Hepzibah is of course referring to good ol' Charlie Brown, who at that time had gone through several episodes of refusing to abandon the pitcher's mound during a blinding rainstorm. Kelly was a true admirer of Charles Schulz and Peanuts. No wonder that those were my two favorite strips being published at that time. I saved Peanuts strips as religiously as Pogo, though I later gave away my Peanuts collection.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteJust ran across your blog recently and, as a POGO fan of long standing, really enjoy it. Kelly's summer of '65 is particularly special to me as I have a pair of daily strip originals from July 7 and 8 (featuring Pogo and Miss Ma'amselle, who remains my favorite female toon to this day).
Chris Barat
Again, thank you so much for all your hard work. The scans are top-notch, giving us a chance to really enjoy these strips. It is very much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteThanks fellers,I really appreciate hearing from you.
ReplyDeleteChris, one of those originals also has Uncle Baldwin on it, doesn't it? Really special. How in the whirled did you get two consecutives? I have an original sketch of Hepzibah by Kelly that I will post some day.
Ted, It IS hard work, but I'm thrilled that you and so many people are enjoying it.
Tom,
ReplyDeleteYes, Baldwin appears in the second one, doing the "smooch and run" routine on Miss M. I got the strips at the 1999 San Diego Comic-Con. Someone was selling original artwork, including Kelly's, and just happened to have these two beauties. It's the most I've ever paid for anything comics-related. Worth it? Bien sur, as Miss M. might say.
Chris
Peanuts and Pogo...2 of the all-time greats!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I actually once held the original copy of this strip in my grubby little hands.
ReplyDeleteIt was at the Chicago Comic Con, about 15 or so years ago. Richard Thompson, of the Walt Kelly Fan Club, was selling some of Kelly's originals and this strip was among them. Unfortunately, I didn't have a spare $700 on me at the time, otherwise I would have bought it. I wish I had because it was, and still is, a beautiful example of Kelly's work.
(Sorry if this is a repeat -- not sure of the comment feature is working.)