Commanding the helm of one of the most popular comic sites on the Internet today, Barry Smith has made a lasting name for himself over the last four years by creating Angst Technology, a daily web comic about a slightly off-the-wall computer gaming company.
Barry now resides in Northern California with his wife Cathy, patiently saving his pennies with the dream of eventually opening his very own Celebrity Organ Ear Wax Museum.
That's right - you heard us...
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Barry's latest comics and artwork can be found exclusively at his website:
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And for more about the cartooning community...
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Other than web comics, what other sites do you frequent online?
Ahhh, you mean other than web comics and PORN SITES, what other sites do I frequent. Well, I am usually in my own message board, joking around and messaging with the readers. I typically hang around Everquest boards and sites. I peruse the typical gaming sites and gaming news sites. I use Google a lot. Plus I’m always looking for repositories for weird and interesting sites/pictures/artists for spotlighting on the site.
What was your life like before the Internet came to be?
I had a HELL of a lot more free time, that’s for sure. Other than that, I’m not sure exactly. I guess I went outside more, hung out with friends, but then again, I’m not sure how much those changes can be attributed to the Intern net and how much is the fact my friends and I live in different towns now and I don’t particularly like where I live, so I’m not inclined to go outside and hang out. But were working on that second part though with plans to move and buy a house in a few months.
I also hadn’t really considered my artwork a viable source of making a living. I mean, it would be nice to be syndicated, but I had no practical cartooning experience. Now I have proven to myself that I can maintain not only deadlines, but come up with a joke everyday (although I’ve dropped my schedule to weekdays only recently to allow myself time to pursue other creative endeavors). Plus my artwork has improved over the years, so I’m growing as an artist MUCH faster than if I didn’t have the Internet "pushing" me.
You mention briefly on your site that you spent a number of years working at Sierra. I'm also a huge fan of Sierra's big three - King's Quest, Space Quest, and of course, Leisure Suit Larry! Can you elaborate a little more about your role in the production of these games? Which was your absolute favorite and why?
Well, I worked on over fourteen games for Sierra in my six years, with credits on nine of them. I was initially hired out of art school to come work as an animator on Kings Quest 5, and then worked on the re-release of Leisure Suit Larry. I’d done everything from pre-production work, to animation, to eventually becoming an art director for The Realm (I ended up leaving before completing the project though). The Leisure Suit games were always fun to work on, but the most fun I had was working with Bruce Balfour on the Dagger of Amon Ra game. It was a blast and Bruce is a good friend as well as a great game designer. Plus I had a great time shooting the "behind the scenes" video for the special anniversary edition of Space Quest. You get some creative folks in front of a camera, and you’re bound to have a good time. =)
You also made note of being a voice actor for the company - care to shed any light on which character(s) you've represented?
Ahhh, yes, the voice work. Let’s see. In King's Quest 5, I was King Anthony (the ant) and the leader as well as Prince Alexander. Plus I animated myself in as the toymaker’s son (and did the voice). In Police Quest 4, I was video captured as a news camera man. Plus I’ve done other various odd character voices that were uncredited. Just bit parts here and there for random background folks.
What was the funniest thing you've seen on the Internet in the last week? How about in the last year?
I just about peed myself seeing the aftermath of when the Something Awful Forum Goons (a typically raunchy bunch) invaded Sony Online's live "Dating Game." Some of the most twisted and funny questions and answers were thrown about. Classic. As for last week? I’d have to say it was the Peep Research site. They really put those little yellow fellows through the wringer in endurance tests. From vacuums to microwaves, the scientific method has never been so much fun.
What makes Barry Smith laugh?
My wife. Myself. Plus I tend to have a catalog of comedy albums and bits all stored on my computer - way more than I have music. I can put on a playlist and just let it run while doing my cartooning. I can listen to Dave Attell’s Skanks for the Memories album over and over. Same with David Cross, Eddie Izzard, Billy Connley, etc...
What DOESN'T make Barry Smith laugh?
Someone kicking me in the plums. My balls bruise easily.
What do you do in your "spare time"?
Technically, since I have a full time job as a webmaster, I do my cartooning in my spare time. But in my spare-spare time I play computer games, paintball, watch movies, and generally try to go outside and do stuff whenever possible. I’m even getting into Civil War re-enacting...with other people mind you, not just by myself. I learned early on that having other Civil War re-enactors around you at the park helps to prevent that inevitable "escort off park grounds" by park rangers.
Who would win in a fight between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Queen of England?
I would have to go with the queen. She’s smaller, nimbler, and while the T-rex may be more powerful, she has better reach since he only has those faggy little arms.
And lastly, is there any final message that you would like to send to the readers of Just Laugh magazine?
Do as the magazine tells you - just laugh!
Just Laugh magazine would like to thank Barry for taking the time to answer our questions and provide our readers with an inside look at one of the web's most prominent comic authorities! If there has ever been an artist as devilishly creative, devastatingly handsome or even simply as dedicated to his craft as this guy, we certainly haven't crossed paths just yet!
Click on the links below to check out both of Barry's strips, along with Rocketbox Comics, a wonderful resource for aspiring cartoonists created by himself and several other online comic creators...
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