Chiming in after 223 posts, my take is:

1. If someone wants to try for the Universal contest, vaya con dios with my blessing. There was a time in my life I would’ve eagerly been first in line.

2. That time is past. I am older and wiser, and would never sign any non-negotiable contract on principle.

3. I realize that’s easy for me to say.

4. Nothing about the contest prevents anyone from submitting the old-fashioned way. I’d guess your odds of getting noticed by a syndicate editor are about the same. If your work is worthy, it’ll eventually stand out no matter how it sneaks over the transom.

5. I think American Idol is a good analogy. And just like American Idol, the contest doesn’t guarantee success–just a shot at it. Sometimes you get Kelly Clarkson, sometimes you get Taylor Hicks.

6. I’m not proud I know the name “Taylor Hicks.”

7. Whoever wins and whatever the result, it’ll still ultimately be judged by newspaper editors deciding if they want to buy it and readers deciding if they want to look at it every day. If it’s good, no one will hold its origin against it. If it’s bad, it’ll be gone soon enough.

I think Frank would agree with you. But I think he also suffered from the fact that Liberty Meadows would have worked better as a comic strip in PLAYBOY rather than the papers.

I would disagree that Liberty Meadows focused too much on art. Sometimes that’s all I want. I know that there are two reasons I love the Price Valiant comic strip still to this day. Some Sunday’s I just want to sit and stare at it. I don’t even care what’s happening in the story.

Oh, and thanks I`m happy if someone likes my artwork. I`m currently translating the cartoons into english and greek. Haven´t had the time to translate many cartoons (only 20 or so) but if you want I can send you some in english.

@maddie – when I catch individuals using fake names, they usually get flagged to be moderated. I hate doing it – mostly because it creates more work for me – so I’m going to assume using the “Maddie” name is a joke about the rules. :) Right, Mike?

@Tab – I’ve turned a blind eye to your use of your pen name. Not a cool time to chime in. Now I’ve got to give you the same lecture as I did Mil. Please use your full name.

Eine Schweinerei indeed.