August 18th, 2017

Timeline – 1967 Part 3

by Brian Walker, Greg Walker and Chance Browne

Hi and Lois Sunday page color proof, July 16, 1967.

“Where do you get your ideas?” is the question that readers most often ask cartoonists. There is no simple answer.

Mort Walker, in the 1986 book, The Best of Hi and Lois, provided some insights into his process. “The main ingredient in humor is the revelation of human nature – it’s frailties, its reasoning power – and the interrelationships between characters,” Mort explained. “Mostly what we do in Hi and Lois is focus on the conflicts between different family members due to their age differences. You get a lot of gags out of the way people reason and do things. It’s human nature you’re after.”

“Everyone is always convinced that they are unique,” Mort continued. “You think you are the first one ever to fall in love or the first one to change a diaper. When you read it in a comic strip, you realize everyone is going through the same experiences and that makes life a little easier. We like to feel that we have brought a little light into the situation and maybe Hi and Lois has helped people become more philosophical about the trials and tribulations of family life and parenthood.”

All parents are proud of their children. The Sunday page above pokes fun at this situation. The conversation between Hi and Lois is typical of what moms and dads say about their precious little babies. The sound that comes out of Trixie’s mouth in the final panel reveals the absurdity of their delusions.

Hopefully this gag made parents everywhere laugh at themselves for a few moments.

Our Timeline series will continue next week so be sure to check back.

– Brian Walker