![]() Continual discomfort and periodic breakdowns of his prosthesis made Capp’s life difficult, but the underlying embarrassment about his injury caused Capp significant stress as well. Though the young Connecticuter survived and eventually learned to walk using a prosthetic wooden leg, the prosthesis was unreliable and very difficult to master. To prevent the spread of gangrene, doctors amputated Capp’s leg well above his knee. His biggest loss, an event which changed his life forever, happened at nine years old when a streetcar ran over Capp’s left leg. Creating Li’l Abner, a one-of-a-kind comic-strip franchise that spawned several successful adaptations including two major motion pictures, was probably Capp’s biggest win. Capp led a full and controversial life peppered with staggering wins and losses. Streetcarīefore diving into Dogpatch, the pastoral southern paradise that is home to the Yokum family, the uninitiated should probably learn a few things about Li’l Abner‘s creator, Al Capp, born Alfred G. Meet the Yokums: Great Grandaddy Yokum – Al Capp Li’l Abner vs. In its heyday, Li’l Abner boasted a readership that numbered in the millions, and, after reading the first year, I can safely say that, anachronistic political incorrectness aside, I understand why. Right or wrong, readers devoured Capp’s tales of life in Dogpatch, USA. After all, what right did Al Capp, a New Yorker born in Connecticut, have to parody life in the south? Nowadays, Capp’s representation of simple southern folk living complicated southern lives might be met with hostility by some. ![]() The use of stereotypes and caricature were commonplace, especially in comic strips and on the pages of pulp magazines. Sensibilities in the ’30s were significantly different than those of today. Al Capp’s best-known creation hit the newsstands in August of 1934 and enjoyed 43 years of ongoing publication. As both a character and as a brand, Li’l Abner is a standout. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |