# Johnny Hart's B.C. comicstrip does it again **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 8, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697 "2003-12-08T05:11:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![BrandyFine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrandyFine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandyFine)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/81 "2003-12-09T05:11:47Z")
That was pretty much the point I was making. He’s still genius enough to come up with outrageously cryptic and hidden references. So veiled that even he doesn’t see them 😃 I had a post written that mirrored what Andy, Archive and Shodan said, but since I kept getting error messages and they said it first I just sort of recapped. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/82 "2003-12-09T05:19:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by keithnmick \* > \*\*I dunno 0 I can see it either way. I’m leaning towards the Islam slam. I went to the BC website and, even though only his recent stuff is available, I found a strip with religious references: > > [http://www.creators.com/comics\_show.cfm?next=7&ComicName=bc](http://www.creators.com/comics_show.cfm?next=7&ComicName=bc) > > - from Sun Nov 30th > > One with pretty political references and religious references (maybe): > > [http://www.creators.com/comics\_show.cfm?next=10&ComicName=bc](http://www.creators.com/comics_show.cfm?next=10&ComicName=bc) > > From Nov 27th > > …and one dopey one knocking the Iraqi Information Minister: > > [http://www.creators.com/comics\_show.cfm?next=4&ComicName=bc](http://www.creators.com/comics_show.cfm?next=4&ComicName=bc) > > From December 3rd. > This guy is all over the place. I’m not sure, but I’d kind of like to know. In the long run, though, I don’t care about it all that much. \*\* Yes he makes religious commentary in his strip. However, he is very obvious about it, citing your exampls. This interpretations, as a slam at Islam, is not obvious. For that interpretation to work symbols have to be convolutedly interpreted (outhouse symbol of a crescent moon and crescent moon in the sky as the Crescent of Islam, word ‘slam’ printed in vertical as an ‘i’ to make Islam). He has used the outhouse with moon on the door in other strips. He has also used words printed in vertical, while I don’t have a cite I can print, I’m pretty sure he used the word ‘slam’ before. He has used the moon in the sky, most often as a crescent to differentiate it from the round sun, to show the action is happening at night. While the joke is rather lame, all this strip is about is potty humor. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/83 "2003-12-09T05:26:10Z")
My question is: how stupid do you have to be to think it takes a genius to make a cryptic reference? ---
**Author:** ![BrandyFine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrandyFine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandyFine)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/84 "2003-12-09T05:30:02Z")
To make one that outrageous? I don’t know, how stupid does someone have to be to think something so obviously meaningless has some deeply hidden meaning? 😉 😛 ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/85 "2003-12-09T05:42:27Z")
> [@](#): > > I don’t know, how stupid does someone have to be to think something so obviously meaningless has some deeply hidden meaning? Well, the bible is very popular. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/86 "2003-12-09T05:53:45Z")
Forgive me if someone has mentioned this in the thread already. But it occurred to me, since I am not well-versed in eastern cartoon customs, that the universal western cartoon custom of using a half-moon to indicate an outhouse might not have the same meaning elsewhere. If so, then the complainer would be sort of an Islamic Emily Litella. Reminds me of the time I helped design the Alesis drum machine. We wrote an internal error message that we thought would be hipper than most, saying, “Bummer, Dude. You’re out of memory.” Then we got a very nasty letter from a UK customer, who accused us of using filthy language on his drum machine display, calling him a homosexual (a “bummer dude”). :eek: Culture clash strikes again. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@El\_Cid\_Viscoso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Cid_Viscoso)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/87 "2003-12-09T06:12:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrandyFine \* > > With all due respect, Garry Trudeau wholeheartedly disagreed with them. He certainly can’t be called a Christian apologist or right wing proselytizer, can he? Actually, that was a little nod to **Airman** over another cartoon thread in which I participated. But since you mention it: > [@](#): > > “We cartoonists are simple folk. We don’t write on that cryptic a level,” [Trudeau] told the Post. “Leave Johnny alone.” Yeah. Garry Trudeau has never said a sarcastic thing in his life. His cartoons are always just about people hanging out at pool-side, smoking with those cigarette holders and wearing silly chapeaus. He’s completely deluded and at one time actually thought the President was a feather. (Can I get a ruling? Do I really need a rolleyes?) That’s the fun thing about art. Even bad art. It’s in the eye of the beholder. The problem is, this art doesn’t bother me at all. In my understanding, the “message” of B.C. is directed at a certain benighted group of long-time readers. Therefore, I cannot say it any other way: **If the faithful B.C. reader has, without benefit of this media attention, interpreted this joke as a _slam_ against Muslims, I shall next expect [The Blue Dog](http://thebhagavadgita.net/blue.jpg) to step up to my mighty Fender axe and press out a Bic-worthy "Layla."** To me, this is simply another of piece of pap propaganda in an increasingly-degenerate Christian Jihad. Hart’s like Jack Chick, only more senilely subtle and has a proper, conventional marketing firm. Your Crusade May Vary. ---
**Author:** ![ResIpsaLoquitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b3f665/32.png) [@ResIpsaLoquitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ResIpsaLoquitor)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/88 "2003-12-09T06:33:09Z")
I don’t have much to add to this commentary, except that I’d like to hear it from the horse’s mouth itself whether it was meant as anti-Islam or not. I would, however, direct y’all to Gary Larson’s Pre-History of the Far Side collection. He’s got a “complaints” section where he shows several cartoons and how badly people misconstrued them. One of my favorite examples is a cartoon captioned “Fifi’s fantasy” (or somesuch), where a dog dreams that she’s run down a car and is howling triumphantly atop its underside. (Read: dogs chase cars. This dog wants to _catch_ a car.) Readers severely misinterpreted it to mean that Fifi was _humping_ the car, especially given Larson’s admittedly boneheaded move of drawing the chasis directly between Fifi’s legs. ---
**Author:** ![jsleek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@jsleek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsleek)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/89 "2003-12-09T06:37:47Z")
The strip has obvious (IMHO) Christian references. An arrogant person, it may be said, thinks his shit doesn’t stink. Now this caveman is a regular guy; maybe a little slow. Like we’re all a little slow at times. Rom. 3: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God Us regular guys are sinners and we prefer to hide it (in the dark). Everyman has almost figured it out. He’s a stinky sinner. He hides his sins. Keeps them in the dark. Guys, it’s not really all that hidden. ---
**Author:** ![BrandyFine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrandyFine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandyFine)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/90 "2003-12-09T10:39:46Z")
So Garry Trudeau was just being a snide and sarcastic asshole and what he really meant was that it **is** a cryptic slam on Islam, Mr. B? Good to know. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/91 "2003-12-09T11:42:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Satisfying Andy Licious \* > \*\* > Let’s do the strip without the slam: > First panel: Character approaches the outhouse. > Second panel: Character open the outhouse door. > Third panel: Character is seen entering the outhouse, is half in and half out. > Fourth panel: The door closes. > > You’ve already used up your four panels. Putting in the “slam” is a more economicall form of storytelling. And “slam” is the sound associated with doors. > \*\* The thing is, it could be done with two panels far more effectively - a panel of the guy walking up to the outhouse (or opening the door) and then a panel of the voice bubble coming out of the outhouse. If it was unimportant which character was in the outhouse, you could do it with one. I think he’s an old nut who thought it would be acceptable in today’s current political climate to put a not-so-thinly-veiled jab at some other nuts’ beliefs. Just more cock-fencing between invisible sky gods, my dad can beat up your dad, etc. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/92 "2003-12-09T12:05:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CarnalK \* > \*\*Well, the bible is very popular. \*\* Oy Vey. That’s a nasty, not to say stupid, jab. plenty of people find meaning in the words of the bible, because there is a meaning there. It’s not like “be good to one another” is that hard to take from reading it. Unfortunately, alot of other stuff can be taken from it also. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/93 "2003-12-09T12:33:51Z")
I haven’t read the funnies more than possibly twice a year in nearly eleven years. I use to love BC as a kid, but when I’ve read him (as well as Zippy, Nancy and a few other extremely outdated cartoons) I’ve found it rather pathetic. Frankly, I’m surprised he still has a following. But then again, newspapers want controversy to sell the paper. I skimmed the Gene Weingarten article and there is no mention of a wife or kids, only that he wears a wedding ring with “Jesus” on it. ( and the part about contacting his dead mother through an ouija board to get her exact Lemon Sherbert recipe. Oye) Then again, I skimmed it. I’d love to get the take on his work from his kids or wife. I think this is an old man who should have retired years ago, but why would a man like himself give up an audience of 100 million (!) a day when he thinks and beleives he can somehow convert the unwashed over to his side whilst somehow bringing down the EVIL DARK LORD JEWZILLA at the same time. As if a cartoon made anyone see any light other than the political hypocrisy and posturing. (Oh, and the link for the winning UK cartoon of the year I found to be frightening. Aren’t cartoons suppose to be non-nightmare inducing?) ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/94 "2003-12-09T12:41:45Z")
Just a few stray thought: The cresent moon on toilet doors, is, if not universal, then at least widely used. Also here in poor Denmark on the edge of the globe would a cartoon of an outdoor toilet be expected to have a cresent moon on it. I have no idea if it’s an Islam joke. I wouldn’t have made that interpretation myself without being led to it. On the other hand: if it’s just a silly potty joke - it’s extremely unfunny, it’s not very funny with the Islam link, but then at least it makes some sense. And yet again, some people live to take offence - will be offended.at anything. So perhaps these guys at American-Islamic Relations just have their knickers permantly stuck to their bums - at least they seem to be demanding apoligies left and right. What’s wrong with saying you think Islam stinks? Hart can have whatever the hell opinion he wants, and say it too. Who are those dudes at American-Islamic Relations to say you can’t say Islam stinks?! da.da.da.daaa.da Islam stinks!. da.da.da.daaa.da. Islam stinks! :rolleyes: - Rune ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/95 "2003-12-09T12:50:26Z")
**Ben Hicks** > [@](#): > > So which is it - Hart as incredibly complex artist, or unfunny hack? > > * * * > > That’s something of a false dilemma. How about option three; He’s is mediocre. Fine. Then how did a mediocre artist come up with a metaphor that is so subtle that practically nobody “gets” it? Except those who are determined to find something at which to take offense. Or, more briefly, what **ArchiveGuy** said. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![SeekingTruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SeekingTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeekingTruth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/96 "2003-12-09T13:11:38Z")
Editorial missive to Mr Hart. Please do not make any reference to Christianity in your comics. Polling shows that Christianity is the only religion/beleif that is allowed to be ridiculed. You MUST set aside your knowledge that the US is a Judeo-Christian country. The few thousand Muslims, coupled with Atheists and Agnostics, are to be respected. As we reflect on this inclusion (and wholeheartedly embrace it), we must ignore the daily attacks against said Judeo-Christian outside the comics. In short, justify, by ANY means necessary, the terrorrism faces by not only the US, but all other Western free governments. Thank you, Saddam Hussein ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/97 "2003-12-09T13:13:43Z")
If you don’t think _BC_ is funny, the terrorists have won. ---
**Author:** ![SeekingTruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SeekingTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeekingTruth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/98 "2003-12-09T13:17:52Z")
elucidator, another beer owed to a Doper ---
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/99 "2003-12-09T13:18:40Z")
uh! I guess I better start letting my beard grow then, and look around for a second, third and fouth wife. Any takers? ---
**Author:** ![SeekingTruth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@SeekingTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeekingTruth)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2003, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697/100 "2003-12-09T13:28:56Z")
Only if you’re Muslim 😜 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/johnny-harts-b-c-comicstrip-does-it-again/217697.md?page=6)