In my honest opinion, as big-hearted a strip as you will find. There’s just not enough of this kind of generosity in the world, and no snarkiness and surliness can change that. Thank you, Jim.
The USA will never be able to repay our gallant fighting men who literally saved, not just America, but the world as a result of their heroic actions in World War II.
This has been a good week. I’ve been hoping/waiting for an arc like this for maybe three years. At the time I first thought how nice it would be, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch were still alive, both WWI veterans in England. Jack Babcock was also still alive, a Canadian veteran, even though he then lived in Seattle.
I’m glad Frank Buckles was still around to give validity to this strip. May he live to 120.
It amazes me to realize that there is still someone alive from this war, over 90 years after the Armistice.
By the way, Buckles has said that more of his fellow soldiers died of flu on the way over than died in battle.
When greeted by then-president Bush a few years ago, Bush made some comment, and Buckles said, “That sounds like what Pershing once told me.”
Any Viet Nam Vet or friends who lost friends or family. There is a site that lists our fallen comrades. Click on the city and find their name and it gives a little bio and their medals.
Walt’s concept of himself as not “real-life” is an interesting ”meta” touch, the comic character basically referencing himself as fiction. I had no trouble seeing a clear difference between the cartoon Walt and the man Frank Buckles, but it’s nice that Jim’s tribute today also apparently helped out anyone having difficulty making that distinction.
By the way, the whole idea of Skeezix specifically being called upon to give the WWII Museum speech may also be “meta,” if Skeezix’s only real fame is not within the continuity of Gasoline Alley as a character, but out in the real world as a nationally known comic icon. Perhaps his prominence among veterans has been explained earlier, and I missed it.
I know that Scancarelli likes to occasionally break the fourth wall and have his characters (mainly Walt) show self-awareness of themselves as comic characters, and I understand the whole ‘meta’ thing axe-grinder referred to, but I can’t say I’m entirely comfortable with the concept. I feel it damages the suspension of disbelief that adds to the enjoyment of the strip; by this point, you have to suspend disbelief to believe in a storyline about a 110-year-old man, his nearly 90-year-old son and extended family. But I agree that the artwork is among the best on the comics page. (Does Scancarelli have an apprentice? Is anyone in line to carry it on into the later 21st century?)
jumbobrain over 14 years ago
I just love this comic strip.
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
In my honest opinion, as big-hearted a strip as you will find. There’s just not enough of this kind of generosity in the world, and no snarkiness and surliness can change that. Thank you, Jim.
davidf42 over 14 years ago
I love today’s strip. This is great!
oldbooger over 14 years ago
The USA will never be able to repay our gallant fighting men who literally saved, not just America, but the world as a result of their heroic actions in World War II.
Max Starman Jones over 14 years ago
This has been a good week. I’ve been hoping/waiting for an arc like this for maybe three years. At the time I first thought how nice it would be, Henry Allingham and Harry Patch were still alive, both WWI veterans in England. Jack Babcock was also still alive, a Canadian veteran, even though he then lived in Seattle.
I’m glad Frank Buckles was still around to give validity to this strip. May he live to 120.
It amazes me to realize that there is still someone alive from this war, over 90 years after the Armistice.
By the way, Buckles has said that more of his fellow soldiers died of flu on the way over than died in battle.
When greeted by then-president Bush a few years ago, Bush made some comment, and Buckles said, “That sounds like what Pershing once told me.”
jollyjack over 14 years ago
This has been a great week in G.A., the story arc and the characters utilized represent the rich and wonderful tradition of Gasoline Alley.
WallyCuppaJoe over 14 years ago
Any Viet Nam Vet or friends who lost friends or family. There is a site that lists our fallen comrades. Click on the city and find their name and it gives a little bio and their medals.
The Virtual Wall- Home of Record Index
sydney over 14 years ago
Why does panel 3, on March 3 rd, 4th and 6th, all seem to look the same or have near identical composition ?
axe-grinder over 14 years ago
Walt’s concept of himself as not “real-life” is an interesting ”meta” touch, the comic character basically referencing himself as fiction. I had no trouble seeing a clear difference between the cartoon Walt and the man Frank Buckles, but it’s nice that Jim’s tribute today also apparently helped out anyone having difficulty making that distinction.
By the way, the whole idea of Skeezix specifically being called upon to give the WWII Museum speech may also be “meta,” if Skeezix’s only real fame is not within the continuity of Gasoline Alley as a character, but out in the real world as a nationally known comic icon. Perhaps his prominence among veterans has been explained earlier, and I missed it.
pbarnrob over 14 years ago
Here’s the Virtual Wall link for the Vietnam Wall, start there for various ways of searching; thanks, WallyCuppaJoe!
Luggage386 over 14 years ago
I know that Scancarelli likes to occasionally break the fourth wall and have his characters (mainly Walt) show self-awareness of themselves as comic characters, and I understand the whole ‘meta’ thing axe-grinder referred to, but I can’t say I’m entirely comfortable with the concept. I feel it damages the suspension of disbelief that adds to the enjoyment of the strip; by this point, you have to suspend disbelief to believe in a storyline about a 110-year-old man, his nearly 90-year-old son and extended family. But I agree that the artwork is among the best on the comics page. (Does Scancarelli have an apprentice? Is anyone in line to carry it on into the later 21st century?)