John Callahan died this weekend. He was Oregon's most outrageous, courageous, honest cartoonist... and he was a quadriplegic. Some of his best humor, darkest and funniest, was about being a quad. Paralyzed at 21 (basically, from alcohol and fast cars) he continued his hurtle towards death even from his wheelchair, until he took up cartooning.
Known for his bawdy, no-holds-barred cartoons, he often offended. He didn't care. No topic, or disability, was off limits. He was raw, and smart, and had nothing to lose. His fans were many and loyal.
A couple of years ago he called me, and I drove to Portland to a Starbucks that was near his apartment in the Northwest Neighborhood. During the 2 hours we spent together there was a constant stream of admirers who stopped to tell him how much they loved his work. His ruddy complexion, bright orange hair and of course, wheelchair, made him quite recognizable. He was a local hero.
We met because he had an idea for a syndicated comic strip and wanted me to read it. The strip featured a male quadriplegic who lives at the mercy of a sometimes petty and vindictive caregiver. The caregiver, if insulted or feeling taken for granted, has been known to retaliate against the helpless quad by, among other things, dressing him in a women's clothes. The joke? The quad is mad because the shoes and pumps don't match.
Many of you may know of John Callahan, but if you don't, honor him with a read of one of his books. "Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot" is a classic... and both a cartoon collection and his autobiography. "Digesting the Child Within" is a title I wish I'd thought of.
Or search for the animated documentary that chronicles his life from car accident to cartooning, "Tales From The Crip". It's stunning. Or find his CDs... yes, he sings. "Purple Winos In The Rain" and "Touch Me Someplace I Can Feel".
I can't do him justice, but there's more online. This link takes you to a Willamette Week Editorial. Willamette Week, an alternative weekly in Portland, published him for years, knew him well, and CAN do him justice.
Bye, John. So glad I knew you, if only a bit.
