Actually, I modeled Maria’s Dad’s appearance after a strip I developed in the 80’s. There too, the father was a stay at home writer, and the Mom was the breadwinner. The strip didn’t sell. -———————————————————Interestingly, the couple had two kids- one of whom was a boy with an imaginary friend. This was about a year before CALVIN & HOBBES appeared. Well, the kid was no Calvin, and the friend- a dragon- had no stuffed toy counterpart. He came from bedtime stories his Dad would tell.
What’s interesting is that, when we first developed this strip, the emphasis wasn’t on Maria- it was on the class, Joey, Maria, Sue, Bob, and some others, and Ms. Payne. Maria’s parents weren’t part of it then. I pushed for making Maria the central figure, changing the title to what it is, and adding the parents. John then drew from his experiences as a parent and as a writer to decide who they were, and I decided how they’d look. It’s more of a collaboration than Working Daze, which John created long before I came on board.
johnzakour Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Maria has a good point.
johnzakour Premium Member almost 11 years ago
He’s me and Scott.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator almost 11 years ago
Actually, I modeled Maria’s Dad’s appearance after a strip I developed in the 80’s. There too, the father was a stay at home writer, and the Mom was the breadwinner. The strip didn’t sell. -———————————————————Interestingly, the couple had two kids- one of whom was a boy with an imaginary friend. This was about a year before CALVIN & HOBBES appeared. Well, the kid was no Calvin, and the friend- a dragon- had no stuffed toy counterpart. He came from bedtime stories his Dad would tell.
johnzakour Premium Member almost 11 years ago
Maria’s dad is probably closer to being me than any of the characters I write except maybe Zach.
Comic Minister Premium Member almost 11 years ago
I agree with you mam.
Thomas Scott Roberts creator almost 11 years ago
What’s interesting is that, when we first developed this strip, the emphasis wasn’t on Maria- it was on the class, Joey, Maria, Sue, Bob, and some others, and Ms. Payne. Maria’s parents weren’t part of it then. I pushed for making Maria the central figure, changing the title to what it is, and adding the parents. John then drew from his experiences as a parent and as a writer to decide who they were, and I decided how they’d look. It’s more of a collaboration than Working Daze, which John created long before I came on board.