Ken Bailey
Artist | Hobbyist | Traditional Art

United States

I have been a hobby cartoonist as long as I can remember. Decided not to pursue this as a profession, but my "real world" profession funds longtime forays into long-running creator-owned comic strips, custom-created comic books, magazine cartoons, caricatures, etc. I much enjoy seeing the work of others, always have.

"Superman" and "Peanuts" have been my long-running favorites in the "real world" of comic books and strips ... the latter especially before Snoopy and Woodstock took over the show (though I always liked the "Red Baron" stuff). Charles Schultz went from being someone who had always loved to draw, but who no one would take seriously -- to being the most famous and beloved cartoonist of all time world-wide, largely by his dogged determination not to give up, and his conviction that he had been born to draw.

As for Jerry Siegal and Joe Schuster, these two ex-high school kids from Cleveland, Ohio gifted the world with more than they will ever know. The "strange visitor from another planet" with the powers of a god and yet the gentle soul of a compassionate, humble helper who saw himself as "one of us" and his great power as a call to serve the weak resonates with me in a way no other hero ever has. Although my own super hero is a lot different both in origin and scope of powers, I endeavor to have her embody the simple, humble graces of character inherent in the Last Son of Krypton. Have EG and Big Blue ever met? No... she is a rather minor hero in a small (by comparison) midwestern city, omnipotent in human eyes but a mere speck of super-strength when compared to the mighty Kryptonian ... while he is the ultimate in superheroes, the dean and conscience of the heroe legion the world over, living in the vast city of Metropolis. To meet him personally would fulfill a lifelong dream of the female titan of Fairview ... but, to tell the truth, the towering powerhouse "Babe of the Biceps" would feel so self-conscious and overwhelmed in Big Blue's presence ... that she might just faint!

WHAT YOU WILL FIND IN 'ENERGYGIRL'

1) TRUTH, JUSTICE, and what I wish THE AMERICAN WAY looked like...;
-- rather simplistic, rather optimistic views on "right and wrong" ...
-- the morality tale that "With great power comes great responsibility"...
-- the idea that "it's not all about you," even if you are super-strong, super good-looking, etc -- (but in a very sweet package)....!

2) 'APPLE-PIE' GOODNESS...;
-- sorry, no "tortured dark knights" here folks...
-- she's sweet, she's good, she's kind .... live with it!

3) BIG MUSCLES, BIG CURVES, BIG IDEALS
-- A body endowed 'Far beyond that of mortal man"...
-- because she is a super-hero (they GOTTA look dynamic, ya know...!);
-- because her backstory indicates supercharged DNA, genes, female hormones, etc.
-- because her creator think its looks cool for such an unassuming gal to have
what so many want and yet still be absolutely trustworthy with it and not arrogant;

4) HAPPY ENDINGS!
-- though the way be weary, good triumphs in the end!
-- I know "real life' has far too few of them -- that's why we need "EnergyGirls!"

WHAT YOU WON'T FIND

1) NUDITY
-- not because I'm ashamed of it, or think it's 'dirty' -- but because it is so beautiful and wonderful, but so special and intimate and private, that I have no right to take it -- even from characters of my own creation -- and throw it out into the marketplace and embarrass them with it....!

2) SEX
-- see answer to number one.
-- and, remember, she is super-strong! I don't want to face her wrath...!

3) CRUELTY, DOMINATION, or ARROGANCE in the HERO

I think the heart of the woman who is EnergyGirl is best expressed in a single exchange between herself and antagonist Jennie Jeffers:
Jeffers: "You have such power, such opportunity -- and you are too weak and small-minded to use it! You could bring male dominance to its knees in a week! Yet you are such a kind little pollyanna that the possibilities inherent in what you have will be forever WASTED!"
EG: "I was GIVEN these muscles to PROTECT people from oppression, sister -- and I will oppose it WHEREVER I find it -- in WHATEVER package it presents itself ... !"

4) CONVENTIONALITY
Ellen Peabody/EG "is, and isn't" a feminist, depending...
She "is, and isn't" a babe, depending....
She "is, and isn't" a lot of things. Judge her by who she "is," please --

To those of you for whom this busty, big-muscled gal with a brain, moral convictions and the heart of gold "misses the mark" for you... it is a very big tent here at DA, and you might want to move on....

To those who like what they see in EG (even if they don't agree with me in all points) -- welcome, enter in, read on! "ALRIGHT!"