HAPPY ALMOST THANKSGIVING! Much like a lot of us who were raised in retail stores throughout the 80s and 90s, I know at least one person who was trampled to death because of a Tickle Me Elmo or a Green Power Ranger on Black Friday. Also, like a lot of you, Black Friday seems to be the mile-marker for the holidays. And for that reason, I really wanted to get into the “spirit” of things for this Black Friday.
And I did so by finally getting something off of my chest. No, I didn’t remove my nipples again. Instead, I admitted to hiring a literal ghost-writer for years to design my previous Black Friday releases. You see, between Comic Con, Designer Con, Mondo Con, July through November is always the busiest time of the year for me, but I know that it’s not fair to have all these cool things released at conventions that only a fraction of people can make it to, so I REALLY want to always have some cool new merch for YOU, my beautiful internet smurfs, the most supportive gang of fans and friends ever!
A few years ago, I heard a really vague and unbelievable tale, told to me by the guy who made Ziggy (yes, a human made Ziggy), about a supernatural ghoul, named Mr. Black, who loved graphic design but was unable to exist in our earthly plane to take any jobs. However, as this odd legend has it, if you are feeling stressed about a design deadline, or are experiencing artist’s block, or simply can’t figure out how to finalize your sketchy idea for a product, all you have to do is leave a written list of your ideas and art needs, alongside some bread and a full stick of butter under your bed (or sleeping bag), and when you wake up, the bread and butter will be replaced by a hard drive filled with new art and designs that similarly look like you are the one who made them! Of course I didn’t believe it, seeing as how no ghoul or ghost could draw Ziggy so easily (have you ever tried? That nose is an insanely impossible curve), but there was a time in my life, a few Black Fridays ago, that I simply ran out of options. I needed to create new products, but I was out of time and out of energy. So I tried it…..
And I woke up to a miracle. A small hard drive filled with images that looked exactly as if Alexis Machine from the Dark Half had possessed my hands while I was sleeping and created art that only I could have created. Although I didn’t believe it, I took it and ran with it. And it worked like a charm. I never looked back. But also, I never saw him to thank him. Instead, over the years, I grew addicted to calling upon Mr. Black. It was the same feeling I had when I downloaded my first movie off of Kazzaa. It was maniacally easy. So I selfishly just defaulted to throwing bread and butter under my bed during any period of art-related stress. Mr. Black created the Astralnauts. Mr. Black drew half of my #DickTracing pieces. Mr. Black even redesigned my website last year. And the entire time I was blinded by his gift and never once shared his talents with you out of shame. Until last week. It feels good to say that the embodiment of a nightmare who only eats carbs is the real talent behind some of the images that you have grown to love. Because I love them, too, and I want him to finally get the credit he deserves. The fact that his last note was pretty threatening had nothing to do with this reveal. I totally wanted to do it.
So this year, to honor Mr. Black, I, once again, had him design some new stuff for Black Friday, and instead of taking all of the credit, I am just going to take most of it, and then call the sale “Mr. Black Friday” so he can feel included for once. YOU HEAR THAT, YOU BUTTER-CHOMPING GHOUL!? I’M GIVING YOU CREDIT!
So yah, make sure you stop by my online shop (shop.alexpardee.com) starting exactly at 12:00 AM EST (9PM PST) on NOV 24 to purchase our new collection of goods. And boy, are they GOOD. Also, the FIRST 300 orders will automatically receive an exclusive limited “MR. BLACK” enamel pin for FREE in honor of making sure you never forget who the real “me” is.
Thank you for your continued patronage. Have a great Thanksgiving and Holiday season.
Sincerely,
Alex and Mr. Black
