Ask an Expert

This issue's "Ask an Expert" in the McGill Reporter was a question about whether writers are allowed to use famous characters who have slipped into the public domain.

Actually, the first version I submitted is below, but they thought the knife was too menacing. I'd never noticed it, because Tarzan's always got a knife ("Kareegah Numa!"). Or, maybe I've been in a bad mood this week. But certainly never intended any intimations of cartoon carnage, especially after all the problems they've had in schools lately.



It's actually a nice gig, because they pretty much trust me to provide something that's funny and cute, and there's usually not a lot of back and forth with preliminary drawings, and approval. Still, this was a different editor this issue, though I dont' think it made much difference.

It was easy enough to fix with photoshop, though I wish I had given Tarzan a bit more space, as I did in the earlier version. Still, you're not supposed to talk about that sort of thing. It's all perfect.

All the same, perfect's boring.