At the age of eight, Erwin Fowler wrote his first sitcom. Entitled “Erwin and Antoine,” it narrated the travails of Fowler and his best friend, two elementary students trying to keep out of trouble. Residing in the Fort Chaplin neighborhood in Ward 7, Fowler, a lanky six-foot tall, remains a bundle of creative energy, who has authored comics and is children’s book author.
Early Life
Fowler is a native Washingtonian. He was raised by his grandmother, Helen Pettaway, who he lived with until her death in 2015. “I then went to live with my father and another brother,” said Fowler, now thirty-seven, who was the youngest of six children. His mother and another sibling passed away in 2019.
Despite a chaotic childhood shaped by multiple schools and family deaths, Fowler describes himself as a happy child, always exploring ways to be creative. He attributes his prolific authorship to the encouragement of his teachers.
“I would always surf the web. Even when the library closed, the teacher would sometimes let me in. I wanted to be a child star. I was hungry to be a star,” said Fowler, who acted in high school dramas. All of this whetted his creative edge.
Comics and Children’s Books
“Powerboy,” one of Fowler’s many creations, is a comic book about an African American kid named Winston Campbell. When the protagonist is hit by a star, he develops superpowers: laser vision, flight and super strength.
Waterman is Powerboy’s nemesis. He is an evil genius, who manipulates water. Waterman, Fowler believes, is the only comic book villain ever made of water.
In addition to writing the comic book, Fowler has authored two children’s books entitled “3 Kids and Self Esteem” and “Mr. Mueller.”’ The former narrates the struggle of three children teased for being different. The kids encounter a man named Self Esteem, who transports them to a world in which their differences are celebrated. 3 Kids earned Fowler a Silver Award from the Mom’s Choice website (www.momschoiceawards.com/product/8362).
Screen Play Writer
Fowler has also not neglected his early love of drama. He wrote a screen play entitled “Pressure Pleasure Pain.” The script follows teenage basketball star Daniel Read. Remaining a virgin despite having a long-time girlfriend, Daniel has to resist the societal pressures to have sex, while still excelling on the court.
Shannon Gomez, the other protagonist of the play, is fellow student of Daniels. Known as a promiscuous young woman, she dates a much older man. The two, however, share growing up in single headed households. The play focuses on their struggles as they navigate notoriety and high school.
Fowler is confident of his screen play’s success. Shonita Frazier, who met the author at a University of the District concurs. She has signed on to be the film’s executive producer.
“He brought the movie to my attention about two years ago. I did not hesitate to get involved. I immediately saw the potential and the greatness in it. It was also an opportunity for me to enter another venue,” said Frazier, whose day job is running Katie Helen’s Family Service Center, LLC.
Fowler can be reached at Erwin.P.Fowler@gmail.com.
