An Off the Mark Anniversary: 30 Cartoons in 30 Years (plus a couple extra)
by The GoComics TeamTake a scroll down memory lane with Mark "Off the Mark" Parisi — enjoy this special anniversary collection, featuring exclusive commentary from its creator, PLUS a bonus comic (or two!)
#30: 1987
This was the first Off the Mark cartoon ever published. It originally appeared in September 10, 1987. To this day, it remains one of my most popular. Maybe it will be on my gravestone. I was just starting out and included this cartoon in a batch I sent to Charles Schulz to see if he'd offer feedback. He did! He said my work was "uniquely original." Talk about a boost!
#29: 1988
You may have noticed I gravitated toward inanimate objects and slightly dark humor. At one point, I sent a batch of cartoons to Bill Watterson asking for feedback, and he responded. He said he thought my cartoons were a little violent for family newspapers! Unfortunately, I think I lost the letter, but I'll keep looking.
#28: 1989
I like cats and doing cat humor. This used to be the cartoon in which I included the most cats. That's no longer the case. Not even close.
#27: 1990
Back then, I somehow used a Xerox machine to get that effect. It was the stone age.
#26: 1991
Did I mention I like inanimate objects? And occasionally bad puns.
#30: 1987
This was the first Off the Mark cartoon ever published. It originally appeared in September 10, 1987. To this day, it remains one of my most popular. Maybe it will be on my gravestone. I was just starting out and included this cartoon in a batch I sent to Charles Schulz to see if he'd offer feedback. He did! He said my work was "uniquely original." Talk about a boost!
#29: 1988
You may have noticed I gravitated toward inanimate objects and slightly dark humor. At one point, I sent a batch of cartoons to Bill Watterson asking for feedback, and he responded. He said he thought my cartoons were a little violent for family newspapers! Unfortunately, I think I lost the letter, but I'll keep looking.
#28: 1989
I like cats and doing cat humor. This used to be the cartoon in which I included the most cats. That's no longer the case. Not even close.
#27: 1990
Back then, I somehow used a Xerox machine to get that effect. It was the stone age.
#26: 1991
Did I mention I like inanimate objects? And occasionally bad puns.
#20: 1997
This is how it always looks to me. I hated drawing the orchestra.
#19: 1998
I always liked the way the trilogy of the child/dog/cat worked here. The gag was originally just between the boy and the cat, but a cat drinking out of a toilet didn't resonate as well. I added a dog and it all fell into place.
#18: 1999
Inanimate objects remain a favorite subject. I probably don't draw enough ice cube humor.
#17: 2000
Back in 2000, both Windows and Books for Dummies were fresh, and this idea seemed like it was just begging to be drawn. It still works today, but I have so many cartoons that don't (I won't be posting those).
#16: 2001
Dog cartoons are really fun to draw. And, I think most cartoonists get off on being able to get across a gag with no caption or word balloons. I know I do. It's a major bonus if the cartoon comes close to crossing a line.
