October 1st, 2017

Timeline – 1969 Part 1

by Brian Walker, Greg Walker and Chance Browne

Hi and Lois Sunday page color proof, March 30, 1969.

Chip Flagston came of age in the 1960s. He went from making excuses about not finishing his homework to riding his bike to the library to meet his girlfriend. He’s old enough to be curious about the opposite sex but too young to get into serious trouble.

His parents also noticed the change. In one strip, Hi asked Lois, “Remember how Chip use to pop his bubble gum every time lovers kissed in a TV movie?” In the second panel Chip is shown watching a love scene on TV with a wide-eyed stare. ” Hi, in the next room, continued, “Well now he stops chewing.”

In another strip, Chip is sitting out in front of school with his friend Jerry watching girls walk by. Chip says, “I like Mary Ann, except that she’s a little taller than I am.” Jerry replies, “Don’t give up. My mom says girls mature earlier than boys, but one of these days we’ll shoot way up.” Smiling at a really cute girl, Chip says, “In that case I’ll shoot for Tori Horton.”

In the episode above, Chip seems to think that the rest of the family is unaware of his obsession with girls. He is not doing a very good job of keeping his secret.

Readers who remember the awakening years of adolescence have a chance to relive their experiences by following Chip’s romantic exploits. It’s a lot less painful from a distance.

This is the first installment from 1969 in our Timeline series, so stay tooned.

– Brian Walker