Morty Comix # 2441

Morty Comix #2441 was left in a forlorn phone booth next to a deserted restaurant north of Amanda Park, Washington

Morty Comix # 2429

Morty Comix # 2429 was left inside an empty plastic case initially meant for a telephone directory in a phone booth in downtown Astoria, Oregon.

I originally was going to leave this one at an Astoria restaurant where I had lunch, but the waitress caught sight of the comic before I could plant it. So my evil plan was thwarted.

Astoria is a fun town and several local stories there contributed to my Bezango WA 985 series.

Morty Comix # 2414

 Before

 After

Morty Comix # 2414, part of the Watercolor Series, was inserted into a menu at a restaurant in Forks, Washington, where I met filmmakers Louise Amandes and Ron Austin for breakfast.

As I was stuffing the menu, Ron asked, "Aren't you worried someone is going to kick your ass?"

Well, as a matter of fact, yes. Particularly in the town of Forks, which had a much different reputation before the national media discovered this place. In the 1970s, we hitchhikers knew this was a town never to get stranded in.

Ron's question is a good one. This method of distributing Morty Comix could easily cross some legal/social boundaries if I am careless. Maybe I have even already crossed some. I am sure in some cases my distribution actions have been recorded by security cameras. But as we saw with Morty Comix # 2407 a security guy appeared to enjoy discovering the comic.

This is a blending of graphic and conceptual art. The rules of the game reveal themselves as we play. I'll try to be a bit more playful than those old Jack T. Chick comics I used to find in phone booths, but in many ways his method of distribution helped inspire me on this project.

If the old mailed Morty Comix drove completist collectors crazy, this new set, starting with Morty Comix # 2279,  will be extra hard to find and I must say there is some satisfaction in that.

But at some point I'll stop and allow this certain slice of Morty Comix to be incredibly hard to collect and then move on to something else.   

Morty Comix # 2413

 Before

 

 After

Morty Comix # 2413, part of the Watercolor series, was left in a phone booth at Kalaloch, Washington, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Morty Comix # 2388

Morty Comix # 2388 was left in an abandoned phone booth decorated by citizens in Olympia, Washington. The decor includes a postal address sticker where someone wrote: "Where there is authority there is no freedom."

Morty Comix # 2379

Morty Comix # 2379 was deposited in the Land of the Empty Phone Booths

Tumwater, Washington

Morty Comix # 2370

Morty Comix # 2370 was left in a phoneless phone booth at the Monticello Hotel

Longview, Washington

Morty Comix # 2356

 

Morty Comix # 2356 was left inside a strange and abandoned phone booth in the middle of some bushes at Rainbow Falls State Park, in Lewis County, Washington. The phonebook is from 2003-2004. Someone somehow scrawled the words "Help Me!" on the inside glass.

Morty Comix # 2345

Morty Comix # 2345 found a dry spot at a phone booth on a very rainy day in Montesano, Washington

Morty Comix # 2307 Revisited

Last weekend I went to see if Morty Comix # 2307 was still in the spot it was left in February, and by gum it was! A little worse for wear but still in place. The phone booth had a fudgestick stick left there as a hobo sign meaning: "This phone booth contains a hidden Morty Comix."

Also, today, I was amazed to see Morty Comix # 2316 was still where I left it a week and a half ago. They must not vacuum very often.

Morty Comix # 2327

Morty Comix # 2327 found shelter from the early morning chill in a Tumwater, Washington telephone booth

Morty Comix # 2307

Morty Comix # 2307 was left in an empty phone book case at a McCleary, Washington phone booth. Also left by previous visitors was 46 cents in change and an empty, soggy cigarette pack.

Morty Comix # 2282

Morty Comix # 2282 was left at the Toutle River Safety Rest Area
between Castle Rock and Vader, Washington