I’ve been reading GA since the 1950s and usually enjoy the strip.
I detested the Gertie and Earl arc because a) it wasn’t about the regular characters, b) it went on far too long, c) Earl, besides being a racist, was a negative African-American stereotype.
When I read something I like, I say so.
When I read something I do not like, I say so too.
Deal with it!
This story could be fun, but I hope Jim will give us some updates on Earl and his travels. On the other hand, it will be dramatic if he reappears as suddenly as he left.
What’s all this “stuck in the past” rhetoric I keep hearing? This has nothing to do with the past!! Read Blondie and see what I mean. They text and get on the internet; she has a catering business, but it’s still Blondie and Dagwood.
Gasoline Alley is about Gasoline Alley, or at least should be. If they want to let Walt pass peacefully in the night (as the last Australian WWI vet did this morning), I will mourn him and get on with it.
But if they want to introduce some new principal characters, some new directions, and a new background, then they need to start a new comic to do it.
Those who like the original idea of Gasoline Alley are not stuck in the past; we are just enjoying one of our favorite comics. The recent story arc was just fine, except it was like seeing Nancy and Sluggo take over Arlo and Janis.
Back to Slim and Clovia, heavens to murgatroid! I discovered this site about a year ago and it’s been mostly Slim and Clovia, Walt, the world oldest veteran, occasional cameo by Skeezix and Nina, and I believe one arc with Adam. What ever became of Chipper, doesn’t he have a family grown by now?
By not getting stuck in the past, I mean being open to change, yes even “new principal characters, some new directions, and a new background” if the creator chooses (Blondie has only some superficial changes, I suppose, so that’s comforting). That’s just my advice, mind you, as one who has seen many years, and many I knew become stereotypes of old people, rejecting everything that’s “not the same”, cranking at people who like the new, name-calling those with different points of view. Mr. Scancarelli took some chances and received some praise and some complaints. I say hooray for his courage to change. Anyone who can’t take change must have a hard time with reality too these days.
Gasoline Alley isn’t what it used to be, but then again, it never was! The most dramatic change was made by King in 1921 when he introduced Skeezix, and Uncle Walt became a family man. New characters were added all along the way. Skeezix, Corky, Judy, Nina, Rover– all were introduced, all had moments in the sun. Stagnation would be going against tradition. We all remember the “old” days fondly, but there’s room for Earl and Gertie and people we haven’t even met yet in the Alley.
Axe, that’s what I was thinking. People growing up, getting married, babies, new characters coming into the strip all along … change seems to be the hallmark of Gasoline Alley.
axe-grinder over 15 years ago
So at least Slim won’t be asked to preach in the pastor’s place as Macushlalondra feared yesterday…
oldbooger over 15 years ago
Rumor has it, Earl is now Pearldiving at the Old Comics Home. Stay tuned …
axe-grinder over 15 years ago
The first pun is a fit name for a literary critic. The second for a urologist, I suppose.
alondra over 15 years ago
axe-grinder said:
So at least Slim won’t be asked to preach in the pastor’s place as Macushlalondra feared yesterday…
~~~
Yes and I’m so relieved. I wonder what the pastor wants Slim for then?
stringmusicianer over 15 years ago
Piece goods is cloth, such as that for sale in a piece goods store.
stringmusicianer over 15 years ago
Who are you and what did you do with NotNormanChubsyUbsy?
stringmusicianer over 15 years ago
NotNorman said:
I’ve been reading GA since the 1950s and usually enjoy the strip. I detested the Gertie and Earl arc because a) it wasn’t about the regular characters, b) it went on far too long, c) Earl, besides being a racist, was a negative African-American stereotype. When I read something I like, I say so. When I read something I do not like, I say so too. Deal with it!
You can dish it out but you can’t take it.
stringmusicianer over 15 years ago
NotNormanChubsyUbsy said
That made no sense, even for you.
I figured you wouldn’t get it.
axe-grinder over 15 years ago
This story could be fun, but I hope Jim will give us some updates on Earl and his travels. On the other hand, it will be dramatic if he reappears as suddenly as he left.
axe-grinder over 15 years ago
By the way, Stringmuse, I missed the “piece good” and “man of the cloth” joke— good eye!
maresydotes over 15 years ago
NotNorman, I may be older than you, so take my advice: don’t become stuck in the past.
Max Starman Jones over 15 years ago
What’s all this “stuck in the past” rhetoric I keep hearing? This has nothing to do with the past!! Read Blondie and see what I mean. They text and get on the internet; she has a catering business, but it’s still Blondie and Dagwood.
Gasoline Alley is about Gasoline Alley, or at least should be. If they want to let Walt pass peacefully in the night (as the last Australian WWI vet did this morning), I will mourn him and get on with it.
But if they want to introduce some new principal characters, some new directions, and a new background, then they need to start a new comic to do it.
Those who like the original idea of Gasoline Alley are not stuck in the past; we are just enjoying one of our favorite comics. The recent story arc was just fine, except it was like seeing Nancy and Sluggo take over Arlo and Janis.
countoftowergrove over 15 years ago
Back to Slim and Clovia, heavens to murgatroid! I discovered this site about a year ago and it’s been mostly Slim and Clovia, Walt, the world oldest veteran, occasional cameo by Skeezix and Nina, and I believe one arc with Adam. What ever became of Chipper, doesn’t he have a family grown by now?
maresydotes over 15 years ago
By not getting stuck in the past, I mean being open to change, yes even “new principal characters, some new directions, and a new background” if the creator chooses (Blondie has only some superficial changes, I suppose, so that’s comforting). That’s just my advice, mind you, as one who has seen many years, and many I knew become stereotypes of old people, rejecting everything that’s “not the same”, cranking at people who like the new, name-calling those with different points of view. Mr. Scancarelli took some chances and received some praise and some complaints. I say hooray for his courage to change. Anyone who can’t take change must have a hard time with reality too these days.
stringmusicianer over 15 years ago
Gasoline Alley is whatever the comic strip artist makes it. To chain it to the past is to limit the artist.
axe-grinder over 15 years ago
Gasoline Alley isn’t what it used to be, but then again, it never was! The most dramatic change was made by King in 1921 when he introduced Skeezix, and Uncle Walt became a family man. New characters were added all along the way. Skeezix, Corky, Judy, Nina, Rover– all were introduced, all had moments in the sun. Stagnation would be going against tradition. We all remember the “old” days fondly, but there’s room for Earl and Gertie and people we haven’t even met yet in the Alley.
stringmusicianer over 15 years ago
Axe, that’s what I was thinking. People growing up, getting married, babies, new characters coming into the strip all along … change seems to be the hallmark of Gasoline Alley.