As of this writing I'm still unsure as to whether or not this particular panel was published on the actual date of Christmas this year seeing as how it falls on a Sunday, so the newspaper might not be printed + distributed in time. So on the offhand chance it doesn't hit the streets I'll break with my long-standing tradition to not post anything that hasn't already been printed yet and sneak in the festive holiday piece just this one time. Besides, it's my birthday - and this is my gift to you all etc.
A love-letter to my background in pulp fantasy, this is a ridiculous homage to Frank Frazetta’s 1972 classic “Silver Warrior” painting, which adorned the cover to one of my favorite authors’ series as a teenager, Michael Moorcock’s Eternal Champion cycle, depicting John Daker/Erekosë - reincarnated here as Count Urlik Skarsol (aka “Phoenix in Obsidian”). I also made the command decision as Head Editor here at Norwolf Design/Nuggets®™brand humor to not pursue the initial inspiration of a very hairy Nicholas (another gift to you all).
It was also pointed out by a faithful reader the apparent lack of any leashes which earned an appropriate rebuttal. Though personally I am reminded about how grateful we were to receive any lumps at all when the cabin had a coal-burning stove.
Despite the design's logistical failings, it graced the cover of our annual festive mailings to friends and family. And as an extra-special present to you, dear reader, here's an exclusive, unedited sneak peek at next year's panel: "Makin' a List."
In the meantime folks, Peace & Love... please take care of yourselves and look after one another.
You probably know better than me but Michael Moorcock was one of Ray’s favorite authors, too, when he was a teen. Brings back great memories…
ReplyDeleteAlways great to see your artwork and humor.
Apologies for lapse in response... appreciate the comment.
DeleteAnd yeah that's a big nostalgia connection along with bonus trivia on the considerable overlap between the fictional works of Robert E. Howard, Fitz Leiber (“Fafhrd & the Gray Mouser” series) and Moorcock with some epic cheesy rock album cover art: Frazetta’s iconic “Death Dealer” (for the album “Molly Hatchet” ’78) “Dark Kingdom” (for ”Flirtin’ With Disaster” ’79) and “Conan the Conquerer” (for “Beatin’ the Odds” ’80)… and as I recall one of his faves by Nazareth on 1977’s “Expect No Mercy.”