This is half of a page from the Harvey comic book Devil Kids #54, starring Hot Stuff, the little devil. It has a special meaning to me for several reasons. First, it's a copy of the very first comic book I ever bought (many, many more were to follow over the years). Second, it's Hot Stuff, a character I've always identified with; one whose adventures made me want to pick up a pencil and draw my own comics. Third, it has a weasel in it (and not a mean one, either). And finally, this particular story was written and drawn by Howard Post.

As I indicated when I submitted the final page of Of Weasels and Women yesterday, Howie had just died the day before. I dedicated the story to him, not just because I loved the comics he wrote and drew, not just because they were such an inspiration for me to try to become a cartoonist myself, but mostly because I'd had the opportunity to meet the man and he was a real sweetheart of a guy.

A few years ago at the San Diego Comic Con, Howie got his own panel, which I eagerly attended wearing a Hot Stuff t-shirt. About mid-way through the panel, when Howie started talking about his work at Harvey Comics and mentioned Hot Stuff, I stood up and pointed excitedly at my t-shirt (yeah, I know -- total geeknerd, but I didn't care). Howie couldn't see me too clearly and he asked, "Could somebody please tell me what that t-shirt had on it ... other than a fine-looking woman?" Everyone got a good laugh out of that, including me.

After the panel was over, there was a small line of people who wanted Howie to autograph their comic books. I remember one guy who must have had at least 50 Harvey Comics in a big stack, and he insisted that Howie sign his name to every one. Like the trooper he was, Howie signed them all, though it wasn't hard to figure out that those comics were most likely going up on EBay as "Signed by the artist!" the day after Comic Con ended.

While I had about a dozen different Harvey Comics with me that I'd bought in the Dealer's Room earlier that day, I only wanted one comic autographed, and that was Devil Kids #54. It meant so much to me to have just that one comic signed -- it was truly the highlight of the entire convention for me.

But the story doesn't end there. About a week after Comic Con, Mike told me that we had been invited to have coffee with Milt Knight and Howie Post, who was still in town. Howie and Milt had known each other for years, and Milt is good friends with Mike and me. So that's how I ended up in a Starbucks with Howie. I loved hearing him talk about his career. When it was time to go, he completely surprised me with a goodbye kiss on the cheek!

Rest in Peace, Howie -- you are missed, but you will always be remembered with great fondness.