This is Joe Btfsplk. He was a reappearing character (when needed) in Al Capp's Li’l Abner comic strip years ago.
See the black cloud over his head. The black cloud symbolizes all the bad luck that goes where Joes goes. Wherever Joe went mayhem went too.
I remember in a fairly recent novel by Sharyn McCrumb she mentioned “the little man in Li’l Abner with a black cloud over his head”. Well, that was Joe Btfsplk. I’m glad he got some recognition, even if his name wasn’t used.
The reason I am introducing him now, is several times in the past on this blog I almost referred to him – but, if you don’t know who I am referring to, then the point is lost.
Meet Joe Btfsplk!
8 comments:
I remember Joe Btfsplk, and Mammy and Pappy Yokum and Daisy Mae. May?
Mama's fav comic strip was Pogo. I was grown before I could inderstand the humor in Pogo. After I saw the Okeefenokee swamp it made even more sense.
Jean,
Yeah, I remember Pogo Possom and his buddies the alligator and owl - but I forgot their names.
The Alligator was Albert.
Did you ever wonder what Joe Btfsplk's name would be if it contained vowels?
Batfaspalak?
Bitafuspalk?
Bootfisapilook?
Was there some kind of code there?
Bit of spoo look?
Oh, and remember the smoos? I think they were above my level of comprehension, too.
I remember all of them and Joe was one of my favorites. I call mr. kenju that sometimes.
The Schmoos were great too!
Pogo said "We have met the enemy and he is us."
Jean,
Albert! I knew that!
Batfaspalak looks like the sound of a youth sucking up a whopper of a lugie and spitting it out, and even contains the point of contact sound.
As for as merchandise goes, the Schmoo was a big hit.
Judy,
That's right! The "He have met the enemy and he is us" quote originated with Walt Kelly, via Pogo.
I'm Joe Btfsplk!
I would say it Bitifspilk. It's thought the name Mr. Mxyztplk, a somewhat rare character in the Superman comics, who was an imp who came from the 5th dimension was based on this precedent.
Al Capp explained it was simply a raspberry (or at attempt to write it.)
- Sammy Finkelman
Sammy,
Thanks for that inside information.
How the devil do you pronounce that name? Half my family and the bartender I was just discussing Joe with can relate to him.
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