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DEVELOPING COMICS ENCYCLOPEDIA: ARTISTS • THEMES
Bob Armstrong
by Kristin Buckless
Fall 2004
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Bob Armstrong was born in Pasadena, California in 1950. Later he illustrated numerous books including The Couch Potato Cookbook-Warner Brothers 1988, A Frogs Tale- Word and Muse Productions, and many more. He also wrote and illustrated four comic books Mickey Rat 1,2,3,4. On top of that he has done many illustrations for magazines, cd covers, newspapers and textbooks. In one of his comic strips title "Rude Interlude" he brings comedy of the un-moralistic in terms with religion. The rat is disturbed by a catholic group trying to speak to him about the good of the church while his hang over leads him to wants nothing but to lay in bed undisturbed. The rat ends up scaring the church-goers away by dressing as a grossly sexual devil. This is just a glimpse of the rude humor Mickey the Rat is capable of. The life of Mickey the Rat juxtaposes the "all holy" as well as child-like fun, while bringing humor to his interludes with normal society or the run down places he visits. The rat is in most cases hung-over, on drugs or in some way not in-touch with reality. His drug induced lifestyle leads him to thinking he is greater than god, although he does not seem to accomplish much.
With the character Mickey Rat, Bob Armstrong has created a seedy, alcoholic version of the pure and clean Mickey Mouse . This claim has been made obvious by his story "Feelin' Kinda Disney," which depicts a giant roc bird doing his duty on The Magic Kingdom. Patrons assume it's a new park attraction while Mickey, who landed on the pile of poop, finds joy in taking the customers' money. Armstrong is well known for his drawing skills and his unique cartooning style. His drawings seem to be slightly simplistic yet they fully capture every expression needed to set the mood of the comic. His work is extremely funny and satirical by completely contrasting Mickey the Rat with the up-beat happy lifestyle of Mickey the Mouse.
From Mr. Rude Interlude by Bob Armstrong.
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