Arn Saba
Encyclopedia
Katherine Shannon Collins (born Arnold Alexander Saba, Jr. in 1947, in Vancouver
, British Columbia
), formerly Arn Saba, is a Canadian
cartoonist
, writer, media personality, stage performer, and composer.
on a creative writing scholarship, but devoted almost all his time while at UBC to the campus twice-weekly paper, The Ubyssey
, where he created his first comic strip, Moralman (1965–1968), and also wrote and illustrated articles.
Saba discontinued going to UBC after the 1967-68 year, opting instead to risk a career in the arts. In June 1968, with his creative partner Gordon Fidler, he spent a six-month internship in Montreal, at the National Film Board of Canada
. This award was given on the strength of Fidler and Saba's one-hour experimental comedy film (starring Saba), Dancing Nigel (1965–66). While at the NFB, he directed and edited a short musical film, Euphoria, which frankly celebrated hippies and drug use. It was distributed by the NFB, but not for very long.
From 1974-77, Saba was art director for the Vancouver-based magazinePacific Yachting magazine, and other magazines from InterPress Publications, while at the same time developing his cartooning. During this time he became a member of a stage troupe, Circus Minimus (founded by Ida Carnevali), which toured British Columbia doing avant-garde and experimental circus-like shows for all ages. On stage, he first played Clancy the Cop (later a cartoon character), and then Professor Smoothie, a know-nothing braggart whose forté was being booed off the stage amidst a hail of thrown garbage from the audience. Saba also wrote and performed songs for Circus Minimus.
In 1977, he moved to Toronto, to try for success in a larger arena. He immediately began appearing on, and eventually producing, segments of the popular national CBC Radio program Morningside
, where he usually paired with host Don Harron
for free-wheeling discussions of favourite old comic strips and other pop culture. He also wrote, produced and acted in scores of comedy skits. Saba made similar appearances on CBC Television
, on the Don McLean show. In his appearances Saba demonstrated, with humor, his enthusiasm and knowledge of cartooning, comics history, theatre and music.
In 1979, he wrote and produced a five-part radio documentary on CBC, The Continuous Art, exploring the cultural position of comics. It featured interviews with some of cartooning's greatest names, including Milton Caniff
, Hal Foster (his last interview), Floyd Gottfredson
, Hugo Pratt
, Will Eisner
, Jules Feiffer
, and Russ Manning
. Saba spent several years in late 1970s and early 1980s travelling throughout North America, interviewing famous cartoonists, many of them at that point quite old. (Many of these lengthy interviews were later published in The Comics Journal
in the 1980s and 1990s.)
In 1982, Saba moved (for the first of four times) to California, ceasing all other media activity in favour of cartooning.
. The series ran in Canadian newspapers from 1975-1982 via the Great Lakes Publishing syndicate located in Toronto. It subsequently appeared in fifteen comic book issues from 1983–1988, published by Aardvark-Vanaheim
/Renegade Press
.
With a drawing style based in Disney comics
, as well as in early-20th Century Sunday pages, Saba added something new to comics: music. The motto for the series was "Making the World Safe for Musical Comedy," and many issues of the comic book feature the characters singing and dancing. When the characters are shown hoofing it, it is to original choreography.
Saba had a vaudevillian approach, changing the format of the comics several times within each issue. This variety act included the comic strip, comic book stories, illustrated stories, originally composed sheet music, crossword puzzles, joke pages and more. In the letters columns
, the characters themselves "answered" the mail. To top it off, there were paper dolls and fashion pages, in the tradition of Katy Keene
. Neil the Horse was like a modern version of early twentieth-century hardbound children's annuals (especially in Britain) using an endless variety of formats, something rarely seen in comics.
Saba also completed a graphic-novel-length Neil the Horse adventure, and an illustrated Neil children's book that have yet to be published. The final issue of the comic book series demonstrate his prolonged and elaborate efforts to pitch Neil as an animated series. From 1998-93, the "property" (Neil and characters) was optioned three times by Hollywood studios and networks, but was never produced. Saba's business partner for these attempts was John Gertz, president of Zorro Productions of Berkeley, California.
In 1982 Arn Saba
wrote a two-and-a-half hour radio musical
called Neil and the Big Banana that was twice broadcast in five episodes, in Canada on CBC Radio
. Saba wrote the book, music and lyrics, and played the part of Neil. The play was unanimously reviewed with raves across the country, but subsequent efforts to mount later musical-comedy projects were unsuccessful.
In 1986, Saba wrote and produced a twelve-song Neil the Horse music tape, with all new material, which was sold through the comic book. Both the play and the tape were produced with a full twelve-piece band, and live tap-dancers, in jazzy Broadway style.
In 2005, after fifteen years in San Francisco, Collins was deported under the USA PATRIOT Act
for "crimes of moral turpitude." Back in her hometown of Vancouver, Collins fell ill and was eventually diagnosed with leukemia
. In 2008, she declared herself on the way to a full recovery.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
), formerly Arn Saba, is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
, writer, media personality, stage performer, and composer.
Early works
In 1965, Collins, then known as Arn Saba, began the University of British ColumbiaUniversity of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
on a creative writing scholarship, but devoted almost all his time while at UBC to the campus twice-weekly paper, The Ubyssey
The Ubyssey
The Ubyssey is the University of British Columbia's student-run paper and is published every Monday and Thursday. Founded in 1918, The Ubyssey is a member of Canadian University Press , and is the largest student run paper in Western Canada, second largest in Canada...
, where he created his first comic strip, Moralman (1965–1968), and also wrote and illustrated articles.
Saba discontinued going to UBC after the 1967-68 year, opting instead to risk a career in the arts. In June 1968, with his creative partner Gordon Fidler, he spent a six-month internship in Montreal, at the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
. This award was given on the strength of Fidler and Saba's one-hour experimental comedy film (starring Saba), Dancing Nigel (1965–66). While at the NFB, he directed and edited a short musical film, Euphoria, which frankly celebrated hippies and drug use. It was distributed by the NFB, but not for very long.
From 1974-77, Saba was art director for the Vancouver-based magazinePacific Yachting magazine, and other magazines from InterPress Publications, while at the same time developing his cartooning. During this time he became a member of a stage troupe, Circus Minimus (founded by Ida Carnevali), which toured British Columbia doing avant-garde and experimental circus-like shows for all ages. On stage, he first played Clancy the Cop (later a cartoon character), and then Professor Smoothie, a know-nothing braggart whose forté was being booed off the stage amidst a hail of thrown garbage from the audience. Saba also wrote and performed songs for Circus Minimus.
In 1977, he moved to Toronto, to try for success in a larger arena. He immediately began appearing on, and eventually producing, segments of the popular national CBC Radio program Morningside
Morningside (radio program)
Morningside was a nationally broadcast Canadian radio program, which aired on CBC Radio from September 20, 1976 to May 30, 1997. It was broadcast from 9AM to 12 Noon, Monday to Friday...
, where he usually paired with host Don Harron
Don Harron
Donald H. Harron, is a Canadian comedian, actor, director, journalist, author and composer.- Charlie Farquharson :...
for free-wheeling discussions of favourite old comic strips and other pop culture. He also wrote, produced and acted in scores of comedy skits. Saba made similar appearances on CBC Television
CBC Television
CBC Television is a Canadian television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcaster.Although the CBC is supported by public funding, the television network supplements this funding with commercial advertising revenue, in contrast to CBC Radio which are...
, on the Don McLean show. In his appearances Saba demonstrated, with humor, his enthusiasm and knowledge of cartooning, comics history, theatre and music.
In 1979, he wrote and produced a five-part radio documentary on CBC, The Continuous Art, exploring the cultural position of comics. It featured interviews with some of cartooning's greatest names, including Milton Caniff
Milton Caniff
Milton Arthur Paul Caniff was an American cartoonist famous for the Terry and the Pirates and Steve Canyon comic strips.-Biography:...
, Hal Foster (his last interview), Floyd Gottfredson
Floyd Gottfredson
Arthur Floyd Gottfredson was an American cartoonist best known for his defining work on the Mickey Mouse comic strip. He has probably had the same impact on the Mickey Mouse comics as Carl Barks had on the Donald Duck comics...
, Hugo Pratt
Hugo Pratt
Hugo Eugenio Pratt was an Italian comic book creator who was known for combining strong storytelling with extensive historical research on works such as Corto Maltese...
, Will Eisner
Will Eisner
William Erwin "Will" Eisner was an American comics writer, artist and entrepreneur. He is considered one of the most important contributors to the development of the medium and is known for the cartooning studio he founded; for his highly influential series The Spirit; for his use of comics as an...
, Jules Feiffer
Jules Feiffer
Jules Ralph Feiffer is an American syndicated cartoonist, most notable for his long-run comic strip titled Feiffer. He has created more than 35 books, plays and screenplays...
, and Russ Manning
Russ Manning
Russell Manning was an American comic book artist who created the series Magnus, Robot Fighter and illustrated such newspaper comic strips as Tarzan and Star Wars...
. Saba spent several years in late 1970s and early 1980s travelling throughout North America, interviewing famous cartoonists, many of them at that point quite old. (Many of these lengthy interviews were later published in The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal
The Comics Journal, often abbreviated TCJ, is an American magazine of news and criticism pertaining to comic books, comic strips and graphic novels...
in the 1980s and 1990s.)
In 1982, Saba moved (for the first of four times) to California, ceasing all other media activity in favour of cartooning.
Neil the Horse
Saba/Collins' most famous creation is Neil the HorseNeil the Horse
Neil the Horse is a comic book character created by Canadian cartoonist Arn Saba in the mid 1970s. Neil is a happy, singing and dancing horse who likes bananas and milkshakes...
. The series ran in Canadian newspapers from 1975-1982 via the Great Lakes Publishing syndicate located in Toronto. It subsequently appeared in fifteen comic book issues from 1983–1988, published by Aardvark-Vanaheim
Aardvark-Vanaheim
Aardvark-Vanaheim is a Canadian independent comic book publisher founded in 1977 by Dave Sim and Deni Loubert. It is best known for publishing Sim's Cerebus....
/Renegade Press
Renegade Press
Renegade Press was an American comic book company, founded by Canadian Deni Loubert, that operated from 1984 to 1988. Notable titles published by Renegade include Flaming Carrot, Ms...
.
With a drawing style based in Disney comics
Disney comics
Disney comics are comic books and comic strips featuring Walt Disney characters.The first Disney comics were newspaper strips appearing from 1930 on . In 1940, Western Publishing began producing Disney comic books in the United States...
, as well as in early-20th Century Sunday pages, Saba added something new to comics: music. The motto for the series was "Making the World Safe for Musical Comedy," and many issues of the comic book feature the characters singing and dancing. When the characters are shown hoofing it, it is to original choreography.
Saba had a vaudevillian approach, changing the format of the comics several times within each issue. This variety act included the comic strip, comic book stories, illustrated stories, originally composed sheet music, crossword puzzles, joke pages and more. In the letters columns
Comic book letter column
A comic book letter column is a section of a comic book where readers' letters to the publisher appear. Comic book letter columns are also commonly referred to as letter columns , letter pages, letters of comment , or simply letters to the editor...
, the characters themselves "answered" the mail. To top it off, there were paper dolls and fashion pages, in the tradition of Katy Keene
Katy Keene
Katy Keene, a character created by Bill Woggon, has appeared in several comic book series published by Archie Comics since 1945. She is a model/actress/singer known as America's Queen of Pin-Ups and Fashions....
. Neil the Horse was like a modern version of early twentieth-century hardbound children's annuals (especially in Britain) using an endless variety of formats, something rarely seen in comics.
Saba also completed a graphic-novel-length Neil the Horse adventure, and an illustrated Neil children's book that have yet to be published. The final issue of the comic book series demonstrate his prolonged and elaborate efforts to pitch Neil as an animated series. From 1998-93, the "property" (Neil and characters) was optioned three times by Hollywood studios and networks, but was never produced. Saba's business partner for these attempts was John Gertz, president of Zorro Productions of Berkeley, California.
In 1982 Arn Saba
Arn Saba
Katherine Shannon Collins , formerly Arn Saba, is a Canadian cartoonist, writer, media personality, stage performer, and composer.- Early works :...
wrote a two-and-a-half hour radio musical
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
called Neil and the Big Banana that was twice broadcast in five episodes, in Canada on CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
. Saba wrote the book, music and lyrics, and played the part of Neil. The play was unanimously reviewed with raves across the country, but subsequent efforts to mount later musical-comedy projects were unsuccessful.
In 1986, Saba wrote and produced a twelve-song Neil the Horse music tape, with all new material, which was sold through the comic book. Both the play and the tape were produced with a full twelve-piece band, and live tap-dancers, in jazzy Broadway style.
Personal life
A transsexual, Collins has officially been living as a woman since 1993.In 2005, after fifteen years in San Francisco, Collins was deported under the USA PATRIOT Act
USA PATRIOT Act
The USA PATRIOT Act is an Act of the U.S. Congress that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on October 26, 2001...
for "crimes of moral turpitude." Back in her hometown of Vancouver, Collins fell ill and was eventually diagnosed with leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. In 2008, she declared herself on the way to a full recovery.
External links
- Katherine Collins at Prism Comics
- "Introducing Arn Saba's Neil The Horse," CBC Digital Archives (Broadcast date: April 26, 1977)
- Saba radio and TV appearances, CBC Digital Archives
- "Now You See Me," The Comics Journal #255 (Sept. 2003).