After I rented this movie, I had the inspiration for my Deaf Reel version. It makes me laugh. Most of my cartoons make me laugh because what would be the point if they didn’t? But this one REALLY makes me laugh. After defeating Medusa, the Kraken, The blind witches, and countless other mythological beast its actually Tinnitus that is Perseus’ Achilles heel. (added mythological reference intended)

So to all of the Deaf Gods and Goddess out there – have a ringin’ good time this Labor Day weekend.

‘Til next time —Matt

As my family and I were driving in West Hollywood the other day, we saw a way-over-the-top HUGE billboard for the movie “The Other Guys”. Hollywood is like that. When things are done here they are done in a BIG way.

So I guess the Hollywood and Highland mall cop was taking his inspiration from the near-by billboard and went way-over-the-top in his pursuit of the would-be deaf shoplifter. He went after him in a BIG way.

So I had to make a comedic comment on the whole situation because – well – I am comic and that is what we do in a BIG way-over-the-top way.

‘Til next time —Matt

Hey folks,

Here is another a cartoon parody that represents the classic tale growing up deaf. I am sure many of us had the experience of feeling confused about our true identity. Especially when so many people were telling us what to do to become normal. Teachers, parents, therapists, doctors and even deaf people themselves told us to do this or that or wear this or that. It was never fun being toyed with in that way.

So I couldn’t help think that Mr. Potato Head must feel our pain. Talk about not having an identity. One minute he has ear on top of his head and the next, an eye coming out of his mouth. Poor spud!!

So let this Deaf Reel serve as some comic relief for the many times we felt frustration about everyone trying to make us “normal”. After all what is normal anyway? I am sure no one could even say. Especially Mr. Potato Head.

‘Til next time —Matt

This is a perfect cartoon parody that represent the classic tale growing up deaf and having dinner with people who don’t use sign language. It’s never fun. We may even be tempted to call them Schmucks but we wouldn’t dare. Because after-all we love them or we wouldn’t be having dinner with them. So let this parody do the talking for you so that you can maintain your relationships and still have a good laugh to relieve the frustrations you feel.

‘Til next time —Matt

It’s summer. It’s hot. So it would make sense that there would be a hot summer movie that everyone is talking about. So here is my comic spin on the blockbuster movie, “Inception”. I couldn’t help but laugh thinking of the deaf version of this movie. The world could be in a dream state collapsing and that would not concern us as much as not having enough signal strength to send a text message. Argghhh!— now that’s a nightmare.

Thank goodness for technology. Nowadays we panic if ANYTHING happens to our wireless devices but I can remember clearly the day when we had clunky TTYs and we were so grateful to have them!!! So as the dog days of summer wind down enjoy the wonderful technology we have in the year 2010. I know when I am playing Texas Hold’em Poker on my Blackberry the world could transform around me into a mind blowing maze of confusion and I wouldn’t even notice.

‘Til next time —Matt
“If you’re not laughing —you’re not living”! —K.O.D.

I love it when I can sit and talk with other artists. This last week Chris Houghton and his wife Kassandra came to visit my family after exhibiting at the San Diego Comic Con. Chris and I have been email buddies since he saw the episode of “Antonio Treatment” last March that featured my family. To say that Chris and his wife are talented is an understatement. They are freaking talented.

Chris and Kassandra have an impressive body of work for as young as they are. My wife and I felt so inspired by their positive energy, confidence, and ambition. Even though they are WOW blow-you-away-talented, they did not convey even the slightest bit of arrogance.
Very cool. Nothing is better than hanging with talented people who are also grounded.

Do yourself a favor and check out Chris and his brother Shane’s Comic Reed Gunther. You will quickly see how these two young men are rising stars in the comic world. Enjoy!

‘Til next time —Matt

Ok. Well my eyes and brain are still reeling from so MUCH stimulation from attending last weeks DeafNation World Expo in Las Vegas. As many of you may know I was sponsored by a very cool group of people at Zvrs. They bought and distributed for FREE over 400 of my “In Deaf Culture” and “Extreme Interpreting” humor books. I was on hand (pun intended) at the booth to draw Relay the Dog. I sketched Relay over 300 times!! It was fun to see peoples faces transform when from a blank piece of paper I was able to produce Relay the Dog in a matter of seconds. It was such a thrill for me to see their facial expressions start out as curious or skeptical to surprise and delight!! It made me think that perhaps they had never seen anyone do that before. Pretty cool, huh?

I have to really give a big humble – (gulp) – almost teary eyed, thanks to Zvrs for sponsoring me. They showed me such respect and welcomed me like family to their amazing booth at the Expo. Without their there support I never would have been able to expose my cartoons to so many people. Not only did Zvrs provide an unbelievable opportunity for me as an artist but they also provided an opportunity for so many people especially children to see that arts are alive in the deaf community. And that deaf cartoonist do exist. This kind of exposure helps our community grow and thrive. Again Thank you so much Zvrs. You guys truly are CHAMP!!

In closing, I believe the event did a lot for our community that it actually transformed it for the better. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives. I don’t think we can have too much fun so let’s keep the momentum going!! Life is suppose to be fun!!! That is why I am a cartoonist – it’s fun.

‘Til next time —Matt

I hope you are enjoying my new comic series: Deaf Reel so far. Well if you not…I sure am!! So much fun that I decided to develop my own Deaf Reel website to house my collection. This week Robin Deafhood has dropped his bow and arrow and is on a lecture tour of Nottingham to spread the word of deafhoodness and gather his own group of Merry Men AND Merry Women. Green tights are not a clothing requirement.

‘Til next time —Matt

Grab some popcorn and munchies to enjoy the humor of Deaf Reel in 3D!!!! Ok so I can’t really do my cartoons in 3D but wanted to jump on the 3D band wagon and give you guys something in 3’s. So how about 3 Deaf Reel cartoons?
Since I will be in Vegas next week hanging with Relay the Dog at the ZVRS booth, I thought I would post 3 cartoons for you all to enjoy while I am gone. I hope you enjoy more play with the summer blockbuster series!!!

Don’t forget to come see me at the ZVRS booth during DeafNation World Expo in Las Vegas and let me know what you think of Deaf Reel and That Deaf Guy comic strip!! Hope to see you there!!!

‘Til next time —Matt
“If you’re not laughing —you’re not living”! —K.O.D.

Hi everyone,
I am just having a ball coming up with these deaf movie posters. My mind is always in creative mode but I feel like it is in overdrive now. Plus I live in Hollywood land so I am exposed to BIG movie billboards which just fuel my creativity even more. I hope you like my newest installation. I call them my Summer Blockbuster Deaf Acronym Posters.

Wouldn’t it be great if someone actually made a deaf version of these movies?
Hmmm… who would we cast in what role? It’s fun to imagine isn’t it?

Well, hope to see you all at the DeafNation World Expo…good times ahead!!!

Have a great weekend!
‘Til next time—Matt