Courage, The Not So Cowardly Dog (Merch Origin Story)

PART 1

Growing up, Courage the Cowardly Dog was one of my favourite cartoons. It also gave me a lot of nightmares, especially that episode of “King Ramses’ Curse” where the ghost kept saying, “Return the Slab”.

My Spirit Animal

Why Courage Resonates With Me

As a kid, I accepted the title of the cartoon, hook line and sinker. But as an adult, I began to wonder why Courage was referred to as a ‘coward’, when he was the one constantly saving Muriel and Eustace from all sorts.

More so, his name was Courage and yet he was termed ‘cowardly’; what a witty use of Oxymoron for a kids show. This also brings to my attention how much effort was put into a lot of our cartoons back in the day. They had real life lessons whilst being so funny. Fast forward a few years and the quality of cartoons has greatly declined.

Lord knows I’m going to have an archive of the old cartoons I watched and that’s exactly what my kids will grow up on. So help me God!

2025? Never Again!

Fast forward to 2025, a year that’s tested me in ways I never imagined. But like Courage, somehow, I made it through. I then decided to get a pictorial representation of my year, so I thought to myself, what can fully capture the essence of my whole year?

That was when it hit me! One of my favourite cartoons as a kid, Courage the Cowardly Dog. I’ll shed more light in a bit…

Artwork by Ore Amu, who painted more than just a cartoon; she painted a chapter of my life

On the surface, this painting seems like a nostalgic request and you would be right. But for me, it meant way more…

SURVIVAL

In virtually every episode of Courage, there were always antagonists way stronger than Courage, which made him initially run away from the fight. But one thing was constant, despite his fear, Courage would always return to save Muriel, Eustace and himself from trouble.

Do It Scared

I saw a post on twitter that said, “No one can pay me to relive 2025” and I can absolutely relate, because I faced loss in so many forms. I got my heart broken and got betrayed by people I thought were my guys. I also lost so much money trying to make money, lol. I know for a fact that if some people faced half the shit I went through this year, they’d probably be in a psychiatric hospital, lol.

Basically, I had that drawing done to remind myself that just like Courage, I am way stronger than I think I am. Despite all the many hurdles of 2025, I achieved so much. Yes, I took a whole lot of L’s, but I also bagged quite a number of W’s and ultimately, I SURVIVED!

PERSISTENCE

This painting is strategically placed in my room so it’s probably the first thing I see when I wake up and the last I see before I go to bed. Why you might ask?

Everything is going to be alright

It’s a reminder not just of my survival, but that as long as I keep showing up, everything is going to be just fine.

Talk is cheap, because there’s a project I’ve been scared of undertaking. I keep putting it off because I’m scared I may not succeed. Well, this is me giving a massive middle finger to my doubts, as I am finally going to do what needs to be done! Once again, so help me God.

You Are!

I’ve come to understand that the absence of fear isn’t Courage. Rather, feeling the fear, hurt, betrayal and pain, whilst advancing through the storm, that is real Courage.

In summary, I am Courage, the not so cowardly kid and here’s to doing it scared, every single time.

PART 2

I wrote part 1 of this post sometime in November without knowing how things would unfold. I guess things panned out good, because here I am writing part 2. Remember that project I was putting off, I finally got to it, I faced my fears and created something beautiful.

In King K’s words, ‘Preserve Your Soul’ 🔥

The Origin of the Design

I’ve had the idea for “Burn Rubber, Not Your Soul” for well over a year, but didn’t do anything about it at first and looking back, I'm glad I didn’t, let me explain. I’ve been a huge fan of Starboy BMX for quite a while. I first came across his drift stunts some two years ago on the Ghanaian Stunncust YouTube channel. I would watch him perform crazy drift stunts, hoping to witness them with my very own eyes someday and as you know, that dream came true this year.

Starboy BMX at Stunncust Ghana Auto Show

How Come About the Slogan?

I can’t remember where or how I first came about the slogan “Burn Rubber, Not Your Soul” but it was love at first sight. The phrase itself has some origin from the 2003 movie, Biker Boyz and I resonated so much with it. I remember envisioning a T Shirt with those words being worn by Starboy BMX, while he literally burned some rubber. One problem though, I didn’t know anyone at Stunncust or how to get through to them. I was also worried that if I emailed them my designs, they could take it for themselves without acknowledging my work, so I kept the idea aside.

Fast forward to June of this year, I attended the Ilorin Auto Show and things quietly began to unfold. First off, I got to see Starboy BMX drift in person and I was so excited. Secondly, I had casually walked past a random biker, one who I eventually texted on Instagram and got a reply. That random biker is non other than King K of Khaz Customs. I met these two personalities on the same day, unknown to me at the time, I would be working with both of them some 6 months later.

Kings in their own right 

That Eureka Moment

Sometime in November, I found out Starboy BMX had become a brand ambassador for Khaz Customs via the image above. I noticed that they both had the same T-shirt on, but neither of their brand names were on it. That’s when it hit, why not create a brand shirt that brings both parties together. Remember I already had an idea for a Starboy BMX shirt, so I simply infused what I had with Khaz Customs and voila, the iconic Khaz Customs X Starboy BMX shirt was made. 

Of course I didn’t do it alone, special thanks to my designer, Devon, for bringing my idea to life. Most importantly, I am forever grateful to King K for seeing and buying into my idea. I almost shed a tear at Eko Drive when I saw King K pull up in the proposed merch design. Seeing TURBONERDZ written in the bottom left corner of the shirt made my heart happy (Inumidun). Eko Drive was meant to serve as a soft launch and the reception was excellent.

Automotive Idols

Somebody Pinch Me!

If anyone had told me that before the end of the year, not only would I get to see my automotive idols, King K and Starboy BMX, but that I would have the opportunity to work with them, I would have laughed. Today, what would have felt like a wild imagination is now reality. In as much as I want these shirts to do absolutely well in the market and sell out, I'm just glad I created something truly amazing and put it out there for the world to see. 

King K (Left); Starboy BMX (Right)

These and hopefully, future T-Shirt designs are all born from pure love for all things automotive and a passion for creation. Hence, you purchasing a piece of clothing is basically buying into that passion that runs deep. On this note, please buy our Merch, lol. To order Merch, please message 09124497967.

Grateful

Despite this little feat, can I be paid to relive 2025? My answer is still no, lol. But I am grateful to God for giving me an idea, as well as all the people and resources that I needed to bring it to life. I am forever grateful to King K and Ride With Miee for indulging that random kid who slid into their DMs, I owe a lot of my recent growth to them. 2025 was a lot, but through every storm it brought my way, I found my smile back.

My Heroes ❤️

Until next time, always remember to Turbo that engine! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year TurboNerdz 🧡