John Scorn (real name: Sam Lozoff) met his partner in crime Waza Loo (real name: Sarah Kennedy) in the bulk bins department of Outpost, where they both worked. It turned out they were both MIAD dropouts and both fans of underground comic art; examples are artists like Robert Crumb, Ed “Big Daddy” Roth, and Robert Williams. Another influence is John K (real name: John Kricfalsui) creator of Ren and Stimpy.
The two are collaborating on a 32 page comic called The Nutzillio Bros., a comic about a crude crew of squirrels. Scorn says the concept began with a dream he had. After seeing the characters in his dream, he woke up and did some quick sketches. He showed these to Loo, and the two discussed it and started developing the characters’ style and interaction.
Both artists work on art on each page.
“We both have our strengths and weaknesses,” says Loo. They sometimes will have a preference to do one panel as opposed to a different one; sometimes both artists contribute art in a single panel.
The Nutzillio brothers include the spastic, bug eyed Rusty; slick greaser Rico; big lug Rocco; the strange, effeminate, eye patched Reggie; and a hefty honcho, Roberto. The artwork is sick in the best possible way, and you’ll be left wondering if you want this crazy crew to become roadkill or your new heroes. In either case, you’ll keep a more paranoid eye on your neighborhood tree rats.
The duo have also started a MySpace page called the Milwaukee Art School Dropouts(MASD) at www.myspace.com/masdropouts . Their goal is to band artists together to network and share resources.
Scorn and Loo will be displaying art, along with other artists at the Hi Fi café(2640 S.Kinnickinnic, www.hificafe.com ) for the month of July.
The Nutzillio Bros. will be available at the first annual Milwaukee Zine Fest, July 18–20 at the Golda Meir library, 4th floor conference center, 2311 E. Hartford Ave.