Race is becoming something the person identifies for himself or herself, so I wouldn’t get too hung up on it. I met a woman yesterday who appeared white, but in fact she could have checked any of a number of “race/ethnicity” boxes on a survery. You know what she considers herself? A human being! (I thought that was really cool…)
Now is Gertie off to the ladies’ room or is she fixing to go backstage and find Byrd? If the latter she is gonna be stopped by security before she can see him.
More than you would ever want to know:
The Eve Wallet storyline was June 15- Aug. 23, 2004.
Phyllis had just died and Walt temporarily was living with Skeezix and Nina. Corky called to suggest that his unemployed daughter Eve be hired as live-in caregiver for her granddad. Skeezix had misgivings, since Eve had gotten into trouble several years before. Corky assured him that she’s mended her ways.
Eve, dressed in skimpy clothes, was reintroduced to her grandfather and moved in. Her caregiver skills were lax, to say the least. She invited a couple of ne’r-do-well biker friends to move in with Walt and her and the situation deteriorated.
The friends invited a bunch of other biker into the house for a party, with motorcycles being driven through the front doors, drinking, and carousing. A memorable moment was when one of the female guest stripped off her clothes (her most private parts strategically obscured).
Walt’s neighbors, who appear to be Gladys and Abner Kravitz from “Bewitched,” called the cops, who hauled everyone to jail, including Walt. Skeezix bailed Walt out of jail, took him home. Eve was last seen before her friends (and probably she) went in jail.
Gertie B. Rose first appeared shortly thereafter, on Sept. 2, 2004, and was hired by Skeezix as Walt’s new live-in caregiver.
Interesting Gertie facts from Sept. 2004: Before coming to work for the Wallets, she had 30 years of nursing experience, specializing in geriatric cases. She has at least three children, including one named Gwen (who appeared Sept. 15, 2004).
Actually I think the fact that Gertie’s race is not clear is a really nice touch, and closes a circle that started in this strip with Skeezix’ stereotypical mammy Rachel back in the 1920s. I suffer from Dick Moores nostalgia, he was and remains one of my all time favorite comic strip artists. But Scancarelli has made the strip his own and done a good job with it. Aside from Gary Gianni doing Prince Valiant I can’t think of another third-generation cartoonist who has kept a classic strip as fresh.
my bet is Byrd will not recognize Gertie, will tell the security guy that he doesn’t know her, so she won’t be able to get back to talk to him, and she will be furious…the course of true love never did run smooth
sjbuchanan said, …I love GA and like this storyline just fine…
I enjoy the daily dose of G.A. just fine, too.
I don’t expect every character in it to behave always sensibly or properly, because that would cut down story directions. I don’t expect any character of a particular race to represent all other members of that race, because even real people can’t do that. I don’t expect to read Shakespeare in 3 panels a day (and the people who return everyday to crow over some shortcomings in the strip probably don’t go to Shakespeare or Rembrandt sites, where one could really prove his superiority).
I just enjoy every morning seeing this well-crafted and unique strip unfold as it has for decades, a little at a time.
Regarding the character debate, yeah, I also would kind of prefer more exposure of the classic GA characters. At the same time, some of those “classic” characters– Slim, Rufus, Melba, Rover– were introduced by Dick Moores when he took over the strip, and probably when he did readers were annoyed that they replaced what they considered the classic Bill Perry characters.
And does anyone know of a Dick Moores archive? I would really like to read more of his stuff.
jumbobrain about 15 years ago
Didn’t we already do an elder abuse continuity with poor old Walt after Phyllis died, when Corky’s daughter had the bikers move in?
toasteroven about 15 years ago
Yes, we did.
And good lord, was that a stupid storyline. I’ve got slightly higher hopes for this one, at least.
axe-grinder about 15 years ago
Best art in comic strips.
BuzzDog about 15 years ago
Race is becoming something the person identifies for himself or herself, so I wouldn’t get too hung up on it. I met a woman yesterday who appeared white, but in fact she could have checked any of a number of “race/ethnicity” boxes on a survery. You know what she considers herself? A human being! (I thought that was really cool…)
OldManMountain about 15 years ago
“Save my seat”? This doesn’t look like open seating.
“Sit here, Mr. Walt.” Famous last words. Will hijinks ensue?
alondra about 15 years ago
Now is Gertie off to the ladies’ room or is she fixing to go backstage and find Byrd? If the latter she is gonna be stopped by security before she can see him.
OldManMountain about 15 years ago
More than you would ever want to know: The Eve Wallet storyline was June 15- Aug. 23, 2004. Phyllis had just died and Walt temporarily was living with Skeezix and Nina. Corky called to suggest that his unemployed daughter Eve be hired as live-in caregiver for her granddad. Skeezix had misgivings, since Eve had gotten into trouble several years before. Corky assured him that she’s mended her ways. Eve, dressed in skimpy clothes, was reintroduced to her grandfather and moved in. Her caregiver skills were lax, to say the least. She invited a couple of ne’r-do-well biker friends to move in with Walt and her and the situation deteriorated. The friends invited a bunch of other biker into the house for a party, with motorcycles being driven through the front doors, drinking, and carousing. A memorable moment was when one of the female guest stripped off her clothes (her most private parts strategically obscured). Walt’s neighbors, who appear to be Gladys and Abner Kravitz from “Bewitched,” called the cops, who hauled everyone to jail, including Walt. Skeezix bailed Walt out of jail, took him home. Eve was last seen before her friends (and probably she) went in jail. Gertie B. Rose first appeared shortly thereafter, on Sept. 2, 2004, and was hired by Skeezix as Walt’s new live-in caregiver. Interesting Gertie facts from Sept. 2004: Before coming to work for the Wallets, she had 30 years of nursing experience, specializing in geriatric cases. She has at least three children, including one named Gwen (who appeared Sept. 15, 2004).
kab2rb about 15 years ago
the comics creators draw better then me. I am gload GA has lasted so long. Actually until I came upon gocomics I did not think GA existed.
imrobert about 15 years ago
Thanks for the background info OldMan.
tcambeul about 15 years ago
Please, get rid of byrd!!!
jpozenel about 15 years ago
Devonshade: I think she’s half Polish and half Chinese. O.K.?
jumbobrain about 15 years ago
Actually I think the fact that Gertie’s race is not clear is a really nice touch, and closes a circle that started in this strip with Skeezix’ stereotypical mammy Rachel back in the 1920s. I suffer from Dick Moores nostalgia, he was and remains one of my all time favorite comic strip artists. But Scancarelli has made the strip his own and done a good job with it. Aside from Gary Gianni doing Prince Valiant I can’t think of another third-generation cartoonist who has kept a classic strip as fresh.
Ronshua about 15 years ago
Gertie Rose & is going Ovire Ze Topp . Hope Walt doesn’t try to follow . Flashbacks and whatever else .
sjbuchanan about 15 years ago
my bet is Byrd will not recognize Gertie, will tell the security guy that he doesn’t know her, so she won’t be able to get back to talk to him, and she will be furious…the course of true love never did run smooth
I love GA and like this storyline just fine…
jumbobrain about 15 years ago
Actually Joe, I believe dementia is a symptom of diseases including Alzheimer’s. It’s not a disease unto itself.
axe-grinder about 15 years ago
sjbuchanan said, …I love GA and like this storyline just fine…
I enjoy the daily dose of G.A. just fine, too.
I don’t expect every character in it to behave always sensibly or properly, because that would cut down story directions. I don’t expect any character of a particular race to represent all other members of that race, because even real people can’t do that. I don’t expect to read Shakespeare in 3 panels a day (and the people who return everyday to crow over some shortcomings in the strip probably don’t go to Shakespeare or Rembrandt sites, where one could really prove his superiority).
I just enjoy every morning seeing this well-crafted and unique strip unfold as it has for decades, a little at a time.
Thanks, Jim!
jumbobrain about 15 years ago
Regarding the character debate, yeah, I also would kind of prefer more exposure of the classic GA characters. At the same time, some of those “classic” characters– Slim, Rufus, Melba, Rover– were introduced by Dick Moores when he took over the strip, and probably when he did readers were annoyed that they replaced what they considered the classic Bill Perry characters.
And does anyone know of a Dick Moores archive? I would really like to read more of his stuff.
BanditAce about 15 years ago
I always assumed that Gertie was of German American descent.
marvee about 15 years ago
Walt actually looks frigtened at being left in that crowd. I think I would be frightened at some concerts and I’m not as old as he.
jpozenel about 15 years ago
No problem Devonshade. I knew you would appreciate that tidbit.
stuart about 15 years ago
I always put “human” for “race” on surveys and such.