Tag Archives: Bubba

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

9 Replies

I love Roz Chast’s memoir Can’t We talk About Something More Pleasant?, and while she was recounting the story of her aging parents, I think the phrase is particularly appropriate today. Today, we are not going to talk about any of the appalling news that has happened in several parts of the world, or about political candidates and the stupid, insensitive things that they may or may not have said.

We are going panda panda panda with some of the cutest panda cartoons of all times.

2) Life on the panda ranch

Like this one from the way back files…

 

3) This cartoon appeared in Henry Nicholls' book The Way of the Panda

This cartoon appeared in Henry Nicholls’ book The Way of the Panda

You can't just DO stuff. You need instruction from an expert!

You can’t just DO stuff. You need instruction from an expert!

How IS this different from Pinky's normal bossiness?

How IS this different from Pinky’s normal bossiness?

What the well dressed panda cub is wearing this season!

What the well dressed panda cub is wearing this season!

When I first started drawing panda satire, I went through this intensive period of what I called, “Learning From the Masters” and immersed myself in books of collected cartoons by Bill Watterson, (Calvin and Hobbes) Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury) Steven Pastis (Pearls Before Swine) and Darby Conley (Get Fuzzy) among others. recently, I received the exhibition catalog from a 2014 show of Bill Watterson’s original cartoons at Ohio State University’s Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. I’m in the middle of reading an interview with Watterson and it is full of Calvin-ish wisdom. Have I mentioned Calvin and Hobbes is my favorite cartoon series ever?

Oh dear, the Mei-hem twinkies have made Pinky mad. Uh oh.

Oh dear, the Mei-hem twinkies have made Pinky mad. Uh oh.

Anyway, although I was making notes on some of the most significant points in the interview, I seem to have misplaced the paper I wrote them on. (this happens a lot around here) but if I may paraphrase some of the statements I loved best:

On the difference between editorial cartooning and comic strips: You get to make stuff up.

What characters say: When you are really in tune with your characters, it’s not so much writing dialog, but listening to the characters own voices.

Yeah, see? it IS Pinky saying all that stuff! I think I need to go on a road trip to all the cartoon museums in this country.

And because this will always be one of my favorite Wu-toons,

24) Dis. Will. Not. Stand!

Dis. Will. Not. Stand!

Mittens will return on Sunday. Stay tuned.

Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda

What a World We Live In

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It’s no wonder some people (such as myself) have a little bit of a hard time separating fact from fiction. As you will see in next week’s ‘toons, when Mittens takes to the stage, there was so much of his dialog that I could pull from actual news items, that I really didn’t have to make much up. In some ways, it makes my life easier, but in other ways… I’d like the world we live in to be kind and fair and…um…have so many pandas that they become a pest: invasive rather than endangered. They could go into neighborhoods where people have foolishly planted bamboo, which has now gotten out of control, and take care of it, providing fertilizer in addition to pesky plant removal. The Putting Pandas to Work program could go global!

Should Pandas pay their own way?

Putting Pandas to Work goes global!

Along with all the political news of the week, I’ve also seen a few references to “sock puppet” accounts on various social media outlets. I don’t know what the big deal is. I’ve always loved puppets.

But they're so cute!

But they’re so cute!

And as various politicians toot their horns about their popularity, as opposed to that of their opponents…

See? I told you it was broken!

See? I told you it was broken!

(Ha ha! That one has become one of my all time favorites!)

But as we head into the home stretch of this very long campaign season, let me leave you with a ‘toon that reminds us, that the most important positions in the world should not be awarded through stoking the fears of some, but because of what we can bring to a table where there is room for all.

Consider this my Werld Peez Pandifesto

Consider this my Werld Peez Pandifesto

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

And now for a word from our sponsor! If you enjoy these cartoons and want to support *me* the creator of the aforementioned cartoons, consider visiting my Book Page and buying my books for yourself or for friends! A portion of my sales also goes to support our friends at Pandas International, who support actual pandas!

Daddee Knows Best

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Dadde will fix everything, because, Daddee knows best. But has he really thought that he can keep Pinky from her desire for world domination? I think Daddee has not thought this through well. Not well at all.

Pinky is just so sensitive....

Pinky is just so sensitive….

It all comes back to politics, doesn’t it? Be sure to tune in again on Sunday (Not to mention fabulous Furry Friday) when Mittens the Cat makes his first reappearance on the panda debate stage. Both Bob and Pinky will be there with Mehitabel as your moderator, trying to keep things from getting nasty. Good luck with that!

Stay tuned and Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

Oh Where Has My Little Bun Gone?

24 Replies

Oh where, of where has my little bun gone, oh where, oh where can he be? The disappearance of Mr. Bun is such big news that it is the lead story on today’s episode of ZooNooZ! This has all the hallmarks of an international incident of crisis proportions! Will the Toronto Twinkies send Mr. Bun Home? Maybe, but not just yet, I don’t think.

Is that a ransom note I see?

Is that a ransom note I see?

And the demand is that Pinky be nice to Bubba????? Hmmm…this seems kind of suspicious if you ask me. I’m afraid there could be political concussions ahead!

And on a completely unrelated note, This video may replace pandas on a slide as my new favorite panda video! Just part of the Putting Pandas to work program! Nothing here to see…let’s move along, please.

Wednesday’s ‘toon will have more from the missing Mr. Bun controversy and then Mittens the Cat makes his reappearance next week. Be very afraid. This cat is not qualified to hold office!

Be the Bear

Bob T Panda

An Embarrassment Of Pandas

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Recently, it was brought to my attention, that the collective noun for a group of pandas is an embarrassment of pandas. I find this highly suspect, not to mention somewhat demeaning to pandas. Is this a ploy by certain political factions to imply that pandas are not fit for office? The Hmmmph! factor for this little piece of so called news is extremely high. What’s so embarrassing about being a panda, I’d like to know! well, yes, we are kind of messy eaters, and not much to brag about in the romance department, but we are awfully cute, don’t you think?

Meanwhile happy happy happy news from Belgium yesterday, where Hao Hao and Xing Hui are the proud parents of a bouncing baby cub! Fingers and paws are being crossed that the little pink bundle of joy survives its first days and weeks. Panda cubs weigh about four ounces at birth and have no fur!

So to celebrate this blessed event in Belgium, I thought I would share some ‘toons about….baby pandas! Huzzah! Let’s start with my first baby panda, the ineffable Wu Self!

"Howdy do! I'm Mr. Wu! Who are you?"

“Howdy do! I’m Mr. Wu! Who are you?”

"Wu calls his dance, 'Ode to a Weaf' "

“Wu calls his dance, ‘Ode to a Weaf’ “

Moving on, we have the early days of her pink (but slightly dangerous) self, Princess Pinky!

Pinky tests her powers....

Pinky tests her powers….

And who could forget the early days of Meihem?

The first appearance of the Meihems!

The first appearance of the Meihems!

And how happy we were when Bubba arrived in DC…

These paws are made for walking....eventually.

These paws are made for walking….eventually.

Feed me, Mama!

Feed me, Mama!

Don’t forget to tune in Sunday when we continue with our coverage of the Mr. Bun Disappearance!

Be the Bear!
Bob T Panda

 

The Ransom of Mr. Bun

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Oh dear. It seems that Mr. Bun is missing. What is Pinky to do? Mr. Bun has been a comfort to Pinky and even though she has “allowed” Bubba to sometimes play with Mr. Bun (NOT a bribe! No!) But where has he gone? Has he left of his own accord? (Pinky does seem to have a number of magical possessions, after all) Will Pinky hold Bubba responsible for his safe return? Will there be a ransom note?

Will he even return at all?

And meanwhile at an undisclosed location in Canada....

And meanwhile at an undisclosed location in Canada….

I thought maybe it would be a good thing to have some cartoons about adorable but mischievous panda cubbies before we unleash Mittens the Cat on all of you. Enjoy the reprieve. You’re welcome.

Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda

Pinky has a Cunning Plan

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Oh that Pinky! She snuck off to the Iowa caucuses, using Daddy’s credit cards and now there are rumors of her showing up in New Hampshire, as well as appearances scheduled in South Carolina! But what kind of cunning plan has she used so that no one will realize she has left the zoo?

And is her willingness to let Bubba play with Mr. Bun NOT a sign that Pinky has learned to share (as IF!!!!) but a way to buy his silence when she sneaks out of the zoo?

What do YOU think?

That Pinky is too clever for her own good!

That Pinky is too clever for her own good!

Meanwhile, after listening to the GOP “debates” on Saturday night, (didn’t I have anything better to do? Apparently not.) I think I can honestly say that having a roomful of baby pandas on stage would not have been any more unruly than what was happening before the world and everyone. I get that there are legitimate differences of opinions both between and within political parties. I have even (gasp!) voted for republicans in state elections. But I think that requiring participants of these “debates” to wear shock collars which would provide a mild but emphatic shock when the wearer lied, would have provided a more illuminating discussion.  Just saying.

You have a clear choice. #HeyWhyNotVote4Bob or #Vote4Pinky

We could do worse.

Be the Bear
Bob T Panda

Get Ready for The Panda Season of Love

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You might not realize that Valentine’s Day takes place in mid February because it commemorates the beginning of the Panda Season of Love. I’m pretty sure I am not making this up.

Would I lie to you?

I thought it was time for a new Valentine’s Day cartoon, because the last one I did was at least four or five years ago.

So here it is!

it's the panda, the panda season of love!

it’s the panda, the panda season of love!

And word from the Toronto Zoo is, they have both a girl and a boy, going strong but not names yet. What’s wrong with “Bob” and “Babette”? I think they have a nice ring, don’t you?

Meanwhile, I hope you are celebrating the opening days of the Panda Season of Love with those you hold dearest. And…um…if you have any extra chocolate, send it my way. Okay?

Be the Schmoopy Bear!
Bob T Panda

 

It’s The Year of the Fire Monkey

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Yes, it’s the favorite holiday of pandas once again, the Chinese New Year and no one likes to celebrate it more than the panda kindergarten! This year we celebrate the Year of the Fire Monkey and once again we ask, “why is there no Year of the PANDA????” (And every year Mehitabel answers, “as far as I can tell, it’s ALWAYS the year of the panda around here. Hmmmph!”)

For a more factual report of the meaning of this year, visit Vicky Vladic’s blog for her report on The Year of the Fire Monkey and a delicious cuppycake recipe! I’ve done an illustrated version of this recipe which will be appearing on one of my new favorite websites, They Draw and Cook, which features illustrated recipes from artists around the world. Huzzah!

And here, with no further folderol, is the panda kindergarten’s tribute to The Year of the Fire Monkey!

Well, the FIRE part had Mehitabel a little worried, but...

Well, the FIRE part had Mehitabel a little worried, but…

Personally, I think pandas look quite dashing in the other kind of monkey suit! And as Bob says, at least nothing is on fire, like a few hearts ago with The Year of the Dragon celebration.

the year of the dragon, panda kindergarten

Huzzah! it’s the year of the Dragon!

See you on Wednesday!

Be the Bear,
Bob T Panda

Open Late Gate 3

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Yes, I had promised to conclude our story about the change in the National Zoo opening times, but several things got in the way, like Bubba’s debut and whoever it was that broke the Cute-o-Meter.

And then there was Snomaggedon 2016 known on twidder as #Snozilla. The video of Tian Tian, the paterfamilias of the National Zoo Panda clan has been going wildly viral on the interwebs, which I know because at least 6 separate people either tagged me in the video or posted it on my FB page. My sympathy goes out to all of you who are stuck at home with nothing to do while the storm rages on outside, and the snow drifts reach your upper story windows, other than watch panda videos, curl up on the couch and read and eat microwave popcorn. You did remember to stock up on that, didn’t you?

So, without any further ado about nothing, here is the final episode of Open Late Gate

How many times do we have to tell you...Don't make pinky mad!!!!

How many times do we have to tell you…Don’t make pinky mad!!!!

What can we say?

Starting this week, we will be exploring the potential for pandas in the Pacific Northwest! Could it happen? We don’t know, but people who know people are talking about it. And by that, I mean, “people other than me!”

Be the Bear
Bob T. Panda