A comic strip that our local paper used to run had been dropped by its syndicate, so its creator decided to end the thing with one of its characters getting married. The very last strip was at the if anyone should show just cause why this couple should not be joined in Holy matrimony… part when someone (off-panel) hollered, I object! in the last panel, ending the entire strip on a cliff-hanger. I do hope Mr. G. has no similar plans for Phil and Fritzi.
Actually, if the strip stayed true to its roots, there would be no additional characters invented, like the two ‘uncles’ created, I assume, to explain the back story of the existence of Sluggo, which Ernie Bushmiller never felt the need to expand upon, and Fritzi would never marry and Phil would remain the non-essential character he was originally drawn to be. Actually, he was a separate strip of his own until 1938 when Bushmiller introduced him into the Nancy strip, as a minor character. Gilchrist has slowly moved the strip into a direction I believe Bushmiller never intended. Under Gilchrist’s pen, Phil appears to have grown two feet taller; gained an intensely more muscular frame and a more ‘person-like’ appearance. Originally, only Fritzi was drawn with life-like features. Every other character was more ‘cartoonish’. The world changes, to be sure, and ‘progress’ part of that change, but because it’s considered progress, doesn’t automatically make it beneficial, necessary or even wanted. I can think of dozens of technologically advanced inventions the world would be better off had they never been conceived. Facebook; Twitter; Cell Phones… the list goes on, but I digress. I wonder what Bushmiller would think of his creation if he could see the progress it has made since his passing.
I look and see the all the old comics, done by new talent. I won’t bother to try and list them all, it’s insane. But the thing is, it’s a challenge. Stay “true to the roots” is one thing. But you also have to keep it interesting and topical. Dick Tracy is one success story of a new team vastly improving the comic. And so is what Guy has done with Nancy. Let’s be honest, there was a time when Nancy was a comic you only read out of habit. Guy has much improved the quality and tone of the strip. There will be a “Gilchrist Era” among Nancy fans. Which, thanks solely to him, I am one of. Well done.
To keep doing the same thing over and over wears ruts in the road. I enjoyed the early Overboard strips when they were more piratey but to keep on in exactly that mode would become stale. I believe chip had used up all the good comedy on those and so we see talking mice and a dog that walks upright and talks while Louie is still Louie and upright talking rabbits who steal “the little gardener’s” garden blind and Green ship pirates playing ball against Henry, which kinda makes them “frenemies”. The mice have planes and cars too and their kids ride Louie to school like he is a bus. The strip can be accused of having become downright silly but Chip does his best to keep it fresh.
..And so should Guy keep Nancy fresh. Maybe someday Gocom will have all the original strips that we can go back to, like with Peanuts, B.C., Wizard of Id and so on. I simply LOve what Guy has done with Fritzi !
Major Matt Mason Premium Member about 6 years ago
And just in time! The 18th is only a few days away!
blunebottle about 6 years ago
What I said.
Don Fleming about 6 years ago
Uh, oh! I’m starting to feel a great disturbance in the Force…
jrankin1959 about 6 years ago
You guys have been out of town for a while – whaddya think he’s been trying to do?
MJ Premium Member about 6 years ago
It’s nice that Gower’s paints the window to remind customers where they are. I wonder if people coming down the street wonder what “Srewog” is.
JudyHendrickson about 6 years ago
Guess youheard that!!!
jrankin1959 about 6 years ago
A comic strip that our local paper used to run had been dropped by its syndicate, so its creator decided to end the thing with one of its characters getting married. The very last strip was at the if anyone should show just cause why this couple should not be joined in Holy matrimony… part when someone (off-panel) hollered, I object! in the last panel, ending the entire strip on a cliff-hanger. I do hope Mr. G. has no similar plans for Phil and Fritzi.
Just Me about 6 years ago
Actually, if the strip stayed true to its roots, there would be no additional characters invented, like the two ‘uncles’ created, I assume, to explain the back story of the existence of Sluggo, which Ernie Bushmiller never felt the need to expand upon, and Fritzi would never marry and Phil would remain the non-essential character he was originally drawn to be. Actually, he was a separate strip of his own until 1938 when Bushmiller introduced him into the Nancy strip, as a minor character. Gilchrist has slowly moved the strip into a direction I believe Bushmiller never intended. Under Gilchrist’s pen, Phil appears to have grown two feet taller; gained an intensely more muscular frame and a more ‘person-like’ appearance. Originally, only Fritzi was drawn with life-like features. Every other character was more ‘cartoonish’. The world changes, to be sure, and ‘progress’ part of that change, but because it’s considered progress, doesn’t automatically make it beneficial, necessary or even wanted. I can think of dozens of technologically advanced inventions the world would be better off had they never been conceived. Facebook; Twitter; Cell Phones… the list goes on, but I digress. I wonder what Bushmiller would think of his creation if he could see the progress it has made since his passing.
Durak Premium Member about 6 years ago
I look and see the all the old comics, done by new talent. I won’t bother to try and list them all, it’s insane. But the thing is, it’s a challenge. Stay “true to the roots” is one thing. But you also have to keep it interesting and topical. Dick Tracy is one success story of a new team vastly improving the comic. And so is what Guy has done with Nancy. Let’s be honest, there was a time when Nancy was a comic you only read out of habit. Guy has much improved the quality and tone of the strip. There will be a “Gilchrist Era” among Nancy fans. Which, thanks solely to him, I am one of. Well done.
coratelli about 6 years ago
I don’t want see Nancy to end. :)
n1ycw about 6 years ago
Dont want Aunt Fritz and Phil getting hitched meaning the end of the strip !!! Alwayswanted them to get married though !!!
Gweedo -it's legal here- Murray about 6 years ago
To keep doing the same thing over and over wears ruts in the road. I enjoyed the early Overboard strips when they were more piratey but to keep on in exactly that mode would become stale. I believe chip had used up all the good comedy on those and so we see talking mice and a dog that walks upright and talks while Louie is still Louie and upright talking rabbits who steal “the little gardener’s” garden blind and Green ship pirates playing ball against Henry, which kinda makes them “frenemies”. The mice have planes and cars too and their kids ride Louie to school like he is a bus. The strip can be accused of having become downright silly but Chip does his best to keep it fresh.
..And so should Guy keep Nancy fresh. Maybe someday Gocom will have all the original strips that we can go back to, like with Peanuts, B.C., Wizard of Id and so on. I simply LOve what Guy has done with Fritzi !
jrankin1959 about 6 years ago
And many drooling guys out there are saying a big thank you to the lady that is the model for Fritzi, v.2.0…
clayface9 Premium Member about 6 years ago
When I met Guy and asked him if Phil would ever propose to Fritzi, he said, “Probably not”.