Hi,
I'm looking to get easy-to-use software to help me make:
(a) simple illustrations of people/animals in various scenes, e.g.,
along the lines of a comic book.  Ideally, I'd like to be able to
define the characteristics of each of the characters, and the computer
would generate the scene according to my instructions.  For example,
I'd like to pre-define character #1 as a 10-yr old heavy boy, blue
jeans, red t-shirt, brown hair.  Character #2 is a 30-yr old woman,
blue skirt, white shirt.  Then I'd like to be able to set up a frame
in the comic showing them doing whatever they're doing (e.g., #1 is
pointing to himself and talking, #2 is sitting, green grass and blue
sky in background).  If I can define emotions (e.g., make boy look
happy or surprised), that would be great.  Save frames to JPEG,
preferably.

Optionally:
(b) like the above, but also allowing animation in some exportable
computer format, such that I could define action and the characters
would carry it out (e.g., walking together).  In this context, I would
ultimately like to be able to make a video.

Optionally:
(c) For (a) or (b), it would be nice, but not necessary, if there were
voice-over capabilities.

I am a novice, and am much more interested in ease of use than the
ability to produce Hollywood quality.  My machine runs Windows 98.

I look forward to your feedback.

Thanks in advance,
161tat