Tuesday, December 26, 2017

T Stands for Gumby

Earlier this month, I went to visit my friend, Teague.  Since she lives near the town of Bellingham, I thought I'd ask her if she could take me over to Neighborhood Friendly Comics on our way out to lunch. Since she had an errand to run in Bellingham, my request was perfect timing.

Why a comic book store? Well, my friend, Andy Fish and his wife, Veronica, collaborated on an issue of Gumby, published by Papercutz. Andy wrote the script, did the pencils, lettering, and Veronica did the inking and coloring.

I loved Gumby as a kid. Gumby was a claymation  cartoon and got into all sorts of adventures with his pony pal, Pokey. I had a Gumby figure, a green slab of rubber with wires running through it. You could bend and twist Gumby into all sorts of poses. I loved and twisted Gumby so much, the wires poked through. I wanted a Pokey, but never got one.

Now, in my mind, the comic book was released a week or two before I went to visit Teague, But a check on Andy's website showed the comic was released way back in September. Would this issue still be at the store?

The fella on duty in the store must have wondered what the hell an old lady was doing in his store. Seemed even more surprised when I asked if he had Gumby issue #3. He went to a rack saying this is where the Gumbies would be. Let's see. And he had two copies of #3 and he pulled the second one from behind. The fresh copy. The one, no one had thumbed through.  I thought that was excellent customer service.

At the cash register, he asked why I wanted Gumby. Probably expected, oh my grandchild wants this for Christmas. I think he was a little surprise when I said, well, I worked with Andy at the art museum.

I was ridiculously pleased with my purchase. Why? Well, this was the very first comic book I had ever purchased. When I was growing up, comics were verboten. Dad didn't see them as suitable reading material or appreciate the artwork. I did read comics. Himself was a big Marvel comic fan. Had lots of comic books. Super heroes, cartoon characters, classics done in comic form. So when I wanted to read comics, I would go next door and hang out with Himself.  So having my own comic book was a little on the wild side.

It was also pretty cool holding the comic book in my hand and knowing two of the artist that created one of the stories. This particular edition had 3 different stories.

So I was all set to take pictures of me reading my comic book. I'd have a picture of the cover and then pictures of Andy and Veronica's story, The Treasure of the Obellos. But then I caught the copyright warning on the inside front cover. You can see the cover here

You can also go to Andy's blog. AndyTFish.com  Click on the blog link and scroll to the bottom of the page and on the right hand side you'll see a search box. Search on Gumby and you can read about Andy's project.  Or just read Andy's blog, he's interesting and a pretty savvy guy.



So instead of pictures of the comic book, a picture of me wearing my Gumby and Pokey socks while Erich, the butler, brings me a cup of tea in my favorite mug.

The comic book was so different than the ones I remember as a kid. The price was bigger for one. 😉The pages were nice,heavy-weight, glossy paper, and the colors really popped. I seemed to remember comics with cheap paper and pictures made up of colored dots.

 I enjoyed relaxing with the comic. I could hear the voices of the characters from the claymation television show. Too fun.

All three of the stories were like modern versions of Medieval morality plays. Each story had a lesson or lessons to be learned. Don't try to be someone you're not, apologize and own up to causing a misunderstanding, and you can't always pull the wool over an old person's eyes.

[update: if you want to read Andy and Veronica's story, The Treasure of the Obello's, Andy has provided a link. https://www.newsarama.com/36557-gumby-3-preview.html#s4 ]

So, Andy, if you're reading this, enjoy your Andypalooza and  your special day which starts tonight at midnight. (It's Andy's birthday tomorrow).

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

28 comments:

  1. What a fabulous post. I am not sure I ever saw Pokey and Gumby before, but I love, love, love your socks. Yes, I checked out the web site and the cover. I'm thrilled you took us with you to the comic book store and shared your story of your love of Gumby.

    I certainly like your butler. He seems to be quite handy and I laughed at his demeanor. Thanks for sharing your Gumby and Pokey socks and your tea with us for T this Tuesday. What a fun post.

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    1. You might be too young to remember Gumby and Pokey. The socks are so fun and colorful and now I have Pokey, too.

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  2. I loved your post! I do remember Gumby but my parents were the same not allowed to read any comic books-period not allowed to do many things back then lol
    I love your socks and your own butler too--excellent post thanks

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  3. Ha- IF I'm reading this! I'm a faithful CJ & Ink reader ya know!
    Thanks for going to that effort, Friendly Comics is actually owned by my good friend Ernie Pelletier who does a lot to make sure KIDS actually get interested in comics-- which is tough to do now that they are so expensive.

    I don't think you have to worry about Copyrights-- they love promotion. Newsarama put our whole story up as a preview so anybody interested can just read it free online.
    https://www.newsarama.com/36557-gumby-3-preview.html#s4

    It was a fun book, although they killed a lot of my jokes and rewrote the ending so that Gumby has that awkward (and unneeded) explanation at the end, but we really liked working with them.

    Stay tuned, this year we have a massive project we are working on with Dark Horse Comics and this time around just shoot me an address and I'll send you comp copies if you want them-- you can start your new collection!
    Happy Holidays!

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    1. I wasn't sure about the copyright so though discretion was a better option. Maybe your jokes were too sophisticated for the editors or everyone's a critic. Either way, I enjoyed your story and the rest of the comic book, too. Will look forward to reading about your upcoming projects. Enjoy your Birthday Season!

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  4. Haha! I had a Gumby doll too! I even had big clumsy slippers at one point!!
    I loved that show..remember Goo and that dinosaur Prickle?
    very cool that you were able to find the comic and get a nice clean copy of it.
    love your socks!!

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    1. I didn't remember Goo and Prickle until I saw them in the comic. I did remember the bad guys, The Block Heads. And for some reason I've associated the clay Block Heads with the Green Bay Packers football team. It has something to do with an episode that involved racing cars. The Block Heads had an initial on their helmets. Every time I see the Green Bay big G logo on the football helmets, I think of the Block Heads :-D

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  5. Well Happy Birthday to Andy!!! I remember Gumby too from my childhood and so does hubby... I asked..lol I simply adore your Butler... I need one of those..Happy T day Hugs! deb

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    1. If you get a butler, get one that does more than stand around holding a cup of tea =^,.^=

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  6. This is a super post and good for you to buy the comic that brought some memories for you.
    I do like your friendly butler, he would be welcome in my house.
    Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

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  7. I remember Gumby and Pokey. How exciting to know someone who has completed such a project!

    I like your butler, and I love those socks! Happy T Tuesday

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    1. It's very cool to know the artists. Veronica Fish also works on the Archie comics. I think an updated version of the classic.

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  8. Great story, CJ. I do so enjoy your writing. Comic books were verboten in our house too. But with six kids to keep eyes on, I'm sure a few were snuck in and hidden away ;-) You and Himself were childhood friends? Awww ... I met my one and only in college.

    You have a butler - now I'm jealous - lol.

    I'm getting around late because I linked up late. Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

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    1. Yup, Himself and I grew up next door to each other. Played together as children. Always friends. Went to different schools. Didn't date through high school. Didn't reconnect the friendship until our late 20s.

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  9. WOW! I'm surprised to hear that comics were verboten in so many households! My mother said she didn't care what we read as long as we read! Even reading cereal boxes was encouraged! Glad you got your copy! Enjoy! :D

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    1. I thought the same thing about encouraging reading. Dad's idea was more old-fashioned and he took me to the library with him starting when I was 6 yrs old while the Brother went to accordion lessons.

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  10. I so enjoyed reading your post today! So glad you got a copy of the comic that you wanted and that's such great customer service too 😁. Thanks for sharing your memories and wishing you a very Happy T Day! J 😊

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    1. I was happy the comic was still available and with such good service.

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  11. I'm not at all familiar with these characters but I'm so pleased you now have your own copy of the one you wanted! Love the butler and your colourful socks! Happy T day, Chrisx

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    1. These characters are a claymation animated series from the early 1960s. The socks are just fun and it would be nice to have a butler bring me tea.

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  12. I haven't thought of Gumby for years. And Pokey the horse. I think what first came to mind was when they did some Gumby sketches on Saturday Night Live way way back in the day. But how cool to know the author of a comic book, and even cooler that you were able to get a copy. Thanks for sharing your story with us CJ. It was enjoyable, and I like ow you have your own butler. :) Happy T day. Hugs-Erika

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    1. Yeah, I was happy I was able to get a copy of Andy's comic.

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  13. "If you've got a heart then Gumby's a part of you ..."

    Yup, I remember that show as well AND I also had a Gumby flexible toy. LOL!

    How cool that you found a comic book finally you wanted. Oh yes, Erich the butler is cool as well! Love it!

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    1. :-D I didn't remember the theme song. So cool that you did

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  14. This is fantastic CJ!! So cool!!
    By the way, I love your socks and your "Butler"! LOL!
    Thanks for the link to the comic book!

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