Sunday, December 23, 2018

Graphic Grandeur (Not The New York Times Christmas Edition)



Ever wonder what you're favorite comic strip characters are doing at Christmas time? What's that? You don't have a favorite comic strip character? Sure you do! I mean, c'mon, when you open up the newspaper and go to the comic sect--Huh? You haven't subscribed to a paper in years and get all your news online?  Well, this Christmas I'm going to show all that you've been missing out on comic stripwise, and if you don't appreciate what I'm doing, then bah, humbug, you're nothing but a... 


 ...Scrooge!

Let us proceed...




 Don't feel sorry for that little tree. I'm sure sooner or later someone else will come along and grab it.



Pop culture historians often cite the Yellow Kid as the first comic strip character. He also seems to have been the first comic strip pitchman, seen here shilling for a Iowa hardware store. Well, who wouldn't want to find a bunch of nails in their stocking on Christmas morn?


 Conspicuous consumption is relative.


 That was nice of Dick Tracy, but what that guy really needs is a fruitcake with a file in it.



 Do they know it's Christmastime at all?


He was eventually squeezed out of the picture by Snuffy Smith, but back in the 1920s, Barney Google could still enjoy Christmas in the comfort of his own comic strip. Also, you could decorate your tree with his goo-goo-googley eyes.



 So you better be good for goodness sake.


The holidays can be pretty stressful for some people, but Mary Worth is always there to help you get through them.


Come to think of it, she's always there to help no matter what time of year it is.


 Not a creature was stirring, not even a...Never mind




A gift for that special someone who works in a cubicle.



 Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...



Try that one out the next time you go caroling.


 Or this one.



Or this one.


This Christmas, open up your heart and help those born without pupils.


 The holiday season, for better or for worse


 I know it looks like something out of a 1001 Arabian Nights, but that's actually supposed to be Santa Claus' workshop. Not that it matters since...



 ...some kid named Nemo dreamt up the whole thing (maybe he saw The Thief of Bagdad on TCM the night before.)


This Christmas, remember those in uniform serving oversea--wait a second, war or peace, this bunch never leaves Camp Swampy!


 Ever wonder how Santa has enough strength to lug that bag of toys around all night long? Because he eats his spinach, so next time leave him that instead of cookies!





Nice of Mr. Dithers to give Dagwood the night off. And once the Bumpsteads are too stuffed to eat anymore...



...he'll know just what to do with the leftovers.


 Yes, Virginia, there is a...Never mind.


 Christmas' final frontier.


Oh, yeah, like you're not going to go back to pillaging once the holidays are over with.






Lest we forget, alternative comic strip characters celebrate Christmas, too.




No, he's not a comic strip character, but I just wanted to point out that the post office is a very busy place this time of year. Gifts can be sent by mail, and of course Christmas cards. And in 1969, some lucky soul got a very personalized post card from none other than...


...good ol' Charlie Schulz! (Of course, now it's for sale on Ebay and goes for more money than you've spent this entire holiday season, and last year, too.)


 Finally, I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, and, unlike at least some of the folks you've met today, may you never end up at the bottom of a parakeet's cage.




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