New Southeast Missourian comic 'Red and Rover' starts today

The Southeast Missourian will continue its quest for the perfect cartoon for its readers. "Red and Rover" starts today on Page 4B and will run through May 11. Send your thoughts -- good or bad -- on our comics to comics@semissourian.com.

Red and Rover are the classic boy and pet cartoon characters. Red, a 10-year-old who dreams of space travel and is scared of his big brother, is inseparable from Rover, a mutt with thought bubbles and a passion for chasing squirrels. The two go on walks and have good old American adventures like flying a kite and practicing baseball. They're so darn cute and wholesome, you'll want to hug the paper.

The artist, Brian Basset, grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., forming his sense of humor by watching shows like "My Three Sons," "My Favorite Martian," "The Monkees" and "The Brady Bunch." Following his father's footsteps, he spent time as a political cartoonist before devoting himself to telling the life of Red and Rover.