The Canvas, by Superfan

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As much as I love the Falcons and as long as I’ve been a fan, I admittedly don’t get down to the Dome very often. Season tickets are not in the budget and besides, I have a great set-up here at the ranch for watching the games up here in Gainesville.

It occurred to me as I was drawing this ‘toon up that the last time I was at the Dome was in ‘07 when the Giants came to town for some Monday Night Football. A buddy had tickets on the 50 so off we went. What I remember most about that game was the Giants running back Brandon Jacobs. He was a human bowling ball that night and sadly our Falcons defensive players were the pins. He ran roughshod over the our Birds to the point where it got so ugly by the start of the 4th quarter, we skedaddled. Couldn’t stop him with a road block, I’m telling ya.

The ‘09 Falcons that are visiting the Giants Sunday are a different and better team, no doubt, but can they stop Mr. Jacobs this time around? I’m sending Falco to New York with a very special Hick’ry Stick to make sure that they can!

GO FALCONS!

-Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon Falco, Giants

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I’ll always give credit where credit is due, and credit for this one once again belongs to my better half Lynn.  Back before the this season started I was running over the schedule with her, bouncing around ideas and when I explained to her that we commonly refer to the Panthers as the “Panties,” she exclaimed “PANTIE RAID!” LOL! I visualized this cartoon in my head immediately, but knew I had to save it for when we go up to Charlotte for it to be a proper Pantie Raid!

If anyone thinks I’m getting lazy by combining photography with my artwork, you’re wrong. This one took an exhaustive search to find just the right pic to use as the background and even then required some considerable work to make it suitable for what I had in mind. Photoshop is an amazing application that I’m still studying and learning. I like the way this one looks kind of “3D” and I’m quite sure Michelangelo would have employed Photoshop back in the day!

A couple of side notes:

I’m closing replies on this blog from now on. The reason is that I have to moderate each and every reply to keep the trolls out. I’m not talking about fans from other teams, but some real knuckleheads and lots of spam, too. It’s a slow and cumbersome process that I don’t enjoy and replies in here are a bit redundant anyway. FALCO was born and raised in TATF and replies in there are what I care about. This blog should evolve simply into what I’ve always wanted, a library, or a chronological file cabinet, if you will, that has all of my work saved for anyone to see for many (hopefully) years to come.

Also, in case anyone is still wondering about what happened to last week’s Redskins cartoon… A few folks found it offensive in a way I never intended. A decision was made in Flowery Branch to take it down and I support that decision, not because I agree that it was offensive in the way a few perceived it to be, but rather because I never intend to offend anyone except maybe fans of opposing teams.

-Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon Falco, Panties

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And the winner is….Rock Thrower! Real name – Rick Daffron and he’s in Rome, Ga., folks. Congratulations, Rick!

I was supposed to go to Flowery Branch today and do a video shoot with J.Mike to announce the winner as well as show the Michael Turner jersey and framed copy of the cartoon that Rick has won, but J.Mike is out sick, folks, so that was canceled. Be that as it may, here’s a pic of the framed cartoon and I’m assuming everyone knows what a Michael Turner jersey looks like.

Your prizes will be mailed out to you next week, Rick!

I want to thank everyone for making the first official Superfan cartoon contest a success. I had over 50 idea submissions, too many to list. Among some of the better ones were:

Caption – “Economy is tight, I think I’ll brown-bag it this Monday night” with Falco swooping in out of the sky to pick up a Saints fan with a brown bag on his head. Or same caption with Falco walking down the street, hick’ry stick in talon, dragging a limp, brown-bag headed Saints fan. (from kevykev21)

Okay, I was thinking about something around the “Bushwacker” concept. Like having Falco driving a tractor/lawnmower with “Bushwhacker” written on the deck (the part covering the blade). Or, better yet, Falco can be walking towards N.O. with his “Hick’ry Stick” over his shoulder with a slingblade attatchment hastily fastened on the end with the words “Hick’ry Stick” crossed out and the words “Bush whacker” written instead, Maybe have him saying “oh Reggieeee” like he’s calling for him. (from Voice of Reason)

Tandy had a good idea with a play on the voodoo hoodoo theme. The idea is a little long to list but basically had Falco as a Voodoo King down in Nawlins about to stir up some real trouble. Tandy, mind if I hold on to that idea for the next time we visit the Aints?

FALCO STARING DOWN AINTS PLAYERS WITH A BODY BAG IN ONE HAND AND A BROWN PAPER BAG WITH EYEHOLES CUT OUT IN THE OTHER ASKING “PAPER OR PLASTIC”? (from platinumbirdz)

Falco’s foot is firmly lodged in Reggie Bush’s backside. Grinning from ear to ear and with the hick’ry stick ready to swing….”Now that’s what I call a bird in the bush!” (from falken)

Since the burial grounds below the Superdome were removed prior to construction, I thought it would be only appropriate that we re-established the burial ground on the Monday night after Halloween. It would be great to have a drawing of the Superdome interior with Falco dressed as an undertaker and fresh graves with tomb markers for Bush, Brees and Colston. It could have a wooden, rustic sign with burial ground restoration project written on it. It would be neat to have the hickory stick with a shovel head attached to it. (from IN_Falcon)

Again, too many to list, folks, so don’t get mad at ol’ Supes if I didn’t mention your idea. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like it or that it had no merit.

We’ll do this again. Back in ‘06 before I was “official,” I had a contest on the boards where I had already drawn the cartoon and left the dialogue balloon blank. That was a lot of fun too. “Alfred E. Neuman” won that one. I took the best ideas and made a poll which everyone voted on. Maybe we’ll do something very similar next time which could be this season, we’ll see.

Last but not least, a little Falcons Football talk. I think it’s very appropriate that the Grand Prize from AF.com is the authentic autographed Micheal Turner jersey. If you’ve been in TATF this week, you know I think Michael has to have, rather, WILL have, a monster game against our arch rivals on MNF and pound that rock to victory!

Go Michael, Go Falcons, and Thanks Again Everyone!

-Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon Falcons, Saints

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FALCO is on vacation this week, folks. He’s in Cancun with Jessica Simpson. Standing in for Falco is an old friend of his. Ladies and gentlemen,……Willie Nelson!

Inspiration for this cartoon came from some of the childish antics Tony Romo has pulled in the past. I also had to take a swipe at Jerry Jones‘ new stadium. Hopefully we’ll spoil his party in their new digs Sunday afternoon like the Giants did in Week 2. IMO, our offense needs to get going early and put some points on the board. Accordingly, if our ‘D’ can step up like they did against da Bearz, we should walk away from Cow Paddy stadium with another ‘W’ in our pockets!

Falco and his Hick’ry Stick will be back from vacation by Oct. 30th to star in the cartoon for the winner of the Saints MNF cartoon contest. We have a winner, y’all, whose screen name shall remain my little secret for now!

-Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon

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I have to give credit where credit is due on this one, folks. I was discussing ideas for da Bears with my better half Lynn a few weeks ago and it was she that suggested that I use a Charmin toilet paper bear. I really liked that idea but wasn’t exactly sure what to do with it. The next day I was out on beautiful Lake Lanier with my neighbor and good friend Smitty who is a closet Falcons fan. We were enjoying a few cold brews when I mentioned the idea to him and he immediately blurted out; “Ain’t no fat bear gonna **** in my woods!” LOL! I had to clean the language up slightly for the ‘toon, but Lynn and Smitty sure made my life easy for this one as I only had to illustrate it. Sometimes you get lucky!

This is as big a game as we’ve had so far and I personally feel really good about it. Our Birds must play a very physical game Sunday. Don’t try to outsmart them Bears. Just pull out a big ‘ol Hick’ry Stick and start wailing away on ‘em. And we all know they’ll be remembering that last second victory we pulled off last season. That’s why we gotta thump ‘em early and thump ‘em hard!

To all of you fans that are gonna be at the Dome Sunday: DEFEND IT!! and GO FALCONS!!!

BLOGGER’S NOTE: Getting together a CONTEST for the New Orleans ‘toon. Click here to enter your ideas and it could be the featured idea.

superfan Smack Cartoon

OK folks, before anyone ask: “Where’s the Hick’ry Stick?” I’ll tell you that I won’t use it for every single Falcon’s cartoon. It’s a prop, and a good one, but sometimes my muse takes me in another direction. The Hick’ry Stick will be back next week for da Bears game.

This one is a little sophisticated and will appeal more to older fans. In my best Jeff Foxworthy impersonation, let me put it this way:

If you never heard Tony Bennett’s signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” you might be a youngster. And if you never heard of the famous catch phrase “Mike Singletary’s Eyes,” you are definitely a youngster!

I couldn’t decide which slant to use, so I used them both.

In my humble estimation, this could be a pivotal game for our Falcons. If we lose, it won’t spell the end of our season by any means, but everyone knows them Aint’s are playing like Saints and we can’t afford to go two games down to them if we are to win the NFC South. We have to take the Hick’ry Stick to them 49ers and give ‘em a good ol’ fashioned southern style whoopin’ out there in San Fran, but it won’t be easy. ‘Ol Mike Singletary has those boys playing some dang good football and you can bet he’s done his homework on the Falcons.

Here’s hoping this cartoon will bring us some luck, and GO FALCONS!!!

-Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon 49er's, Falcons

We don’t play the Patriots very often and for the past 6-7 years, that’s been a good thing. Everyone knows how well they’ve done and how many Lombardi trophies they’ve accumulated up there in New England. And while they may not be hitting on all cylinders for this contest, they are still the New England Patriots — a very talented and dangerous team. And they have us in their backyard Sunday. Should be a helluva game!

In searching my brain for ideas for this weeks cartoon, I thought about how often I’ve heard Tom Brady referred  to as “pretty boy” or “GQ Tom.” Fully understanding that this particular “pretty boy” can kill you with his arm and his QB smarts, I decided nevertheless to use that slant for this ‘toon.

So come on, Falcons! Get on up there to Gillette Stadium and put a pop-knot on Tom Brady and his Patriots!

- Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon Falco, Patriots

I have to admit, I had never heard of the Carolina Panthers referred to as “the Panties” until I joined the boards some five years ago. When I first looked at this season’s schedule, I knew almost right away what I would do when we visit them Nov. 15, but I wasn’t sure at all how I could top last season’s “Here Kitty Kitty” cartoon with them coming here first. Then I realized it was Throwback Sunday and the idea floodgates opened. Did I top “Here Kitty Kitty?” I’ll let you guys be the judge!

I will say that I think FALCO looks strikingly handsome in his throwback uni!

These smackdown cartoons are y’alls to have fun with. If you happen to know any unfortunate Pantie fans, by all means, ANTAGONIZE them with it!

Workin’ hard to keep y’all smiling,

- Supes

superfan Smack Cartoon Falco, Falcons, Panthers

Well here we go, folks! The season is finally here! Is everyone all pumped up? I can promise you that Falco is!

It usually makes my job easier to do smack cartoons when we play any team that is represented by another animal like the Dolphins, Bears, Panthers, etc. It’s teams like the Jets, Browns, Steelers and Chargers that can make things more difficult for me as far as ideas for good smack cartoons. In some instances, I may reach out for help on the boards for ideas if I encounter “writers block.” If I use your idea, I will sign your screen name along with mine when I post the ‘toon.

How’s that for teamwork?

In this instance, the challenge was to get the dolphin out of the water so I could have a little fun with it. I thought about photos I’ve seen of large fish like sharks and marlins that had been hoisted up for weighing and photo opportunities. Once I decided that was a good slant, the cartoon fell together fairly easily and I drew Falco to look like he’d been deep sea fishing. I’ll also add that I’m always pleased as a cartoonist when I can produce what I consider to be a good cartoon and not use any dialogue balloons. There’s nothing wrong with dialogue and I’ll use it more often than not, but sometimes silence is indeed golden.

I want to dedicate this effort to my mom Helen. She’s a third generation native Atlantan, folks, and took me to my first Falcons game in 1966 when I was 13. She’s 88 years old now and went blind about four years ago so she can’t see the work I’m doing these days. I described this cartoon to her in detail and asked her if there’s anything she’d like to say to all the fans out in Falcon Land. She said, and I quote; “Go Falcons! Beat those Dolphins! Beat ‘em with a big stick!” Haha, she’s a pistol!

I’d like to say to all of you fans that are gonna be at the Dome Sunday; Let’s hook ‘em, reel ‘em in, hoist ‘em up and then give ‘em a good old fashioned country style butt whuppin! GO FALCONS!

superfan Smack Cartoon Dolphins, Falco, Falcons

Well folks, here he is. Meet “Falco,” our new and improved message board mascot. In deciding an official name, I settled on Falco because my research told me that the name literally means “The Falcon Keeper.” The Dutch translation is “to shimmer, to shine.” We can also interpret the name to mean “a Company of Falcons,” as that’s what we have on the boards, right?

As you can see, he’s been working out. Gone are the skinny bird legs of yesteryear, and I have attempted to give him the markings of a true falcon on his head. He’s half bird, half man, and all warrior with his “Horrible Hick’ry Stick.” I have many great things planned for the big guy this season and I’d like very much for you all to tune in once a week and enjoy.

As per my deal with AtlantaFalcons.com, I am to do a new cartoon once a week during the regular season and one cartoon for each post season game should we make the playoffs. These are all to be up no later than 48 hours before kickoff. If we get to the Super Bowl, I am to do two cartoons, both pregame and post game, win or lose. I am to do one ‘toon a month during the offseason, and then one per week for preseason games.

The preseason ‘toons will start next year.

When I post a new work, I will give a heads-up reminder in TATF for the time being to remind everyone to check it out. I have some really good stuff coming, some of my best work ever, and I hope you all will enjoy it.

Replies and comments are very welcome. Let’s Go Falco!

superfan Artwork Falco