Vandals break water fountain

The Midtoon Herald, February 9, 2009

In what has to be categorized as one of the worst acts of vandalism is the last 10 years, an unknown group has destroyed the Liberty Fountain in Central Square.
"This is an outrage," said the Mayor, describing the incident. "we don't know who did this, but I have instructed the police to crush these vandals with all the weight of the law."
Some observers expressed the opinion that the vandals are protesting for the Mayor's early support of the war, but some contend that it is more of an unemployment issue. Recent news that unemployment levels have climbed once again, have much of the population of Midtoon tense and jittery .
"It doesn't matter if you are going through a hard time," said a police officer while carrying a huge roll of yellow tape and a towel. "There are ways to express your opinion or get help that do not involve the defacing of public property."
Sources in City Hall have confirmed that the vandals that destroyed the fountain may be the same ones that painted a moustache on the City Hall's painting of the Mayor last month.
That was a funny moustache, though...

Disassociated Press

Viotex Requesting Bailout $

The MIDTOON HERALD, February 5, 2009

Biotechnology giant Viotex Corporation entered a plea to the City of Midtoon requesting money to pay the creditors, a spokesperson for the company said today. "We cannot survive another quarter without some influx of money", said the spokesperson, clearly affected by the news. "We have done all we can, including giving our senior executives the highest bonuses in the market, but the economic climate is just not there".

According to some animal rights groups, Viotex Corporation has been recently working in a secret project involving the cloning of animals, but the organization has not been able to obtain evidence. Cloning is not allowed in Midtoon as per Ordinance 312-23 L, subsection H-23 passed in 1996 right after a movie where Michael Keaton cloned himself. Eager to stop the possibility of being invaded by a multiplicity of Mr. Keatons, Voters elected to make cloning illegal.

The Company has not admitted or denied the charges, but has brought cloning twice to the courts, in what seems an attempt to justify their secret project. Gary Gordon, Executive Vice President of Secret Projects told us in a telephone interview that "Viotex Corporation is not working in any illegal projects here in Midtoon, and if we were, we obviously would not tell you".

Smart move, Mr. Gordon, but we will eventually get you...

Disassociated Press

Early results “not satisfactory”, says Erik Campos, but Midtoon to abide by the will of the people.

With a strong show of emotion, Erik Campos, creator and main character of the Midtoon comic strip confided to this reporter that he is “disappointed with the early results of this week’s poll.”

As of this writing, Erik Campos had received no votes in the poll that would help decide which character will be followed in the next story arc. “I know people may want to see someone else,” he said. “But heck, I am the main character, and zero, nada, zip!”

Erik trails his younger brother Javier, his step mother Mabel, who runs second and even an undetermined character, loosely described as ‘another character’ in the polls.

These results were characterized as ‘surprising’ and ‘unusual’ by the author, who totally believes he should be a close runner up on this poll, if not the winner. “We will be conducting an audit of the automatic voting machines used in the polls,” said John Campos, who shares with Erik the dubious honor of being at the bottom of the list. “We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this.”

The Executive Producer of Midtoon, Neftali Rivera said in a press release that “even though Erik may be frustrated, we do not have any reason to suspect electoral fraud.” Rivera later added that “The polls are still open and the results are not yet final, but we assure you that after the people of Midtoon express their opinion with their votes, we will abide with it. This is one of the most important tenets of democracy, and we stand committed to respect the will of the people.”

Midtoon.com completes it's first month!

Midtoon's Executive producer, Neftali Rivera, Jumped with joy when his comic strip, Midtoon, completed its first full month.

"I am happier than a dog with two tails," said the producer. "I have always wanted to be a cartoonist and now I have been one for a month! I can barely contain myself!"

Other members of the cast were happy as well. Erik Campos, the main character was not available, because he was grounded due to the issue with the telescope.

We want to thank all our readers and supporters. We hope to keep bringing Midtoon to you for many more months to come.

A Special Edition comic strip, only available to subscribers will be made to commemorate the 1-month of Midtoon. If you are following the strip, but have not subscribed, there is still time to do so for free.

Come, join the people of Midtoon, the first democracy in the world of Comic Strips.

ASK ERIK: How old is Mabel?

Question from Robert:

Mabel looks way too young to be married to John. Exactly how old is she?

Erik answers:

Mabel is 28, definitely too young to be my mother. She was only 12 when I was born. It is true that she is younger than my dad, who turns 48 this year, so at least for part of the year, my father is 20 years older than his wife.

Before you people ask, no, I don't have a problem with it. I think Mabel, being young, has an understanding of my problems that my father lacks sometimes. Besides, She's the coolest and better looking mom in our school.

I would go in deep about how Mabel and my dad got together, but that is the subject of a comic book that is in the works, and I don't want to spoil the storyline. The only thing I'm going to say is what I already said in an interview and what is on the website. Mabel met my father in 2002, in a College class. If you want to know all the details, wait until the comic book gets published. (Release date yet to be announced)

ASK ERIK will be a regular feature of this blog. To ask Erik a question, email Author@midtoon.com and write "ASK ERIK" in the subject line. If your question is selected for answering, your name will be entered in a contest for a minuscule chance to win something of minimal value and usefulness, (except the cool factor of getting your name in print).

Three Recent Reviews and a New Feature...

I received the following reviews for Midtoon. I only identified them by initials, because I have not obtained permission to publish their names. You know, in this economy, and with my comic strip being distribute for free, I cannot risk a lawsuit, but the testimonials are real and I have two of them in writing.

"It doesn't look like you made it. It seems like it could have come from the pages of USA Today."
RMM- San Bruno, CA (verbally)

"I saw your creation and I loved it. Congratulations on it." MVF-San German, PR (on facebook)

"I was reviewing the Midtoon website. It is very interesting. I like the simplicity or the art and the creativity of your humor. The colors are bright and without too many shades, which is good, because it seems to me that it will not tire the eyes of your readers. I hope you have the success you ought to have. My sincere congratulations and of course, my admiration." FFT- San Francisco, CA (by email)

"Your comics are cool. When are you going to do more?" A Kid - Pacifica, CA (verbally)

Thank you all for your support and feedback. To leave your comments, email AUTHOR@MIDTOON.COM and to receive our comic in your mailbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, completely free, email SUBSCRIBE@MIDTOON.COM

COMING SOON: ASK ERIK, a feature where Erik Campos will be answering your questions. If you have questions for ERIK, email Author@midtoon .com and write ASK ERIK as the subject line. If your question is chosen to be answered by Erik, you may win a free subscription to Midtoon. Oh, wait, Midtoon is already free. Sorry!

MCR Interview with Erik Campos part 3

This is The last part of Erik's Interview with MCR Radio.

Laurie Blog, the Host of the Laurie Blog Show presents Erik with questions from the audience

LB: Welcome back, this is Laurie Blog, and this is the last segment of the Laurie Blog Show here in Midtoon City Radio. 45 minutes after the hour. Erik Campos, from the Comic Strip, Midtoon is our guest today. We have had a fascinating discussion today, Erik.

EC: Thanks, Laurie.

LB: We want to devote this final segment of the show to answer some questions from our listeners. Since there seems to be a stalker on the lines, we have filtered the calls and collected the questions that the people of Midtoon want to ask you. Are you ready for some of them?

EC: Fire up.

LB: I think you may have answered this first question already, but here goes: What is your favorite Comic?

EC: The Simpsons

LB: Why are the edges of your comics wrinkled?

EC: We have a limited budget, so we collect our frames from Scott Adams' garbage. Most of them are already wrinkled when we get them. Think of it as frame recycling. Good for the environment, good for you."

LB: Is your comic making any money?

EC: The short answer is no

LB: I'm going to add something here, Erik. Do you expect to make any money out of it?

EC: Sure, but not yet. We have to sell people on the idea before we try to sell them anything else.

LB: Sounds reasonable. Let's continue with the questions: Are you in love?

EC: Am I in love? Well, no, not really.

LB: Come on Erik, you are 16. Isn't there anyone special?

EC: Well, there is this cheerleader from school, but I can't really say anything about it yet.

LB: Why?

EC: Well, three reasons. She doesn't know, I don't know what's going to happen and her boyfriend doesn't know.

LB: I thought that you could not say it because it would be a spoiler.

EC: Yes, that's is. I don't want to ruin the storyline.

LB: Isn't there anyone else?

EC: Well, this girl that lives in the apartments across the street, but she is too old for me, so no chance there, you know.

LB: A cheerleader with a boyfriend and a neighbor that is too old... Sounds like you like forbidden relationships, Erik.

EC: Perhaps I do. That may explain the fact that I still don't have a girlfriend.

LB: Do you see yourself with a girlfriend soon?

EC: Eventually, of course. Soon, I don't know.

LB: Well, let's continue here: Erik, I love your comic. How can I subscribe?

EC: Email me at subscribe@midtoon.com and I will add your name to the list.

LB: Any other way of contacting you?

EC: Yes, my blog, www.midtoon.blogspot.com and my website, www.midtoon.com

LB: How is the democracy part of your comic working?

EC: We still have too few votes. For a democracy to work and be vibrant, we need as many votes as possible. Otherwise, a small segment of society will rule the entirety of it. That would not be a democracy.

LB: where do you get your knowledge of political science?

EC: My father is a legal advisor.

LB: Next Question: Javier is so cute! Can I keep him?

EC: Nothing could make me happier. Just make sure you take him far, far away.

LB: Wow, such brotherly love, Erik...

EC: Perhaps I'm kidding, although sometimes I do wish he would not exist. I guess it's part of being brothers.

LB: Are there any other members of the family we have no seen?

EC: Not of the immediate family. It's just the four of us.

LB: how about extended family? Other relatives?

EC: My real mom lives in Puerto Rico. I don't remember most of the family there, because I was little the last time I saw them. I am friends in FaceSpace with a cople of my cousins, though. Dad has two brothers, one older and one younger than him, but no sisters. His parents are not with us anymore. Mabel has an older brother, an older sister and a younger sister about my age. Mabel's Mother and her younger sister live in Centerville.

LB: Are any of them going to appear in the comic?

EC: I don't know. We don't have enough budget to travel to Puerto Rico, and my dad doesn't really communicate too much with his siblings. Perhaps Mabel's mom and sister, since they live in nearby Centerville, may appear here.

LB: Well, Erik, we still have questions, but we need to take this program to a close. It has been a true pleasure talking to such a well-mannered and intelligent young man. We wish you success in your endeavors and good luck in your personal life. Any final comments?

EC: Thank you, Laurie. It has been a pleasure being with you today. I just want to thank all the fans and ask them to spread the voice around. Tell everyone that the first democracy in the world of comic strips is already here and that we need all the support we can get to make it a success. Thank you Everyone.

LB: Thank you as well, Erik. Well, folks, this has been the Laurie Blog Show in MCR Radio. We will see you all next week at the same time. Stay tuned for the Tasteless Music Show, with Abraham Cheeks, coming right after these messages.

(END OF TRANSCRIPT)