Gasoline Alley by Jim Scancarelli for March 19, 2009

Careful lady, this guy could be a “masher”.

Soon he’ll be back-tracking on that “we’re practically family” theory…

something tells me they knew each other a long time ago.

Ha ha, Gertie, good one in the middle panel. I don’t think he’s buying it though.

SHOULDN’T WORRY TOO MUCH SHE’S NO MRS. OR EVEN LIS SIMPSON! HAHA

Norman: Lighten up! As always, if you don’t like it, DON’T READ IT!

Jim keeps me entertained with his story and amazed by his art. As long as he does, I’ll be back every day. Why some of you who (almost?) never seem to enjoy GA are also here everyday is a question I won’t try to answer. But it just occurred me that although I enjoy most of the comments, I don’t have to read ALL of them!

To me, this is a mild flirtation. If she’s really not interested and keeps saying “No”, he should take the hint and back off. But till then I see nothing wrong with it. This story line would work for any race. It’s good to see some diversity in a strip that has long roots in the white working class.

I still think Earl represents… Earl.

In fact, the more I think of it, why should Earl have to be symbolic of anything or anyone else? He’s just a well-drawn character acting in a manner that creates interest. For him to do otherwise would be… boring.

I don’t think Earl is being portrayed as lazy. He has two jobs: musician and dishwasher. If he being those things is lazy and shiftless, then I am offended by Norm’s comment, because I have done both of those things as well. Earl hasn’t said anything that sounded the least bit offensive to me. Norm, you really should do something about all that hostility. It’s bad for your heart.

He should have said “let’s make friends.”

A three-panel cartoon can’t fill in every detail of every day. You are the one who is assuming he is lazy. I assume he is working.

Re: NotNorman’s note– speaking only for myself, of course, I myself draw no such conclusions about the character, the symbolism (if indeed there is any), the effect of the character on the average reader’s perceptions, nor the creator’s intentions.

And Stringmuse, you are a voice of reason!

Given the apparent age of Earl and his background, his comments are in character. If his portrayal is a racist stereotype, what are we to surmise from the portrayal of the others characters. Those who see racism in this need to examine what leads them to see something that does not exist.. Do not take umbrage where non is warrented.

Unmoved, I’ll stick with my previous comments.

I’m going to start following this somewhere else if they’re not going to post the new strips every day.

Here’s a link to today’s strip. Gertie nuts!

http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComic.mpl?date=2009/3/20&name=Gasoline_Alley

You can see today’s strip here: http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComic.mpl?date=2009/3/20&name=Gasoline_Alley

HectorPriam, I agree that a strip wherein everyone behaved properly and made wise decisions would be a crashing bore, but it would avoid offending anyone! I’m enjoying Earl. I’m not saying he’s a role model, just that he is a… character! My kids were watching Andy Griffith with me, and wanted to know why Goober messed things up all the time. Well, otherwise there wouldn’t be much of a story to watch, would there? Keep on truckin’, Mr. Scancarelli!

Just read today’s (Friday)– we’re gonna have a wedding! Can’t wait to see a big lavish Sunday wedding (okay, maybe not THIS Sunday, but soon I bet).

Maybe Earl will serenade her. I wonder what he plays.