Derf Backderf
@derfbackderf.bsky.social
Maker of fine comics products, incessant scribbler, former garbageman, aging punk rocker.
$4.50 a ticket.
Man, wish I'd gone to that Stranglers show, too.
Man, wish I'd gone to that Stranglers show, too.
November 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
$4.50 a ticket.
Man, wish I'd gone to that Stranglers show, too.
Man, wish I'd gone to that Stranglers show, too.
Huge Clarke fan, although I hold Rama and Childhood's End above 2001.
I would highly recommend Clarke's The Lost Worlds of 2001, which has the original novella, lots of interesting accounts of making the film, and some alternative storylines that Kubrick didn't approve.
I would highly recommend Clarke's The Lost Worlds of 2001, which has the original novella, lots of interesting accounts of making the film, and some alternative storylines that Kubrick didn't approve.
November 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Huge Clarke fan, although I hold Rama and Childhood's End above 2001.
I would highly recommend Clarke's The Lost Worlds of 2001, which has the original novella, lots of interesting accounts of making the film, and some alternative storylines that Kubrick didn't approve.
I would highly recommend Clarke's The Lost Worlds of 2001, which has the original novella, lots of interesting accounts of making the film, and some alternative storylines that Kubrick didn't approve.
I know it's odd, but Rockwell was an inspiration. I got this book on closeout at the mall when I was in junior high and studied it until it fell apart. He wasn't an influence of course, but I admired his skill & and his political awakening. Sure, he'd already made his legend, but it was a risk.
November 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I know it's odd, but Rockwell was an inspiration. I got this book on closeout at the mall when I was in junior high and studied it until it fell apart. He wasn't an influence of course, but I admired his skill & and his political awakening. Sure, he'd already made his legend, but it was a risk.
Obama-- shown here with Ruby Bridges herself-- hung the original painting in the White House. It's buried in a warehouse now. I hope. Unless one of Trump's henchman set it on fire.
November 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Obama-- shown here with Ruby Bridges herself-- hung the original painting in the White House. It's buried in a warehouse now. I hope. Unless one of Trump's henchman set it on fire.
65 years ago on Nov. 14, little Ruby Bridges was escorted into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Norman Rockwell, renowned for blissful depictions of Americana, did this remarkable painting for Look magazine. Printed as a double page, over-size spread, it's his masterpiece.
November 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
65 years ago on Nov. 14, little Ruby Bridges was escorted into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. Norman Rockwell, renowned for blissful depictions of Americana, did this remarkable painting for Look magazine. Printed as a double page, over-size spread, it's his masterpiece.
When I was a kid the tavern sponsored my Little League team! Our uniforms had the name of the bar splashed on the back!
Only in Richfield.The setting of most of my books btw.
In fact, here's Teschler's in TRASHED. I changed the name to the Black Forest Inn, my fave bar at Ohio State.
Only in Richfield.The setting of most of my books btw.
In fact, here's Teschler's in TRASHED. I changed the name to the Black Forest Inn, my fave bar at Ohio State.
November 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
When I was a kid the tavern sponsored my Little League team! Our uniforms had the name of the bar splashed on the back!
Only in Richfield.The setting of most of my books btw.
In fact, here's Teschler's in TRASHED. I changed the name to the Black Forest Inn, my fave bar at Ohio State.
Only in Richfield.The setting of most of my books btw.
In fact, here's Teschler's in TRASHED. I changed the name to the Black Forest Inn, my fave bar at Ohio State.
Menu from Teschler's Tavern in my hometown, Richfield, Ohio.
Note sandwich #4.
Note sandwich #4.
November 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Menu from Teschler's Tavern in my hometown, Richfield, Ohio.
Note sandwich #4.
Note sandwich #4.
And yes, I was a member of the Hot Wheels Club. This thing will set you back over $1000 today. Mine is long gone, except I still have the chrome Mustang Bosshog in my wall display!
I was also a member of Marvelmania. Apparently there was no loyalty oath in these clubs.
I was also a member of Marvelmania. Apparently there was no loyalty oath in these clubs.
November 14, 2025 at 12:56 PM
And yes, I was a member of the Hot Wheels Club. This thing will set you back over $1000 today. Mine is long gone, except I still have the chrome Mustang Bosshog in my wall display!
I was also a member of Marvelmania. Apparently there was no loyalty oath in these clubs.
I was also a member of Marvelmania. Apparently there was no loyalty oath in these clubs.
Because it was originally a Tom Daniel hot rod.
November 14, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Because it was originally a Tom Daniel hot rod.
Sunday, Nov 30th, I'll be at the Genghis Con indie comics fest here in Cleveland. My last con appearance until Fall 2026 when the new book comes out.
At the Pivot Center art space on W. 25th. 11AM-5PM!
At the Pivot Center art space on W. 25th. 11AM-5PM!
November 14, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Sunday, Nov 30th, I'll be at the Genghis Con indie comics fest here in Cleveland. My last con appearance until Fall 2026 when the new book comes out.
At the Pivot Center art space on W. 25th. 11AM-5PM!
At the Pivot Center art space on W. 25th. 11AM-5PM!
The passage of time is crazy, man.
The garbage truck lower left is from 1994 during the retro toy boom.
The rad Hot Wheels S'Cool Bus on the right is mine, from 1970.
So in 1994, there was a 24 years difference in the 2 cars. But it's now been 31 years since I got the garbage truck! Holy crap.
The garbage truck lower left is from 1994 during the retro toy boom.
The rad Hot Wheels S'Cool Bus on the right is mine, from 1970.
So in 1994, there was a 24 years difference in the 2 cars. But it's now been 31 years since I got the garbage truck! Holy crap.
November 14, 2025 at 2:40 AM
The passage of time is crazy, man.
The garbage truck lower left is from 1994 during the retro toy boom.
The rad Hot Wheels S'Cool Bus on the right is mine, from 1970.
So in 1994, there was a 24 years difference in the 2 cars. But it's now been 31 years since I got the garbage truck! Holy crap.
The garbage truck lower left is from 1994 during the retro toy boom.
The rad Hot Wheels S'Cool Bus on the right is mine, from 1970.
So in 1994, there was a 24 years difference in the 2 cars. But it's now been 31 years since I got the garbage truck! Holy crap.
My first collector obsession wasn't comics. It was cars! Starting at age 2. This is my collection, proudly displayed in our downstairs bathroom. For guests to view while... y'know.
The Hot Wheels and Corgi Juniors are all mine from when I was a kid. The Johnny Lightnings I scored later on ebay.
The Hot Wheels and Corgi Juniors are all mine from when I was a kid. The Johnny Lightnings I scored later on ebay.
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 AM
My first collector obsession wasn't comics. It was cars! Starting at age 2. This is my collection, proudly displayed in our downstairs bathroom. For guests to view while... y'know.
The Hot Wheels and Corgi Juniors are all mine from when I was a kid. The Johnny Lightnings I scored later on ebay.
The Hot Wheels and Corgi Juniors are all mine from when I was a kid. The Johnny Lightnings I scored later on ebay.
Word flying around that JD King has died.
If you were reading alt-comix in the 1990s, you know his work. His style was a wonderful homage to midcentury mod, and it was everywhere. D&Q, Weirdo, Fanta. Really stylish and fun work. He dropped out of comics years & years ago.
Safe Travels, JD.
If you were reading alt-comix in the 1990s, you know his work. His style was a wonderful homage to midcentury mod, and it was everywhere. D&Q, Weirdo, Fanta. Really stylish and fun work. He dropped out of comics years & years ago.
Safe Travels, JD.
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Word flying around that JD King has died.
If you were reading alt-comix in the 1990s, you know his work. His style was a wonderful homage to midcentury mod, and it was everywhere. D&Q, Weirdo, Fanta. Really stylish and fun work. He dropped out of comics years & years ago.
Safe Travels, JD.
If you were reading alt-comix in the 1990s, you know his work. His style was a wonderful homage to midcentury mod, and it was everywhere. D&Q, Weirdo, Fanta. Really stylish and fun work. He dropped out of comics years & years ago.
Safe Travels, JD.
Seems stupid, but I’ve used This Domino’s cup to wash brushes since I was at Ohio State— gulp— 40 years ago! My roommate was a delivery man. I hated the pizza, but we had a stack of these useful cups.
I picked it up today to change the water & it disintegrated.
End of an era.
I picked it up today to change the water & it disintegrated.
End of an era.
November 12, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Seems stupid, but I’ve used This Domino’s cup to wash brushes since I was at Ohio State— gulp— 40 years ago! My roommate was a delivery man. I hated the pizza, but we had a stack of these useful cups.
I picked it up today to change the water & it disintegrated.
End of an era.
I picked it up today to change the water & it disintegrated.
End of an era.
I still have some SCSI cords!
(WHY do I still have SCSI cords??).
(WHY do I still have SCSI cords??).
November 11, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I still have some SCSI cords!
(WHY do I still have SCSI cords??).
(WHY do I still have SCSI cords??).
Much is made of Karloff only playing the Frankenstein monster 3 times, but Bela Legosi only played Dracula TWICE, in the original 1931 masterpiece, and in 1948, 17 years later, in Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
It was Legosi's final hit film.
It was Legosi's final hit film.
November 9, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Much is made of Karloff only playing the Frankenstein monster 3 times, but Bela Legosi only played Dracula TWICE, in the original 1931 masterpiece, and in 1948, 17 years later, in Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein.
It was Legosi's final hit film.
It was Legosi's final hit film.
It's been a Mekons kind of day.
November 9, 2025 at 12:15 AM
It's been a Mekons kind of day.
Frank Frazetta painting in his yard. Just as we all imagined it.
November 8, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Frank Frazetta painting in his yard. Just as we all imagined it.
Post you from a different era.
Working on a cartoon for the Ohio State Lantern, 1981.
Working on a cartoon for the Ohio State Lantern, 1981.
November 8, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Post you from a different era.
Working on a cartoon for the Ohio State Lantern, 1981.
Working on a cartoon for the Ohio State Lantern, 1981.
Oh, just a fan reading My Friend Dahmer in the nude.
November 7, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Oh, just a fan reading My Friend Dahmer in the nude.
The famous Basket Building here in Ohio. HQ of the Longaberger Basket Company until it went belly up 10 years ago.
Baskets were huge, especially in the 1960s & 70s. My mother had tons of them. Longaberger sold $1B of them a year at its peak. In the 00s, the bottom dropped out of the biz.
Baskets were huge, especially in the 1960s & 70s. My mother had tons of them. Longaberger sold $1B of them a year at its peak. In the 00s, the bottom dropped out of the biz.
November 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The famous Basket Building here in Ohio. HQ of the Longaberger Basket Company until it went belly up 10 years ago.
Baskets were huge, especially in the 1960s & 70s. My mother had tons of them. Longaberger sold $1B of them a year at its peak. In the 00s, the bottom dropped out of the biz.
Baskets were huge, especially in the 1960s & 70s. My mother had tons of them. Longaberger sold $1B of them a year at its peak. In the 00s, the bottom dropped out of the biz.
I have a couple early Supe strips. This one from May 1940 is obviously Shuster art.
November 6, 2025 at 12:02 AM
I have a couple early Supe strips. This one from May 1940 is obviously Shuster art.
There was a FOURTH Stooge! Fred Sanborn, on the right. After the film, he left the group, to concentrate on his xylophone act.
Bad call.
Bad call.
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
There was a FOURTH Stooge! Fred Sanborn, on the right. After the film, he left the group, to concentrate on his xylophone act.
Bad call.
Bad call.
Moe and Larry later reconciled with Healy, but Shemp wouldn't and quit to become a character actor in film. He was replaced by younger brother Jerry "Babe" Howard... aka Curly.
November 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Moe and Larry later reconciled with Healy, but Shemp wouldn't and quit to become a character actor in film. He was replaced by younger brother Jerry "Babe" Howard... aka Curly.