack of inspiration led to this.

The tranquility of nature

This would have made a nice video clip. You need to imagine the awesome backdrop of the mountains (since I can't be bothered to draw them that well) and the serene atmosphere and then the burst of chaos.

I love nature, especially the mountains but moths and other flying insects make them seem like horror movie sets. Leeches are alright as long as you don't see them. (It's quite interesting to see what happens when you sprinkle salt on them).

Anyway, the shark wasn't supposed to sit on the squirrel but on one side of the human while the squirrel sat on the other. Then I absent-mindedly drew the squirrel where I intended the shark to be and then was too lazy to change it. My humour is sometimes accidental. 

No, I'm not asking for a hug.

I'd drawn this over a month ago. It could be sort of a follow-up/link-up to an old strip. It's not particularly funny but I like how my squirrel turned out.

Nice is not!

There are times when I do think that overtly sweet and sugary people are far more dangerous than those who, well, don't like being associated with sweetness. I simply had to use the "hug-me is the new kick-me" bit again. I did this as an optional final scene which could or couldn't add a bit of spice to it. Or maybe it adds too much to the annoying bear's persona.

I'll leave it up to y'all.

Love and other icky things

 If one wants to see what Valentine's day is all about, you just need to go to any place that sells cards and other ridiculous things like stuffed white bears holding hearts and flowers. I went to Landmark the day before and as always the silly jewelry counter guy asked me if I wanted to buy diamonds. I was already annoyed that they don't sell recycled paper (but very craftily label them all as "Recyclable" and have the recycle symbol) and I almost stopped and asked why on Earth would I buy diamonds from a bookstore. I mean, what kind of book-hating bookstore would diversify into jewelry and cosmetics (this attracts hoards of people who don't read) ? I also wanted to tell him that it being Valentine's day, he should be asking all the guys if they wanted to buy diamonds. If I didn't hate talking to people so much, I'd be a great salesperson.

 

  

 

You'll notice how I very cleverly did not answer any of the questions.

Also, if there is a bunny in any of my strips, it will almost inevitably get whacked. This reminded me of a funny post my friend had put up which had a bit about rabbits which led to me coming up with these rabbit cooking instructions:
1. Cut off and use tail to brush off any extra dirt.
2. Dip bunnies in veet hair removal cream to get rid of their stupid bunny fur.
3. Wash thoroughly.
4. Chop off ears - can be fried and served as chips.
5. Stuff bunnies with required stuffing (carrots and other silly stuff) and roast and toss into stew.

Title credit goes to my friend Dumpsy.

Don't touch me!

I have a friend who does this. It's a very unpredictable action and hence I find it funny enough to draw. I was trying to think of a character that could be the recipient of this action and after much trial and error and processes of elimination, I came up with this. Much to my reluctance.

I started off with a different version which sort of seems more like irritability. I wasn't too happy about it but it seemed probable.

 

This is a policy that most people believe that I am in agreement with, by the way.  It's quite funny. I do find that, in excess, it can be a bit annoying.

ps - uh oh, I just realised that I have a "Don't touch me!" badge on the journal blog which I'd made months ago. So this is not really new then! But the squirrel is new. That makes it better, I suppose.