Gasoline Alley by Jim Scancarelli for June 27, 2009

Are they putting stuff in or taking stuff out?

Is that Rufus’ Old Master that Slim selfishly tried to swipe from him?

Can they really have no redeeming qualities?

This flock is getting fleeced all right.

I hope they get caught soon.

I ‘m waiting to see how Slim is going to wiggle out of this one!

Axe-grinder asked, “Can they really have no redeeming qualities?”

So many people do not, and not all of them are on the outside of churches looking in.

i am new looks like a garage sale to me

Axgrinder how come I don’t see you at Dick Tracy?

436rge said, Axgrinder how come I don’t see you at Dick Tracy?

I never read Dick Tracy when growing up. In fact, our paper didn’t carry it. I’ve looked at it recently, but it didn’t hold my interest. Do you recommend it?

robin.chavarria said, i am new looks like a garage sale to me

HI Robin! In case you can’t backtrack, this guy Upton has been mistaken for a pastor who was supposed to come and fill-in for the vacationing Pastor Present. He and his cohort are actually con artists. They’re shown here stealing the contents of the rectory. The real replacement pastor is still waiting for the tow truck.

Axgrinder it’s unbelievable you’ve missed Dick Tracy. During the Chester Gould years 1931-1977 it was a classic. After Gould retired and died the new artists have ruined it but fans remained loyal. No I don’t reccommend it now it has become a sham. Old fans continue because they get a kick out of knocking it down but not me. Try to find reprints of the old days. You’ll be amazed.

Thanks for the tip, 436rge. I do see the Tracy reprint volumes are out there. My taste runs toward romantic story strips of the 50s through 70s like Apt. 3-G, On Stage, and Juliet Jones, mostly for the art. I also love Rip Kirby for story and art, and always read Brick Bradford and The Phantom of the 1930s on dailyink, too. Tough to beat Roy Crane’s Buz Sawyer, for story and art. Of today’s strips, I read many of the light gag strips, from Arlo & Janis to Zippy. The current Phantom by the great Paul Ryan is my favorite of today’s adventure strips, and I’m very fond of Gasoline Alley, of course, for the exceptional art and Jim’s homey humor. The Earl and Gertie arc was the highlight of recent years– the same old strong art, but a story with more substance than usual.

…anyone else a fan of Modesty Blaise? Incredible art and action in excellent reprint volumes.