The Evolution of PHINEAS FLYNN

As a fan of the Disney hit animated show "Phineas & Ferb", and having a curious mind, I couldn't help but wonder just HOW Dan Povenmire was inspired to create the 'look' of Phineas. I know the legend of the "Restaurant-Butcher Paper-Epiphany" (you can read the account on Wikipedia 'Phineas & Ferb' entry), but how did he do it? What were his inspirations?

Let's start at the beginning: As a child of the 60's and 70's, I'm sure you will realize that Mr. Povenmire watched a lot of cartoons. Since he is MY age, 45-ish, his early childhood animation viewing was probably limited to Saturday mornings and the occasional classic Disney short on Sunday night's "Wonderful World of Disney".
Add to that the occasional early-morning or afternoon runs of the Tex Avery classics and the endless Warner Brothers 'Looney Toons' & 'Merry Melodies'. The annual eagerly-anticipated Christmas specials. The trips up to TG&Y or the local drugstore to read comics. Could he possibly have been influenced by the numerous pointy heads in the many manic shorts watched over the years? Most likely.

You will note that the early Woody Woodpecker started with a long, pointed head as noted in the above drawing. He was clever. Feisty. His beak was long, straight and rigid. He was invincible. He later evolved into the cutesy, rounded character we see today.

Heckle and Jeckle were two magpies of questionable gender, with heads (including beaks) that resembled footballs or fat ears of corn. They, too were clever and invincible.

"MAD Magazine" featured a long-running gag comic called "Spy vs. Spy", in which two secret-agent types engaged in a symphony of booby traps and explosions while each was trying to eliminate the other. Sometimes subtle, sometimes frantic. Always ending in a good come-uppance or explosion, they were also -say it with me- clever and invincible.

Like Phineas.

This, of course, brings me to my next question: WHO is Phineas Flynn's REAL father? Could he be the offspring of one of the 'SPIES'...?

I know this is a bit far-fetched, but stay with me: He's inventive. He's wiley. He ALWAYS escapes injury. He ALWAYS manages to elude discovery. His pet platypus, Perry, IS A SPY!

Coincidence...?

"Whole Lotta LED ZEPPELIN"

Another coffe-table book discovered while at the library:

"Whole Lotta LED ZEPPELIN" is just what the title claims. Loaded with pictures, historical info and trivia. Pages of album art, shirt designs, and concert poster art and paraphernalia.
HIGHLY recommended.

"The KING of COMICS"

I was returning some books to the library that I use for photo reference when I am designing, and happened upon a couple that caught my attention. The first was this image that jumped at me off of the shelf:
"King of Comics" is a rousing explosion of drawings and biographical information on one of the most prolific and influential comic book artists of all time, Jack 'King' Kirby. This coffee-table book not only tells of his career in the pulp fiction industry, but is PACKED with sketches, inked panels, doodles, roughs, and forgotten works. It also exposes a window into the seedy behind-the-scenes of the early comics industry.

Though, admittedly, I wasn't a fan of his style when I was a young boy, walking with my older brother up to the corner store to read and buy (not necessarily in that order) comics. I was used to the simple, cartoony DC style. As a self-appointed 'purist', I didn't understand the appeal. I didn't realize he almost single-handedly revolutionized the medium.

Not only did he create or co-create MOST of the classic Marvel Universe heroes, he cut a swath through DC in the early 70's, as well! And he was a TRUE visionary: Check out the 'New Gods' series, and note the "Mother Box". Closest thing to a cel-phone, gps, blackberry or any of the modern devices you'll ever see.

He dreamed it up in the 1970's.

BAMA Kicks Ole Miss

Well, Mark Ingram's single touchdown would have sufficed. OR, just two of Lee Tiffin's five field goals. Regardless, THE University of ALABAMA beat the university of mississippi 22-3 yesterday in an SEC 'Showdown'.
I thought both teams had to show up and participate for it be a 'showdown'. Heck, if Bama hadn't shot themselves in the foot inside the red zone, it could have been a horrible blowout. It probably SHOULD have been anyway.
At least now we won't have to hear the rebels whine about being 'robbed' or 'gyped', or that The Tide was helped by the officials. Can't blame Bama's blitzes and pressure on home-cooking when you're in your own stadium...!
And can we stop with the whole "Snead for Heisman" garbage...?

Tebow & Meyer Share A 'Moment'....?

Last night, towards the end of Florida's victory over the LSU Tigahs, my cousin Danny and I were stunned at a display of affection shown by Florida's Coach Urban Meyer on NATIONAL TELEVISION...!
The Gators' head coach moved his headset, leaned into Tim Tebow's helmet, and actually appeared to NUZZLE his Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback! It was shocking, to say the least. GAY, by all means.
Possibly, he was just trying to hear whatever 'sweet nothings' the golden boy was uttering in his concussion-altered state. That's not what it LOOKED like. Eeeww.

MORE Phineas and Ferb 'Phintasia' Drawings

As stated earlier, I am posting gif.'s of parody drawings featuring Phineas & Ferb characters in a take-off of Disney's FANTASIA. Below is an image of Jeremy and Candace as centaurs from the 'Pastoral Scene'.

ENJOY!
"Phineas & Ferb" were created by Jeff Marsh and Dan Povenmire and are copyright Disney.

My BABY's Home for a Visit!

My beautiful stepdaughter Michelle Frazier is home for the weekend for a series of bridal showers (or 'Hen Parties') and cake-tastings in preparation for her upcoming wedding to Christopher Hundley. The couple made the rounds Friday after their Thursday evening arrival from Washington, D.C.
Since I am for all intents and purposes still 'disabled', I was forced to drink beer and watch football all day with my future son-in-law. This was fine, since he and the girl are both graduates of THE University of Alabama.