Zippy

Question: what is an enigma wrapped in newspaper? Here are clues: diners, a mu mu, tiny or giant statues, pop culture, and often unintelligible dialogue. The answer: Zippy the comic strip by Bill Griffith.

Cartoonist Griffith emerged from the underground comic books of the '60s and '70s characterized by promiscuous sex, drugs, and disrespect for the law and authority. He emerged only far enough to gain syndication in main-stream newspapers; his influences are still evident in his comic strip Zippy.

Zippy is Griffith's observations on societal norms, "pop" culture, politics, and religion as filtered through the eyes of a literally pinheaded, wistfully gentle, usually unemployed man who wanders aimlessly through life.

Yes, Virginia, there are still Hippies; they just have different names.

Are they funny observations? No, they are often obscure non-sense. You don't believe? Zippy and friend stand in falling snow.

"Are you prepared for the chill of winter, Zippy?" asks friend.

"Ripstop nylon microfleece!" answers Zippy. "Ripstop nylon microfleece! Ripstop nylon microfleece! Ripstop nylon microfleece!"

"Words won't keep you warm in January, Zip..." adds the friend.

"They will if they're repeated often enough!"

"Bundle up Zippy, the wind is whipping off th' lake."

"Walter Winchell factor!" concludes the pinhead.

But are they interesting? Yes, sometimes.

Is the art funny and engaging? Yes, often like disjointed dreams that leave once scratching a head and looking for an interpretation. Having written that, this reviewer does enjoy Zippy's trips to odd-shaped diners with giant chickens and pigs on their roofs and his insights about comic books and strips that require historical knowledge probably lacking in most casual readers.

So, is this meaningless drivel or the profound observations of a social and political genius? meaningless drivel meaningless drivel meaningless drivel Yes. MV

Zippy Annual 2002
$19.95 & 127 pgs
From Fantagraphics
Available in comics and books stores and at www.fantagraphics.com.

Any statements made, expressed or implied are solely those of columnists or persons interviewed and do not represent the editorial position of the administration, who does not accept responsibility of such statements. All characters and artwork shown are trademark and © of their respective owners.