I am happy to report that Episode 2 is now 20% completed! There have been great strides and progress in the last week or two and I've been working on all cylinders to get Episode 2 completed. Ep2 is vastly superior to Episode 1 in style, script and animation. This one is far funnier than the original and I can't wait to share it with you guys. At the rate I'm currently going, I think Ep2 will be finished in another month or two, mid August or September '08.
'Til the next report...
Mad Rob
There have been a lot of negative comments posted on YouTube, many from Jamaicans who appear to be offended by Howie & Herb's portrayal of Jamaicans and the eccessive use of the word "mon" in Episode 1.
I would just like to let it be known that I am not a racist (in fact, I am one of the most NON-racist people you could ever meet) and I never intended to offend anyone, and that the purpose of my cartoon was never to make fun of Jamaicans or black people. I think Jamaica is a beautiful place and have been planning to vacation there soon. I am also a big fan of reggae music and the culture from that region.
Jamaicans do use the word "man" a lot (which to an American sounds like "mon" when spoken in a Jamaican dialect) just as Americans may use words like "dude" excessively. I was merely teasing a little and poking a bit of fun at the culture the same way some one jokes around with his best friend or a boy teases a girl he has a crush on.
This cartoon was made all in good fun and there was no ill-will or anger intended. I actually kind of hoped that Jamaicans would end up being some of the show's biggest fans.
I guess what I am trying to say is I'm sorry. It hurts me to hear that a cartoon which was only intended to make people laugh is actually doing the opposite for some people. I was only trying to make a cartoon funny. If it fails at that, the only thing I am guilty of is making an unfunny cartoon. I sincerely hope that the people I've offended can forgive me and that maybe I can turn things around with Episode 2 when it is released. I would love to turn all of Howie & herb's detractors into Howie & Herb's friends and fans. Thank you.
I have posted a "teaser" animation from the upcoming Howie & Herb Episode 2: "Coming to America". It's just the intro, but it's fun and I thought I would post it for you guys to hold you over until Episode 2 is completed.
Episode 2 begins with a dream sequence spoofing action flicks, that's why the futuristic logo and the guns.
The teaser is available for view here at HowieAndHerb.com on the "toons" page as well as DeviantART.com. The link to DevianART is to your right at the links menu.
Two blog posts in the same month! That's a record for me! Well, as you can see by now the entire website has been revamped, and restylized (is that a word?). Anyway, I hope you guys all like the simpler, more organized look I've adopted. I have updated all the links and made it FAR easier to find Howie & Herb all over the web, in the sidebar to the right. As always, you will find the best quality of H&H cartoons right here at howieandherb.com, but it's also cool to see what's going on with other sites as well (there is lots of interesting feedback at YouTube, for example). I've also added the "Home" button which was mysteriously missing from the old site, making it difficult to return to, well, home, without having to hit the "back" button a few times. Probably the best new page is this one you are currently on right now, the "news" page, which I will post all my blogs and keep all Howie & Herb's friends and fans updated. Before today, to find this information, you had to either read through all the forums, or hit me up personally on MySpace or something. Now all your Howie & Herb needs and info are right here in one place, right where it belongs.
At first, the main reason I decided to change the site was simply to make a change from Flash to CSS programming (forgive the nerdy web programmer speak). When I designed and set up the original site, I knew basically nothing about web design. Now, I'm a few years into web design and have designed, own and operate 20+ websites. And if you want your wesite to show up at Google and things like that and get loads of traffic, then you can't make your site in flash. You need to make it in HTML, CSS, PHP or something. Redoing this site in CSS will also make my advertisements more relevant to my target demographic, and hopefully will generate a little extra income to fund the cartoon.
Anyway, thanks again for all the love & support, and Howie & Herb: Episode 2 is still underway but I don't have a release date yet, sorry.
Your pal,
Mad Rob
As of today, June 1, '08, work has begun on Episode 2 but progress has been very slow. I've been swamped with my other projects. My contracting company and websites are starting to take off and generate income and I am forced to spend more time with them right now. Thanks to all my Howie & Herb fans and I promise to let you guys know just as soon as there is something new to report.
Thanks
Mad Rob
Howie & Herb creator Mad Rob interviewed by VMU Eteam Webzine! Check it out! link: http://vmueteamwebzine.vmueteam.com/HowieandHerb.html
Whattup guys. It's been a while since I posted.
"Episode 1: Take This Job and Shove it" is finally finished. You can see it here at howieandherb.com as well as Newgrounds, DeviantART, YouTube, AtomFilms, Ifilm, and probably a couple others i can't think of right now.
I'm already working on Episode 2, which is tentatively titled "Coming to America". I can already tell you guys that compared to the first episode, you ain't seen nothing yet. #2 is far better in both style and story.
More to come...
What up peeps!
Mad Rob here, owner/creator of Howie & Herb. This is my personal blog and my way of keeping in touch with my friends and fans. Thanks so much for all the support. You guys rule! ;D
I've been busy as hell lately, working on my websites. Finally got a forum up in this one and a few others today. I know you guys want to see episode 1 and wonder when it will finally be up (I can't wait to finally see an episode finished too! ;)) I'm still working as fast as I can, it just takes a long time when I still work full time during the day and only have nights and weekends to work on my toons. :( I'm more than halfway done at this point and hopefully I will have the first episode completed in another month or two.
Around the same time I will have the merchandise page running and I already have T-shirts and stickers in the works. They will be on sale both here at howieandherb.com and also on Ebay.com.
I guess that's about it for now. Til the next blog, see ya
Mad Rob