Bob Weber Jr. published in over 500 newspapers, and author of books for the famous Slylock Fox.
DM) How did you first start in cartooning?
BW) I always enjoyed drawing and writing as a kid, but I got
my real start at doing cartoons in college... I edited a humor
page for the campus newspaper and contributed many of my own
cartoons. I was a biology major at the time. I soon realized
I preferred cartooning to studying and began submitting cartoons
to magazines
DM) What was the first magazine you submitted to?
BW) At first I submitted to small magazines (trade journals).
I believe the first was called "American Machinist."
They paid $10 a cartoon (single panel cartoon) The competition
there was not as strong as major magazines so I was able to make
sales early on.
DM) Then where did Slylock Holmes originate?
BW) This was a way for me to develop my drawing and writing
skills and get paid a little too. Slylock Fox was part of a comic
strip idea I submitted to King Features Syndicate in 1986 I wanted
to do a strip for young readers and Slylock allowed me to combine
my drawing and writing skills with my interest in science. Many
Slylock mysteries and puzzles require some background in science
to solve.
DM) But how did you think of the character? Was there on event
that made it come to you?
BW) Once I had decided on the format I wanted for my strip
I needed names for my characters. I made a long list. The name
SLYLOCK FOX was on the list... When I read over the list SLYLOCK
FOX just seemed to jump out... I thought THAT'S IT.
DM) Did you read Arthur Conan Doyle as a kid?
BW) I read a little, but only after I saw the old Sherlock
Holmes movies on TV. I loved those films. After that, I got interested
in the books.
DM) The cartoons seem to have a lot of fact to them. How scientifically
accurate are they?
BW) If the fact is part of the puzzle it better be accurate!...
If I'm wrong, I get many letters telling me! If it's not an important
part of the story, like some background art I can do things that
aren't correct... For example, I might have an owl in a tree
observing some action in the strip and the owl's eyes are looking
sideways... owls can't do this. Their eyes are fixed in a forward
direction, they must turn their heads. I think I have a new Slylock
idea here (laughing)
DM) How do you keep coming up with new ideas to keep the comic
fresh?
BW) I read as much as I can and I'm always looking at detail
around me. Writing these mystery puzzles requires me to pay close
attention to the little things that are often overlooked or ignored
I feel like I'm playing a detective myself sometimes.
DM) What do your children say about the comic?
BW) My 5 year-old son loves drawing the characters. I have
a small drawing board in my studio for him. And he loves using
the copy machine!!! My daughter is most interested in the "Find
the six differences" puzzles. She has also memorized the
Slylock Fox Brain Bogglers mystery cards that are sold in stores...
When I go out to libraries or stores to promote the set and the
strip, she shouts out the answers (laughing). I have to "shhh"
her every time!
DM) Do you find that your career gives you more time to spend
with your family then the typical 9-5 job?
BW) Yes. My daughter spent much of her early life in a playpen
in the middle of my studio. She's eight now and she's in my studio
right now watching "Rocko's Modern Life." I take time
during the day to have lunch and play with my son, and when he's
not in pre-school he enjoys drawing and watching videos in my
studio. As long as I'm not writing, it doesn't bother me to have
them with me. I try to do much of writing at night while they
sleep. Of course, I do have to spend time with my wife!!
DM) Do you receive a lot of fan mail?
BW) I get 400-500 e-mail letters a week. I try to answer all
of those. About 1,500-2,000 snail mail letters arrive each week.
It is much harder to answer those! Many are drawing that kids
are submitting for the spot in my strip I publish reader submissions.
DM) A few cartoonists have been known to put "inside
jokes" in their strips. Naming a character after a friend
or having a strip about a real life family event. Have you ever
done anything like this?
BW) Not really. But I have put celebrities in my strip as
characters. Once I put a comedian in strip. His name is Emo Phillips.
I had seen him on TV and once in a comedy club and then he just
sort of dropped off the face of the earth... I thought someone
would see the strip and tell me what happened to him.. but I
just got a few letters from people asking me what happened to
him. By the way, I had him bound in chains about to have a brain
transfer with a bowl of pudding.
DM) What advise do you have for children who want to be cartoonists
when they grow up?
BW) I tell them to draw and write every day. I also tell them
not to be afraid to learn from other cartoonists. Copying people
you like is one way for a kid to learn how to draw certain things
like hands, expressions, objects...anything. It's like a textbook.
And nearly all successful cartoonists started out this way. Their
own style will emerge and develop in time. I also stress the
importance of writing... a cartoonist (especially a comic strip
cartoonist) needs something to say. I encourage kids to read
as much as possible and to study people.
DM) I think that about raps it up. I want to thank you very
much for taking the time out to do this interview. I really appreciate
it.
BW) Thank you! I invite all that are not familiar with my
comic strip and those that are to visit my Slylock Fox website.
See you there!
