Comic Strip of the Day

CSotD: The bell for history class is ringing

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Mike Peterson Published: April 29, 2011 1 minute 0 comments

I don't often comment on continuity strips, because, by the time I realize we're into a good storyline, it's generally too late for newcomers to catch up. But there are parts of a person's education that should not be neglected and, if you like comic strips, "Steve Canyon" should be part of your world. With an arc of this classic strip just beginning on-line, now would be a good time to go set a bookmark and make it a part of your daily diet.

There are any number of places to learn about the strip and its creator, Milton Caniff, a towering figure in the medium: Toonopedia and Wikipedia for instance.

But Dan Thompson — who has a comedy/action continuity strip of his own called "Rip Haywire" — maintains a site that presents Steve Canyon stories in real time, the way they were created to be read, as well as weekly "Male Call" strips, another Caniff classic, and his own gag-a-day strip, "Lost Sheep."

There are collections of Steve Canyon comics, but the experience of reading the strip as its original fans did, one episode per day, is different. Reading a collection is like watching a movie on commercial TV, as compared to seeing it in a theater on a big screen. Yes, you come away with something, but it just ain't the same.

Here's your chance to jump in and enjoy. And if you're ever driving up I-70 out of Denver, pull off the highway at Idaho Springs and make the pilgrimage to see the statue. (Click on the image to read the inscription on the plaque.)

Mike Peterson has posted his "Comic Strip of the Day" column every day since 2010. His opinions are his own, but we welcome comments either agreeing or in opposition.