more influences on Rudy's design

Since my mid-teens I've been fascinated by the Icee bear. I even wanted a tattoo of him for a looong time. I can't really explain what it is about his design, but it really captivates me. And I've loved drawing characters with wool turtlenecks ever since.

I hope Jonathan still has my light-up Icee cup that I stole from the Gateway mall in the mid 90's.

I'm not sure where it came from, but I've always liked drawing oversized glasses.

perhaps Velmaor Chuckie

Melissa from Home movies was a huge and deliberate influence on Rudy. In fact it was Home movies that re-inspired me to get started on accomplishing my dream of making a cartoon.


I'm not exaclty sure where Rudy's hair came from. I do love drawing poofy hair, probably stemming from drawing the Bearded avenger so much (I've experimented back & forth a lot with spikey hair and rounded hair for Rudy) . And speaking of high school days, my friend Travis (of Marigold and the Days) drew people in wool turtlenecks and semi-baggy pants a lot too.

Also, bank robbers in cartoons made in the 40's-50's always wore olive-green turtlnecks, which has always cracked me up for some reason. So I just had to go with green for the sweater.


(this is a flat & bland drawing from a few months ago.)

And it was Justin that named him, and who will be doing his voice. So he will have a huge influence on his personality when he comes to life. (Little known fact: his entire first name is Rutabaga)

So, basically Rudy is a 5 year-old boy version of Melissa dressed as a 40's bank robber with big hair, a cape & glasses.

I think the cape is unique. (I wore one a lot as a kid.) But there is this comic by Matt Groening, which still makes me bust a gut to this day.

I've read it 2 or 3 times a year, and excitedely showed it to most of my friends, since I found it in '97. There are some other great WIll & Abe strips out there