Art Map Burlington Article

REVIEW

Mark Gonyea is Mr. Oblivious

Mark Gonyea, the creator of Mr. Oblivious, is anything but. His adeptness at moving seamlessly from one project to another is remarkable. His website (click to view) shows samples of his famous cartoon heroes, Mr. Oblivious and Super Nice Guy, comic art, graphic design work, and links to his design books.

Mr. Oblivious cartoons are clean-lined, simple, and completely humorous. Gonyea uses bright primary colors and has mastered the incredibly important art of capturing facial expressions. Reminiscent of the wry humor in Gary Larsen’s The Far Side, Gonyea’s comics are sometimes tongue in cheek, sometimes playful. In Pyramid, creators of the age old wonders study with confusion the missing chunks in the structure’s foundation. On the opposite side of the pyramid, Mr. Oblivious (or “Mr. O”, as he’s affectionately called) is building with blocks removed from the area in question. Mr. Oblivious is just so daft that it’s easy for viewers not only to like him, but to relate to him. Who hasn’t done something completely stupid at least once or twice?

Super Nice Guy, the antithesis of a superhero, is well-loved nonetheless. He could be described as the poster child for professional counselors and therapists everywhere; a feelings-oriented, sympathetic hero who rushes to the aid of a purse snatch victim, offers her a hug and asks “Do you want to talk about it?” Gonyea offers these tips for spotting Nice Guys: “First of all, if you happen to spot a Nice Guy, DO NOT be afraid to approach. They are generally very tame and mild creatures.” The tip sheet goes on to list other identifiers of Nice Guys, including audible misery detection devices (i.e., well-tuned ears), damp shoulders from getting cried on, “soft hearts (containing easily pulled strings)”, and fast food physiques.

Gonyea, who was chosen as one of R.C. Harvey’s 2007 best comics in the February 2008 issue of The Comics Journal, is exhibiting at this month’s New York Comic-Con. His work was at Tribeca in February and March 2008.

JOY P. CHOQUETTE

		April 2008 V.3-N.4
		HOME ARTICLES ARCHIVE

Same But Different by Mark Gonyea Tribeca-Clothing & Accessories 150 Church Street (802) 861-2784		REVIEW Mark Gonyea is Mr. Oblivious Mark Gonyea, the creator of Mr. Oblivious, is anything but. His adeptness at moving seamlessly from one project to another is remarkable. His website (click to view) shows samples of his famous cartoon heroes, Mr. Oblivious and Super Nice Guy, comic art, graphic design work, and links to his design books. Mr. Oblivious cartoons are clean-lined, simple, and completely humorous. Gonyea uses bright primary colors and has mastered the incredibly important art of capturing facial expressions. Reminiscent of the wry humor in Gary Larsen’s The Far Side, Gonyea’s comics are sometimes tongue in cheek, sometimes playful. In Pyramid, creators of the age old wonders study with confusion the missing chunks in the structure’s foundation. On the opposite side of the pyramid, Mr. Oblivious (or “Mr. O”, as he’s affectionately called) is building with blocks removed from the area in question. Mr. Oblivious is just so daft that it’s easy for viewers not only to like him, but to relate to him. Who hasn’t done something completely stupid at least once or twice? Super Nice Guy, the antithesis of a superhero, is well-loved nonetheless. He could be described as the poster child for professional counselors and therapists everywhere; a feelings-oriented, sympathetic hero who rushes to the aid of a purse snatch victim, offers her a hug and asks “Do you want to talk about it?” Gonyea offers these tips for spotting Nice Guys: “First of all, if you happen to spot a Nice Guy, DO NOT be afraid to approach. They are generally very tame and mild creatures.” The tip sheet goes on to list other identifiers of Nice Guys, including audible misery detection devices (i.e., well-tuned ears), damp shoulders from getting cried on, “soft hearts (containing easily pulled strings)”, and fast food physiques. Gonyea, who was chosen as one of R.C. Harvey’s 2007 best comics in the February 2008 issue of The Comics Journal, is exhibiting at this month’s New York Comic-Con. His work was at Tribeca in February and March 2008. JOY P. CHOQUETTE

Art Map Burlington is a publication of Kasini House, Inc. info@kasinihouse.com Copyright © 2008 Kasini House. All Rights Reserved