The Child Outside
If there's one thing that comic strips tend to do on a regular basis, it's the fact that they keep us young. Some folks would sneer at the idea of being an adult and relishing a browse through the funny pages - but others, like fellow funny-fan Marisol who checks in here every now and again (what's up girl?) know the power of this art-form. Who wants to grow up and become stiff, boring and no fun anyway?
Frequently, the adults in comic strips have a way of showing that they have never lost sight of the child inside; they usually shrink and become little kids. This happens a lot with "Rose Is Rose" and for the first time that I've seen, it happened today with Tia Carmen in "Baldo." I've always admired Tia Carmen's spunk and zest for life - and she's simply a dear in today's strip. For a moment there, I was wondering who Gracie's new friend was, until the final panel reveal. Nice!
posted by Bing Futch @ 10:02 AM
2 Comments:
Hey, thanks for the shout out!
Another aspect that I love about the power of the funnies is that they since it is viewed as something for children, something innocuous, they are able to get away with making some scathing comments on society and life. The best examples are Pearls Before Swine, Doonesbury and The Boondocks.
They are like the court jester from feudal times.
Ya welcome for the props!
Notice how PBS (ironic little acronym there) Doonesbury and The Boondocks all specialize in a dry, ironic sort of humor? Like court jesters on tranqs.
So many comics opt for the wisened punchline that when pure slapstick rolls around (ala "Opus" or "Mother Goose and Grimm", it seems quaint-yet-refreshing)
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