Scott Blaine Johnson (born July 17, 1969) is an American cartoonist, illustrator, game designer, and podcaster. He lives in South Jordan, Utah, with his wife and three children. In 2008, Johnson launched Frog Pants Studios, LLC, an illustration and audio production company.
Early life
Scott Johnson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up and went to high school in the suburb Sandy City. He has also lived in Mississippi and Louisiana while on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Johnson met his wife Kim during his mission.
Comics and illustration
Johnson began publishing the webcomic ExtraLife in June 2001. The subject matter concentrates on many of Johnson's interests such as computers, technology, video games, and movies. In 2009, Johnson launched Experience Points, a second webcomic that draws inspiration from World of Warcraft and other MMORPG computer games. The strip was one of several web comics published by Crispy Gamer until its closure in January 2010. It then was moved to GameCulture.
Johnson is the creator of the popular "56 Geeks" poster, and he illustrated the cover of World of Warcraft Programming (2010).
On February 3, 2020, the Fred and Can webcomic debuted. Fred and Can chronicles the adventures of Fred and his sentient can of expired creamed corn.
Games
Rock Runners Incorporated
In 2021, Johnson releases the card game Rock Runners Incorporated that he both designed and illustrated. The game is based on the card game 99, which Johnson's parents taught him. Rock Runners Inc. takes some of the original concepts of 99 and adds an intergalactic twist. The object of the game to get the most space rocks and be the last player to make a play and earn a space credit.
Current Podcasts
Johnson is the creator and host of several podcasts. This list is incomplete but include the following.
Play Retro
Johnson's latest podcast, Play Retro, debuted on January 3, 2022. It is co-hosted by Brian Dunaway and focuses on the topic of retro video games.
There Will Be Dungeons
Episode 00 debuted on January 26, 2018. It was quickly followed-up by Episode 01: The Campaign Begins! on January 27, 2018. It is a live Dungeons and Dragons campaign, following the group through Dust Hill.
SKIM
Scott and Kim Johnson host a weekly podcast where they discuss family, marriage, food and more. It debuted on November 8, 2018.
The Morning Stream
Started on January 24, 2011, with Johnson and Brian Ibbott. It is published every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning (usually) for the discussion of current entertainment, politics, live calls, and other segments. The Morning Stream won a People's Choice Podcast Award in the entertainment category in 2011, and two in 2013, in the People's Choice and Comedy categories.
In March 2014 Johnson and Ibbott began producing a weekly evening edition of the show, airing live on Thursday nights and published as a podcast the morning after; this version is called TMS PM, features most of the same elements as the morning show and is a one-hour long show, rather than the usual two hours, but it includes two songs each time like the other daily episodes. TMS PM is a Patreon exclusive, given as a reward for supporters having reached the $5,000-per-month donation tier on the show's Patreon page.
Film Sack
Started on October 31, 2009, Johnson and co-hosts Brian Ibbott, Brian Dunaway, and Randy Jordan review 'forgotten gems' of movies selected from the streaming media service Netflix. Film Sack won a Podcast Connect People's Choice Podcast Award in the film category in 2011 and in 2013.
Diary of a Cartoonist
The Diary of a Cartoonist podcast has an introspective stream-of-consciousness format where Johnson discusses topics ranging from the day-to-day activities in his life to his thoughts about current events. Unlike Johnson's other podcasts, Diary of a Cartoonist does not have co-hosts, though his family occasionally make brief appearances. Johnson often records the podcast using his iPhone while engaging in other activities such as driving or walking his dog.