An Interview with Bob Rohan, Artist and Writer of Buffalo Gals

by Mike Haberfelner

July 2016

Your comic strip Buffalo Gals - in a few words, what is it about?

The comic strip Buffalo Gals is a cartoon about two cowgirls who own a ranch in Buffalo County. They deal with cattle, ranch hands and town folk. At the local watering hole is a dancehall gal named Rose who is a major part of the feature.

What were your sources of inspiration when coming up with Buffalo Gals?

As a working fiddle player in Texas, I threw in with a cowgirl music group called The Hays County Gals and Pals. We toured the states and went as far as Nevada. It was in Elko, Nevada that I decided to create a western comic about cowgirls.

Do talk about your drawing style for a bit!

My style is "old school". No stick figures for me. I take pride in having a comic that is funny and pleasing to the eye with a lot of detail. I have been at it a long time and feel I have learned something about cartooning.

What can you tell us about Buffalo Gals' brand of humour?

Buffalo Gals is a change from today's "political correct" cartoons. It takes place in the old west before any of that nonsense was brought to light and allowed. It is not editorial in its humour. It is meant to give someone a laugh in their stress-filled day. No hidden messages in the gags.

Do take us through the whole process of creating one of your strips!

A basic strip starts with the idea or "gag". That is the hardest part. Drawing is easy once a credible idea has been established. Once the idea is in place, I choose which characters will be involved. Since I have been drawing it since 1995, I have had plenty of time to establish personalities and quirks with different characters and how each would probably react to a situation.

What can you tell us about some of the lead characters of Buffalo Gals, and to what extent can you identify with any of them?

The lead character is Bess Winchester. She is a no nonsense tough-as-nails cowgirl and is quite strong for a woman. She does have a  softer side but rarely shows it. Her co-owner of the ranch is Connie Cheyenne. She is a bit naive and sometimes Bess has to get her out of a jam. I ran into several "Bess Winchesters" on the western music circuit and one was very much revered by ranch we performed at. The comic strip touches on situations anyone can relate to.

You've been doing Buffalo Gals since 1995, right? So how has the strip evolved over the years, both stylistically and narratively?

The characters have gotten more polished through time. Features and personalities have become more defined.

What are your future plans for Buffalo Gals?

I will continue to pursue syndication through the print media or online. I am in the process of publishing my first collection through Book Baby and should be completed this summer.

The $64-question of course, where can Buffalo Gals be found?

Buffalo Gals can be found on Facebook at http://facebook.com/BuffaloCowgals/ and as a feature in the old west newspaper The Tombstone Epitaph out of Tombstone, Arizona. I am also published in The Son of a Gap Gazette out of Waxahachie, Texas.

What got you into doing comic strips in the first place, and did you receive any formal training on the subject?

I had no formal training, just a passion for drawing cartoons at a very young age. I believe I was in 1st grade when my sister came home with a comic strip art project she had done and it impressed me very much. I was hooked from that first comic.

What can you tell us about your cartoon work prior to/besides Buffalo Gals?

I was hired by different papers to do editorial cartoons and some comics. I drew for my high school paper and college paper. Many of my early comics ran their course after a few strips. Buffalo Gals was different. I now have over 1000 comic strips created, more than any feature I attempted.

How would you describe yourself as a cartoonist?

I am not the best but not the worst.

Comic strips, comic books, comic artists that inspire you?

Robert Crumb. Many other underground cartoonists like Denis Kitchen and Jay Lynch. Mad Magazine and early DC Comics. Popeye the Sailor cartoons crafted by Elzie Segar.

... and since this is a movie site first and foremost, some of your favourite and least favourite movies?

I love anything by Clint Eastwood, either starring in or directing. Coneheads, early Popeye cartoons, Robert Duvall movies, and westerns.

Your/your comic strip's website, Facebook, whatever else?

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Bob Rohan at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Bob Rohan here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai Something naughty? (Must be over 18 to go there!)   find Bob Rohan at adultvideouniverse.com

I listed my Facebook page earlier and my website for my comics and my music is www.badbobrohan.com

Anything else you're dying to mention and I have merely forgotten to ask?

I am grateful for the interview and for the detailed list of questions. You ask really good questions probably because you are a cartoonist yourself. Thank you.

Thanks for the interview!

© by Mike Haberfelner

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