Orphan Annie (in the days of creator Harold Gray) once went to her closet to choose an identical dress from an entire rack of them, wondering aloud why people thought she wore the same clothes every day.
The hat is known as a “Whoopee Hat” and was the object of faddish attention in the late 1920s. There was even a popular song called “Whoopee Hat Brigade.” It originated as a device for recycling old fedoras. You turn the fedora upside down, punch it inside out, and use scissors to trim the upturned brim into the jagged tooth pattern. Dad’s hand-me-downs could then have a new life as kids’ hats.
In comics, and especially comic books, many different artists handle the illustrations over the years. It becomes almost impossible to create facial features that could be consistently drawn to make the characters instantly recognizable. So, Betty has blonde hair, Veronica has black hair, and they wear the same hairstyles for decades… easy to remember who’s who. Lana is the redhead, Lois is the one with the darker hair… sometimes black and sometimes brunette as the years have passed. Superhero uniforms/costumes serve a similar function. In the last few decades, some comic artists in a bid to portray more “realistic” heroes have abandoned costumes for their characters. If a different artist takes over for a month or a longer tenure, it can be confusing. Is this guy with short brown hair MegaSuperGuy? Or is it that one with roughly the same look?
wecatsgocomics over 7 years ago
As explained by Rena in STONE SOUP: “I’m a minor character in a comic strip. If I change my look, no one will recognize me.”
Radish the wordsmith over 7 years ago
33 hasn’t changed his clothes since the 80’s.
Packratjohn Premium Member over 7 years ago
Scooter looks like a young Jughead.
Kip W over 7 years ago
Orphan Annie (in the days of creator Harold Gray) once went to her closet to choose an identical dress from an entire rack of them, wondering aloud why people thought she wore the same clothes every day.
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 7 years ago
The hat is known as a “Whoopee Hat” and was the object of faddish attention in the late 1920s. There was even a popular song called “Whoopee Hat Brigade.” It originated as a device for recycling old fedoras. You turn the fedora upside down, punch it inside out, and use scissors to trim the upturned brim into the jagged tooth pattern. Dad’s hand-me-downs could then have a new life as kids’ hats.
jpozenel over 7 years ago
Scooter needs a makeover. He should switch to the propeller-topped beanie. I had a cousin that had one and it was very becoming.
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 7 years ago
In comics, and especially comic books, many different artists handle the illustrations over the years. It becomes almost impossible to create facial features that could be consistently drawn to make the characters instantly recognizable. So, Betty has blonde hair, Veronica has black hair, and they wear the same hairstyles for decades… easy to remember who’s who. Lana is the redhead, Lois is the one with the darker hair… sometimes black and sometimes brunette as the years have passed. Superhero uniforms/costumes serve a similar function. In the last few decades, some comic artists in a bid to portray more “realistic” heroes have abandoned costumes for their characters. If a different artist takes over for a month or a longer tenure, it can be confusing. Is this guy with short brown hair MegaSuperGuy? Or is it that one with roughly the same look?
tim.lowell over 7 years ago
I always assumed all the action in every comic strip takes place on the same day, and we are just seeing snippets of that day.
bigplayray almost 4 years ago
I love the randomness of this strip!