Andy Capp by Reg Smythe for July 09, 2017

In today’s strip, the actual gag consists of panels 3, 5, and 6. Panels 1, 2, and 4 add nothing to the situation, the setup, or the punchline.

Now, on the one hand, that’s a little lazy, taking a 3-panel daily strip and stretching it into a Sunday strip by adding panels without adding any effort. On the other hand, some comic strips simply make a bigger panel for Sundays, like “F-minus” or “Heart of the City.”

It all falls under artistic license, and no one cares about it except me. Fine.

Except…

For “Andy Capp”, it’s a missed opportunity! Having three extra panels to work with should offer an artist room to build a gag that you can’t do within the confines of the daily strip, as shown in these Sunday six-panel strips:

http://www.gocomics.com/adamathome/2017/6/25?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/garfield/2017/4/30?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/garfield/2016/11/27?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/inkpen/2017/6/4?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/jumpstart/2017/6/11?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/roseisrose/2017/6/25?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/foxtrot?ct=v&cti=2027242

http://www.gocomics.com/foxtrot/2017/06/04?ct=v&cti=2027242

I was never a champion, but I could tackle a yard of ale back in my Oxford days…

When I try my applications and résumés, I add in Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts of America..

Oye never much for ale,but ALWAYS loved my Guinness!

I have a diploma in Cellar Management, will that do?

Who cares? Just enjoy the strip.

I once had a yard glass. Impossible to keep clean.

If that was actually a real qualification. Everybody would be in work.

xxx

@Afficionado

Happy Birthday to Alex! Is he doing anything special?

My day was OK. Nothing exciting happened.

If Andy was no longer the drunken “souse” we all know and love then I wouldn’t read Andy Capp anymore. It would be an insult to Reg Smythe’s memory if the current authors sobered Andy up. It’s bad enough that the domestic violence is not featured any more. Admit it, Andy bopping Flo and Flo bopping Andy was freakin’ hilarious. They also got rid of Percy the Rentman.

I hope tomorrow is not hectic for you. You’ll be awaiting the greengrocer van I expect.

I agree, Number Three. A sober, responsible Andy Capp would be no fun.

whinge whinge whinge