Tundra (comic strip)

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Tundra is a comic strip written and drawn by Wasilla, Alaska cartoonist Chad Carpenter. The comic usually deals with wildlife, nature and outdoor life, and appears in 108 newspapers throughout Alaska, Canada, the and the United States. Tundra is currently self-syndicated.

Tundra is primarily drawn in two styles, single-panel gag comics using puns in combination with wildlife and the outdoors, and a three-panel strip that employs regular characters: Sherman the Squirrel, Dudley the Bear, Chad the Cartoonist, Andy Lemming, Whiff Skunk, and Hobart the Wise. These comics, usually Sunday strips, contain more written dialogue and generally more complex jokes.

[edit] Characters

Major characters in Tundra include:

Chad 

The main character. Chad is the most used and abused of all of Tundra's cast. Primarily his job is to pay for everything especially any damage that any of the animals living in his place cause; this applies almost exclusively to Sherman. As a classically trained cartoonist Chad makes a living that provides him both a lack of social status and a lack of funding. He is above dumpster diving with Dudley but only due to the fact that he has already been thrown out of the dumpsters of the more classy establishments. Chad's cheapness has occasionally gotten him in trouble by giving into the ideas and whims of Sherman. Chad has been seen in many situations as a variety of characters. He's been drawn in a dress several times, he's often been naked (With the appropriate single leaf of protection), sometimes drawn as other creatures including but not limited to Flabby The Butt a Huttese like creature.

Sherman 

The main squirrel. Sherman's lot in life is to cause trouble in one form or another. Either by swindling someone outright or by swindeling them behind their back. He often "fixes" things that aren't broken causing them to work in way other than intended, usually causing Chad some sort of pain, such as "fixing" a Lava Lamp that erupted in Chad's face. He regularly has trouble with the law commonly beginning with his alter ego Major Nut. The two words that best describe Sherman; Self Serving. Sherman has gone through a few changes over the years artistically the most significant change was the addition of his squirrel-like buck tooth which Chad added to open bottles. Sometimes he has shown kindness for others but it has actually caused him pain and illness.

Dudley 

The main Bear. Dudley is big in every imagineable way. He is an overweight Brown Bear that pushes the term omnivore to the limits. His weight is often mocked right up until he puts it to use. He likely lives with Chad simply because Chad has no way to actually get him out of the house and it's just easier to feed and befriend him anyway. On rare occasion Dudley has acted aggressively but it's used mostly to scare young children and tourists. Dudley has fallen for Sherman's schemes but returns the favor with some sort of physical pain. He's been many characters including Dorthy, Worf, Chewbacca, Little Miss Muffet, an early form of Nut Boy (Major Nut's Sidekick), and many more. Dudley is now famous for "Dudley's Duds" comic strips that even the cartoonist doesn't want to be blamed for. Dudley's Dud's are the afformentioned single panel strips that are heavy on the pun factor. Dudley's character has been rather consistent but his look has changed slightly. The only major change was the addition of eyes when a great deal of facial fat had to be sucked away after an accident that occurred. Also in the comics his previously dark dot filled form has been cleared making him a great deal brighter (In hue not intelligence).

Andy 

The main Lemming. Andy provides a great deal of cuteness factor to an otherwise uncute comic. Andy has become extremely popular as the most honorable characters. Ironically as a lemming he seems to be the most fit and will likely outlive the rest. Andy has a lot of family members but isn't the best at following the crowd, primarily due to a great many fears. He regualry has quick quips and remarks that relate to ongoing interactions and usually has the last word in the strip when he appears. Although Andy is still drawn almost identically as he was when he first appeared he has undergone the most dramatic personality change. Initially he was introduced as being suicidal but just couldn't go through with his natural instincts. After landing on Dudley's head in an unsuccessful suicide attempt Sherman recruited him as a drummer into the newfound grunge polka band The Barking Wallspiders. He only tried to end his life one or two more times but qucikly found his place in the community of Gangrene Gultch. Andy more so than any of the other characters has a great love of life and living things. He is the great innocent youth of Tundra

Whiff 

The main Skunk. Related to Sherman, Whiff began his Tundra career as Manager of The Barking Wallspiders. He's known to have a problem with body odors and has made odoreaters disintigrate on contact. Whiff has his own sent of comics like Dudley's Duds. Whiff's Stinkers ("the comics even Dudley didn't want to be blamed for") involve potty humor that Tundra fans always seek. Most likely if there is an outhouse, a dungbeetle, a toilet, or a bear in the woods Whiff is the cause. Whiff has remained remarkably consistent in the Tundra world and has be a pungent addition to the cast.

Hobart 

The main Wisedude. He was found near his monastery butting heads with wild goats. Fellow monks dertermined that this unmonkish behavior reflected badly on them and shipped him off to his nephew Andy in Alaska. His great wise sayings provide moments of clarity otherwise unknown to Gangrene Gultch, yet still often ignored. "The Butterfly is nature's most beautiful creature but cockroaches get to eat a whole lot more cool stuff." Hobarts wisdom falls on deaf ears, but perhaps that's best for everyone.

Other Major/Minor Characters 

A few reoccurring characters of the strip include:

Mr. Dale the lovable Con Artist 

(In a variety of jobs, exorcist, demon, etc)

The Moose Nuggets 

Animated moose droppings with an agenda. (The Moose Nuggets have been rumored to be discontinued in the post 9/11 world. This is an understandable decision on Chads part due to the newfound sensitivity to terrorism. On one hand it is sad to see such censorship in action; on the other it is definitely respectful to the grim nature of the topic. The Nuggets themselves though will be missed as they did have some of the best dialogue in the Tundra Universe)

Big Brother Darin 

Long on stupidity but short on brains. Enjoys shiney objects, crayons and taxidermy.

[edit] External links

• The Official Tundra Home Page