Prepop Sez

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

SUNDAY FUNNIES

As I've mentioned many times before, my favorite childhood comic book was "Felix the Cat." This was the book that Marsha Leary always promised me for doing her bidding, but was never delivered. (Sucker!)

My next favorite comic (not a book) was included in the weekly "Funny Paper" section on Sundays.

THE LITTLE KING

I loved "The Little King" (probably because it was easy to draw.

This was the creation of Otto Soglow (1900-1975).

I also liked all of the following comics:

JIGGS AND MAGGIE (BRINGING UP FATHER)

The "Jiggs and Maggie" comic strip was created by George McManus (1884-1954). It had one of the first usages of circles for eyes, and animated wall hangings.

BEETLE BAILEY

This is Beetle's Sargeant.

Mort Walker (1923-2018) created this comic in 1956. He had already created "Hi and Lois" in 1954.

This comic strip was banned by U.S. Army Occupational Forces once in Japan, because it was supposedly making soldiers less amenable to following orders!

ARCHIE

This comic was created by Bob Montana (1920-1975). This picture shows strip character Forsythe Pendleton "Jughead" Jones III.

DENNIS THE MENACE

(Not quite a picture of Dennis, but close. Just add hair that sticks out in the back and eyes that are constantly moving, with lines making it like flies are buzzing around his eyelids.)

This comic was created by Hank Ketcham (1920-2001). I liked the comic strip. I suffered through the related movie. I absolutely hated the TV show that had very bad acting (Clint Howard?) and no plots.

DAGWOOD AND BLONDIE

Blondie was a flapper-like creation of Chic Young (1901-1973) in 1930. A bumbling-like guy was introduced into the strip and the beloved "Dagwood and Blondie" comedy was developed.

After Chic's death other cartoonists took it over and it still is in existence.

Remember the characters: Alexander, Baby Dumpling, Cookie, Daisy the Dog, and Mr. Dithers.

MUTT AND JEFF

(I think this is Mutt.)

Mutt and Jeff may be the first ever comic strip. It was created in 1907 by Bud Fisher (1885-1954). I believe that it is still in existence thanks to some other cartoonists.

POPEYE

(I yam what I yam!)

"I like to go swimmin'

With bow-legged women.

I'm Popeye the sailor man!"

The Popeye character was created for "Thimble theater" by Elzie Crislen Segar (1894-1938) in 1929. It was an immediate hit. (And I think it still is!)

Some memorable co-characters:

Olive Oyl

Wimpy

Bluto

Poopdeck Pappy

The Sea Hag

A while ago, several newspapers dropped the strip because "Popeye smokes a pipe!"

POSTAGE?

Amazon advertises a collectible sheet of stamps with the title: "Sunday Funnies." It honors five famous comic-strips:

Archie

Dennis the Menace

Beetle Bailey