ANB: Why did you decide to become a cartoonist?
ANB: Why did you decide to become a cartoonist?
Mark: I thought it would be fun. I made the decision in nursery School so I may be forgetting some of the details!
ANB: Which cartoonist inspired you?
Mark: Some of my favorite cartoonists at that time were Charles Schulz, Mort Walker, and Johnny Hart. As I got older I discovered George Herriman, E.C. Segar, Billy DeBeck and Percy Crosby. Schulz remains a primary influence to this day -- Sparky will never be matched.
ANB: What did you do to get syndicated?
Mark: I wrote and drew six weeks of dailies, put them in a folder with a page of character descriptions, mailed them to everybody and waited.
ANB: Did you worry about sending color Sunday strips?
Mark: Not at all. They're not necessary. Syndicates are primarily looking for good writing and interesting/marketable characters -- your dailies should demonstrate that fine.
ANB: How long did it take you to become syndicated?
Mark: About six months -- because of the response time.
ANB: How many rejection letters did you get for James? Top of the World?
Mark: Top was rejected by everyone but United Feature Syndicate -- so my decision was easy. "James" was rejected by two of the six syndicates that I showed it to. In addition to being an impressive syndicate, with a well deserved reputation, Universal Press moved VERY quickly and made me an offer I couldn't refuse. I've never been happier.
ANB: Once you achieved your goal of syndication, how did your life change?
Mark: Deadlines -- I stopped sleeping, answering the phone and playing on weekends.
ANB: What's the most difficult thing to deal with now that you are syndicated?
Mark: Trying to have a life away from the drawing table.
ANB: You make the life of a cartoonist sound like MORE than a full-time job!
Mark: To quote Mort Walker: "It's like being married to a nymphomaniac. I enjoy what I do -- but it NEVER stops!!" Imagine.
ANB: Have you ever had your editor veto one of your strips?
Mark: Never. I've always had final say on what gets printed. I have tremendous respect for my editor's opinions and concerns -- and I'm thankful for them -- but in the end I do whatever I want to do. That's the only way I'll work. I've been with three major syndicates and I've never received anything but complete support and freedom. Despite what you think -- they're lovely people.
ANB: *lol* That's certainly a different story from what other cartoonists have said! However, is your ability to do whatever you want common in the syndicated world or is it unique to you/your syndicate?
Mark: I don't know anyone that's had a problem. In fact, the thing I love most about my job is that I've always had the complete freedom to do and say whatever I please. I have Jay Kennedy, Amy Lago and now Lee Salem to thank for that. So, it's across the board -- syndicate-wise. They're great people.
ANB: James is your second syndicated comic strip. Your first is Top of the World. Will you continue to do that strip?
Mark: James is a full time job and about as much work as I need right now. Top Of The World will have it's entire run repeated on United Media's web site (comics.com) -- and wherever else they think there is a market for it -- but I won't be creating any new installments.
ANB: Why did you decide to do James when you were already syndicated with Top of the World?
Mark: When it became clear that Top's sales had reached a low ceiling, I was excited to do something new. My first child (James) had just been born and my head was in a different place.
ANB: So it wasn't hard to abandon Top of the World then?
Mark: Not at all. I was very satisfied. My primary goals have always been artistic ones and "Top" allowed me to play at the top of my game. It was a very unconventional strip and both United and I knew that we were rolling the dice when we put it out there. I'll always be very proud of their efforts. I had a great time doing it -- no regrets.
ANB: What happened to "Jack & Tyler?"
Mark: The world may never know! "Jack and Tyler" was my first syndicated strip, distributed by King Features Syndicate (1995-96). It got my foot in the door and left me there! An exciting time.
ANB: So how long did it take to get "Jack and Tyler" syndicated?
Mark: That was the six months I mentioned before. Both United and King expressed an interest in what I was doing. I ended up going with King.
ANB: What caused the termination of "Jack and Tyler?"
Mark: Poor sales. We had a terrible launch and it didn't get better.
ANB: What did you learn from this experience?
Mark: How it all works and doesn't work -- and how it's impossible to predict or control either. Ultimately, this job is about you and the blank sheet of paper on your drawing table, nothing else. It's very personal. Success is about what happens in your studio not in the marketplace.
ANB: I understand that you signed a deal with Andrews & McMeel to do two James books to start in 2002. Any Top of the World books?
Mark: Not yet, but I still get asked about it every day. A "Top Of The World" book is definitely on my list of things to do -- I just haven't had time to find a publisher. As you said, "James" will be introduced to book shelves next year -- thanks for the plug!
ANB: You are welcome! What is your favorite comic strip?
Mark: I have a short list of favorites starting with "Peanuts" by Charles Schulz. The others are "Krazy Kat" by George Herriman, "Thimble Theatre" (Popeye) by E.C. Segar, "Skippy" by Percy Crosby and "Barney Google" by Billy DeBeck.
ANB: I've never heard of Skippy so I'm going to have to check that out! What about web strips like Sluggy Freelance and other popular, non-syndicated comic strips?
Mark: Truth be told, I don't look at a lot of new anything anymore -- syndicated or not. The strips I turn to regularly for inspiration are the classics I mentioned, and they're on my book shelf.
ANB: I hear you are a Reuben Award winner. What is that and what did you win it for?
Mark: Reuben awards are the comic industry's Academy Award. I was very honored to be named gag cartoonist of the year by the National Cartoonists Society in 1997 -- a very special night.
ANB: What's some advice you'd give to those trying to get their foot in the door?
Mark: Have fun. Do what you love to do the way you want to do it. With or without a syndication contract, If your goals are artistic ones, you'll always be a success.
ANB: Anything else you'd like to say?
Mark: Enjoy!
ANB: Thanks Mark!
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