Mighty Joe
Created by Piti Yindee, Mighty Joe, or simply Joe, is a reoccurring character in the Wuffle web comics that serves as Foxxo’s butler. He is a gruff, larger-than-life polar bear with distinctive scars scattered throughout his body and an X marking on his forehead. Despite his intimidating appearance and having few lines, only speaking when necessary, he is actually a kind-hearted individual.
History
[edit | edit source]Wuffle
[edit | edit source]During the first year, Joe is portrayed as silent and ominous, but very strong. He frequently assisted Foxxo in his attempts to cheat, aid in schemes to take advantage of Wuffle’s kindness, or simply carry him on longer excursions. In special comics, such as Astro Wuff, he serves an antagonistic role. In the second special that year, Wuffle’s Christmas Toy Factory, it is implied that he serves as the voice of reason for Foxxo.
During the second year, Joe begins to take a more active role in guiding Foxxo away from his greedy habits, beginning with a slight glance at the fox to donate money to his friends so they can give Wuffle new overalls. He plays a more fatherly role when Foxxo is challenged to farm potatoes for two months. Joe prevents the fox from turning away before he even starts.
At the start of Spring or early Summer of the third year, Joe shows initial fear over the General that Foxxo will be negotiating with for a construction project. This results in him taking the day off, forcing the fox to fend for himself. When he returns in the evening, Joe apologizes for leaving and admits that he was afraid of failing. He discovers Foxxo turned down a deal of a lifetime because it would have been built on a spot where he met Foxxo. The fox's actions give him the courage to equally deny the General's offers.
Later in the third year, Joe’s efforts paid off, as Foxxo is seen taking on more active roles in promoting his bakery instead of manipulating or cheating to win against his friends. While he remains by the fox’s side, he no longer intervenes or assists in any known questionable schemes. In this final issue, Joe knows Wuffle’s father, Scoffle.
Notes
[edit | edit source]- Like the rest of the characters in the Wuffle comics, Joe and Foxxo are in the public domain under the CC0 dedication.
- Because Tony Bark rewrote Leonard Kirke’s There’s Something About Foxxo from PDF to plain text, so the story can better work with EPUB readers, he’s gained a greater familiarity with the characters. Joe and Foxxo both exist within the Caseyverse’s continuity and has the most in-depth lore.
Trivia
[edit | edit source]- Joe is the only character in the Wuffle canon who is instantly recognizable due to his scars and X marking on his forehead alone. He is one of the rare few to be seen wearing multiple outfits in both the special and main comics. Ironically, he was never seen in his pajamas, but he has been caught in the bathroom wearing a towel by Debbita.
- Judging by the fact that he knows both Wuffle’s dad and the General, the latter of whom Foxxo was previously unaware of, he likely has a lot of social connections.
- Joe’s strength and resolute yet kind-hearted demeanor likely comes from a potential military background, due to the fact that he and the General seem to know each other. A fact not even Foxxo knew.
- Although Joe often aids in Foxxo’s early schemes, the special comics imply some reluctance. Astro Wuff is the first to foreshadow a change of heart that would become a prominent theme during the second year.
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