Garfield Creator Says Comic Boom Software Could Put Him Out of Business

MONTREAL, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Software that turns mere mortals into superstar cartoonists has Garfield creator Jim Davis worried. Comic strips and even comic books can be created easily with Garfield's Comic Boom, giving birth to a new generation of cartoonists.

"Back in my day we had only pencils and paper. This new software is like adding a jet pack to creativity.  Kids can craft characters and backgrounds and tell a story with such ease and speed that I'm a little worried I might be out of a job soon."

In truth, Davis is delighted with the software created by Toon Boom Animation, a world leader in animation creation software. Garfield's Comic Boom encourages creativity and storytelling with easy-to-use drawing and coloring tools, props, and library items prompting kids to produce comic panels, comic strips, and even comic books.  The software even allows users to record sound and voice-over, essentially turning the child into the director of their own unique production.  Adding yet another dimension, the final product can be instantly broadcast via e-mail, YouTube, Facebook, and mobile.

As an added bonus, Davis offers cartooning tips and tricks-of-the-trade for budding cartoonists in an exclusive tutorial for Garfield's Comic Boom users.

The new software is available for purchase beginning August 11th via the Toon Boom product store — http://toonboom.com/garfield.  Customers can use a promo code:  GARFIELD, to receive $10.00 off the purchase.  The promo code is valid until October 1, 2011.

"Garfield's Comic Boom is a great addition to Toon Boom's family of fun products. We are very proud to work with Jim Davis on this project and look forward to seeing the entertaining comic books this easy-to-use application will inspire to kids of all ages!" shared Joan Vogelesang, President and Chief Executive Officer at Toon Boom Animation.

The product will make its first public appearance at the Montreal ComicCon, September 17-21.  Davis' friend and peer, Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse) will conduct a workshop on creativity and storytelling. A demonstration will be given on the product's capabilities at the ComicCon main stage

Link to visuals: http://tiny.cc/nfyyo

About Toon Boom Animation Inc.

Toon Boom Animation Inc. (toonboom.com) is the worldwide leader in digital content and animation creation software. Toon Boom carries user-friendly animation applications for all, catering to the needs of children, home users, creative professionals as well as students, educators and schools.

About Garfield

GARFIELD was born on the comics pages on June 19, 1978.  The brainchild of cartoonist Jim Davis, GARFIELD is a humorous strip centered on the lives of a fat, lazy, cynical orange cat who loves lasagna, coffee, and his remote control; his owner, the long-suffering Jon Arbuckle; and Odie, a sweet but dumb dog. GARFIELD was introduced to the world in just 41 newspapers but quickly became the fastest growing and most widely syndicated comic strip ever. Today, the strip appears in over 2310 newspapers and is read daily by over 200 million people around the globe. Garfield's empire also includes a popular web site, www.garfield.com. Garfield recently added a new edutainment site to his accomplishes.  He engages kids in interesting and pedagogically sound activities to promote literacy at www.professorgarfield.org.

SOURCE Toon Boom Animation Inc.