by John | Nov 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
Cultivating a sense of being grateful is something I’ve been working on for awhile now. Besides being the right thing to do, it’s also good for you. Chances are, you’ll feel better—and I don’t mean just emotionally and spiritually—although likely that too—but also physically. (Supposedly, optimists live longer.)
I’m not brushing aside all the negative things. There’s lots of them.
But perhaps because of all those negatives, I’m more grateful than usual this year for so many things. Family, good friends and…heck, just for being alive and reasonably healthy, And, of course, I’m extremely grateful for all you readers. Thank you for appreciating my weird sense of humor and participating for so many years.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Original Vintage Art & Text
Art from J.R. Williams vintage, early 20th Century newspaper comic: Out Our Way.
Transcript:
A young girl and boy are sitting at the meal table. Both are in shock as their mother dishes them globs of cooked spinach.
MOTHER: We couldn’t afford a turkey. So just eat your spinach…and be Thankful! That’s what Popeye would do! He’d give thanks for spinach!
GIRL: We’d rather be like Wimpy!
BOY: Yeah! Then we could be thankful for burgers!
Art from J.R. Williams vintage, early 20th Century newspaper comic: Out Our Way
New Dialogue: John Lustig
OutOurWay_Spinach
↓ TranscriptA young girl and boy are sitting at the meal table. Both are in shock as their mother dishes them globs of cooked spinach.
MOTHER: We couldn’t afford a turkey. So just eat your spinach…and be Thankful! That’s what Popeye would do! He’d give thanks for spinach!
GIRL: We’d rather be like Wimpy!
BOY: Yeah! Then we could be thankful for burgers!
Art from J.R. Williams vintage comic: Out Our Way
New Dialogue: John Lustig
OutOurWay
by John | Nov 23, 2021 | Uncategorized
Original Vintage Art & Text
Art by Charles Nicholas & Vince Alascia from the story “Love Will Point the Way” in FIRST KISS #14, 1960. Click link to read the entire vintage comic book for free.
Transcript:
SCENE: A man and woman embracing in a kitchen.
WOMAN: Let’s give thanks now…before your family shows up!
1960 Art: Charles Nicholas & Vince Alascia Color: Allen Freeman
Dialogue by John Lustig
N20MeMiserable
↓ TranscriptSCENE: A man and woman embracing in a kitchen.
WOMAN: Let’s give thanks now...before your family shows up!
1960 Art: Charles Nicholas & Vince Alascia Color: Allen Freeman
Dialogue by John Lustig
N20MeMiserable
by John | Nov 25, 2020 | Uncategorized
The holidays are always tough. But this year’s Thanksgiving is a real turkey.
Many of us will be separated from family and friends. And that leaves a void no amount of stuffing can fill.
But I hope you’ll still be able to enjoy the day. More than that, I hope you experience hope and feel the love that the people in your life—whether they’re near or far—feel for you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thankful That I’m Not a (Real) Turkey,
John Lustig
Transcript:
Turkey: So… you’re stressed about Thanksgiving this year? Golly! Me too! Maybe we can form a support group…after dinner!
Photo: Jon Sailer Text: John Lustig
↓ TranscriptTurkey: So... you’re stressed about Thanksgiving this year? Golly! Me too! Maybe we can form a support group...after dinner!
Photo: Jon Sailer Text: John Lustig
by John | Nov 24, 2020 | Uncategorized
I’ll be posting a new Thanksgiving comic tomorrow. But today’s comic is a golden oldie from the ancient past—of 2014. Mike Pascale and I have teamed up on a lot of holiday gags over the years. This is one of my favorites.
Original Art & Dialogue
Artist Unknown. From the story “The Love that Failed” in FIRST KISS #25, 1962
SCENE: Pilgrim man talking to a Pilgrim woman who has her hand over her face in disbelief at what he’s saying.
PILGRIM MAN: But…you said to “grab a breast!”
PILGRIM WOMAN: I meant the turkey’s…not my sister’s!
1962 Artist Unknown Pilgrim Cosplay: Mike Pascale
25.1.4.1
↓ TranscriptSCENE: Pilgrim man talking to a Pilgrim woman who has her hand over her face in disbelief at what he's saying.
PILGRIM MAN: But...you said to "grab a breast!"
PILGRIM WOMAN: I meant the Turkey's...not my sister's!
1962 Artist Unknown Pilgrim Cosplay: Mike Pascale
25.1.4.1
by John | Nov 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
One of the things that comes up in meditation (which I’m going to keep doing so I get exceedingly healthy and happy—even if it kills me) is the importance of feeling grateful. And what better time than Thanksgiving to mention some of the people I’m thankful for.
(Warning: If you’re looking for my usual sarcasm, this probably isn’t the post for you.)
Foremost, of course, I’m grateful for my wonderful wife Shelagh Lustig (if you’re going to have a wife, I strongly recommend having a wonderful one) and our amazing wonderkid Caitie Lustig. I’m not going to list my entire family, but I want to mention my sister Lisa Hernandez who has been there for me too many times and too many ways to mention.
I’m also grateful to my friends. But I’m doubly grateful that among those friends are some talented creators who continue to contribute to Last Kiss: Diego Jourdan Pereira, Mike Pascale, Allen Freeman, Kirsten Wilson and the newest member of the group Tony Isabella.
And I’m especially grateful for you readers. (Some of whom comment on GoComics and Facebook and others like “Fine Jams and Jellies since 1982” and Dave Dell, Rex, PKM and others who comment here—sometimes in ways that are funnier than my comics!)
I’m well aware that most people in the creative community say they’re grateful for their fans. But here’s the truth. Very few of us do this primarily for money. (Which is good because there often isn’t much–particularly in comics.) We do it because we love it and support from readers like you helps us keep going.
So Thanks & Happy Thanksgiving!
Art by Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani from the story “Good Ole Joe” in FIRST KISS #1, 1957.
Transcript:
SCENE: Pilgrim man talking to a Native American woman.
PILGRIM: Thanksgiving? already?!! But I haven’t done my Christmas shopping yet!
NATIVE AMERICAN WOMAN (thinks): Wotta Turkey!
1957 Art: Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani
Artful Alterations & Highbrow Hats: Mike Pascale
1.6.2.1
↓ TranscriptSCENE: Pilgrim man talking to a Native American woman.
PILGRIM: Thanksgiving? already?!! But I haven’t done my Christmas shopping yet!
NATIVE AMERICAN WOMAN (thinks): Wotta Turkey!
1957 Art: Charles Nicholas & Sal Trapani
Artful Alterations & Highbrow Hats: Mike Pascale
1.6.2.1
