Over here in Europe there’s a series of animated Red Bull ads running in movie theatres. (Maybe on TV too, but I haven’t had one for over ten years so I’m not sure.) Anyway, the artwork is very similar to the Straight Dope illustrations, so I’m wondering if Slug Signorino has anything to do with them. In case anyone hasn’t seen the ads, some of them are available on YouTube.
Can’t answer the question, but I’m looking forward to the speculation on who Slug really is. I can’t imagine that being someone’s real name.
The style’s similar, to be sure, but I think if that were our own Slug, then the princess would have bigger boobs.
All of his professional work is done under that name, and his real name (if any) is shrouded in even more mystery than Cecil’s. IIRC, even Ed Zotti doesn’t know who Slug really is.
I don’t think The Red Bull ads look anything like Slug’s work… maybe that’s just me. The ads were done by the LA based Kastner & Partners.
Slug has a website that includes a portfolio, and while there’s plenty of stuff that’s for clients other than the Straight Dope, Red Bull is not among them.
Slug is a nickname clearly, but I’m not sure why there should be any speculation about his identity. He’s a real person whose made no attempt to hide himself. He’s not a fictional character. Or are we supposed to pretend otherwise?
OK, wiseguy, what’s his real name, then? What does he look like? No one (AFAIK) has suggested that he’s a fictional character, but for someone who hasn’t tried to hide himself, public info is in pretty short supply.
Last time I checked out his personal web site I didn’t notice (or had since forgotten) that his bio is by Elwood H. Smith. I’d always thought their styles looked somewhat similar. Hmm . . . I wonder. . . .
Wait a minute. Look at these names. “Elwood H. Smith.” “Ed Zotti.” “Slug Signorino.” And Cecil Adams is the one who supposedly isn’t real? Gimme a break!
Great post/username combo.
Not true. Maybe he wishes he didn’t…
The Red Bull ads do run in the U.S. as well, I’ve seen them on TV. And they look a little like Slug’s style, but not that much in my opinion.
That’s how he is listed in the phone book, unless there is another Slug Signorino in northwest Indiana.
Heh heh, nice catch. 
Aargh… Smith and Signorino are both well known illustrators, both have websites and are listed in the phone book. You can call or email either guy, and they’ll probably respond.
I don’t know what Slug’s “real” first name is… he’s gone by Slug for as long as I’ve been aware of his work.
You know - and I am only saying that because I care - there’s a lot of decaffeinated brands on the market that are just as tasty as the real thing. 
Seriously, the “I wonder” thing was just a joke. Chill out! What’s wrong with asking about the “real” ID of someone who goes by a pseudonym? What’s getting you so het up?
Just to be sure, are they listed under separate addresses in the phone book?
Neither of the guys you mentioned goes by a pseudonym. It seems like you’re trying to create a mystery where there is none.
One’s in Rhinebeck, NY and the other’s in LaPorte, IN. Both guys list their addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses on the contact page of their websites.
Hmmm. I notice in the frog prince ad, the frog says, “I’m feeling a little SLUGgish.” Subtle hint there?
It seems safe to say that Slug probably wasn’t named that by his parents, though, so it’s a pseudonym at least in that sense. The phone book listing doesn’t prove otherwise: The phone book lists people however they want to be listed.
Exactly. I have a friend IRL who goes by “Muck.” It’s the name he uses personally and professionally. It’s what his wife calls him. It’s what his boss calls him. I’d be surprised if he’s listed otherwise in the phonebook, since no one could find him under his real name. But I wouldn’t accuse someone of “creating mystery” or act like they’re being obtuse if they asked what his real name is or what he looks like. Both are simple questions. I wouldn’t even be surprised if someone who had only heard about him asked if he was a real person. It’s perfectly understandable.
Yes it does. Y’all need to look up the definition of the word pseudonym. “Slug” is a nickname. It’s the name that he goes by. It’s not a pen name. There’s a difference.
Steve Signorino → Slug Signorino = nickname
Joe Smith → Slug Signorino = pseudonym
Ahh… so it’s Steve. Thanks!
It’s just that, if he drew the Red Bull ads, it would most likely have been under a different name. I was pretty sure that Creative Loafing would be all over it if their artist created something that famous. So, if he did do it, it would be under a pseudonym. Or–what I consider more likely–Slug Signorino is the pseudonym.
And then, add in the “speculation” that happened about Cecil Adams even after most of us were sure of his identity, and I thought it would be interesting.
He illustrated this book