Some characters announce themselves with a speech. The characters in the Skunk Collection do it with an atmosphere. These are black-and-white skunks in suits and red ties, crowned with blond and orange hair that took a great deal of product to hold in place, and every one of them carries himself like the most fragrant fellow in the building is somebody else.
Suited and smoldering
DT Reeks is the sharpest dresser of the bunch, a lean skunk in a black suit with a platinum swoop, one paw raised to his chin and a tiny wisp of flame curling off his fingers, as if he just blew out a candle and would prefer you not ask why. The companion design puts the same kind of skunk in a white shirt and tie with a trail of fire bursting from behind him and his own hashtag printed underneath, a campaign slogan he definitely did not think through. The Donaldmeister stands on a little patch of grass in shirtsleeves and a red tie, fluffy tail curved high, looking down at a small fire that has somehow started right beside his feet. He seems genuinely surprised by it every time.
The ones who pose for portraits
Sir Stinksalot is dressed for an official photograph: a round-faced skunk in a navy suit, his bright orange swoop combed into a perfect wave, his big striped tail fanned out behind him like a royal cape. He looks very proud of the portrait and very unaware of the caption. Stinky is his cheerful cousin, eyes half closed in satisfaction, a flame-colored pouf on top and his tie hanging straight, standing tall between two plumes of tail as if he is posing for a family Christmas card that nobody else agreed to be in.
For the friend who can smell nonsense a mile away
Every group has one: the friend with a finely tuned nose for nonsense. She can tell when a story does not add up before the second sentence, and she has perfected the gentle wrinkle of the nose that says so without a word. This collection is for her. Hand her Sir Stinksalot and she will laugh, then tell you precisely who it reminds her of, then wear it to the next neighborhood meeting and let the design do all of the talking. Skunks, after all, never have to argue. They just walk in, and the room makes its own decision.
Written by James. Thanks for reading.
