July 2002

Rad Chillies!
You should be reading Achewood!

Since October of 2001, a man named Chris Onstad has been producing this devilishly funny comic strip called Achewood. The strip, a daily, is about a group of stuffed animals, various house pets, a rodent and a robot, and is becoming my favorite daily strip along with Diesel Sweeties (www.clango.org)

Onstad's vision of stuffed animals living secluded in a house is drawn in the traditional newspaper daily format, with occasional double panel, Sunday style format. The characters, Mr. Bear, Phillipe (Otter), Théodor (possible a bear as well) and Lyle (a tiger) make up the core of original characters. In addition to the stuffed animals, there is Lie-Bot (self-explanatory), Todd (the squirrel), Lie-Bot, and the cats, Ray, Pat and Roast Beef. Each day, they explore their world, cursing and generally having a good time.

The first Achewood strip I read was sent to me by Godzilla, I think it was this one: www.achewood.com/05302002.html, but I'm not entirely sure. It doesn't really matter, tho', because after reading it I was hooked.

What I found is a witty and charming strip with more than enough on-line sensibility to avoid the dismal malaise of newspaper comics. But what I like most is the lead cat, Ray, who likes to "bone" a lot. He wears sunglasses, chains, and thong underwear. I freakin' love Ray.

My love became eternal on July 17th, when I read this strip: www.achewood.com/i/07172002_orig.gif. Not only does Ray refer to his balls as his "junk", but also he refers to them as his "rad chillies!" I fell out of my chair. Obviously, Mr. Onstad is not only trying to create a great strip on a daily basis, but he is also trying to change the way men refer to their private parts. For that I am grateful.

You should do yourself a favor, read www.Achewood.com, Evil Robots' new favorite comic strip!