I know it's not furry-related. But, this is a great story! Gotta tell it. :)

Back in December, right around the end of a work day, I was scrolling through my Twitter feed when I discovered that an actress by the name of Laura Summer was active and posting there.

As I'm sure you must be aware by now, Laura Summer was a VO artist on The Real Ghostbusters. She provided a few different characters over the course of her time on the show (after recording the first season of the Saturday morning season and the entirety of the syndicated episodes - 78 episodes in total - she was replaced by Kath Soucie), but the character she is most recognized for in that series is Janine Melnitz, the takes-no-shit-gives-no-fucks secretary.

I was 10 years old when the show first aired, and I enjoyed it, but didn't really start getting into it until after their NOW Comics series was out on the racks. (A series that was illustrated by one of the future Mortal Kombat creators, John Tobias.) It was still at the height of its popularity, so I went full steam into it. Their 5th issue featured a werewolf character as a protagonist. That's what really got me hooked. ;)

The humor was very consistent, made all the better with actors like Lorenzo Music, Maurice LaMarche, Frank Welker and Arsenio Hall and, of course, Laura Summer. :) The writers for this show were varied and many. But, it was all kept consistent with the help of people like J. Michael Straczynski and others.

So, when I discovered that Laura Summer was on Twitter, I just had to reach out and do the typical fan boy-ing at her ("Big fan! Loved you on Ghostbusters! You were the best Janine!" - according to her there were three, though I only recall two). I was pleasantly surprised to get a reply. I was NOT expecting a DM from her, and was outright SHOCKED when it turned into a flat-out conversation! XD

This eventually led to me churning out a sketch, featuring Janine in the foreground, but including the whole cast. She ended up liking it so much that she paid me to finish it in full color!

While working on it, from time to time we would message each other, just to say hello and chat about various things. She initially saw the title I'm currently using on Twitter ("Horseman With A Plan") and asked me if my name was "Michael". When I told her I wasn't, she explained that she's friends with Michael Horse, a cast member from the show "Twin Peaks", who also happens to be an artist. The conversations got more surreal and interesting from there. XD

She and I continued to chat as the weeks went on. I had mentioned some of the people I had met over the years, such as Adam West, Burt Ward, Carolyne Kelly (daughter to Walt Kelly, creator of Pogo), Rob Paulsen and Mark Evanier. She told me Mark was a friend of hers, having worked with him on The Garfield Show alongside Frank Welker. The day the art was finished, she mentioned that she showed the line art to Mark. When she told him who I was, he told her that he remembered me and to say hi. XD (Mostly floored by this because it's been 14 years. But, ALSO floored because I learned well after I'd met him that earlier in his career, he was once a personal assistant to the late Jack Kirby. So, to not only be given compliments on my art by the man personally, but to be remembered 14 years later after only a VERY short exposure over the course of a very hectic weekend, means an enormous amount. :))

After finishing the a few days ago, she asked if I would be alright with her making prints from it so she can take it to signings and pass it out with her signature for fans! o_O Naturally, but with extreme professionalism, I lost my shit.

OF COURSE, I would be alright with that! XD She then told me she passed the finished piece along to "Maurice, Frank, Arsenio and J Michael". o_o

As I stated on Twitter yesterday, "My inner 12 year-old is geeking out almost as much as my outer 43 year-old." XD

How THAT for a story? XD

Mostly traditional piece, though Winston needed a little touch-up, which I did via Clip Art Studio.

"The Real Ghosbusters" and all characters depicted are TM and © 1986, 2020 Sony Entertainment.
Artwork produced by Adam Fullerton.
Do not redistribute!