Cartoon Thunder rumbles onto Web
Cartoon Thunder rumbles onto Web
Where to find it: Rupert Piston – www.cartoonthunder.com
Who runs the site: San Benito High School teacher Rob Campbell has an alter ego – cartoonist. Campbell is chairman of the visual and performing arts department, but when it appears he is taking notes, he may be sketching just a little.
Who is likely to use the site: Aside from the students curious about how a teacher can be a genuine human being with another life, the site bills itself as one “for bikers of all ages.”
Why it’s cool: The site, set on a wallpaper of chromed diamondplate, follows two slow-witted bikers on their adventures. Shorty and Noodles are consistently outwitted by their smarter-than-average bikes, Mac and Retro.
One of the coolest pages on the site is Campbell’s blog, which talks about his day-to-day life as a full-time teacher and includes a smattering of rough sketches as well as more polished cartoon art. It also includes a warning: he may be unceremoniously killing off Shorty and Noodles along with their bikes to pursue new ideas.
Campbell’s personality comes through loud and clear as open, friendly and just, perhaps, a little crazy.
The site also includes archives, animated podcasts and – naturally – a chance to purchase Cartoon Thunder swag, for when you just can’t have enough clothing relating to Hollister’s outlaw biker history. To give him credit, Campbell’s biker gear is a large cut above just about anything on the racks downtown over Independence Day. A newsletter is also available.
Cons: Like most blog pages, it tends to run on. And on. So finding something waaaaay down into the blog might take a few minutes. Other than that, it’s all good. No blinking Flash stuff popping at viewers and a fun experience all around.
