PRESS & INTERVIEWS
Short Q&A With
TechnoDracula
Magazine
TechnoDracula Magazine: Given that much is unknown about existence and especially the ebb and flow of dynamic precedents through the history of not just the human species, but of every atom and molecule... when did you first start drawing cartoon cats and snakes?
​Hal Tarren: Probably around the age of five or six. It began at school really - I found the place so boring and pointless that sketching sarcastic animals was the only thing that took my mind to a better environment.
TDM: I sense negativity concerning the education system. Would this be correct?
HT: School in a certain ideal is great, but in reality, it's a conveyor belt of mediocrity. What natural skills you have are soon taught out of you if it doesn't fit in with whatever ideas the current governing regime has.
TDM: Have you ever considered giraffes as an outlet for creativity?
HT: I have. The issue I find personally, though, is a giraffe tends to not fit inside the borders of the panel, in a comic-strip sense. It's an issue of timing - just last week I drew an opening panel with a cat and a snake discussing the suitability of hammocks for sleeping arrangements. Later in the comic, a giraffe ambles by and by the time I'd drawn it, the top half of his neck and head were sneaking up through the opening panel above. To get around this, I added an open manhole to make it less weird.
TDM: Man-Whole? The synth-wave punk ensemble from Paris?
HT: No, y'know the random holes you get in roads that usually have iron covers over them. The problem was that the cat and snake were having their conversation on a sail boat off the coast of Monaco, so it didn't really make sense without having the coastguard involved. Still, one day I will perfect the giraffe.
TDM: Thanks for your time!
HT: No worries.
Dylan Hughes, Swansea
“Normally I go in for giraffe related entertainment, but this cat and snake stuff was really surprising. Can't wait for the monk and unicorn adventures!"
Donna Snaffler, New York
"Can't say I got any of the jokes. The visuals were acceptable to me, though. Visuals, you hear me? Just like Hot Dogs, if you think about it. Anyway I gotta go, sorry - my taxi is here."
Sally Puddleditch, London
“Listen bruv, innit? I know all about swords and sh*t. Got some if you're interested. Don't mess wiv me tho' I aint takin' prisoners. Cat is all laughs, mate. Pukka!”
"...The foaming around the mouth was unexpected! I guess the squirrel question concerning the missing bottles of whisky was spreading fast. Still, who could have known the Bishop of Winchester was dropping by..."
​
"...No, I'm certain they were elves of some kind. I mean, some dude named Gerald had written an article about it all but no-one remembered to tell that wind-surfing club. This had predictably hilarious results, I hear the local souvenir sellers did well - so there's always something good if you look hard enough..."
​
"...occasionally, perhaps. I still don't think the armed police on the scene knew anything about it. However, most of the public seemed to prefer the tangy, fruity ones out of all the new offerings available for consideration..."
​
"...I think it might have been Kylie. I did hear about the French chap who scored the hat-trick, but other than that I think in all probability it came down to which type of handcuffs were used. I did read that the shiny ones with the fluffy pink chains were on offer at a reasonable price at certain designated grocery stores..."
​
"...It was actually a lizard! Surprising, I know. But that's 'showbiz' as they say..."
​
"...Yeah, they took the TV remote. Nothing I could do, they had all the official paperwork. It's the last time I'll let NASA get involved, though, for sure!..."
​
"...That's very true, she did say something about that. Nothing can prepare you for it, though. But I must say - it did look good with the exterior removed..."
Out of Context Excerpts From The Lance Doberman Podcast
Join The Cult of Hal Tarren
Join the email list and get randomly occasional subscriber exclusive stuff!