Horndog

2021-06-17T20:57:31Z

166.181.249.191: /* Plot */ this did not happen

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[[File:Horndog cover.jpg|thumb|Horndog cover (2018)]]
'''''Horndog''''' is an ongoing American printed [[comic book]] created by [[Isaac M. Baranoff]].

== Editions ==
[[File:HorndogLogo.jpg|right|thumb|Original Horndog logo]]
=== 2003 - 2014 ===
[[File:Horndog Strip Panel.jpg|right|thumb|''Horndog'' comic strip panel|230px]]
Baranoff first created ''Horndog'' in 2003<ref name=horndogofficial>http://horndogs1.blogspot.com/2018/06/clearing-up-few-misconceptions.html?m=1</ref> as an [[W:underground comix|underground comic]] published under Baranoff's publishing label '''''Horndog Studios''''' (formerly '''''Mystic Studios Productions'''''). It lasted from 2003 to 2014.<ref>[https://horndogs1.blogspot.com/p/about_14.html About Isaac Baranoff's HORNDOG]</ref>

The online edition of the strip began in 2009 and was initially hosted on [[W:Geocities|Geocities]], continuing on [[W:Angelfire|Angelfire]] and [http://www.smackjeeves.com Smack Jeeves] until settling on [[W:Blogger (service)|Blogger]]. The strip has remained independently published in all of its incarnations.

''Horndog'' has been relaunched multiple times, with its storyline rewritten in different forms, so that different incarnations of the comic vary in content and approach. The [[graphic novel]] ''Horndog'', published in July 2014, shortens the storyline to mainly focus on Bob and Charlene's relationship, presented in a non-linear chronology inspired by the films of [[W:Quentin Tarantino|Quentin Tarantino]] to reflect the style of Baranoff's prose novels.

==== Premise ====

''Horndog'' focused on '''Bob''', a skirt-chasing, [[W:Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]] using [[canine]], who often finds himself in surreal adventures, primarily involving a variety of [[sex|sexual]] experiences. ''Horndog'' is set on a planet — or alternate dimension — which closely resembles [[W:Earth|Earth]] in its development, culture and structure, but is inhabited by [[anthropomorphic]] [[animal]]s. The strip establishes that the setting retains much of the same country and city names as Earth.

Most of the characters represent [[W:African American|African Americans]], with white dogs representing [[W:Caucasian race|whites]]. The setting is strongly urban, but the actual city name is not specified. The strip strongly favors cannabis use, with hard drug users portrayed unfavorably.

==== Plot ====

Bob, a smooth [[Talking animal|talking dog]], engages in meaningless sexual "conquests" with [[female|women]] which he doesn't admire or love. He meets '''Charlene Kat''', an individualistic African American woman, and begins a relationship with her, but continues to sleep with other women, even though he ends up feeling bad about it.

'''Leonard''', Bob's best friend, sees Charlene as the victim of Bob's insensitivity. The romantic relationship shifts between a number of different phases, with Bob and Charlene breaking up, then struggling through an open relationship while Bob continues to pursue questionable engagements with other women.

Charlene is conflicted over the reality of their relationship and its potential, having an unsuccessful one night stand with Leonard. Ultimately, Bob and Charlene gain happiness when Charlene helps Bob to realize that his relationships with women he does not live is a form of self-hatred, and they happily continue their open relationship when Charlene influences Bob to practice sexuality as a celebration of his self-esteem.

==== Style ====

''Horndog'' incorporate elements of [[W:comedy|comedy]], [[W:political satire|political satire]], [[W:philosophy|philosophy]], [[W:romance|romance]], [[science fiction]], [[W:horror|horror]] and other genres; the character of Andrea Mouse, originally introduced as a psychotic stalker of Bob's, shifted into being a horror movie-style killer, and several plotlines are similar to slasher movies as well as [[W:zombie|zombie]] movies, such as one storyline in which Bob's roommate '''Freddy''' dies and comes back as a zombie and another in which Bob and others face an army of the living dead. ''Horndog'' often features [[W:pop culture|pop culture]] references in-jokes, such as a reference to [https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Billy%20Bong%20Thornton Billy Bong Thornton], a tribute to the comedy film ''[[W:Half Baked|Half Baked]]'', as well as literary references and quotes from assorted books and films, ranging from ''[[W:Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas|Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]'' to ''[[W:The Fountainhead|The Fountainhead]]''.

The characters belong to the [[W:hip hop|hip hop subculture]], and references are often made throughout the comic's run to hip hop artists, albums, and songs. The comic's stories are often surreal in nature, but it also explores a number of social issues, including [[W:racism|racism]], drug use, [[W:AIDS|AIDS]], and [[W:Abortion|abortion]].

Dramatic aspects within the strip are rare, and the stories are generally strongly comedic. The comic's themes include a philosophical analysis of the effectiveness of open relationships, in contrast with free love, as well as the advocation of strongly pro-marijuana philosophy.

=== 2018 ===
[[File:HorndogCharcters.jpg|right|thumb|Bob the Dog and Charlene Kat (2018)]]
In 2018, a reboot issue was produced [[art|drawn]] by [[Robbie Allen]],<ref name=horndogofficial/> and published by '''Oriental Studios'''.<ref>[https://horndogs1.blogspot.com/2018/04/im-original-horndog.html Isaac Baranoff's Horndog] official site.</ref>

In 2021, the issue was renumbered as issue #15, reconfiguring it as part of the original series, as part of a planned series of reissues from Funny Animal Entertainment.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096LMPPS9 ''Horndog''] on Amazon</ref>

==References==
<references/>

==External links==

* [https://horndognation.blogspot.com ''Horndog''] official website
* [http://www.facebook.com/HorndogNation ''Horndog''] on [[Facebook]]
* [http://www.twitter.com/HorndogIsAComic ''Horndog''] on [[Twitter]]
* [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096LMPPS9 ''Horndog''] on [https://www.amazon.com/ Amazon]

[[Category:2003 births]]
[[Category:Dog characters]]
[[Category:Oregon]]
[[Category:Mature comics]]
[[Category:Comics characters]]

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