The Ripples

I was a guest at the Akron Comic-Con a number of years ago when I inadvertently made what would turn out to be a delightful discovery. A dealer at the con happened to be selling tabloid comics sections from the New York Daily Mirror from the 1940s. I found on that had come out on my birthday and bought it just to see what kind of comics were around on my first day. When I brought it back to my table and showed it to my wife Cathy, she said: “Why didn’t you buy the whole month?” That door being suddenly ajar, I went back and bought the whole year.

I would read one comics section every weekend just as it would have arrived each week (I know, what can I say?). I loved following Dick Tracy during the Flattop Jr. run (one of Chet Gould’s best ever), as well as getting to read (Terry and the Pirates), not by Caniff, but by the truly underrated George Wunder. However, it was another George, George Clark, who captivated me and made me look forward to each issue with genuine enthusiasm. His strip was The Ripples, and it was a true joy to encounter.

I thought it would be fun to replicate my reading experience by presenting one of George Clarks Sundays here each week (or so). It’s too good not to share, so enjoy.