Jerry Scott:
Finding Laughter in Unexpected Places
interview by
Mike Nappa
It's hard to underestimate the impact that Jerry Scott has had on modern-day cartooning--or on modern life!
As the co-creator and scripter of the award-winning comic strips, ZITS and BABY BLUES, he's brought his own unique wit to millions of readers, and taught us how to laugh at ourselves in the process. In fact, BABY BLUES alone reaches over 40 million people all over the world and is featured in over 850 newspapers and 20 periodicals. It's no wonder The National Cartoonists Society has awarded a Scott-penned comics as the "Best Comic Strip of the Year."
But here's what really
matters: Jerry Scott is FamilyFans.com's very favorite cartoonist ‘cause we
can't stop laughing at his work in ZITS and BABY BLUES.
And since this it our mag, it means we get to pick who is featured in our cover
story interview!
Fortunately, Jerry was kind enough to chat with us (well, to listen to us gush about his work and try to get a word in edgewise). Here’s what he had to say...
FamilyFans.COM Thanks for joining us today Jerry! Wow, we love your work. It's a great pleasure to chat with you about life and laughter for a bit. OK, let’s start off with the hard stuff: You've been creating BABY BLUES since 1990, and added on your second syndicated strip, ZITS, not long after. With a double workload like that, how do you stay fresh? How do you keep creating BABY BLUES and ZITS when other cartoonists seem to burn out early?
JERRY SCOTT: I've been a cartoonist since I was about six years old, professionally since I was 25. I've felt a connection with comics my whole life. I suppose that the opportunity to entertain people without actually having to be onstage is the thing that keeps me going. (That and the mortgage bill!)
How is a typical Baby Blues or Zits strip is created?
JS: Typically, I write and my partners draw. With Baby Blues my day consists of sitting on the couch and daydreaming with a pad of paper on my lap. When I see our characters doing something funny in my mind, I write it down. Rick [Kirkman, the artist for the cartoon,] and I work in batches of 12 strips, so when I have 12, I swing over to the computer and rewrite until the visual timing and dialogue is perfect. Then I e-mail them to Rick...With Zits, pretty much the same thing happens, except that I don't use the computer and I draw the first pencil roughs and fax them to [final artist], Jim [Borgman].
Which characters in Baby Blues and Zits are most like you?
JS: I suppose Darryl [the father] is the character in
Baby Blues most
like me. We have a [young] daughter who somehow keeps me feeling as hapless
as Darryl! With Zits, I feel closest to Jeremy, who is the kid I
wish I had been at 15. In practice, I probably act and look a lot more like his
dad, Walt.
What's the best compliment someone could give you regarding your work?
JS: The best compliment we receive on both strips is the question, “Have you been peeking in our windows??” It tells us that we're on track with honest material that our readers can relate to.
Well, let us just say then, "Have you been peeking
in our windows??"
Before we close, is there anything else you'd like to say to all the people who'll be reading this interview?
JS: Thanks for this opportunity.
Thank you, Jerry. It’s been a pleasure.
Hey! Want to read more funnies from Jerry Scott? Check out his web site:
•••