Some WolfieToon Fans!

 

In Memoriam -- Phil "Overbarrel"

This is sad news, but there may be somebody peeking in who needs to know.

Phil J, who signed his hilarious and highly detailed "Poser" cartoons "Overbarrel," died this weekend after a ferocious three to four year fight with ALS.  

  His abilities to create, to partake in life as he did so richly, and eventually even to communicate, were stripped away bit by bit by what he called "this goddamned disease."  Nevertheless, he didn't spend a lot of what energy he had in fecklessly railing against it all, like I might have done, and I think his profound, nigh-unquenchable sense of humor was a saving grace. His loving wife and family were with him, and hospice care.

 Phil was a remarkable husband, father, grandfather, and a stalwart friend.  He was one who helped me out of a very dark time, and when the Internet was new, he was also one who made me understand that my particular and perhaps peculiar sexual interests were nevertheless not as deviant as I used to think.  Phil himself was as decent, intelligent, and caring a man as ever walked the planet.  We shared, across the distance via that wonderful tool, the Web, all the joys and sorrows of each other's family life, and hundreds of photos. 

 We also shared many a grin over twenty-plus years of goofy "Overbarrel" and "WolfieToon" creations.  Phil first learned the "Poser" program via a copy in German-- he didn't speak or read German-- and never stopped developing and getting better at it.  He had a natural movie director's eye, although he had never studied filmmaking, and many of his Poser Epics were cinematically brilliant.  Sometimes his 'toons were "copy heavy," and I occasionally made suggestions about word balloon placement, and even recommended putting the words below the pictures, à la "Prince Valiant," but he never went for it.

 Phil was the most guileless and honest man I've met.  I worried about that for him in the World Of Weird Web People, but he never came to or caused any harm.  And, yeah, once in a while his ribald sense of humor got the better of him, and fantasies went off in directions I wouldn't trod, but Fantasy is one thing, Reality another, and he never, ever confused the two. 

He was an exceptional raconteur, and told many stories of his childhood, military, and wedded life that I hope the family will collect and publish for a few of us.

I'm very grateful to have known Phil, and life will be a lot emptier without him.

Items from my "Phil Philes"...

A panel from one of the many Springrose Birthday Tales:

"Then and Now"

One of Phil's first "Poser" characters, "The HOLY SHIT SMILEY!"

Happy Turkey Day!!

 

Is Your Thanksgiving Favorite the Dressing?

 

Or Not

 

Live, On-Air Correction

 

The Haunted Bedroom!

Happy All Hallows Eve, y'all!

 

Halloween Excitement!

 It'll set the end of your spine tingling!!

Rejected By Mr. Whale...

 

Time to Prep!

Too Subtle?

 We need specificity, please. 

Erica Scott Birthday Week!

Thursday, September 22, was the birthday of my lovely friend and one of the most remarkable raconteurs in the world,  the one, the only-- Erica Scott!!

Fellow Pluviophile!!

My near-crippling day job and other pressing art commitments prevented me doing a new cartoon for her birthday this time around, so I'll show some previous ones here!

In case you think, "Wolfie, you're late even for that!", I'll tell you that in my family there is an unofficial tradition of Birthday Week, in which celebratory shenanigans and all appropriate considerations are given three days before and three days after, as well as the actual birthdate!  

So-- Behold!

Starting with a Wolfieoon in which-- Gasperoonies!!-- there is no Actual Spankage!!

Butt, of course, that can't last!

Neither can many implements!

I just read Erica's story from this year's Oasis Party in Las Vegas in which a friendly fan met her, and had that very 'toon on his phone!

My, how these things get around!!

Speaking of traveling:

"Say, lookit John, willya?"

On a related note, you younger youngsters may not remember "Falcon Crest," nor "Dark Shadows," unless you've stumbled onto the various Rerun TV Channels, but you might have encountered David Selby as Brubaker in the series "Legion" that ran wayyyy back in 2017 to 2018.

(I kid, but, after all, four years is probably a much larger percentage of your life than mine just now!)

Well, David first caught our attention as Quentin Collins in the '60s gothic afternoon soap opera "Dark Shadows"--  especially Young Erica's.

(A WolfieBlog Bonus-- Download, or Print, and Color!!)

So naturally, Selby was at this party!

I have praised Erica's acting skills before;  she can take on any number of roles, serious or whimsical, with great aplomb!

(That might be a Sound Effect:  Aplomb!  Aplomb!)

Anyhootenanny, I'm glad you're COVID Negative now, and feeling better, Erica, and may any delayed joy and enjoyment be all the sweeter for it!

Loads O Love!

She "Tried It At Home" Anyway!

September Saturday Thrills!

 Lots of sport today for both participants and spectators!!

Denim!

 I considered calling this post "black and blue jeans," but naw.

Taught To the Tune of a Hickory Stick! And A Paddle! And A Firm Hand!

 And so we roll on into another school year...

It seems Students are not to be spanked in school these days.

Teachers, now...

I suppose there might be different policies in some places...

And possible exceptions when exploring cultural and literary history... 

And, outside the classroom, who knows?

 So, make sure you're properly supplied and make it a great year!!

Nancy Avenged!!

 (Suggested by Rick!)

Input From the Editor!

 

An Animated Conversation With the Director