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Al Capp

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Artist

The Resume

    (September 28, 1909-November 5, 1979)
    Birth name Alfred Gerald Caplin
    Died in South Hampton, New Hampshire at 70
    Created Li'l Abner comic strip (1934-77)
    Created Abbie and Slats and Long Sam comic strips

Why he might be annoying:

    He often chuckled at his own jokes, even when they were not that funny.
    Early in his career, he chastised the comic industry for not crediting all the talent behind the comic strips. Later when he had assistance on L'il Abner, only his name appeared in the credit.
    During the 1960's, much of the work on his strip was done by ghostwriters, but he insisted on drawing the face and hands.
    He seemed out of step with the politics of the time.
    When it was pointed out that he moved from liberal to conservative, he denied it by saying that he stayed where he was and the liberals moved far left.
    After he changed the comic to reflect a more conservative viewpoint, readership dropped in half.
    He was sued for creating the character Joanie Phoanie that mocked Joan Baez.
    When the youth of America was protesting the Vietnam war, he spoke at colleges supporting the war.
    He was charged with the rape of a female student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1971). Female students from four other colleges also asserted that he attempted rape on them, he plead no contest.
    In 1986, Kitchen Sink Press obtained rights to publish the entire Li'l Abner comic strips in a 54 volume library. In 1998, with twenty seven volumes read (1934-61), the Kitchen Sink went out of business.
    The creator of the Mary Worth comic strip added Hal Rapp, a bitter poor mannered cartoonist character to even the score, for his character Mary Worthless.
    His characters were used in ads for Wildroot Hair tonic.
    He planned to run for senate against Ted Kennedy, but then thought better of it.
    He had a horrific voice.
    He smoked.
    He died extremely bitter.
    He threatened to sue after Isaac Asimov acussed his comic strip of 'anti-black propoganda.'

Why he might not be annoying:

    John Steinbeck labeled him 'the best writer in the world.'
    As a nine year old, he lost his leg to a trolley accident. Rather than hide he had one leg, he made fun of it.
    At nineteen he became the youngest American syndicated cartoonist (1929).
    He was a political maverick, switching from liberal during the McCarthy 50's to conservative in the hippie 60's.
    He contributed his time during World War II visiting hospitals. He especially helped amputees understand that disability could be overcome.
    He created the very popular Li'l Abner Yokum, the dumb/strong hillbilly of Dogpatch (1934).
    It was estimated that at its peak, over 40-50% of all Americans were reading his strip.
    Lil Abner spent his life avoiding Daisy Mae martial plots, until he finally gave in. When he married Daisy, it made the cover of Life Magazine (1952).
    Daisy Mae inspired the character Daisy Duke and the Daisy Duke cut shorts.
    Many of his comics featured extremely busty and underdressed females.
    He created the first comic strip within a comic strip, Fearless Fosdick (a Dick Tracy rip off).
    He originated 'Sadie Hawkins Day,' a day in which women ask men out. It became so popular that many areas instituted Sadie Hawkins dances (ladies choice).
    His Li'l Abner comic strip was turned into a Broadway musical comedy (1956).
    It also was made into two Li'l Abner movies, one in 1940 and another in 1959.
    A Dogpatch USA theme park opened in Jasper, Arkansas (1968-93).
    Some words and phrases he is credited with inventing are 'amoozin but confoozin,' 'as any fool can plainly see,' 'double whammy,' 'gulp,' 'natcherley' and 'sob'
    He created a despicable Senator name Jack S. Phogbound (often calling him Jack S. (a pun of jackass).

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 17 Votes: 70.59% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 6 Votes: 83.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 21 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 13 Votes: 23.08% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 21 Votes: 61.90% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 19 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 35 Votes: 51.43% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 37 Votes: 67.57% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 77 Votes: 62.34% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 150 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 240 Votes: 43.33% Annoying