''Sitting Ducks'' is a
lithograph
Lithography () is a planographic method of printing originally based on the immiscibility of oil and water. The printing is from a stone ( lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a smooth surface. It was invented in 1796 by the German ...
created by the poster artist Michael Bedard in 1977. It depicts a literal interpretation of the
idiom
An idiom is a phrase or expression that typically presents a figurative, non-literal meaning attached to the phrase; but some phrases become figurative idioms while retaining the literal meaning of the phrase. Categorized as formulaic language, ...
"sitting duck". Three ducks are relaxing in the sun on white chairs by the
poolside, one looks up and notices two
bullet
A bullet is a kinetic projectile, a component of firearm ammunition that is shot from a gun barrel. Bullets are made of a variety of materials, such as copper, lead, steel, polymer, rubber and even wax. Bullets are made in various shapes and ...
holes in the wall.
Bedard then went on to create an entire series of "Sitting Ducks" related lithographs, which culminated in a
children's book
Children's literature or juvenile literature includes stories, books, magazines, and poems that are created for children. Modern children's literature is classified in two different ways: genre or the intended age of the reader.
Children's ...
, a
cartoon series
An animated series is a set of animated works with a common series title, usually related to one another. These episodes should typically share the same main characters, some different secondary characters and a basic theme. Series can have eithe ...
and a video game.
Book
Bedard's 1998 book ''Sitting Ducks'' () has the plot that alligators hatch ducks in a "duck factory", then send them to Ducktown, where the ducks live an idyllic life, encouraged by billboards to fatten up. The alligators presumably eat the ducks once they are fat. One duck is befriended by an alligator, who lets him know that if only the Ducktown residents would not get fat, they could fly away and avoid being eaten.
Cartoon
In 2001 ''Sitting Ducks'' was produced by
Creative Capers Entertainment
Creative Capers Entertainment is an American animation studio founded by Terry and Sue Shakespeare with David Molina in 1989. Based in Altadena, California. It specializes in flash and hand-drawn animation in various feature films, television ...
and Kristlin/Elliott Digital in Association with Universal Pictures Visual Programming. It ran for two seasons and during that time spawned merchandise such as toys, clothing, books, as well as a video game.
The show takes place in a town called Ducktown and focuses on a
duck
Duck is the common name for numerous species of waterfowl in the family Anatidae. Ducks are generally smaller and shorter-necked than swans and geese, which are members of the same family. Divided among several subfamilies, they are a fo ...
named Bill, and his best friend Aldo, a huge
alligator
An alligator is a large reptile in the Crocodilia order in the genus ''Alligator'' of the family Alligatoridae. The two Extant taxon, extant species are the American alligator (''A. mississippiensis'') and the Chinese alligator (''A. sinensis'' ...
from the neighboring town of Swampwood. Seeing as how ducks are favorite snacks of the alligators there, Bill and Aldo's friendship is rather unusual. The pair usually end up in various situations and adventures.
The show lasted 2 seasons, airing 26 episodes. Reruns aired on
Qubo
Qubo ( ; stylized as qubo) was an American television network for children between the ages of 5 and 14. Owned by Ion Media, it consisted of a 24-hour free-to-air television network often mentioned as the "Qubo channel" (available as a digital ...
.
External links
Bedard's Personal Studio Website
Fictional ducks
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