Imagine a world where satire actually had some bite, when artists weren't afraid to ruffle a few feathers with their comic strips. That world existed when "Arnold" hit the scene. Created by the somewhat notorious Kevin McCormick, "Arnold" was an American comic strip that roamed the funny pages between 1982 and 1988, featuring the antics of a bespectacled little boy with an oversized head living in a hilariously bleak landscape. McCormick's creation radiated an energy that gave readers genuine laughs and undiluted satire, unfiltered by the politically correct norms of today.
Arnold, our title character, navigates a world full of absurdities, portraying the life that many might secretly recognize as their own. The strip was set in a dreary neighborhood, where neighbors traded pleasantries and insults with equal fervor. It's the kind of storytelling where clever satire conveys a deeper reflection on societal norms and critiques the common hypocrisies that many modern artists shy away from. The humor was sharp, the art was simple, yet striking, and each panel delivered wit that might be regarded as too audacious for today's audiences.
Now, let's not forget that Kevin McCormick was never one to pull punches in his artistic representations. Unlike the sanitized humor of recent times, "Arnold" was unashamed in its approach to mock societal issues. Whether it was poking fun at the trivialities of middle-class life or providing a mirror to the mundane existence that many unknowingly submit to, each strip was a testament to McCormick's boldness.
"Arnold" wasn't just a series of gags strung together without purpose. On the contrary, it provided a space where topics like educational bureaucracy and familial discord were fodder for cultural commentary. It asked the readers to reflect on their own position in society without the need for a disclaimer at the start of each strip. For those of us who appreciate robust commentary without a layer of fluff, this comic strip was a godsend.
In the days of "Arnold", readers weren't showered with what can best be described as a flood of milquetoast cartoons. You know the ones—those comics now dancing around issues without daring to speak their mind. This strip was daring, unrelenting, and brimming with sarcasm that's hard to find in today's more "sensitive" era. In fact, one would argue that Arnold was a sort of canary in the coal mine for a cultural mindset shift that happened over the last few decades.
The strip's six-year run gathered a loyal fan base who appreciated McCormick's cheekiness. It was a mirror to the realities of life that one would encounter walking down any average American suburb. Whether it was the cynical take on growing up or the less than perfect depictions of parenthood, "Arnold" hit home with a bite that just isn’t as prevalent anymore.
As we progress as a society, we ought to ask ourselves what we've lost in our pursuit of a peaceful existence devoid of any minor discomfort. If we look back, comics like "Arnold" made audiences think, they startled them into reflection, and most importantly, they left them with a grin. It's an assumed nostalgia for a time when humor was unrepentant and satire was a form of resistance rather than an apologetic commentary.
Kevin McCormick did not adopt the tame stance common among artists today. With each panel, McCormick exposed the follies of everyday life and did so with the kind of irreverence that some modern-day creators steer clear of for fear of backlash. When we dig into the strips of yesteryear like "Arnold", we're reminded of an era where blunt wit was celebrated, not stifled.
So here's a tip of the hat to "Arnold", a comic strip that spoke its mind without confining itself to the comfort of the crowd. It's a nod towards satire as it should be—unapologetic, observant, and maybe just a little controversial. If anything, "Arnold" challenged its readers to laugh at truths hidden beneath layers of exaggeration, a quality that could certainly do with a resurgence in today's comic discourse.