New Movie Studio Announced

The Midtoon Herald, April 1, 2009

The city of Midtoon rejoiced today, when Multiversal Pictures announced that the city has been selected as the site of their new movie-making facility. The Company acquired a large lot last year on the west side, near the Mal-Wart Super Center, but it was not until last week that the city council approved their building permits.

John Campos, Legal advisor to the Mayor, declared that "the zoning had to be revised, in order to allow for all the explosions, demolitions, bank robberies and alien invasions that movie-making will entail."

William Shatner visited the site and expressed his approval, but no one was listening, so we don't really know what he said.

Construction on the new site will begin as early as May, according to Multiversal executives.

Copyright (C) 2009, Disassociated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Midtoon Changes Format (Again)

The Midtoon Herald, March 30, 2009

In what seems a sign of unclear management and mixed priorities, the Midtoon website has changed format yet again. Now it presents a new link system and a reorganized frame system. Rumor has it that two individuals complained that the previous design was "too cluttered" and that "the comic was lost between the ads and banners".

Erik Campos expressed his heartfelt thanks to the two individuals that provided feedback. "Our gratitude goes to Nixxxerman and Vany_vrg for their input," he said in a written statement. "Without their feedback, we don't know what we could do."

JJR_lol from California, was not entirely satisfied with the changes and complained that the "new system is confusing", but another fan responded that "we'll get used to it."

There seems to be no end to the controversy, and Crowd Control Teams from the Midtoon Police Department were dispatched to provide protection to the Campos Headquarters.

"This is very unfair," said a protester. "They not only keep changing the comic, but also the website. They won't make any friends with a new face very day."

"This people are crazy," said another, holding a fire Erik! sign "They say they are a democracy, but only listened to two individuals. Change the theme to 'the first dictatorship in the world of comic strips' or something like that."

This reporter is wondering what a dictatorship comic strip would be like...

Dissasociated Press

The City Can't, but Yes, You Can

The Midtoon Herald, March 25, 2009

The Mayor of Midtoon has not been able to come up with a balanced budget in the last three sessions, but with newly released software from Apricot Tree (TM) you will not suffer from the same malady.

Apricot Tree is a user-friendly software that will help you conceptualize, prioritize, organize, categorize and amalgamize your home and small business finances in an ergonomic, organic and acrobatic way.

"I don't know how I would do my finances if it was not for Apricot Tree," said a celebrity Gecko that probably has never used the software but was paid a lot of money to say that. "Now every time I make a commercial for my insurance company, I know exactly where the money goes. My favorite feature is the graphic report, because I love to see the little bars that represent useless junk go up every time"

Apricot Tree Software will help you make the most of your time, because instead of running your business, you will be running software.

There you go, now, this reporter is waiting for a commission check.

Disassociated Press

All is well for Zell

The Midtoon Herald, March 23, 2009

Riding the wave of free unlimited lifetime warranties that we reported on last week, Computer manufacturer Zell has announced that they made a profit last quarter.

Michael Zell, founder and CEO of Zell Computers, in a public statement worthy of Dr. Seuss, declared that "All is well for Zell," and "Zell sells well."

Roland McDonald, our senior business correspondent and in-house Business analyst, explained the phenomena the following way: "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

Asked to clarify, he explained that at times of financial unrest, customers tend to lean towards value propositions. With the addition of their free Unlimited Lifetime Warranties and their low-end offerings, Zell continues to offer perceived value to its customer. This is the reason why Mal-Wart Mega stores, Dupercuts and Dross, for example, continue to do well even on this down economy."

On other news, protesters flooded to the streets yesterday as Viotex announced that most of their Senior executives would be receiving performance bonuses by the millions.

"They cannot pay themselves bonuses with taxpayer money," said a disgruntled citizen. "Viotex has received billions of dollars in bailout money, how do you justify the bonuses?"

Viotex did not have any comments, but rumor has it that they plan to sue the government if their bailout money is taxed at a higher rate.

This reporter wants some bailout money too...

Disassociated Press

Free Offer from Zell

The Midtoon Herald, March 20, 2009

Computer manufacturer Zell has announced a free offer to all Midtoon Residents. Zell will be giving away free unlimited lifetime warranties*

"I want a free unlimited lifetime warranty," said Reyna Marikit. "Everyone should have a free unlimited lifetime warranty and at this price, you can't beat it!"

Several other residents of Midtoon offered unsolicited testimonials but their emails were either lost or ignored, so no one will ever know what they wanted to say.

We encourage all readers to obtain their free unlimited lifetime warranty by sending a BLANK check to FREE UNLIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTIES, P.O. BOX NONE, MIDTOON, USA. We will take care of writing in the amount after checking the balance of your checking account.

Come, don't be the last person in your block to get a free unlimited lifetime warranty. At this price, they are not going to last!

*NOTE: Your free unlimited lifetime warranty has intrinsic limitations and can only cover one lifetime. Believers in reincarnation should call for an alternate offer. Void where prohibited by law, or where people don't have a sense of humor.

Disassociated Press

Mayor: Light at the end of the tunnel

The Midtoon Herald, March 18, 2009

Good news finally from down town. The bad case of flu that was terrorizing Midtoon is finally rescinding. Midtoon Executive Producer is feeling "a bit better" according to sources. The Midtoon Herald reopened today and interviewed the Mayor.

"It is great to be back into business," he said coughing. "Midtoon depends on us being healthy enough to continue, so it is definitely good news when the citizens are healthy."

"It will probably take a few more days, but we can see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel."

This reporter is also feeling better, thank you.

Disassociated Press

No Article Today

The Midtoon Herald, March 16, 2009

This reporter is sick.

Disassociated Press

Flu Season in Full Swing

The Midtoon Herald, March 13, 2009

Midtoon has been particularly hit by the flu this season. Two weeks ago, it was the stomach flu, now the regular flu is causing havoc.

"I'm totally wasted," said Neftali Rivera, Executive Producer of Midtoon. "Luckily I have an abundant supply of chicken soup."

When asked what brand of soup was his favorite, he simply replied: "Chicken Soup for the Producer's Soul."

The hospital has been getting more cases than usual this year. Luckily, the flu Virus that has been identified in Midtoon is not Bird Flu.

"It would be scary if it was Bird flu," said a spokesperson for City Hall. "We would be forced to call everyone to panic."

This reporter is going to the store right now to buy a can of Chicken soup for the Reporter's Soul.

Disassociated Press.

What happened to the colors?

The Midtoon Herald, March 11, 2009

It appears that not only the format of Midtoon.com was changed, but now the colors of the strip look somehow, uh, 'different'. Although it is still too early to gauge the reactions of the fans, we gathered a few comic strip activists to ask them for their opinion.

There were some problems when we tried to do blind studies, because people could not see the comic without actually looking at it, but we managed to ask a couple people.

"I love it," said a fan who identified herself as the Executive Producer's wife. "It looks really cool."

Actually, no one else has reacted, so we will not be able to quote more, unless we make the quotes up, something that a serious journal like the Midtoon Herald would never do unless it was convenient.

Why? We asked the author to find out.

"The images look sharper, more defined and easier on the eyes. Not only that, but the files are also smaller. Another advantage is that I draw directly on the computer. There is no paper involved, so we are more environmentally friendly. Also, I think that eventually the comics will look better. It is only the first one I draw this way and it compares to the previous strips, so, from here, we can only hope for improvement."

Why was it not done like that from the beginning?

"Well, to be honest with you, I did not know how. I learned from a tutorial that was posted at the QUESTIONABLE CONTENT Comic Strip.

Do you think people will react favorably? we asked again.

"I surely hope they like it," he said crossing his fingers. "If they don't we might end up with a mutiny or a revolution or something."

By the way, Erik. Nice T-Shirt. It was about time you gave some rest to the other one.

Disassociated Press

New Format for Midtoon.com

The Midtoon Herald, March 9, 2009

Thousands of Midtoon.com fans turned out to see the new look of the Midtoon.com website. Several changes marked what appears to be a new package of features, and reactions were numerous.

The first thing that comes to attention when you enter the new pages is the new header. It still displays the prominent Midtoon.com name, but now it adds the descriptor: "The First Democracy in the World of Comic Strips". The descriptor is not new, but it is now displayed prominently at the top of the page. Older pages will continue to exhibit the old header.

The second change is that Midtoon.com now has advertising. Contrary to previous pronouncements by the author and the Executive Producer, who had said in the past that they wanted to keep Midtoon.com free of Advertising (they call it 'adverteasing') the page now presents several small ads in different locations.

We had the opportunity to speak with Erik Campos regarding the changes and he shed some light regarding them.

"The first change was to improve the design of the page. We wanted to include the descriptor with the page name and we did it. Now, the thing I don't get is why the design includes my brother flying on a pterodactyl. I don't know, it must be one of his crazy ideas, but I only did what the Producer told me to do."

We also asked him about the addition of 'adverteasing'.

"We are looking for ways to keep Midtoon free for everyone. At the end of Season 1, we plan to sell the Year Book, a collection of all the comics of the year in higher resolution prints. At this time it is expected that the full-color version will sell for approximately $19.99, A black and white version is being considered but may or may not be published depending on public interest."

"Other types of Midtoon merchandise will be made available soon, but in the meantime, donations and advertising fees are our only means of helping offset the costs of running the web comic."

Disassociated Press

Electoral Fraud Plot?

The Midtoon Herald, March 6, 2009

In what appears to be a desperate attempt to attract voters, City Hall was discussing the possibility of buying people's votes. This astounding revelation shook the fundamental values of Midtooners everywhere.

"I can't believe they were trying to buy my vote," said a concerned citizen, smiling. "This is totally stupid. Why would they want to buy it from me when I have always given it for free?"

Another individual told this reporter that he was "not surprised" to find out that the politicians were planning to buy his vote but was "seriously baffled" at the alleged price the City was assigning to each vote. "For five dollars," he said. "I will not get out of the house to vote."

This immediately triggered a reaction from the opposition. Political Strategist Roger Rogers, senior political correspondent for the Midtoon Herald told us that there was a potentially interesting reaction to the issue. "If the Mayor pays people to vote, but pays too little, perhaps the opposition could take advantage and sweeten the deal by adding a couple more dollars for them to stay home".

The allegations of potential vote buy-outs was denied by City Hall. In a written statement, the Mayor declared that "It is not and it has never been our intention to pay five dollars for people to vote for us. These allegations are absurd, because your votes are sacred, and as such, worth much more than that."

Perhaps if we remain silent, the Mayor will actually raise his offer...

Disassociated Press

Threats to the Midtoon Herald.

The Midtoon Herald, March 4, 2009

The editors of the Midtoon Herald confirmed last night that a letter containing threatening language was received by the newspaper. The letter appeared to have been delivered by hand, since the stamps were not cancelled by the Postal Service.

"It is not unusual to receive hostile correspondence," stated Popeye Ringwood, Senior Editor for the newspaper, which is owned by the same parent company as Midtoon Cable News channel Five. "What is unusual is that the letter says that if we continue publishing unfavorable articles about the mayor, we will pay."

The Senior Editor declined to answer any additional questions due to the current investigation being conducted by the police.

"We will not tolerate threats to the press," said a spokesperson for the Midtoon Police Department. "what are we going to put in the bottom of the birdcages if the newspaper is suspended?"

This reporter confirmed with the Pet Shop and they did not like the idea either.

Disassociated Press

Nothing Happened, Some Say.

The Midtoon Herald, March 2, 2009

Today, in a surprise move, the editors of the Midtoon Herald announced that nothing happened.

"We cannot believe this," said Popeye Ringwood, senior editor of the newspaper. "We are absolutely certain that nothing happened, because we called each and every reporter and asked them. Seriously, nothing happened."

These comments were denied by some of our best reporters, the ones that can spin anything into news. Two of them, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that "Actually something really important happened: nothing."

"This is the first time something like this happens," said the other. "And if this is something, then it cannot be nothing, can it?"

This reporter is confused, because if nothing happening is actually something, then nothing could not have happened to begin with...

What do you think?

Disassociated Press