Air Dates for "Thom Cat" and "The Infinite Goliath!"

Nickelodeon has finally released the air dates for my two animated cartoon pilots, “Thom Cat” and “The Infinite Goliath” which will air as part of the “Random Cartoons” show on Nicktoons in January! “The Infinite Goliath” premieres on “Random Cartoons” Saturday Jan 17, 2009 (West Coast 10:30 a.m., East Coast 1:30 p.m.) and “Thom Cat” premieres on “Random Cartoons” Saturday Jan 31 2009 (West Coast 10:30 a.m., East Coast 1:30 p.m.). You can see more about both cartoons at my website: http://www.pencilforhire.com/!

“Thom Cat” synopsis (created & written by Mike Gray):
Thom G. Cat is a genius inventor, a brilliant scientist, and a fashion trendsetter…not bad for a cat! The smartest cat in the world that is! Thom Cat makes his animated screen debut dealing with a young bully...who will never, ever pick on little girls again after enduring Thom’s unique form of justice!

“The Infinite Goliath” synopsis (co-created with Erik Knutson, written & directed by Mike Gray):
Infinite Goliath is the most dangerous villain in the universe, who has been paroled (after spending 30 years in the Quartz Nebula) and forced to live in suburban America as a model citizen. Essentially a 'super villain in recovery,' he has to try and live his life without destroying people, places, or things... or risk a return to the Nebula!

Please let me know what you think of the cartoons if you get a chance ot see them (use your DVR or TIVO!

--Mike

Ape Escape Trailer!

A terrific new trailer for the "Ape Escape" cartoon series I worked on (as Head Writer/Script Editor) can be seen at the link below, you must check it out!!: http://frederatorblogs.com/ape/2008/12/11/ape-escape-trailer/

I can't wait for Nicktoons to announce a date for the series to air...as soon as I know, I will be sure to post!

--Mike

CAPS Bil Keane Banquet Nov 15 2008

Doug Gray, Melissa Gray, Mike Gray (myself), Stan and Sharon Sakai!

Melissa and I with Bil Keane, creator of Family Circus!

With the hilarious Mel Lazarus (creator of Miss Peach and Momma)!

Melissa and I with Glen Keane, one of the greatest animators of all time!

Melissa with Cathy Guisewite, creator of one of Melissa's favorite strips, Cathy!

My wife Melissa, my brother Doug and I had a terrific time at the CAPS banquet this past weekend (11/15/08) at Maggianos in Woodland Hills, CA! Getting to meet Bil Keane (creator of Family Circus), and to see a ton of his original art in person, was a real treat! We also met Cathy Guisewite (creator of Cathy), Greg Evans (creator of Luann) and his wife wonderful Betty, Mel Lazarus (creator of Momma and Miss Peach), and Glen Keane (one of the great Disney animators of any generation)! It was terrific to catch up with old friends Stan (Usagi Yojimbo) and Sharon Sakai, and we are looking forward to seeing them at Sac Con in December and Wondercon in Feb! And it was great, as usual, getting to see Stephen (one of the great cartoon designers of our time) and Heidi Silver, and Sergio Aragones! The banquet featured terrific food, hilarious entertainment and fantastic company all around...it's good to be part of CAPS (and I can't wait for next year)!

--Mike

Costco Cartoon Contest

These are two cartoons I did for the Costco Cartoon Contest last month, I haven't heard if they have announced the winners or not, but they were a lot of fun to make! The guidelines were that they had to (of course) be about the "Costco" experience... --Mike

Cartoon Art Museum: Mike Gray Cartoonist in Residence Oct 11, 2008

I was honored to be the October "Cartoonist in Residence" at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco on October 11, 2008! The museum is my favorite to visit everytime I am in SF (with incredible original comic book, animation, and comic strip artwork), and I recommend it to everyone who gets a chance to go there! It was terrific to be able to show "Thom Cat" and "The Infinite Goliath" to the museum patrons, and they both were given great reviews (thankfully)! I can't wait for both cartoons to premiere on "Random Cartoons," hopefully in January 2009! --Mike

October “Cartoonist in Residence”: Mike Gray

I am honored to be the October “Cartoonist in Residence” at the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco this coming Saturday, October 11, from 1pm to 3pm! I am excited at the opportunity to promote “Thom Cat” and the “Infinite Goliath,” to show the cartoons at the museum, and to talk about my work with the Museum patrons! If you have never been there, I highly recommend that you go, the Museum has a fantastic permanent art collection along with terrific, special shows!

Here is the press release from the Museum:
“The Cartoon Art museum hosts Mike Gray, artist and creator of Thom Cat, (which will air on Nickelodeon in December 2008 as part of the Random Cartoons cartoon series) on October 11, 2008, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, as part of its ongoing Cartoonist-in-Residence program. Museum visitors will be offered the chance to watch Mr. Gray at work, watch his cartoons, chat with him about cartooning, and get a free sketch!

Thom G. Cat is a genius inventor, a brilliant scientist, and a fashion trendsetter…not bad for a cat! The smartest cat in the world that is! Thom Cat makes his animated screen debut dealing with a young bully…who will never, ever pick on little girls again after enduring Thom’s unique form of justice! Thom Cat first appeared in the first issue of Mike’s self-published comic book, Fluff, which will be available at his presentation.

Mike Gray is an award–winning writer, cartoonist, animator, director, and stand-up comedian who lives and works in Northern California. His cartoon, Thom Cat, which he created, wrote, and co-produced, will appear on Random Cartoons in December 2008, along with the cartoon, The Infinite Goliath, which he wrote, storyboarded, directed, co-created, and co-produced. Thom Cat’s awards include: Honorable Mention and Official Selection of the 4th Annual Brooklyn Kidsfilmfest of 2008, Official Selection of the 2008 San Diego International Children’s Film Festival, and Official Selection of the 2008 Fire Island Festival. Mike was also the Head Writer and Script Editor for the upcoming Nicktoons series, Ape Escape, based on the hit video game from Sony. Mike’s work and updated news can be found at his website: http://www.pencilforhire.com/.”

http://www.cartoonart.org/

http://cartoonart.livejournal.com/

Hope to see you there if you are in the area!
–Mike

Charity Auction Artwork for "From The Land Beyond" Convention

This is a piece I donated to this weekend's (today and tomorrow) Sacramento convention "From the Land Beyond." The Charity Art Auction benefits the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and Loaves and Fishes Mustard Seed School for Homeless Children, and I am very excited to be a part of it! You can find out more info here: http://www.sacanime.com/fromthelandbeyond/html/auction.html
--Mike

"Thom Cat" Official Selection of the 2nd Annual SDSU Children's Animation Mini-fest

"Thom Cat" has been selected to be shown at the 2nd Annual SDSU Children's Animation Mini-fest which will be held on November 1 at the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, SD. This event is free and opento the public and is followed by a hand-on animation workshop for kids!

In Memory of Mr. Bobo

Our family cat, Mr. Bobo, passed away this week on 9/15/ 2008 at 20 years of age. Originally named simply "Bo" after Bo Jackson by my sister (hey, it was 1988), he became known as "Bobo," then finally "Mr. Bobo" the last 8 years. He was a great "little brother," and will be missed. I am glad that Mr Bobo will be immortalized as the "Infinite Goliath's" cat once the short airs on "Random Cartoons" hopefully in January of 2009 (he appears as a white cat in the cartoon, in order to help him stand out from Goliath's color scheme): http://frederatorblogs.com/goliath/2005/12/25/merry-christmas-from-mr-bobo/

Miss you Mr Bobo!

--Mike

Fluff #1 Reviewed!

There is a terrific new blog that the talented writer Searnold has created in which he has vowed to review one new comic a day! Lucky for me, my comic "Fluff #1" (first appearance of "Thom Cat!") was reviewed on 9/11/08 and made it through with a nice recommendation!:

http://supersearnold.today.com/2008/09/11/fluff-1/

Be sure to check in daily, Searnold is reviewing all genres of comics from big companies to independents!

Thanks Searnold!

--Mike

“Thom Cat” at San Diego International Children’s Film Fest, Cartoon Art Museum, and NCS Booth at Comic-Con!

The above photos were taken at the San Diego International Children's Film Festival held at the San Diego Comic-con on Sunday July 27th during the 12:30-1:30pm screening of "Thom Cat!" Audience reaction to "Thom Cat" was (thankfully) great, and the Q&A following the screening was a lot of fun! Thanks so much to Dan Bennett who put together the festival, and made it such a wonderful experience for all involved!

After the screening, I was at the NCS (National Cartoonist's Society) booth from 2pm to 3pm signing and doing free sketches for people who saw "Thom Cat," and those who were just walking by and seeing it for the first time on my portable DVD player! I am sitting next to "Archie" artist Craig Boldman (pictured), and on the other side was Nancy Berg, daughter of the Mad Magazine great, Dave Berg (I bought an original page from her of Dave's while I was there, and it is a hilarious comic!). Special thanks to Phil Pyster for setting up my time at the booth, it was great to be a part of NCS at Comic-con and to promote "Thom Cat!"

On Saturday July 26th, from 12 noon to 1pm, my brother Doug and I were doing sketches for donations to the Cartoon Art Museum (pictured at their booth). If you get a chance, and are in SF, you must stop by there! We raised some money for the museum, and was able to promote "Thom Cat" in the process. Special thanks to Andrew Farago and Summerlea Kashar of the Cartoon Art Museum for making it all happen, I can't wait to help out again next year!
--Mike Gray
http://www.pencilforhire.com/

Mike Gray & "Thom Cat" at the San Diego Comic-Con!

I will be at the San Diego Comic-con this week promoting “Thom Cat” for the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival and pitching “Thom Cat” as a series! My schedule so far is Saturday July 26th from noon to 1pm at the Cartoon Art Museum booth (doing sketches for donations to the museum) and Sunday July 27th 12:30pm to 1:30pm in Room 10 for the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival screening of “Thom Cat” followed by a Q&A session with all the filmmakers, and then from 2pm to 3pm also on Sunday the 27th at the NCS (National Cartoonist’s Society) booth doing free sketches and talking about “Thom Cat!” I will also be at the San Diego International Children’s Film Festival booth on the Mezzanine at least one time from Friday to Sunday doing sketches for donations to the festival, time TBD, please stop by the booth to find out when! –Mike Gray

Oppose the Orphan Works Act of 2008!

If you have not heard about the Orphan Works Act of 2008 and how it can affect you and your copyrights as a professional artist, I urge you to go to this informational site produced by the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) as fast as you can: http://anti-orphan-works-act.com/
I have already faxed, e-mailed, and called my local legislator, and the rest of the legislators in my home state of California. You can find a sample letter, the names, fax #'s, and everything you need at the site provided by NCS...don't wait, act now before it's too late! --Mike Gray

"Thom Cat" Brooklyn 4th Annual KidsFilmFest Awards Received!

I just received two wonderful awards in the mail from the Brooklyn 4th Annual KidsFilmFest! What a terrific time my wife and I had at that festival, and these beautiful, lamenated awards are just another reason why I in such awe of Lisa King, the kidsfilmfest Director! She not only made us feel like royalty when we were there, but set up a wonderful spot for us to meet with the kid's first hand after the shorts were screened, and then took the time to make these awards for the filmmakers...thanks again Lisa, it was an honor to be a part of your festival!

--Mike Gray

"Thom Cat" Official selection of the 5th Annual San Diego International Children's Film Festival!

I am very proud to announce that ”Thom Cat” has been selected to be shown at the 5th Annual San Diego International Children’s Film Festival, July 27-Aug. 23 at Comic-Con International, the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park and the San Diego Central Library! Thom Cat will screen Sunday July 27 in our the theater in Room 10 at Comic-Con International (an exact screening time for the film will be available by late June/early July, and the Web site http://www.sdchildrensfilm.org/ will be updated at that time). A second screening of the film will be on the weekend of Aug. 9-10 at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park! Thank you again to everyone who worked on the short!! –Mike Gray

"Thom Cat" Official Selection of the Fire Island Golden Wagon Film Festival July 18-20, 2008!

I am happy and honored to announce that “Thom Cat” has been an official selection of Fire Island Golden Wagon July 18-20, 2008 http://www.goldenwagonfilmfest.com/main.asp?id=Festival-2008! The screening will be on Sunday, July 20th at approx. 11am as part of the Red Wagon Family Festival portion of the program. –Mike Gray

Thom Cat: Brooklyn 4th Annual KidsFilmFest Success + New York Times Article!

Left: (Creators in attendance: left to right): Thy Than, Mike Gray, Kelly Shon, Tom Eaton.
My wife Melissa and I were greatly honored to attend the Brooklyn 4th Annual KidsFilmFest this past Sunday (June 01), where “Thom Cat” was shown two times: at the 1pm and the 2:30pm showings (the “world premiere”/ first time seen by kids outside of Nickelodeon and Frederator Studios)! After each showing, kids were sent upstairs to “meet the creators” of the cartoons, ask us questions, etc, which was a fabulous time for me! It was great to hear which parts of “Thom Cat” was their personal favorites, and I was very grateful to have the opportunity to do drawings of favorite Thom Cat characters for the kids (and give them free copies of my comic where he first appeared)! The festival, run by the terrific Lisa King, was extremely gracious to provide us with wonderful accomodations at the Hotel Chandler. I just found out today that “Thom Cat” was also mentioned in the New York Times on Friday, May 30th and was named “among the stars of the short films in this festival,” for which I am so honored that I am speechless! In the show’s program, I was incorrectly identified as the short’s director (instead of creator/writer/co-producer), who is actually the extremely talented Jeff Degrandis (by no means do I mean this as a complaint, the festival did a terrific job on everything, I just like to make sure to give credit where it is due)! It was our first time to New York, and it was a stunning, wonderous city to visit, and Melissa and I had the pleasure of having breakfast with Fred (Seibert) on Monday morning (his treat since we were in his city!), which was a great ending to a wonderful trip! –Mike Gray

Dick Ayers Thing Pin-Up

Dick Ayers, the great early Marvel artist and inker, still does commissioned pieces! I just received this Thing pin-up recreation I ordered (from Strange Tales 127), and it is amazing!! You can order a drawing from this classic artist through Catskill Comics, I highly recommend it! --Mike

Wondercon 2008

I made it to Wondercon in San Francisco last weekend with my niece and nephew, and it was great! I always leave inspired to do my own work. The best part was getting to meet a Marvel Comics great, Herb Trimpe, who did a terrific headshot of the Hulk for me! --Mike

Space Pussy Vinyl Toy Prototype

Here is the protoype in progess of the "Space Pussy" vinyl toy as sculpted by the talented Brannon Wright. Please write and let me know what you think, especially if this is something you would buy! The Kitty will have a movable head and tail, and the helmut will be attached, a clear plastic fitted shape like the original drawing. If I go ahead and make it myself (I would rather have another company do it, but we will see what happens), it would be a run of a 1000 total, though some of that would be short exclusive runs of 50-100 (like glow in the dark, or different colorways). --Mike Gray