"Doug Sneyd" News Cartoons from Jan. '76

Starting in the mid-1960s, Doug syndicated five "timely and topical" news cartoons a week for publication in newspapers across North America. Many of his topics are equally relevant today as they were nearly three decades ago.(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Another Gag from Doug's Playboy Rejects

Enjoy our weekly posts of Doug's Playboy gag rough rejects during January, February and March.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Doug Illustrates "Jack and the Beanstalk"

In 1968 Ginn and Company, Toronto published the Level Two reader, Up the Beanstalk. Doug was hired to illustrate the 22-page story of Jack and the Beanstalk.









(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

SCOOPS Cartoons Scrutinize Prime Minister Trudeau

Doug developed a self-syndicated strip, titled SCOOPS, in the late 1970s; unlike other strips with political orientation, such as Li'l Abner or Doonesbury, SCOOPS was not tied to a central character, story line or location.

However, Doug - born in Guelph, Ontario and raising his family in Orillia, Ontario - frequently focused his attention on Canadian politics and leaders in Ottawa. And because of this, three of his SCOOPS cartoons were featured in the 1979 book Trudeau's Ten Years in Cartoons or Would you buy a used country from this man? It was compiled by Allan Schwam and published by Coles Publishing Company Limited, Toronto.

Often the center of attention and controversy, the charismatic Pierre Trudeau was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada; establishment of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms within Canada's constitution is generally regarded a highlight of his years in office:

April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979 and March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984



(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

"Doug Sneyd" News Cartoons from Jan. '76

For nearly 20 years, starting in the mid-60s, Doug was sending five "timely and topical" news cartoons a week to newspapers throughout North America. These two January '76 new cartoons focusing on the economy are as timely today as in 1976.(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Another Gag from Doug's Playboy Rejects

Enjoy our weekly posts of Doug's Playboy gag rough rejects during January, February and March.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Doug Illustrates 1962 Historical Novel

Years before his first full-page color cartoon appeared in Playboy - September 1964, Doug did textbook illustrations for many of Canada's textbook publishers, including Macmillan of Canada.










(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Doug's 2010 Convention Schedule

Doug's participation in comic-cartoon conventions is limited, but if you're planning to attend the following, stop by and say "hello."

• March 12-14, Orlando MegaCon at the Orange County Convention Center

• April 16-18, C2E2 - Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo - at McCormick Place

• July 21-25, San Diego Comic-Con at the San Diego Convention Center - exhibiting again with Big Wow Art

Another Gag from Doug's Playboy Rejects

Enjoy our weekly posts of Doug's Playboy gag rough rejects during January, February and March.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Book Jacket Commissions

Frontier Books, published by W. J. Gage Limited-Toronto, featured historical novels especially written by Canadian authors for boys and girls from 10-14. Each book took readers into a different part of Canada at a different period in its history; each story was built around the life of a person who made a contribution to the exploration or development of Canada.

Doug was hired to do cover artwork for the first of four Frontier Books, published in 1961.

The Macmillan Company of Canada Limited-Toronto hired Doug for cover artwork of the 1966 paperback edition of Rumer Godden's popular novel.


Doug was commissioned by Canadian publisher McClelland and Stewart Limited to do cover artwork for the 1966 paperback by Leslie McFarlane, who's written numerous television, radio and film scripts.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

1965 Playboy Publication

Doug's first full-page color cartoon for Playboy was published in the September 1964 issue; two of his cartoons were also included in the 1965 Twelfth Anniversary Playboy Cartoon Album.

They were:

"He wants to know if we make deliveries."
September 1964 issue, pg. 205

"Well, I won't be bothering you and Pop with any more embarrassing questions."
February 1965 issue, pg. 105



Back jacket:(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

"Doug Sneyd" News Cartoons from Jan. '76

For nearly 20 years, starting in the mid-60s, Doug Sneyd and SCOOPS news cartoons appeared daily in newspapers across North America.

Doug's news cartoons were "timely and topical" then - and even now! He sent out 5 cartoons a week and we're featuring one or two each week for blog readers.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Playboy Gag Rough Rejects

Since 1964, Doug has submitted thousands of cartoon roughs to Playboy. Of course, not all can be selected for final art and ultimate publication in the magazine, but there are many rejects which hopefully will give our blog readers a chuckle.

Enjoy our weekly posts during January, February and March.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Cuppa Coffee Studios Tour, Part II

It's no wonder Cuppa Coffee Studios in Toronto has won over 150 international awards in animation. As Doug and I learned on our tour Thursday afternoon, August 27, the company has 42 stop-motion studios, 50 compositing stations and 7 online suites with HD capability.

Doug checks out the storyboard wall for Glenn Martin DDS.


A segment featuring an arrest at a shopping mall.



A segment featuring Glenn's motor home.


Glenn and friends in a bar-cafe set.



Glenn and his wife in a bedroom.




Glenn and a group of tourists in a White House hallway.


President Obama greeting Glenn in the Oval Office.


One of the 42 stop-motion studios animating Glenn Martin DDS.

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)

Cuppa Coffee Studios Tour, Part I

Doug's nephew, Andrew Sneyd, is a director of photography at Cuppa Coffee Studios in Toronto, and he invited Doug and me to tour Cuppa Coffee because we'd be in Toronto exhibiting at the 15th annual Fan Expo Canada August 28-30.

We saw first-hand the production of Glenn Martin DDS, a stop-motion animated television series about a traveling dentist and his family. It was created by former Disney chief executive Michael Eisner and animated by Cuppa Coffee.


August 27 Doug and I toured character, sets, and props fabrication departments at the Cuppa Coffee Studios, which - since 1992 - has won over 150 international awards in animation.


Puppets used in Glenn Martin DDS, a stop-motion animated television series produced at Cuppa Coffee Studios. It premiered on Nick at Nite in August 2009.


Andrew shows Doug the skeleton for the puppets used on Glenn Martin DDS.


Puppet body parts waiting for unwrapping of moulds.


Andrew shows Doug one of the many props painted in-house.


Heads being prepped for final painting and character customizing.


Each main character in Glenn Martin DDS has a designated storage closet. After all, no one wants to lose accessories - like Glenn's bow tie for his tuxedo or one of his many hats!


These are just a few of the many puppet heads which can be quickly and easily put on bodies for use in crowd scenes - whether Glenn Martin's at a shopping mall, restaurant, roller derby, or the White House.


Building and painting props for Glenn Martin DDS - like his motor home and trailer - require a large area in the Cuppa Coffee Studios.


The fact that the staff in the wardrobe room are making clothing and accessories for puppets used in the production of Glenn Martin DDS, doesn't mean they're any less busy than if working with humans - it's just a different scale!

(blog entries by Heidi Hutson)