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I love sometimes simply thinking of my youth and “those simple days”. Especially thinking back to being a toddler, and, yes, I do remember, and watching Popeye on television. Mom had to pry me away from the tv to do my homework.

Later, I learned about newspapers and Charlie Brown, Lucy, Snoopy, and others of the Peanut’s gang became my heroes.

Then I started collecting cartoons, clipping them from the paper. Only funny ones, and they *had* to be funny. I started searching for yet more gems in print, which, as a teen, led me to Mad Magazine, Cracked Magazine, and even Playboy (would you believe I was one of the few who read Playboy for the cartoons); okay there was a little more to it than just the cartoons, but I found them very funny.

In time, I put all the comics in a box in the closet, andgot on with real life, and, when I had the time, would take the time to find a funny one, which was not easy. My tastes were changing, but the cartoons in the newspapers were getting repetitive and boring.

Then came The Far Side by Gary Larson. Once again, I was hooked on cartoons during the entire 1980’s and part of the 1990’s. Even on his worst days, Gary Larson found a way to make me laugh. A good Far Side, and they were usually very good, if not excellent, cut to the chase, and in a tiny one panel frame, told me more than the entire editorial page could convey in any newspaper. I was a happy camper. Then Gary Larson retired. It was a very sad day indeed.

I kept the faith, and, sure enough, there were others with attempts to fill “the Far Side gap” such as Rubes, Close To Home, Strange Brew, and a number of others. Speed Bump by Dave Coverly came the closest. I still enjoy Dave’s cartoon. It is a 9 out of 10; one can rely on it to be funny.

Enter humor master Rick London founder of Londons Times Cartoons; now, the top offbeat cartoon on the Internet. I have been following Rick’s creative ventures since 1997 when he launched this incredibly funny cartoon. There were less than 100 color cartoons up by 1998. By 2005, he had over 6500 cartoons up (mostly color) and now has nearly 8000. His critically-acclaimed site deserves merit beyond simple creativity. It is ingenious and even the media seems to agree. It is rare I do not get a laugh from this amazing master of humor. I absolutely love Londons Times Cartoons.

Rick now even has e-stores with the funniest and best quality/service funny gifts and collectibles featuring his cartoon images like LTSuperstore, RickLondonWear, RickLondonCollection, JustFunnyAprons, JustFunnyHoodies, JustFunnyGreetingCards, MirthGirthBirth, AThongInMyHeart, JustFunnyMousepads, and others. The funny gifts and collectibles are as funny if not funnier than the cartoons. I buy them by the bulk. The prices are good and they arrive fast! Friends love them as gifts.

His cartoons are more of an art form than simply a cartoon. They make you think. They make you laugh. They make you glad you discovered this incredible talent.

Tags: Humor