I didn't realize that Johnny Hart had passed away until I saw it this morning on another BLOG. I guess I was too involved in my own little world to catch the news release - not that knowing any sooner could have kept him here, but I could have started missing him sooner, as I feel is appropriate.
I would be lying if I said that I bought the Sunday paper for any other reason besides the Comics section. Hart's work has always been among my favorite strips, especially B.C. and I will miss his contribution to that part of my life.
I appreciate too, that he was unshaken by critics, who found him less than politically correct.
His work, while at times controversial to certain audiences, was as bold as a *Chick tract and twice as effective, thanks to it's simplicity, humor and refusal to damn it's every reader to Hell.
(not that Hart didn't believe in Hell, or that lots of people were headed there. . .)
One article said that Hart's family members have been helping with the strip for some time, and there was a storehouse of strips created ahead of time, so the strip is to continue- but it just won't be the same knowing Johnny isn't behind the pen.
*I don't have a squabble with Chick, I'm just saying there is a different approach, a more laid back style... a tone of voice that, while somewhat softer, was just as commanding