*GREETINGS FROM LA-LA LAND..
Wow..It’s so weird to not be in San Francisco. But we’re starting to settle into our new L.A. digs. I’ve found the cafe where I’ll be doing a lot of drawing. I scored my new p.o. box. I’m starting to catch up on internet orders.

There’s also a D.I.Y. Convention going on in town this weekend. Didn’t find out about it til yesterday, but I’ll be hitting it on Sunday. It’s at the Egyptian Theater, so if you’re in the hood…

And to all you L.A. folk who’ve contacted me, I’ll be on the road over the next coupla weeks (Tenn. & N.Y.C.), but we’ll “do lunch” when I return.

*EMAIL OF THE WEEK…
What’s up, Keith,

I am writing in response to your bold but very profound perspective of the
comic strip “(th)ink.”

I am an African American but I prefer African “in” America. I have recently
read all of your strips and I can’t be nothing but proud and honored. You are
on the front-line when it comes political, social, or racial issues. I have been
reading it since August of 2006. I am so glad to know that there are warriors
like you, and Aaron McGruder. I wanted to write him a nice e-mail for years.
Complimentary of course. You know, it’s funny. In my opinion, when A. Mc-
Gruder came out with his strip, people called him all types of racist, negative
stereotype, etc., and this is just from some of the black communities. You, on
the other hand, are considered a genius. Please, don’t get me wrong, you are
BOTH geniuses. You may express yourself a little different, but it is the
same perspective and I am a huge fan of it. I’m a little old to be a fan of
people (I am 41), but I admire people like yourself and Aaron for knowing your
own history and culture. Keep up the good work.

God willing, nothing happens, I understand you will be in New York on Febru-
ary 21. I will be looking forward to seeing you on that day. OH, before I
forget, since researching all of your strips on the Internet, I am definitely
purchasing your graphic novels. Either at the store or online, they are as
good as purchased.

OK. Enough with the long e-mail. sorry.
TAKE CARE. KEEP ON STRIVIN’ KEEP ON DRAWIN’

-R. from L. I. New York

Hey Keith – so here goes my random story…we have two little daughters (2.5 & 6 mos) and the littlest, whom we adore of course…is still not sleeping through the night – ugh. Anyways…that said, our 2.5 year old is sleeping in our room as this simply makes for a smoother life, overall. For now anyways. Okay…digressing. Tonight my toddler was a tad antsy and begged to watch cartoons before bedtime – she and I were snuggled in and while I obliged, cartoons were out of the question. All it takes is 5 mins. of Little Mermaid and she’d be singing disney songs for the next hour. So me, being a fan of local TV tune in to KQED – a fairly safe channel for a kid to watch. She and I watched the program featuring you and we were both, well, capivated. Yes, I did have to answer to “what’s that mommy”? questions numerous times as she was determined to understand your humor. But, I got it, and it’s awesome! Where I’ve been? I wish we’d known about you long before now,
but you can now consider us new fans. Funny timing, and I’m not comparing your fresh humor to my old school comics (I guess if I’d compare, it would only be in a positive way), but recently my dad and his wife were cleaning out their garage. For 30+ years my dad insisted that my comic book collection (ie: every Archie imaginable, Andy Panda, Dot, Little Lulu, Heckle and Jeckle, Tom & Jerry…just to name a few) had been sold at a garage sale long ago. Much to my delight, he just found them and gave them to me. Some are a bit shabby, some actually in great condition, but I was happy just the same to have my little stash back. Anyways…to know my daughter will also have some really cool, refreshingly honest and memorable comics (from you) to look at when she’s sharing with her kids, is plain awesome.

Just wanted to say thanks and share our little story from a little family here in our good ole’ town of SF.

Take care Keith!

-J.B.F.,San Francisco CA