Sorry I've been off line for SOHAL. The Jefferson Alumni Banquet is closely followed by my family reunion(s) and Independence Day, so I get distracted. My Independence Day post (Independence Day) goes to my Dr Synonymous blog, but I sent it to many of you.
I have many thoughts about the "funnies" as we used to call the Sunday comics with the Dayton Daily News on Sunday (duh). There were other comics daily in the morning Dayton Journal Herald, many of which I enjoyed. Sunday was just special, though. Now, I'm referring to childhood "funnies", not brilliant adult comics that express profound insights about the state of the world or its leaders (although Pogo may have served as both).
If you would like some formal background, here's the latest wikipedia comments on Sunday comics.
Sunday Comics
Throughout my childhood, the Sunday paper was located across the street at my Grandpa and Grandma Clayton's home. I would go over after church and Sunday Dinner, find the "funnies" and take them to Grandpa to read them to me (I was 3 or 4 years old). His favorite was Pogo which had several special characters who he delighted in. He enjoyed the political humor which jumped out at adults from Pogo, too, but I don't think I ever noticed that part. The specifics of Beetle Bailey, Peanuts, Dick Tracy, Terry and the Pirates, etc. are enjoyable and spell-binding at times, but the family connections are my favorite part. The tradition continues in our family where grandparents still enjoy sharing the "funnies" with little ones.
"For most of the 20th century, the Sunday funnies were a family tradition, enjoyed each weekend by adults and kids alike. They were read by millions and produced famous fictional characters in such strips as Flash Gordon, Little Orphan Annie, Prince Valiant, Dick Tracy and Terry and the Pirates. Leading the lists of classic humor strips are Bringing Up Father, Gasoline Alley, Li'l Abner, Pogo, Peanuts and Smokey Stover. There were educational strips, such as King Features' Heroes of American History. In addition to the comic strips, Sunday comics sections also carried advertisements in a comics format, puzzles and single-panel features."...from Wikipedia
What are your favorite memories about the Sunday comics ("funnies" or whatever you called them)?
