I would just like to say a few things about Gasoline Alley.
I have been reading this strip almost daily for over 30 years. I have also read thousands of the original old strips from the Smithsonian archives and other sources.
Compared to most comic strips out there it is a work of genius. The artwork is today, and always has been terrific. The writing, although slow at times, is heartfelt and engageing with characters that are unique, interesting and easy to love. It has won numerous awards for a reason.
It is not an easy task to take over a classic strip and still keep it fresh. These folks deserve kudos for a job well done.
If you are looking for a fast paced story or one liners this may not be your cup of tea. Perhaps Nancy or Family circle may be more appropriate for those with short attention spans. I also hear Garfield and Ziggy are quite popular…
For those not in the loop, Walt has taken many a walk in the graveyard with Skeezix for many a year. His wife is buried there as well as many of his friends.
They have always had many epitaphs as well…many of them from actual garvestones around the world.
Your comments are excellent, Tim.
I don’t think that this is Walt that Gertie has come across.
I’ll bet it is either Rufus or Joel…possibly Melba.
Or maybe it is Uriah Pert, coming back from the gates of Heck.
Very excellent point Timothy! While reading your post, I was thinking another cartoon for the short minded people on here is “Blondie”. You hit the nail when you mentioned Ziggy, one panel for their mind span.
I’m thinking with some of the others on here. I don’t think it would be Walt. Can’t imagine that he not being able to get around as easy, still manage to walk a great distance and fall in.
I’m hoping and thinking its a new character that Jim is planning on using for GA. I sure hope so.
I agree, this strip is one of the greats, and rarer still that it’s still pretty bleeep good. I enjoy reading it every day, and am especially impressed by Scancarelli’s dedication to crafting such sublimely detailed art. Almost no one does that any more. But it does sort of seem to me a stretch that Gertie would conclude Walt went straight from theater to graveyard…I sorta suspect Jim just wanted to draw a spooky cemetery for a few days and hey, it’s a very well-drawn cemetery.
I generally agree with the positive slant on this strip, I would however like to see more of the original GA family (not Slim so much) over the over reliance in this set of characters, Gertie, Early etc.
Timothy, I have to agree with you, Gasoline Alley is a great slice of life comic. I’ve even got to meet Mr. Scancarelli, though it’s easy since we’re both in Charlotte, NC. Strange thing is, the Charlotte Observer (largest paper in the region) doesn’t run G.A.
Though, I’d advise avoiding Garfield today. There’s been threat of banjo.
jonathanyoung said,
The name Cowznofski (Melvin) is from MAD magazine.
————————-
Cool, thanks Jonathan! How about this one? Lenny Kosnowski (the spelling is close enough for me, hey, it’s Polish!) was one of the two goofs on the old ‘Laverne and Shirley’ show.
Lenny said his last name (Kosnowski) is Polish for “Help, there’s a hog in my kitchen”.
Thank you, those who posted interesting comments today, and there were lots. Some intelligent enlightenment, some just for fun, some offbeat. I love it all.
jumbobrain over 14 years ago
I am still wondering
a) why and how Walt wandered from theater to graveyard
and
b) how Gertie figured that was a logical place to look for him.
Assuming that is Walt of course.
Though to be fair, I am still following this story with interest.
leakysqueaky712 over 14 years ago
I’m thinking the same thing jumbo……..how did she know to look in a graveyard?? A portent of things to come maybe??
Llewellenbruce over 14 years ago
That’s the longest epitaph I’ve ever seen in panel 1.
ladywolf17 over 14 years ago
Walt has dug his own grave. Is there strange things yet to come?
buchser over 14 years ago
I would just like to say a few things about Gasoline Alley.
I have been reading this strip almost daily for over 30 years. I have also read thousands of the original old strips from the Smithsonian archives and other sources. Compared to most comic strips out there it is a work of genius. The artwork is today, and always has been terrific. The writing, although slow at times, is heartfelt and engageing with characters that are unique, interesting and easy to love. It has won numerous awards for a reason.
It is not an easy task to take over a classic strip and still keep it fresh. These folks deserve kudos for a job well done. If you are looking for a fast paced story or one liners this may not be your cup of tea. Perhaps Nancy or Family circle may be more appropriate for those with short attention spans. I also hear Garfield and Ziggy are quite popular…
For those not in the loop, Walt has taken many a walk in the graveyard with Skeezix for many a year. His wife is buried there as well as many of his friends.
They have always had many epitaphs as well…many of them from actual garvestones around the world.
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
Those are some darkly funny epitaphs.
Timothy B, you are making sense.
Warren Snaider Premium Member over 14 years ago
Timothy B, thank you for your voice of reason.
vasaaaa over 14 years ago
Love the story so far, and in color yet. Go wake Skeezix and tell him to bring a ladder, that is, if Walt can climb and isn’t hurt much.
oldbooger over 14 years ago
Hey, Tim … you make some excellent points. Thanks.
rmax4131 over 14 years ago
Your comments are excellent, Tim. I don’t think that this is Walt that Gertie has come across. I’ll bet it is either Rufus or Joel…possibly Melba. Or maybe it is Uriah Pert, coming back from the gates of Heck.
rmax4131 over 14 years ago
Maybe she’s come across the current Dick Tracy storyline. That plot died three weeks ago.
OldManMountain over 14 years ago
“Slim! How did you fall into that grave, and where is your wife’s grandfather?”
alondra over 14 years ago
It’s not Mr. Walt. It’s Benjamin Miles or Herbert Kowznofski wanting out so they can rewrite their epitaths.
nelson-muntz over 14 years ago
I’M GONNA BE DEAD BEFORE THIS STORY ENDS!
ORteka over 14 years ago
Very excellent point Timothy! While reading your post, I was thinking another cartoon for the short minded people on here is “Blondie”. You hit the nail when you mentioned Ziggy, one panel for their mind span. I’m thinking with some of the others on here. I don’t think it would be Walt. Can’t imagine that he not being able to get around as easy, still manage to walk a great distance and fall in. I’m hoping and thinking its a new character that Jim is planning on using for GA. I sure hope so.
jumbobrain over 14 years ago
I agree, this strip is one of the greats, and rarer still that it’s still pretty bleeep good. I enjoy reading it every day, and am especially impressed by Scancarelli’s dedication to crafting such sublimely detailed art. Almost no one does that any more. But it does sort of seem to me a stretch that Gertie would conclude Walt went straight from theater to graveyard…I sorta suspect Jim just wanted to draw a spooky cemetery for a few days and hey, it’s a very well-drawn cemetery.
tcambeul over 14 years ago
Does Scancarelli live next door to Troodeaux???
jollyjack over 14 years ago
I generally agree with the positive slant on this strip, I would however like to see more of the original GA family (not Slim so much) over the over reliance in this set of characters, Gertie, Early etc.
jonathanyoung over 14 years ago
The name Cowznofski (Melvin) is from MAD magazine.
oldschool13 over 14 years ago
Right on Tim!
Hillbillyman over 14 years ago
I bet that aint Mr Walt
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
Probably “Syzygy”…
JP Steve Premium Member over 14 years ago
Is that a promise, nelson-muntz?
hossblacksilver over 14 years ago
Timothy, I have to agree with you, Gasoline Alley is a great slice of life comic. I’ve even got to meet Mr. Scancarelli, though it’s easy since we’re both in Charlotte, NC. Strange thing is, the Charlotte Observer (largest paper in the region) doesn’t run G.A.
Though, I’d advise avoiding Garfield today. There’s been threat of banjo.
Durak Premium Member over 14 years ago
jonathanyoung said, The name Cowznofski (Melvin) is from MAD magazine. ————————- Cool, thanks Jonathan! How about this one? Lenny Kosnowski (the spelling is close enough for me, hey, it’s Polish!) was one of the two goofs on the old ‘Laverne and Shirley’ show.
Lenny said his last name (Kosnowski) is Polish for “Help, there’s a hog in my kitchen”.
stringmusicianer over 14 years ago
Thank you, those who posted interesting comments today, and there were lots. Some intelligent enlightenment, some just for fun, some offbeat. I love it all.
Sure beats reading the same ol’ whines every day.