One of the most unexpected things about doing ‘My Cage’ is that we occasionally get the odd angry accusation about being a ‘furry strip’, which apparently some people don’t like because they see ‘furry strips’ as being some kind of perversion or something.

I dunno.

To tell you the truth, I never knew there was such a thing as a ‘furry’ until I started researching potential artists for the strip about 5 years ago. I was actually kind of surprised by the concept, and when I asked friends and family if they’d ever heard of it, they hadn’t either.

Truth is I’m a ‘funny animal’ fan. Growing up I loved all the anthropomorphic cartoons and puppets on TV. Everything from Disney to Looney Tunes to Hanna Barbera to the Muppets. Even on the comics pages I enjoyed Snoopy and Woodstock more then I did Charlie Brown and Linus (and I LOVED me the kids in ‘Peanuts’).

Anyway, in 1982 at the ripe old age of 10 I discovered the comic strip Pogo (thanks to the movie ‘Pogo for President’ airing on HBO) and a little comic book known as ‘Captain Carrot and his Amazing Zoo Crew’ was first published by DC Comics. Both did something that had never occurred to me…they got rid of all the ‘less-interesting-than-the-anthropomorphic-animals’ human characters. I was sold. I suddenly started doodling only in cartoon animals.

As for why ‘My Cage’ is drawn in an ‘anime-esque’ style? Well, that’s another story all together. And one I really should tell.

But anyway, now that that’s explained, there are probably people out there wondering about my opinion on ‘furries’. Truth is, I don’t really have one. I’m mean, it’s not my thing, but I’m not a judgmental person either. To me, if you’ve found something that makes you happy and doesn’t hurt anyone, good for you. We only have about 80 some-odd years on this world, so if you can go through it happy, all the better.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch my daughter’s new favorite cartoon with her…”Krypto, the Super-Dog”.

Be happy.

-Ed Power

Cage Writer