Interview: Mike Wolfer & S.A. Check on American Mythology’s Casper The Friendly Ghost

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 cover by Adrian Ropp

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 cover by Adrian Ropp


Writer/artist Mike Wolfer has worked on such comics as The Land That Time Forgot, Widow, Gravel, and many more. S.A. Check has written sci-fi and fantasy novels as well as the Pink Panther comic. They are two of the creators gathered together to tell new tales of Casper and friends in American Mythology’s Casper The Friendly Ghost. Westfield’s Roger Ash recently had the opportunity to learn more about the series from Wolfer and Check.

Westfield: What appeals to you about Casper?

Mike Wolfer: When I was a kid in the mid-‘60s, you couldn’t turn on the TV or go to the drugstore without bumping into Casper and his friends, so they’re very much ingrained in the memories of my childhood. Of all of the Harvey characters, Hot Stuff always stood out as the one with whom I most associated, mainly because I wanted to be like him. He usually didn’t go out of his way to do good or bad, he just wanted to do his thing and accidentally fell into adventures along the way. For me, what most stuck out about him was that he didn’t let anyone push him around, and as a shy kid who spent most of my time making up imaginary play scenarios, Hot Stuff’s resilience in the face of adversity made me a fan.

S.A. Check: Casper is one of those time-tested characters that has a proven universal appeal. Fans of the character stretch the expanse of literally generations. He feels like he’s on the outside looking in, and he only wants the same thing each and every other person out there is looking for, acceptance. That said, I think he’s also very grounded with who he is. He’s not a character that conforms to those around him. He wants to help others in the best of ways and allows us to see the world around him through a very unique and pure perspective.

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 Retro Animation cover

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 Retro Animation cover


Westfield: Why do you think Casper has lasted so long?

Check: Casper appeals to the young and old, boys and girls alike. There’re no gimmicks. He’s not a fad. He’s a compelling character for kids and adults. Who hasn’t felt like they’re the ghost in the room, struggling to find their voice? He’s been raised in a world where he’s taught to reject humans, but instead he chooses to embrace them. No matter how many times he accidentally frightens someone, it never stops him from searching for the most basic of things, a friend. All that said, Casper is never preachy. The books and stories are pure entertainment fun meant for anyone looking for a few good pages to read.

Wolfer: In my opinion, it’s really all about the innocence of the characters, and the purity of their intentions. If it makes sense, they’re iconic in their simplicity. The stories are simple and silly, and I think the format itself (short 6-10 page stories with a punchline ending) makes for very easy reading, especially for younger readers. And I think we can all find something of ourselves – or traits that we wish that we had – in Casper and his friends. If you look at the entire group as a whole, you’ll find someone in there who you can say, “That’s me.”

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 Mike Wolfer cover

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 Mike Wolfer cover


Westfield: What can readers look forward to in the book?

Wolfer: In my Hot Stuff stories, we’re going to see straight-up silliness. Hot Stuff was never known for the lessons which he could teach to others; his stories were more about whether or not he could hold his temper while dealing with a ridiculous situation, so I’m taking the same, classic approach. While lettering my stories, Natalie Jane often says, “Poor Hot Stuff,” because that little, diapered devil doesn’t deserve what comes his way, but it’s how he deals with the bullies of the world and the crazy scenarios he gets thrust into while minding his own business that makes his stories so much fun.

Check: Our new Casper books will follow the path laid out by the many masterful artists and storytellers that have kept him around for so many years. American Mythology had one rule going into the books, stay true to the characters, both visually and with their stories. With fantastic artists and writers like Mike Wolfer, Bill Galvan, and John Gallagher, I think fans will be pleased with the respect we’ve given Casper and his friends. The stories are a nice mix of tipping our collective creative caps to the golden age of the characters, but leaving the door open to bring in the next generation of fans.

Westfield: Who are some of the other characters readers will meet?

Wolfer: There is a whole array of supporting characters for Hot Stuff, but in his first few, all-new outings I’m focusing solely on him so that readers who have never met him won’t be overwhelmed by a huge cast. We’ll get to meet him and get a good feel for what he’s all about before we bring in other members of his family. But I will say that in Casper #2 we’ll see a Hot Stuff story guest-starring Wendy, the Good Little Witch.

Check: American Mythology is bringing all the fan-favorites back with not only Casper, but Hot Stuff, Wendy the Witch, Spooky, the Ghostly Trio, and Nightmare. I think fans expect to see their favorite characters surrounded by the familiar faces they’ve grown up with. Both Wendy and Hot Stuff have a considerable fan following of their own, and we’ll make sure to spotlight both of those characters with more of their own stories as the book progresses, as well as having them join everyone’s favorite friendly ghost on his adventures.

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 cover by Bill Galvan

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1 cover by Bill Galvan


Westfield: Any closing comments?

Check: When American Mythology approached me about writing for Casper, I wanted to make sure I had something to say for the character before I committed. He has such a loyal fan base, that you want to do right by the character. So, I stepped back and re-read some of the classic Casper Harvey comics and watched some of the old cartoons again, and I quickly remembered why the character remains as popular as he does. Casper is everything a character should be; unique, but universal, entertaining, yet with substance and most of all – they’re just plain fun. To be able to contribute to a history as well-received and enduring of a character like Casper, is a real honor. I’m excited to help bring Casper to a new generation of readers.

Purchase

Casper the Friendly Ghost #1

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