Arnold (comic strip)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arnold
A title-panel for "Arnold" and a sample strip.
Author(s)	Kevin McCormick
Current status / schedule	Ended
Launch date	January 3, 1983
End Date	April 1988
Syndicate(s)	Field Enterprises (1983-1984) News America Syndicate (1984-1988)
Genre(s)	Humor

Arnold was the title of a comic strip by Kevin McCormick that ran in a few newspapers, including the Detroit Free Press, from 1983 through 1988. The main characters were Arnold, a strange, volatile child, Tommy, his well-meaning and clueless friend, and Mr. Lester, Arnold and Tommy's school teacher. Arnold often yelled "AIEEE" at random moments, and both characters had run-ins with the school cafeteria ladies, specifically Arnold who referred to mayonnaise as WHITE DEATH at the top of his lungs. Arnold had a particular aversion to "wet bread". Tommy would often walk away from his football coach wearing his helmet backwards, as apparently the coach did not think much of Tommy's suggestions. Mr. Lester was often perplexed with Arnold at school. Towards the end of the run, a baby brother to Arnold named Sid was born. Sid frequently grabbed hold of others by holding on with his mouth. Tommy occasionally brought a thinly-veiled Christian attitude to his reactions to the other characters.

In the last comic, a giant bird grabbed Arnold and flew off with him. Kevin McCormick wrote to the fans of the strip in Detroit Free Press "I was extremely gratified and happy to receive all the letters from Free Press readers concerning the demise of Arnold. I even had second thoughts. But, alas, it was too late. The gigantic bird had already swallowed."

There was also an earlier strip of the same name by Bill Johnson in 1961.