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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I'm borrowing an idea from another cartoonist and setting up a FAQ page. In a way, this is an index to other pages on my site. But, it is also a place where I hope to answer common questions.

Always check back. The only constant thing is change. My answers to various questions may change over time as I learn more. Thanks.

Background Questions

Who is Vicki Fox?

My history and origins can be found on the History page. My friends and relatives are described on the Cast page.

What is Vicki Fox Productions?

Vicki Fox Productions is a business formed by Michael Russell and registered in the State of Florida. Learn more on the Company page.

Who are the creators behind Vicki Fox?

My creators are Michael Russell and Laura Howell.

Is there a mailing list?

There is a discussion board.

You can also sign up for the Yahoo eGroup to receive announcements of updates to the web site.

Can I link to the Vicki Fox web site?

Yes, please!

Let me know where you put the link and I will add a return link to your site. Details about how to link to my site can be found on the Linking page.

Merchandise Questions

I would like a Vicki Fox T-shirt! Where can I get one?

At the moment, I do not have any T-shirts available. I am still looking for an embroidery company that will do embroidered merchandise. I prefer embroidery because it is higher quality and longer lasting than silk-screen or iron-on T-shirts. However, my designs involve a lot of colours and this results in high prices from the embroidery companies I've contacted so far.

Comic Strip Questions

Is the Vicki Fox comic strip published on paper?

Not at this time. Maybe when we get enough strips finished to justify a compilation book.

Also, the strip is not published in any newspaper. We are unable to meet the deadlines required, even if we were interested and seeking syndication.

Why are there one-line titles on each strip?

In some cases they add to the joke. However, they serve as titles for the strip archive. Isn't it easier to find a strip with, say, Meredith if the title talks about Meredith than just seeing "strip # 037"?

Is there any chance for a Vicki Fox cartoon?

If you know an animation studio with money to fund such a project, let me know!

Can I use the Vicki Fox characters in my own stories and art?

This is a tricky subject. I appreciate that you like me and my friends that you would want to use us in your own stories and artwork.

But, I have to ask ... if you are seeking to be creative, doesn't it make more sense to use your own characters? In that way, you have total control and you don't have to worry about misusing me and my friends. I know my creators are very jealous and protective about how we are used and depicted.

So, I will have to say that I prefer that you do not use me or my friends in fan fictions. In addition to the above, my main problem with fan fictions is that so often they put me or my friends in situations which are not appropriate for the us. I'm a small town country girl from the South. It makes no sense for me to appear in stories that involve aliens, ancient Japanese battles, or whatever. Also, unless your characters fit into a small Southern college town setting which mixes humans, cartoony mammals, and regular animals, then it doesn't make sense for them to appear with me, either.

Finally, there are copyright and trademark issues. My creators have me trademarked. That means only Michael Russell and Laura Howell can sell anything (written, painted, CG, whatever) with my depiction or that of my friends or bearing the name 'Vicki Fox'.

This is why me and my friends will rarely even appear in 'crossovers' with other online comic strips.

How is the comic strip made?

Details about how the comic strip is made can be found on the Archives page.

Basically, Laura and Mike work on the script. Laura draws the picture and inks it. She scans it and emails the image to Mike. Mike uses Adobe Photoshop to add the title, lettering, and colour. Image work is done on a large 3300x3000 pixel image. It is then reduced to 640 pixels wide for publication on the web site.

Where do you get your ideas?

Laura and Mike create the strips around an episode concept. They come up with an overall theme for an episode (sometimes called a story arc). Once this is done, they outline the main scenes in that episode. The strips are one or more of these scenes. In essense, the strip is written like a sitcom.

Many of the ideas are borrowed from classic sitcoms, cartoons, books, and other sources. Also, there are many aspects borrowed from the personal lives of the creators. As a result, the strip has a quirky mix of Southern and British comedy styles.

Can I buy the original artwork for a comic strip?

Currently, the artwork is not for sale. It is evenly split between Mike and Laura. If there is enough interest, the creators are looking into creating Vicki Fox artwork for sale at fandom conventions, such as Anthrocon.

Do you ever use ideas, suggestions, etc, from the mailing list?

Most comic strip artists purposely do not use unsolicited ideas and suggestions. There are copyright and intellectual property issues. Also, who better knows the direction of the strip than the creator(s) of the strip?

However, Laura and Mike do use feedback on what fans like and don't like. This is very helpful as they decide what new stories to create, which characters to feature more often, and so forth.

Can I publish the comic strip on my web site?

No.

However, I welcome your putting a link to my comic strip from your site.

The Vicki Fox World

What is Vicki's World based upon?

My world is based upon contemporary life in a small, north Georgia, college town. Apopka (named after Apopka, FL, a town northwest of Orlando) is about 70 miles northeast from Atlanta.

By the way, the actual town in north Georgia used as a model for my town is, Dahlonega, GA.

There seems to be humans, human-animals, and regular animals?

Yes, my world has three level. At the highest level are the humans. Then there is me and my friends. I don't know what you would call us - humanized animals, anthro animals, cartoon animals - it doesn't really matter. Finally, there are the regular animals.

Now, how all this came about, I don't know. It doesn't really matter, does it? *smile*

Why do you wear clothes? Isn't fur enough?

Civilized people and animals where clothes. Clothes are more than just a form of modesty. Clothes provide protection, they show status, they are functional. And, as Meredith will tell you, they are just so cute and enhance her figure. Also, clothing is a great prop that helps tell a story. I mean, if you see me wearing my cute skirt and vest, you know I'm doing something casual. However, if you see me wearing my business suit, you know I'm on an assignment.

What are the relationship rules, you know, like for dating?

The basic rule is that dating/mating relationships can only exist between members of the same animal family (higher level than species). So, a canine can date another canine. So, a fox can date a wolf. However, a canine cannot date and would have no romantic interest in a feline.

How can the characters be religious?

This sort of goes with the three tier thing from above. The origin or justification is just part of my world. Just like religion plays an important part in human society, especially American society, it likewise plays an important part in my society. The religious life of just a few of the cast will be explored. Study The Simpsons cartoon ... that is a cartoon that has a strong presence of religious life.