Gil Thorp by Henry Barajas and Rachel Merrill for September 27, 2011

To my fellow Gil Thorp fans — strip author Neal Rubin underwent heart surgery yesterday, so keep him in your thoughts, OK? Check out his column on the Detroit News website today if you’d like to know more.

Thanks for the input Cliff1911, he is in my prayers. GO MILFORD!

I think I’d drop the ball too if someone had their left arm up my keister.

We readers live vicariously through the strip and are often critical of the authors and artwork. I have enjoyed Gil Thorp for 34 years and wish Neal a speedy recovery.

Here’s hoping Neal a quick and healthy recovery.

I’ve been watching Gil win and lose since 1960, and hope Neal has a speedy recovery. As a reader since age 10, the enduring presence of Milford and sports ensures a nice diversion from the real storyline of my life.

Yes, picking on Gil is kind of liking picking on your little brother. Somewhere deep down inside you are actually fond of the guy. Hope Neal is “back on the field” soon.

I hope you’re back on your feet soon, Neal, and that you have a speedy recovery.

Neal, you are in my prayers for a full and speedy recovery! I appreciate the good work you’ve done with the strip. I’ve been a daily Thropite since 1990. As others have said, I enjoy the fun diversion.

Well played, guys, thanks — I heard a Neal radio interview once where he mentioned how much he appreciates & enjoys all your comments.

Get well, Neal. Fellow Thorpians-I think Rubin and Whigham are laughing more at us than vice versa.

As a former Detroiter and reader of Neal’s column back in the days of print media, I have only the best wishes for him. Get well soon, Neal!

I like the old “make your hand like an airplane” tackle in P1. It always jars the ball out.

My well-wishes to Mr. Rubin — he needs to hang around a lot longer to keep this Thorpian universe going!

I have been a fan of Gil since high school, which is lo these 40 years ago. May have missed a day or two, but couldn’t imagine life without Gil on a regular basis. Prayers to Neal and his family. Like Gil’s athletes, we are all day to day, and that is why we appreciate the strip, because as silly as it migtht be and as hard as we are on the comments, it still means we are on the right side of the grass and can appreciate all the struggles that happen in Milford and in our lives. Thank you Neal for giving us perspective, which you now do even in your illness.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Neal. I have enjoyed Gil for almost 50 years, as I would read the strip early each morning as I did my old paper route back in the old days, and now click on the link early each morning.

I also enjoy the running commentary of Gil’s many friends on this blog. All of you brighten my day.