Cartoonist of the Week: Mark Heath

Mark Heath's new strip Spot the Frog made its debut in various US newspapers and on the web on Jan 5th 2004 courtesy of United Media. So far clients include the Chicago Tribune, Detroit Free Press, St Paul Pioneer Press, Portland Oregonian and Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Ostensibly this is a simple strip about a guy (Karl) and a frog (Spot). Frog moves from pond to guy's house and turns guy's life upside down. You know the drill. It's happened to us all. However what makes the strip stand out from all the other guy and frog strips out there is its inherent charm and whimsy. Mark's experience as an illustrator, cartoonist, science fiction writer and essayist come together in creating a surreal world where stunning artwork links with loveable characters and bizarre storylines. This is gentle fantasy that offers that rarest of gifts, a distinctive alternative flavor. It's also very funny and refreshingly intelligent which may come as a shock to those of us who've practically given up seeking originality in today's funnies.

"After a lifetime of waiting for the fancy to become reality, I'm now syndicated, but it still doesn't seem real," says Mark. "For some readers, however, the reality is well in place. I heard from one who confessed to flinching whenever Spot took a lap in the kitchen sink (soap being disagreeable to a frog's health.) That's the omega moment I'm waiting for: when the strip makes me flinch."

Take a look at Spot the Frog and read more about the remarkable Mark Heath at Spot the Frog or Comics.com