Religion In The Comics - 020

[Cartoonist]

Dell Four-Color No.103, Published 1946


For me, Easter is the most annoying of all religious holidays. Because this is a "Christian Nation", most restaurants, shops, and businesses are closed. But despite being a "Christian Nation", it is not a paid holiday. And because it always falls on a Sunday, that means I get the day off anyway with no pay, nothing to do and nowhere to go. At least when Christmas falls on a weekend, Friday or Monday is usually a paid day off.

Easter is also one of those holidays the church stole from the Pagans. In this case though, I think the Pagans have the last laugh. Easter is now all about eggs and rabbits, two icons of fertility which is what Spring is celebrated for. Kids associate Easter with colored eggs and chocolate rabbits. Who needs Jesus at the party?

This week's comic book is all about the secularization of Easter. Jesus has been replaced with Mother Goose. No mention is made of the crucifiction and zombiefication of Jesus H. Christ. No mention of him and no image of him appears on a single page. There is only one word that has religious implications, and it appears in this three pager by Walt Kelly. And it is only used to hint at the religious affiliation of sentient Easter eggs.





Next week, more Walt Kelly.

[Lordquinton]

1. In contrast to one of the christian holidays not stolen from the pagans like

[mountain grammy]

2. wait, wait, what about the empty grave

and that big heavy rock that moved. I always wondered why he had to move the rock and couldn't just pass through, or pass over as the case may be, but, I guess pictures don't lie, and there are lots of pictures. Also, I always wondered why it was called "good Friday" since it was crucifixion day. A good day for the Romans, I guess.

I never cared much for Easter either, except, as kids, we got new dresses and shoes, and that was rare in the middle of the school year. I always wanted a bike instead, but oh well. Finally got one on my 8th birthday.

[progressoid]

3. What the ....?

Playing with a gun.

[mr blur]

4. Well, that was...bizarre.

[beam me up scottie]

5. "One shot the other..."

wut?



Although compared to the violence in the buy-bull story this really is kid stuff.

[Lordquinton]

6. Number 7 got off early, he just went to bed

Number one murdered number 2 and then got married and started a family, every april the anniversary comes around and he hides eggs for the children, but it's a reenactment of his hiding his friend's bodies. All but number 7. Ten went home, but we don't see him leave, I'm assuming it's a metaphor, like when your childhood dog goes to a farm, you don't see him leave, he's just gone.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Ohhhhhh, I get it now.

If you want to make an omelette you have to break some eggs.