Strange Gruel
  • Book 1
  • Book 2
  • Book 3
  • The Artists
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    • Strange Gruel 4
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  • Book 1
  • Book 2
  • Book 3
  • The Artists
  • More Oddness...
    • Strange Gruel 4
    • Thread Magazine
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The Artists of Strange Gruel

Robert Humble
Charles Dougherty
Rick Blasdell
Ever since his first awe struck encounter with the original King Kong as a child, “Bob” Humble has been captivated by the power of stories. ​​To this day Bob’s sketchbooks are overflowing with characters from the pulp adventure “movies” that play out in his imagination. The same type of offbeat adventures that fill the pages of Strange Gruel.
Strange is another word for what if—our stories are the what if.”
Bob has been a storyteller and illustrator, both professionally and privately, his whole life. He continues to be influenced and informed by a classic movie sense of honor and justice. The same as when “the Eighth Wonder of the World,” first flashed across his parent’s television screen all those years ago. 
“Doc,” as his friends know him, is a world traveler and a devoted student of history. His frequent visits to Europe have given him a unique perspective on the human condition that he weaves into his stories and pictures. ​
The reasonable person usually has footprints all over his back.”
Doc grew up on the gritty streets of West Philadelphia and the characters in his stories do not often stray from a decaying urban environment. But it’s Doc’s keen insights into history, with its schemes and intrigues that give his concise tales of human folly a wry, critical edge.​
An idealist and romantic even in youth, Rick spent hours drawing pictures of beautiful women and reading Poe stories in his parent’s dimly lit basement. Rick’s talents eventually led him to art school where he met Bob and Doc who would become life-long friends. ​
The real world isn’t as attractive as a strange, imagined one.”
After college Rick worked as an illustrator for hire. Illustration led to design, design led to the computer, which Rick has had a love–hate relationship with ever since. 

But, his first love has always been old-fashioned picture making. Together with pals Bob and Doc, he helped create Strange Gruel, their tribute to the kind of captivating illustrations and stories they all grew up adoring.
Bob‘s Work
Doc‘s Work
Rick‘s Work
Strange Gruel: Art, Comics & Other Oddities  ​Copyright © 2016-2022 strangegruel.com. All rights reserved.
  • Book 1
  • Book 2
  • Book 3
  • The Artists
  • More Oddness...
    • Strange Gruel 4
    • Thread Magazine
    • Haunt of the Bizarre
    • Videos
    • Strange Survey
  • Contests
  • News & Events
  • Contact