Good-bye Joe

I would like to pay my respects to Joseph Barbera.

The last remaining member of the great Hanna-Barbera duo has passed away at the age of 95, succeeding his partner, Bill Hanna, who passed away in 2001. The influence of Hanna-Barbera on me through all the creations they brought to life is unmeasurable. It is likely that I wouldn't be the person I am today if I wasn't able to indulge my creative tendencies on the exploits of Yogi Bear, The Flintstones, and some of the lesser known favourites from the shorts, Hong Kong Phooey, Huckleberry Hound, Quickdraw McGraw, Augie Doggy and Daddy Doggie, and I loved it when the Hanna Barbera world came together in the Wacky Races.

Not many people know this about me, but Scooby Doo was my first muse and the reason i picked up a pencil to illustrate in the first place. This initial inspiration led me to enrol in every possible art class throughout high school and eventually to University for Graphic Design. I hold a special place in my heart for that little bit of magic that Hanna Barbera brought to me, and that i still feel every time i turn on the TV and see an episode of Snagglepuss or the Yogi Bear Christmas Special.

It saddened me that I pulled up the Hannabarbera.com website (redirected to warnerbrothers.com as the rights were purchased a few years ago) to find not one mention of the death of Joe. But, I suppose, it doesn't matter what he meant to them because I know what he meant to me.

Thank you Joe,
Cory