It’s that time again, folks! We’re out of ideas down here at Batboy HQ, and we need your help. It’s the Second, Ever (and possibly last) Batboy Caption Contest!!! Now with 2x the winning!
Just comment below with your funniest captions for Comic A and/or B and reblog this post. It’s so simple! This contest is also running on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky, follow me there!
The contest will run until December 18th after which a panel of expert funny judges will choose the two laugh-inducingest captions and winners will be revealed.
I’ve talked about the perils of social media before and my addiction to it, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…also here on my blog in 2018.
And I don’t know if this makes me a hypocrite or what, but I continue my love-hate relationship with it. As an artist, or writer, or any other creative person in 2024, you need to have some level of social media presence. It’s really how I’ve made the handful of good connections that keep me going. But, sometimes social media use gets out of hand, it becomes addictive and so much easier to scroll forever, until your eyeballs dry up and your tongue lolls out of your mouth, than doing the creative work that needs to be done.
Batboy knows the struggle.
Some of my Batboy comics from the past couple of years have dealt with this phenomenon. As pictured above, Batboy sits at a dangerously blank piece of paper, pencil in hand, needing some inspiration, and he has the most unhelpful thought: Maybe I should look at my phone.
“DON’T DO IT!” I say, as you are more than likely already reading my words on your little pocket computer screen right now. Otherwise you will end up like Batboy in my short animated PSA below:
SCROLL AND SCROLL AND SCROLL…
Do you ever feel like this after a TikTok binge?
Again, this may seem like I am biting the hand that feeds me, because in reality my Batboy character wouldn’t even exist without the prodding and support of a few friends on social media.
But sometimes it feels like I’m feeding the hand that bites me.
So, until all us indie artists get the attention and support we deserve from the mainstream pop culture institutions, I guess we just have to find a balance, set some limits on our screen time and try to get back to our creative pursuits as much as humanly possible. Before brain death sets in.
I try to hide my phone when working, or to put it in a completely different room.
How do you deal with the addictions of the internet and social media?/
If you happen to be scrolling, you can find my fantastic content on Instagram. And as an antidote to Scrolling Fever you can find my physical books on my books page, they’re a lot easier on the eyes.
It’s late August and there’s a slight chill to the air, one of a few signs that my favorite season is near.
I’m speaking about Fall of course, it’s the best, most spooky season and a time when I really come alive.
This is how I roll
One of the other indications of Autumn’s approach is the return of Pumpkinspice Everything!
Pumpkinspice is back! Again. And again and again.
I made this funny illustration five years ago poking fun at this phenomenon. I call it “The Return of Pumpkinspice.” I posted about it here on my blog.
It was both a critique of our consumer culture and an homage to Pumpkinhead, one of my favorite horror films of the 1980s. My illustration had a brief, nearly viral couple of weeks, which was exciting. Seeing something that I thought was funny also being liked and shared by hundreds of other strangers on the internet! Wowzers.
So why am I going on again about this Pumpkinspice thing? Word on the street is that Starbucks has released their Pumpkinspice creations earlier than usual this year. And I am here to continue to ridicule it while also enjoying the trendy flavor of the season.
What are your thoughts? Are you a fan of the spice?
In the years since, I’ve revived Pumpkinspice from time to time, most recently in this Batboy comic from last Fall.
Additionally, I have one signed and numbered, limited edition “Return of Pumpkinspice” 11×14 Print available in my Etsy Shop. Grab it now before it’s gone FOREVER!
Batboy is back in yet another collection of comics!
Shvitzin’ to the Small Stuff finds Batboy battling failure, reframing rejection, enjoying obsolete art forms and imparting his usual off-kilter words of wisdom. This is the third collection of Batboy Comics.
Give it to me now. I need it yesterday. I just can’t wait.
I’m not the first person to identify a problem with instant gratification. Maybe there isn’t really a problem. Maybe it’s good to have your wants and needs met immediately and constantly. Life should be pretty perfect then. But maybe you begin to feel entitled to it. You lose patience. You get anxious or angry if something stands between you and your pleasures. You need to eliminate the obstacles. Cut out the middleman.
But, maybe we’re cutting out more than just the man in the middle. Maybe now that you can order a new book without leaving your couch or your bedroom, and have it delivered, without even dealing with a delivery person for that matter, you’re missing out on some actual, real life experiences.
Even walking to the bookstore could expose you to some idea, an image, a scene, or a weird snippet of conversation from passersby. At the store you might flip through a bin of used books and discover some unknown classic that has never been and never will be digitized. The clerk might have some recommendations that the Algorithm couldn’t possibly deliver. They might be wearing a cool T-shirt with one of your favorite bands or an obscure 1980s cult horror film. This could be your new best friend. Or maybe they’re rude and awkward and it’ll result in a good anecdote someday.
But now with instant, next-day, prime delivery, you’d never know.
I’ve been collaborating with my friend, the impressive wordsmith, Peter Hammarberg for a few weeks now on an all new Batboy mini comic.
Neverything Nowhere All at the Same Time
He wrote the words, I squiggled the doodles.
As usual there are some bonus materials jammed in there, I think you’re gonna enjoy it.
To get the free comic, one must face three arduous trials by the glow of the waxing gibbous Moon adjacent to the Cave of the Crepuscular Hermit Wizard known to some as “Larry.”
Despite the fact that his latest book is titled: Getting Nowhere Fast, Batboy is still trying to flap those wings, move those little yellow shoes, and actually get somewhere.
I just wanted to do a quick roundup of some Batboy-related news.
Firstly, I’m excited to announce that Batboy is listed over on Indie Comics Zone, a great resource for those who are interested in independent comics. Head over and peruse the many creators featured there.
If you find yourself in the North Jersey area and are in need of comics and collectibles, please stop in at East Side Mags in Montclair. You’ll be able to find the first two Batboy books there.
In addition to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, I am now on Reddit where I hope to share new Batboy comics in the near future.
M. R. KESSELL 