{{Short description|Webcomic by Tracy Butler}} {{about|the webcomic|the animated short film adaptation|Lackadaisy (film)}} {{infobox comic strip | title = Lackadaisy | image = 250px | caption = A panel from the comic depicting Freckle McMurray and Rocky Rickaby | author = Tracy J. Butler | website = https://lackadaisy.com | status = | first = July 19, 2006 | last = | altnames = Lackadaisy Cats | syndicate = | publisher = | genre = {{Plainlist| * Crime<ref name="CriminalElement">{{Cite web |url=https://www.criminalelement.com/page-to-screen-comics-id-love-to-see-on-my-tvlackadaisy-cats/ |title=Page to Screen: Comics I'd Love to See on My TV—Lackadaisy Cats |last=Barry |first=Angie |website=Criminal Element |date=May 27, 2016 |access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref><ref name="CBR">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/lackadaisy-fable-siegel-tracy-j-butler-interview/ |title=Lackadaisy Creator & Director Discuss the Webcomic's Animated Adaptation |last=Zachary |first=Brandon |website=Comic Book Resources |date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref> * Dark comedy<ref name="GonnaGeek">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gonnageek.com/2013/05/wednesdays-webcomic-lackadaisy/ |title=Wednesday's Webcomic: Lackadaisy |last=Diaz |first=Jeanette |website=GonnaGeek |date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=December 19, 2025}}</ref> * Historical fiction<ref name="GonnaGeek"/><ref name="CBR"/> * Mystery<ref name="CriminalElement"/> * Thriller<ref name="CriminalElement"/><ref name="CBR"/> }} | language =English | rating = }} '''''Lackadaisy''''' (also known as '''''Lackadaisy Cats''''') is a webcomic created by American artist Tracy J. Butler. Set in a Prohibition-era St. Louis with a population of anthropomorphic cats,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_165/5188-The-Perspectives-of-Tracy-J-Butler|title=The Perspectives of Tracy J. Butler|date=September 2, 2008|accessdate=September 5, 2008|work=The Escapist|author=Keave, Vincent|archive-date=October 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009192244/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_165/5188-The-Perspectives-of-Tracy-J-Butler|url-status=dead}}</ref> the plot chronicles the fortunes of the Lackadaisy speakeasy after its founder, Atlas May, is murdered. The comic mixes elements of comedy, crime and mystery. It won multiple Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards in 2007 and 2008,<ref name=choice/> and in April 2011 it was nominated for the Eisner Award for "Best Digital Comic".<ref name=eisner-2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_11nom.php#nominees |title=The 2011 Will Eisner Comic Industry Award Nominees |publisher=Comic-Con |date=April 2011 |accessdate=May 14, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513193750/http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_11nom.php |archivedate=May 13, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/04/08/2011-eisner-award-nominations-announced/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414055826/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/04/08/2011-eisner-award-nominations-announced|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2011|title=2011 Eisner Award Nominations Announced|date=April 8, 2011|accessdate=May 14, 2011|publisher=MTV}}</ref>
The style of the comic is highly detailed, with elegantly attired<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6720988.html|author=Cornog, Martha|date=March 24, 2010|accessdate=May 27, 2011|magazine=Library Journal|title=27 graphic novels for Women's History Month}}</ref> cartoon characters that resemble styles from animated films of Walt Disney and Don Bluth.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.netmag.co.uk/zine/home/the-brains-behind-lackadaisy |title=Interview: The brains behind Lackadaisy |date=March 2, 2009 |accessdate=August 21, 2009 |publisher=.Net magazine |issue=186 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614120726/http://www.netmag.co.uk/zine/home/the-brains-behind-lackadaisy |archivedate=June 14, 2009 }}</ref><ref name=draw>{{cite news|title=Cats, Gats, and all that Jazz: an interview with Tracy Butler|author=Manley, Mike|authorlink=Mike Manley (artist)|work=Draw!|pages=27–41|date=Spring 2011|volume=1|number=20|publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing}}</ref> The earlier strips are sepia-toned, resembling aged photographs of the 1920s era, while more recent pages can be seen fully colored, often in shades of deep blue. Launched by Butler in July 2006, the comic updates on an irregular basis, with the most recent update published in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lackadaisycats.com/archive.php|title=Lackadaisy Archive|last=Butler | first = Tracy J.|website=LackadaisyCats.com|access-date=January 6, 2023}}</ref>
A short film adaptation of the same name was released on YouTube on March 29, 2023. A web series following the short film is currently in production by Iron Circus and Glitch Productions, with six episodes, and Olan Rogers joining as development executive.<ref name="series"/><ref name="milligan2025" />
== Setting == When prohibition grips the United States in 1920, Atlas May sets his eatery, the Little Daisy Café, as the front for a successful speakeasy called the Lackadaisy. Situated at the mouth of a network of limestone caves, the speakeasy can only be accessed from the Café by those showing a pin in the shape of a Clubs card suit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comicmix.com/news/2010/06/07/webcomics-you-should-be-reading-lackadaisy/|date=June 7, 2010|author=Byram, Kaylee|publisher=ComicMix|accessdate=May 16, 2011|title=Webcomics you should be reading: Lackadaisy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thepullbox.com/2010/01/21/lackadaisy-smart-and-beautiful/|title=Lackadaisy: Smart and Beautiful!|date=January 21, 2010|accessdate=May 27, 2011|publisher=The Pullbox}}</ref> With easy access to illegal alcohol and a steady clientele, business burgeons, and the Lackadaisy becomes a premier establishment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicus.it/news/item/45171-renoir-comics-essential-reading|title=Renoir Comics: Essential Reading|date=March 23, 2009|accessdate=May 28, 2011|publisher=Comicus|language=Italian|author=Redazione Comicus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728051859/http://www.comicus.it/news/item/45171-renoir-comics-essential-reading|archive-date=July 28, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=842|date=January 14, 2008|accessdate=June 1, 2011|publisher=Sequential Tart|author=Gil, Jo|title=Comics Kitten Speaks Easy: Tracy J. Butler}}</ref>
In 1926, however, Atlas is mysteriously killed, and management of the Little Daisy and the Lackadaisy falls to his widow Mitzi. Patronage at the Lackadaisy gradually falls off, bringing it to the brink of collapse, with only a handful of its original crew remaining and doing their best to keep the business alive.<ref>{{cite web|author=El Santo|url=http://webcomicoverlook.com/2007/10/18/the-webcomic-overlook-16-lackadaisy/|publisher=The Webcomic Overlook|title=#16: Lackadaisy|date=October 18, 2007|accessdate=May 16, 2011|archive-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531005623/http://webcomicoverlook.com/2007/10/18/the-webcomic-overlook-16-lackadaisy/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicfencing.com/2008/05/30/lackadaisy-review-by-larry-cruz/|title=Lackadaisy, review by Larry Cruz|author=Cruz, Larry|date=May 30, 2008|publisher=Comic Fencing|accessdate=May 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223032456/http://comicfencing.com/2008/05/30/lackadaisy-review-by-larry-cruz/|archive-date=February 23, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> There is a band that plays at the club, and one of the members is a rumrunner, which brings the characters into conflict with others who distill their own whiskey and moonshine.<ref>{{cite news|work=Riverfront Times|date=June 9–15, 2011|author=Levitt, Aimee|title=Comic Genius|page=6|volume=35|number=23}}</ref>
== Characters == Lackadaisy features a wide cast of characters, most of whom are workers for either Lackadaisy or Marigold, two rival alcohol smuggling rings.
Characters employed by Lackadaisy include Roark "Rocky" Rickaby, a sporadic and cunning violinist who works for Lackadaisy as a bootlegger; Calvin "Freckle" McMurray, Rocky's cousin - a nervous, awkward and shy young man who is mentally unstable; Ivy Pepper, an energetic, cheerful worker at the Little Daisy Cafè who later develops a romantic relationship with Freckle; and Mitzi May, Atlas' widow who is in charge of the Lackadaisy speakeasy and tries everything in order to keep it alive.
Marigold employees include Mordecai Heller, a cold and curt trigger-man for Marigold who formerly worked by the Lackadaisy speakeasy, and Serafine and Nicodème "Nico" Savoy, two siblings from New Orleans who work with Mordecai.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Lackadaisy |url=https://lackadaisy.com/ |access-date=2023-04-07 |website=Lackadaisy |language=en}}</ref>
Other significant characters include Viktor Vasko, the former partner of Mordecai, Asa Sweet, the ruler of the Marigold-gang, Atlas May, the founder of the Lackadaisy speakeasy who mysteriously died, Dorian "Zib" Zibowski, Sedgewick "Wick" Sable and Nina McMurray.<ref name=":0" />
== Production == Butler creates the comic by pencil sketching original images, then scanning and adjusting them with software such as Photoshop, where the panels are then assembled. Lighting is then added in grey tones, sharpening where needed, and dialogue and sound effects are added in a separate layer. The sepia tones are added in the final pass.<ref name=draw/> Some of the feline characters are based on Butler's own pets, Ivy and Calvin.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stlmag.com/St-Louis-Magazine/August-2011/Web-Comic-Lackadaisy-Brings-the-Feline-Funnies/#|title=Web Comic Lackadaisy Brings Feline Funnies|author=Kerman, Byron|work=St. Louis Magazine|date=August 2011|accessdate=July 26, 2011}}</ref>
== Artist biography == thumb|right|150px|Tracy Butler, 2008 American cartoonist Tracy J. Butler was born in 1980 in Springfield, Massachusetts. In high school, she would doodle and create characters while sitting in class.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxprints.com/tracy/bio |title=Tracy Butler, the Artist |publisher=foxprints.com |accessdate=July 25, 2008 |author=Butler, Tracy |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725001215/http://www.foxprints.com/tracy/bio |archivedate=July 25, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=webartnews>{{cite web|url=http://webartnews.com/?p=128|publisher=webartnews.com|accessdate=May 19, 2011|language=Russian|title=Comics Tracy J Butler|date=November 3, 2007|author=Yevstratov, Alexei|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902031929/http://webartnews.com/?p=128|archive-date=September 2, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> She studied biology for a year at Our Lady of the Elms College, in Massachusetts, before returning to her art. She created a website with some of her work, which led to a job offer from Simutronics, a Missouri game development company. Butler performed illustration and graphic design work before moving into 3D character design and animation.<ref name="draw" /> After living in St. Louis for some time, she purchased a 100-year-old house, and began researching its history, as well as that of the local neighborhood, and ultimately the history of St. Louis itself.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Soltes |first=John |date=2023-08-23 |title=INTERVIEW: 'Lackadaisy,' thanks to the fans, isn't going anywhere |url=https://www.hollywoodsoapbox.com/interview-lackadaisy-thanks-to-the-fans-isnt-going-anywhere/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Hollywood Soapbox |language=en-US}}</ref> Combined with her interest in jazz music, and the characters she had designed in school (loosely based on her own pet cats), this led to her creating ''Lackadaisy'' in July 2006.<ref name="draw" /> Butler also credits being promoted to a more managerial role in her job pushing her to seek a creative outlet again through the comic.<ref name=":1" /> An Italian print version was released in 2008, and an English version in 2009.<ref name=draw/>
== Awards == In 2007, ''Lackadaisy'' won every award for which it was nominated in the Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards, including "Outstanding Newcomer" and "Outstanding Artist".{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}} In 2008, ''Lackadaisy'' won five Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards, including "Outstanding Artist", "Black and White Art", and "Website Design".<ref name=choice>{{cite web|url=http://www.ccawards.com/2008finalists.html |title=2008 Winners List |publisher=Web Cartoonists' Choice Awards |date=March 8, 2008 |accessdate=March 11, 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090310200607/http://www.ccawards.com/2008finalists.html |archivedate=March 10, 2009 }}</ref>
In 2009, the art of ''Lackadaisy'' was used on the cover of the Turkish magazine ''Photoshop''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.photoshopmagazin.com/dergi/2009/08|title=Lackadaisy art on the cover of the Turkish Photoshop magazine|date=August 2009|accessdate=September 19, 2010|work=Photoshop Magazin|archive-date=December 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213060314/http://www.photoshopmagazin.com/dergi/2009/08/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, ''Lackadaisy'' was nominated for an Eisner Award in the category of "Best Digital Comic", but lost to ''The Abominable Charles Christopher'' by Karl Kerschl.<ref name=eisner-2011/><ref>{{cite web|title=The Webcomic Overlook 2011 Eisner round-up|url=http://webcomicoverlook.com/2011/06/07/the-webcomic-overlook-2011-eisner-round-up|publisher=Webcomic Overlook|date=June 7, 2011|author=El Santo|accessdate=June 10, 2011|archive-date=June 10, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610105309/http://webcomicoverlook.com/2011/06/07/the-webcomic-overlook-2011-eisner-round-up/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2011-04-08-EisnerNominees_N.htm|title='Dapper Men' leads 2011 Eisner nominees|author=Geddes, John|work=USA Today|date=April 8, 2011|accessdate=May 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2011/06/tracy_butler_lackadaisy_comic.php|author=Levitt, Aimee|date=June 2, 2011|newspaper=Riverfront Times|accessdate=June 2, 2011|title=Tracy Butler: St. Charles Artist Nominated for Comics' Highest Honor|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328174729/http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2011/06/tracy_butler_lackadaisy_comic.php|archive-date=March 28, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Legacy == The art style of ''Lackadaisy'' has been cited as an influence on other webcomics, such as ''Zebra Girl'' by Joe England,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zebragirl.keenspot.com/news.html|title=Joe England news|author=England, Joe|date=April 8, 2007|publisher=keenspot.com|accessdate=September 19, 2010|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621014659/http://zebragirl.keenspot.com/news.html|archivedate=June 21, 2009}}</ref> and received a mention in the ''Girl Genius'' webcomic by Phil Foglio.<ref>{{cite web|title=Girl Genius Online Comics|url=https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20070321|date=March 21, 2007|author=Foglio, Phil|work=Girl Genius|accessdate=September 19, 2010}}</ref>
== Short film and series adaptation == {{main|Lackadaisy (film)|label1=''Lackadaisy'' (film)}} In March 2020, it was announced that Iron Circus Comics was planning the production of an animated short film based on the webcomic, set to be directed by animator Fable Siegel. The project was crowdfunded through a Kickstarter campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/iron-circus-comics-moves-animation-lackadaisy-1284611|title=Iron Circus Comics Moves Into Animation With 'Lackadaisy'|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=McMillan|first=Graeme|date=March 16, 2020 |access-date=March 16, 2020}}</ref> The 27-minute short film was released on March 29, 2023, on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web|last=Alexa|first=Lauren|url=https://www.awn.com/news/watch-fan-favorite-webcomic-lackadaisy-now-animated-short|title=Watch: Fan Favorite Webcomic 'Lackadaisy' is Now an Animated Short|website=Animation World Network|date=April 3, 2023|access-date=April 12, 2023}}</ref>
After a second campaign with an original goal of $1,000,000 raised over $2 million, Iron Circus Animation announced that they would also produce a five-episode season. In October 2025, it was announced that Glitch Productions will be co-producing the series with Iron Circus and expand to six full-length episodes, with Olan Rogers joining as development executive.<ref name="series">{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Jamie |date=2023-08-25 |title='Lackadaisy' Wraps Crowdfunding Campaign With More Than $2M Raised |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/crowdfunding/lackadiasy-crowdfunding-campaign-2-million-dollars-231834.html |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=Cartoon Brew |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://newleafnews.network/2025/10/12/lackadaisy-partners-with-glitch/ |last=Chin |first=Sema |title=Indie Darling Lackadaisy Partners with Glitch Productions |work=New Leaf News |date=October 12, 2025 |access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref><ref name="milligan2025">{{cite web|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/10/lackadaisy-getting-full-animated-series-treatment-with-glitch-productions/|title='Lackadaisy' Getting Full Animated Series Treatment with Glitch Productions|website=Animation Magazine|date=October 10, 2025|access-date=October 13, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251013135347/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2025/10/lackadaisy-getting-full-animated-series-treatment-with-glitch-productions/|archive-date=October 13, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|https://lackadaisy.com/}} * [https://tracyjb.deviantart.com/ Tracy Butler's] gallery on deviantART
Category:2000s webcomics Category:2006 webcomic debuts Category:American comedy webcomics Category:Comics about anthropomorphic cats Category:Comics about talking animals Category:Comics set in the 1920s Category:Fiction set in 1920 Category:Historical webcomics Category:St. Louis in fiction Category:Works about prohibition in the United States Category:Web Cartoonists' Choice Award winners