Feb 13th 2008 06:25 am I shudder to think what “older” meant when I drew this
In 1992, the title characters very much had their original appearance still. However, believe it or not, I had come a long way as a cartoonist, especially in the areas of body language and figure drawing. Folks at United Media at first were bothered by panels like the third one here, where only portions of their heads are visible. I drew these close-ups naturally and was never bothered by them myself. I compare them to a tight close-up in cinematography. Or, put another way, it adds a little drama to talking heads.
Posted by jimmyjohnson / Vintage A&J
27 Responses to “I shudder to think what “older” meant when I drew this”
Ken from Framingham (Boston Globe reader) on 13 Feb 2008 at 6:58 am #
Amen! Have you looked at Mary Worth recently? WOW.
Blinky the Wonder Wombat on 13 Feb 2008 at 7:25 am #
Jimmy, once again you hit the nail on the head! Now, if we can just get our wives to understand this…
RichK in WI on 13 Feb 2008 at 7:39 am #
I’ve come to ignore the fact that they may have kids along too.
Matthew on 13 Feb 2008 at 7:44 am #
What Arlo says, ’tis true, but the younger women don’t look bad, either. Let’s face it: A woman, from seventeen to seventy, who looks at you with love or strong interest or passion–she’s beautiful.
Keep drawing the close-ups. That third panel is good.
billinbossier on 13 Feb 2008 at 7:46 am #
Ain’t it the truth, Blinky.
Greg in Robertsdale on 13 Feb 2008 at 8:08 am #
The truth is out there!!! My bride of 25 years is living proof!! I’ve long held the belief that while a younger woman can be plenty “pretty”, real “beauty” was found in the more mature. That certain Je ne sais pas ce qui.
Bill on 13 Feb 2008 at 8:13 am #
Today’s cartoon reminds me of an old joke. It’s a tad risquè, but… I think you get the drift. Maybe this isn’t suitable for a family site. I don’t mind if you don’t pass it along.
Joyce on 13 Feb 2008 at 8:37 am #
I think that’s true too. I think about my mother when she was the age that I’m at now. I’m healtier, look younger than she did and I know I’m much more active. So yes, I think older women are looking better and better. And we’re certainly a lot more savvy than those young kids–who are probably in their 30s. Now on the other hand, lots of older men look better too.
Gary on 13 Feb 2008 at 8:42 am #
That’s one of the signs of getting “older”. You see a good looking younger woman and automatically wonder what the mom looks like. lol
Michael Herr on 13 Feb 2008 at 9:13 am #
On the opposite side, as an elementary school teacher I was standing with the Principal in his office on the first day of school. All the young mothers were dropping off their Kindergarten kids. That’s when he told me one of the advantages to working in a school — there were more good-looking women every year.
Ken from Framingham (Boston Globe reader) on 13 Feb 2008 at 9:30 am #
Mary Tyler Moore aside, many actresses are more attractive as they mature… Teri Hatcher for one.
Kathleen on 13 Feb 2008 at 9:34 am #
My mother who turned 82 yesterday recently told me that one of the advantages of growing older is that Daddy now tells her how beautiful she is! She’s always taken good care of herself and has wonderfully smooth skin (thanks to Vaseline every night, which I can’t even imagine!). Compared to some of the wrinkled ladies living in their retirement community, she looks beautiful for sure!
Randy in Irving, Tx on 13 Feb 2008 at 9:54 am #
When one truly loves another, the “another” will always age with unmatched beauty.
My wife of almost 28 years just gets more beautiful each and every second that I am privleged to be with her.
Keep keeping us real, Jimmy.
H C Brown on 13 Feb 2008 at 11:20 am #
Message to Michael Herr — check out the grandma’s who pick the kids up from school too!
Steve from Royal Oak on 13 Feb 2008 at 11:23 am #
I am wondering how Janis broke her fingers in the toilet (today’s strip). Is there a story there? I had to saw off the plastic screws on the old toilet seat this week and when I tried to put the new ones on they became stuck. Now we are sliding all over the place…no broken bones yet.
I intend to go to the local hardware store and get new screws. My store is a locally own shop where you can buy individual screws and more importantly, expert advice on how to fix things, just like they had when our Dads were young.
Barbara on 13 Feb 2008 at 11:23 am #
I think maybe the folks at United Media need to get themselves some hobbies. If they are worrying about close-ups in comic strips, I think they must have too much time on their hands!
LVJeff on 13 Feb 2008 at 12:17 pm #
This is turning out to be a very Valentinesy comments thread. So sweet, and I mean that.
Harper on 13 Feb 2008 at 12:19 pm #
OK, I admit it: I was sure the last panel’s thought bubble would read, “They looked great then, they look great now…” I like your twist on it better, Jimmy. The older men get, the more good-looking women there are in the world – at least there’s SOME advatage to getting older!
Cousin Keith Johnson on 13 Feb 2008 at 12:35 pm #
Jimmy’s insight into the 3rd panel is especially interesting to me.
Another comic I read (webcomic only so far), is Pinkerton (www.pinkertonpark.com). The artist, Mike Witmer, also has a comments section, and he discusses details like this all the time. He has specifically mentioned the reaction to ‘close-ups’ like panel 3.
It’s pretty cool to be able to talk about stuff like this and get feedback from the artist. I hope I’m not premature in assuming that Jimmy doesn’t mind a shout out to another comic.
Jim F on 13 Feb 2008 at 1:04 pm #
As I think I’ve mentioned, this is one of my all-time favorite strips…a prime example of your ability to get it “just right.”
Don from Broken Arrow on 13 Feb 2008 at 2:44 pm #
Gosh, we are old.
Steve from Royal Oak on 13 Feb 2008 at 3:35 pm #
Not quite sure if this is the proper place to share this but DETROIT TIGER PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT FOR SPRING TRAINING TOMORROW! Whew, I am excited.
Also, in a few weeks, March Madness starts. Auburn’s “War Eagle” Tigers aren’t doing too well, but my baby Purdue Boilermakers are taking the Big Ten by storm. Just like in the ’90′s (when Purdue won 3 straight undisputed tittles) the pundits are saying that the Big Ten must be down because Purdue leads the league, but ask me if I care what they think. I am enjoying my team as they are playing outstanding team defense and have 4-5 go to guys on offense.
Purdue identifies with Auburn as we are in rural states dominated by the college with the name of the state, but quite a few people don’t know where we are located because we do not have a state name in our names (PU is Indiana and AU is Alabama) WAR Boilers!
Mary in Ohio on 13 Feb 2008 at 4:26 pm #
Michael – since your principal had left the classroom, he didn’t tell you the other truism of elementary teaching : Every year they’re the same age, but you’re a year older.
Never having been one the guys considered “a cutie” I enjoy the fact that now that we are ALL “old and fat and gray” (as an old high school classmate pointed out to me at an alumni dinner) the guys are much more enjoyable.
Ross on 13 Feb 2008 at 4:53 pm #
Good point by Steve from Royal Oak except that Auburn will never be dominated by UAT ( University of Alabama @ Tuscaloosa) again. Those days are over.
Greg in Robertsdale on 13 Feb 2008 at 6:41 pm #
Your little brother has a depth of wisdom not seen here before. Wise beyond his years regardless of his age. You didn’t tell me your family also had WHITE sheep!!!!
) ROLLLLLLLLLL TIIIIIIIDE!!! My eldest son, whom I am extremely proud of is not only attending there, but doing it all on his own. He’s a real hard worker. He’s gonna be somebody, and that UAT diploma on his wall will impress anyone hiring him. 
)
Steve from Royal Oak on 13 Feb 2008 at 9:49 pm #
Wow you have a brother from UAT???? And you admit it? LOL You have alot of class. My brother got his masters from Indiana Purdue Indianapolis (IUPUI) and the diploma said “Indiana University.” He got it 20 years ago and we STILL haven’t let him forget it.
Thanks for watching out for the flame wars. A little gentle ribbing is OK. My daughter goes to Michigan State and after beating them last night I only give them love as I have great respect for Izzo and his program. If my team gets beat it is not like I can do anything about it anyway!
Steve from Royal Oak on 13 Feb 2008 at 9:51 pm #
Did I misread your brother’s comments? Who went where?