More than forty years ago Uncle Charlie, who was Grandpa Crum’s brother, told me that he thought Prince Valiant was a wonderful comic strip. He pointed out that it had a strong narrative, character development, amazingly detailed and effective art, and wonderful historical content. I smirked, of course, and thought that he sure was stodgy.
Over the past several years, however, I have come to terms with my own stodginess.  I realized that I was beginning to approach “old coot” age when Prince Valiant became interesting. Indeed, Uncle Charlie was right! Even as a person woefully deficient in the history-appreciation department, I find that I enjoy the stories and, indeed, the history that I find on the back page of my Sunday comics each week.
One notable characteristic of Prince Valiant is the way the creators have successfully managed to negotiate the march of progress in societal norms.  For example, there are strong female characters, and major non-white characters, but there is no feeling of “diversity” being pushed.
I write today to carry on the tradition of elders giving the next generation a chance to scoff, only to find as they reach “a certain age” that the circle of life, and comics, never ends.
This is a great defense of Prince Valiant. There must be something to it or it wouldn’t be around still — it’s neat that you read it. I went to a website to try to read it and you have to pay.
It seems like comics are going to have to become internet-based like Randy’s to survive — since obviously paper newspapers are on their last legs — but also hard to figure out how to make money.
What? No funnies? How do you start the day?
The NYT doesn’t have comics. It sucks.
That’s true but the cool people are reading Randy’s comic.