For he's a jolly good mollusk October 2, 2009 12:47 PM Subscribe
Today the New York Times gave a nod to MetaFilter's own The Whelk for his contribution to Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School and his recent graphic novel Scarlett Takes Manhattan, both collaborations with artist Molly Crabapple. Congrats!
Yeah, I searched that whole article and saw nothing about no whelk...just some dude named John. But if you want to see some whelk stuff look here: This is Just to Say.
And you can always check out his website.
Nice article.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:55 PM on October 2, 2009
And you can always check out his website.
Nice article.
posted by cjorgensen at 12:55 PM on October 2, 2009
Whoops, I should have mentioned his human name. Thanks, cjorgensen.
posted by hermitosis at 12:57 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by hermitosis at 12:57 PM on October 2, 2009
Yay, The Whelk!
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:02 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:02 PM on October 2, 2009
I'm still wondering how this ties in to his upcoming public nudity.
posted by availablelight at 1:03 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by availablelight at 1:03 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Way to go. Whelk.
posted by marxchivist at 1:06 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by marxchivist at 1:06 PM on October 2, 2009
Congrats, The Whelk! Good stuff, though I don't think anything can ever top Lute Cat.
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:10 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by Metroid Baby at 1:10 PM on October 2, 2009
Cool.
posted by darth_tedious at 1:20 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by darth_tedious at 1:20 PM on October 2, 2009
Whoops, I should have mentioned his human name.
The Whelk is human? Damn. Another illusion shattered.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:27 PM on October 2, 2009
The Whelk is human? Damn. Another illusion shattered.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:27 PM on October 2, 2009
Congrats, The Whelk! Good stuff, though I don't think anything can ever top Lute Cat.
Ima let you finish, Metroid Baby, but the greatest way ever of phrasing that comment would have been as a Kanye parody!
posted by grobstein at 1:35 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Ima let you finish, Metroid Baby, but the greatest way ever of phrasing that comment would have been as a Kanye parody!
posted by grobstein at 1:35 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
This picture made me laugh. This article sent me off into a whole internet stalking bit of this guy. I've checked out his site a few times in the past, but the sketchy site he links to rocks.
posted by cjorgensen at 1:38 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by cjorgensen at 1:38 PM on October 2, 2009
Congrats, The Whelk.
Also, I need to check out Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School.
posted by defenestration at 1:41 PM on October 2, 2009
Also, I need to check out Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School.
posted by defenestration at 1:41 PM on October 2, 2009
Scarlett Takes Manhattan looks like it's got naked people in it. I like sex. I will look for it at my library.
The book, too.
Congrats, Whelk!!
posted by not_on_display at 1:51 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
The book, too.
Congrats, Whelk!!
posted by not_on_display at 1:51 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Good looking book, congratulations on the spotlight!
posted by empyrean at 1:55 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by empyrean at 1:55 PM on October 2, 2009
Yay for the Whelk! Scarlett Takes Manhattan looks really good, want! And your contributions on the meef are (mostly*) erudite and brilliant.
*exception for when you disagree with me
posted by misha at 2:45 PM on October 2, 2009
*exception for when you disagree with me
posted by misha at 2:45 PM on October 2, 2009
!
posted by JohnnyGunn at 3:00 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by JohnnyGunn at 3:00 PM on October 2, 2009
Very nice — congratulations!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:25 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 3:25 PM on October 2, 2009
Huzzah! Nice work.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 3:39 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 3:39 PM on October 2, 2009
Don't attack The Whelk's shell or it will counterattack.
posted by scrutiny at 4:12 PM on October 2, 2009 [6 favorites]
posted by scrutiny at 4:12 PM on October 2, 2009 [6 favorites]
Good looking book, good looking whelk. Rrrraauwwwwrrrrr.
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:21 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by Secret Life of Gravy at 4:21 PM on October 2, 2009
Way to go, Whelk! Glad to see your book also showing up via digital distribution on the iPhone, too.
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 4:39 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by fairytale of los angeles at 4:39 PM on October 2, 2009
I'm still wondering how this ties in to his upcoming public nudity.
Follow the link to Dr Sketchy.
I've heard of this, but I didn't know about the connection. I'm practically famis now!
posted by DU at 5:05 PM on October 2, 2009
Follow the link to Dr Sketchy.
I've heard of this, but I didn't know about the connection. I'm practically famis now!
posted by DU at 5:05 PM on October 2, 2009
oh my
posted by The Whelk at 5:08 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 5:08 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
For some reason I thought The Welk was female. And thinking back on this there is absolutely no reason for this. I just made it up from thin air. Man, this internets thing is hard.
(sorry Welk!)
posted by shelleycat at 5:18 PM on October 2, 2009
(sorry Welk!)
posted by shelleycat at 5:18 PM on October 2, 2009
Congratulations Whelk.
And from the NY Times article there seems to be a cartoon museum two blocks from my house that I'd never heard of.
posted by octothorpe at 5:29 PM on October 2, 2009
And from the NY Times article there seems to be a cartoon museum two blocks from my house that I'd never heard of.
posted by octothorpe at 5:29 PM on October 2, 2009
Glad to see your book also showing up via digital distribution on the iPhone, too.
Citation and link or it didn't happen!
Seriously, will go back and reread the article, but I missed this. What do I have to search for on my phone?
posted by cjorgensen at 5:31 PM on October 2, 2009
Citation and link or it didn't happen!
Seriously, will go back and reread the article, but I missed this. What do I have to search for on my phone?
posted by cjorgensen at 5:31 PM on October 2, 2009
This is where I point out that The Welk was a polkaband leader who had an old TV show and Lennon Sisters. The Whelk is something else. Really something else.
and where my mind wanders to recall that I met The King Sisters, a popular rip-off of the Lennons, on board the Queen Mary in its Long Beach dry-dock during a 1976 radio stunt (which was rather performance-arty for its time) in which my boss, the crazy disc jockey, staged a Royal Wedding for the ship, marrying it to a California tour boat and granting it American citizenship. (Citizen-SHIP, get it?) In fact, I led the King Sisters and a mismatched instrumental trio of former High School bandmates of mine in a medley of parodies of pop songs about boats (Sloop John B, Calypso, Ride Captain Ride and the semi-related Brandy [You're a Fine Girl]) which I wrote especially for the occasion. The King Sisters were more cooperative with my nonsense than expected, and that is one of my radio adventures that I really regret losing my tape of. Because who would believe it ever happened without proof? Looking back after 30+ years, I don't quite believe it myself.
posted by wendell at 5:42 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
and where my mind wanders to recall that I met The King Sisters, a popular rip-off of the Lennons, on board the Queen Mary in its Long Beach dry-dock during a 1976 radio stunt (which was rather performance-arty for its time) in which my boss, the crazy disc jockey, staged a Royal Wedding for the ship, marrying it to a California tour boat and granting it American citizenship. (Citizen-SHIP, get it?) In fact, I led the King Sisters and a mismatched instrumental trio of former High School bandmates of mine in a medley of parodies of pop songs about boats (Sloop John B, Calypso, Ride Captain Ride and the semi-related Brandy [You're a Fine Girl]) which I wrote especially for the occasion. The King Sisters were more cooperative with my nonsense than expected, and that is one of my radio adventures that I really regret losing my tape of. Because who would believe it ever happened without proof? Looking back after 30+ years, I don't quite believe it myself.
posted by wendell at 5:42 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
I was pretty sure that The Whelk was a wendell sockpuppet.
posted by empath at 6:53 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by empath at 6:53 PM on October 2, 2009
For some reason I thought The Welk was female.
I've seen footage of him in drag. Maybe that is what had you confused.
Contrats, Whelk! I'll have to get meeself a copy of the book!
posted by hippybear at 7:15 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
I've seen footage of him in drag. Maybe that is what had you confused.
Contrats, Whelk! I'll have to get meeself a copy of the book!
posted by hippybear at 7:15 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Mazel Tov, Buddy.
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:52 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by Divine_Wino at 7:52 PM on October 2, 2009
Start up the tune, maestro...
The Whelk! The Whelk!
He dropkicked an elk
He made a three-cornered hat
Out of a vampire bat
He haunts every token
Vending machine in Hoboken
He's the dandiest rake
That's not on the make
He's The Whelk! He's The Whelk!
As soon as he sees
One hiding in the trees
He'll dropkick an elk
Dropkick an elk!
That's The Whelk! That's The Whelk!
posted by Kattullus at 8:30 PM on October 2, 2009 [4 favorites]
The Whelk! The Whelk!
He dropkicked an elk
He made a three-cornered hat
Out of a vampire bat
He haunts every token
Vending machine in Hoboken
He's the dandiest rake
That's not on the make
He's The Whelk! He's The Whelk!
As soon as he sees
One hiding in the trees
He'll dropkick an elk
Dropkick an elk!
That's The Whelk! That's The Whelk!
posted by Kattullus at 8:30 PM on October 2, 2009 [4 favorites]
He'll dropkick an elk
Dropkick an elk!
That's The Whelk! That's The Whelk!
You know, I know enough musicians that I could make this happen, but on the other hand, do I want to be that guy? No. No I do not.
posted by The Whelk at 8:50 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Dropkick an elk!
That's The Whelk! That's The Whelk!
You know, I know enough musicians that I could make this happen, but on the other hand, do I want to be that guy? No. No I do not.
posted by The Whelk at 8:50 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Well, if you do record it I should tell you that the version that exists in my head sounds like a ramshackle mix of Alexander's Ragtime Band and Silent Night.
posted by Kattullus at 9:46 PM on October 2, 2009
posted by Kattullus at 9:46 PM on October 2, 2009
I've seen footage of him in drag. Maybe that is what had you confused.
Me with Boobs. Me in drag (with audible groans).
posted by The Whelk at 9:57 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
Me with Boobs. Me in drag (with audible groans).
posted by The Whelk at 9:57 PM on October 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't like cats or the stupid keyboard cat meme, but when I saw Whelk's awesome Lute Cat illustration a few months ago I wanted to buy a t-shirt with that smug cat's picture on it. My mom was an artist who did a lot of watercolor over ink sketches, and Whelk's style just reeled me back.
Great to see that you are also fomenting an artistic community spirit like this. Well done.
posted by planetkyoto at 10:24 PM on October 2, 2009
Great to see that you are also fomenting an artistic community spirit like this. Well done.
posted by planetkyoto at 10:24 PM on October 2, 2009
Is this something where I need to like art to understand it?
Is this something where I need to hate art to understand it?
That's a shame about what otherwise looks like a great book. I hope that your publisher can fix the misspelling of "coloring" on the cover when the second printing runs.
posted by double block and bleed at 10:29 PM on October 2, 2009
Is this something where I need to hate art to understand it?
That's a shame about what otherwise looks like a great book. I hope that your publisher can fix the misspelling of "coloring" on the cover when the second printing runs.
posted by double block and bleed at 10:29 PM on October 2, 2009
I just skipped this whole thread, cuz it's like 3 AM and I'm sitting in Waffle House but Scarlett Takes Manhattan is a gorgeous, sexy, smart book and I think anyone with any kinda love for graphic art should buy it. OK. Waffle now.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:09 AM on October 3, 2009
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:09 AM on October 3, 2009
"All you Bowery girls you listen pretty, cause it don't take a cock to conquer New York City."
Scarlett takes Manhattan, the song.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:06 AM on October 3, 2009
Scarlett takes Manhattan, the song.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:06 AM on October 3, 2009
I always thought the Whelk was some mollusk's sock-puppet. You know, so it wasn't all weird that a mollusk was using a computer.
And damn if it isn't something else altogether.
Congrats!
posted by From Bklyn at 7:29 AM on October 3, 2009
And damn if it isn't something else altogether.
Congrats!
posted by From Bklyn at 7:29 AM on October 3, 2009
I've for some reason only recently become aware of The Whelk and for the past week or so I've been seeing his name/comments everywhere and now this post happens.
Odd.
And congrats!
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 9:26 AM on October 3, 2009
Odd.
And congrats!
posted by CitrusFreak12 at 9:26 AM on October 3, 2009
Congrats The Whelk!
We should make this National Whelking Day!
posted by darkstar at 10:25 AM on October 3, 2009
We should make this National Whelking Day!
posted by darkstar at 10:25 AM on October 3, 2009
Comics nerd aside: Mr. The Whelk's (and Molly Crabapple's) work also recently appeared in Marvel's Strange Tales #1, where his She-Hulk story is featured alongside stories by comics luminaries like Peter Bagge, Paul Pope, Michael Kupperman, Jason, and James Kochalka.
Hurrah!
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:43 AM on October 3, 2009
Hurrah!
posted by BitterOldPunk at 11:43 AM on October 3, 2009
Awesome! Congratulations The Whelk! My local comic book shop has yet to get my copy of Scarlett Take s Manhattan in, but I will continue to strongarm the gentleman to do so.
posted by ooga_booga at 9:42 PM on October 3, 2009
posted by ooga_booga at 9:42 PM on October 3, 2009
I didn't really know how to respond to this thread so I kept checking it occasionally and giggling like a schoolgirl. Rock on Imaginary Internet Friends, rock on.
posted by The Whelk at 9:51 AM on October 4, 2009
posted by The Whelk at 9:51 AM on October 4, 2009
What, hang on, the internet is imaginary?
posted by shelleycat at 2:46 PM on October 4, 2009
posted by shelleycat at 2:46 PM on October 4, 2009
Shelleycat, you have to continue to believe the internet's real! The existence of all of us depends upon you! Why am I turning translucent?! shelleycat, BELIEVE!!
posted by not_on_display at 4:15 PM on October 4, 2009
posted by not_on_display at 4:15 PM on October 4, 2009
I believe in you loltinkercat, I believe!
posted by shelleycat at 5:55 PM on October 4, 2009
posted by shelleycat at 5:55 PM on October 4, 2009
Thanks Shelly, I can feel myself becoming more corporeal with the second.
If anyone is interested in hearing me and Molly gab about the book, we'll be talking about it tonight down at Bluestockings in NYC. There will be cupcakes.
Here is the info.
posted by The Whelk at 7:24 AM on October 5, 2009
If anyone is interested in hearing me and Molly gab about the book, we'll be talking about it tonight down at Bluestockings in NYC. There will be cupcakes.
Here is the info.
posted by The Whelk at 7:24 AM on October 5, 2009
I favorited The Whelk and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.
posted by not_on_display at 6:49 PM on October 5, 2009
posted by not_on_display at 6:49 PM on October 5, 2009
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Hip hip HOORAY!
Hip hip HOORAY!
Hip hip HOORAY!
posted by ocherdraco at 12:53 PM on October 2, 2009