Pearls Before Swine Stays Fresh

Pearls Before Swine Stays Fresh

For Stephan Pastis, blasting U2 on his iPod and dancing by himself are essential components of his workday.

The creator of the cartoon Pearls Before Swine -- which Post-Standard readers overwhelmingly chose to be the newest comic to grace this newspaper -- said loud music and dancing clear his head. His mind wanders into a daydream, and, suddenly, a concept forms.

Last week, he said, the words "undocumented workers" popped into his head. From there, he imagined what it would be like if animals had to register their habitats, and thus, he said, a satirical cartoon emerged. That cartoon, he said, is still months from publication.

Pastis said he only works about three days a week on cartoons and is already more than eight months ahead of schedule. When asked why, then, he doesn't just take six months off and travel, he said it's the fear of having to go back to his old job someday that keeps him reasonably ambitious.

More about how Pearls Before Swine stays fresh.