Tundra Creator Honored as Alaska's Cartoon Laureate

(Wasilla) - Chad Carpenter, the creator of the popular comic series Tundra will be recognized this Friday as Alaska's Cartoon Laureate at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer. Tundra was first introduced in 1991 as a local comic strip, and is now a syndicated series seen in more than 150 newspapers and publications nationwide.

His ability to export Alaska grown is a true example of what you can do when you put your mind to it.
~ Rep. Wes Keller

Representative Wes Keller, R-Wasilla, will present Carpenter with a legislative citation honoring him as Alaska's Cartoon Laureate for 2008, at the Tundra Booth, number D-9 on the Red Trail near the Colony Theater at the Palmer State Fair. The brief presentation will take place at 1:30 in the afternoon, Friday, August 29.

Carpenter portrays Alaska with an unprecedented sense of humor that brings smiles to the four million+ people who read it each day of the week. Additionally, the popularity of the characters such as Sherman the Squirrel, Dudley the Bear, and of course his self portrait as Chad the Cartoonist have appeared on various media from T-shirts to coffee mugs, creating a worldwide following.

"Chad is one of my most famous constituents," said Keller. "I love his humor and success, and I was happy to ask my fellow legislators to support and co-sponsor this citation recognizing and honoring the work and goodwill he has accomplished for Alaska during his successful run of Tundra. His ability to export Alaska grown is a true example of what you can do when you put your mind to it."