What did you think of Today's (03/07) Doonesbury?

Cafe Society
1

One of the first things I thought of, upon hearing of HST’s exit was “What is Gary Trudeau going to do with Uncle Duke?”

My take: It was enough of a salute so that the fans would see him acknowledging his debt, without having to end the character. I don’t know If Hunter ever forgave Trudeau for the parody, it was a sore spot for him, I understand, to be lampooned daily as a lunatic felon, as he put it. Maybe later he saw the humor in it, or maybe the lawyers came to an understanding.

I think a ironically sober nod(and wink) to the fans, via a Steadmanesque flashback was about all the public reference we could expect.

But will anything develop of the ‘Karmic Flashback’ Duke speaks of?

Is it an unprecedented situation in the daily comics?

2

I didn’t see much of a salute there. We see inside of Duke’s head to some bizarro world. How is this a salute to HST?

I am giving Trudeau some space – he often starts quite slowly into a theme, and sometimes hits the nail when you’re not looking, and you end up looking back and catching the point. I’m guessing that this will be that sort of week.

3

That one freaky panel was reminiscent of Warlock of the New Mutants.

4

It’s a direct reference to Ralph Steadman’s illustrations for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

5

More Steadman illustrations of Raoul Duke and/or Dr. Gonzo:

http://hypnotic.club.fr/moteurs/art_steadman.jpg

http://www.qbbooks.com/Steadman/dr.gonzo.jpg

6

:smack: Thanks, I wasn’t familiar with the source material.

I do hope GT might do something more with Uncle Duke this week than a reference to obscure (and, yes, very pertinent) artwork.

7

And I’m guessing it’s already that sort of week.

8

It happened before when Millicent Fenwick (Republican congresswoman from New Jersey) died. She was the model for Doonesbury’s Lacey Davenport.

9

OTOH, today’s (8 Mar) takes a slightly disturbing turn…

10

I guess that answers the question – “will the strip do a tribute to HST this week?” – in a fairly unsubtle way.

11

[ Ed McMahon ] I did not know that. [ /Ed McMahon ]

How did Trudeau ‘send her off’ so to speak? I vaguely remember a dream sequence featuring Jeremy, her longtime friend and companion.

12

MPSIMS has it covered. :smiley:

13

I usually save the comics for lunch, but I peeked ahead.

Yes, fairly unsubtle, to say the least. Maybe this will inspire Duke to finish his Magnum Opus “Fear and Loathing at Macy’s Menswear”.

At least he didn’t depict Duke with a pistol to his head.

But, I guess that’s HST, always blowing minds. :smiley: :frowning: :rolleyes:

14

You mean Johnny.

15

I meant what I said, I was just wrong. :smiley:

16

Nope. From the FAQ written by Trudeau himself:
http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/faqs/faq_ch.html

17

I see that today, the strip is mocking the idea of a HST tribute. The week isn’t over, but I’m really underwhelmed with GT.

18

How is that “mocking” the idea of an HST tribute? It may be a humorous tribute, but a tribute nonetheless.

19

I’m not sure what to make of Wednesday’s strip, myself. The reference to Thompson shooting himself feels crass, but what could GT really do that wouldn’t?
As we’ve noted, HST was a pretty crass act, himself.

I think Duke and Honey should take off for Las Vegas.