Cheech Wizard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cheech Wizard was a cartoon character created by artist Vaughn Bodé and appearing in various works, including the National Lampoon, from 1967 until Bodé's death in 1975. Though the character was, according to Bodé, created in 1957, Cheech didn't see print until 1967 when he appeared in a Syracuse University pamphlet.
The Wizard wears a very large yellow wizard's hat, with his legs, clad in what appear to be red leotards, visible underneath. His face and indeed his species has never been revealed. He speaks in an ungrammatical sort of urban dialect. He was generally accompanied by a nameless lizard apprentice, until that character was killed off in a well-remembered storyline. Cheech was depicted as foul mouthed, often drunk or high, and constantly on the make. His attitude towards his fellow residents of the magic forest in which he lived (generally talking male animals and human females, the latter invariably under-dressed) was usually one of contempt. Curiously, he was referred to (often by himself) as the Cartoon Messiah, which suggested Bodé's long-standing interest in religion. But his general reaction to anyone that annoyed him (and the list there is quite long) was to deliver a swift kick to the groin.
[edit] Clothing / Sneaker Culture
On March 31, 2007 Puma released a special edition shoe called the Bodé "Cheech Wizard" Clyde. The sneakers featured a yellow background with red puma stripe as well as black and red stars and a picture of Cheech Wizard himself. Only 264 pairs were made and only 96 of the matching hoodies were produced. These instantly became sought after collector's items. Puma released a black and white colorway of the same sneaker on May 19, 2007.
[edit] Rock Bands
"Cheech Wizard" was the name of a small local rock band in the south-central Illinois area in the 1972-1973 time frame. It's members included Phil Stuckemeyer (drums), Dave Monitor (lead guitar), Mark Gilbert (bass guitar), and Rick Afton (keyboard). It was (obviously) named after the famous cartoon character made so famous by Vaughn Bodé. The cartoon character lasted much longer than the band did.
