If he had kicked the ball, this is how it would've gone down:
Linus: So you finally kicked the football, Charlie Brown.
Charlie: Yes. But to tell you the truth, Linus, it wasn't as much fun as I thought it was going to be. I'm still depressed about Christmas coming.
It was really only as an adult that I fully appreciated the delightful weirdness of the Peanuts universe, *especially* the Great Pumpkin (where did the idea of a "sincere pumpkin patch" even come from?). You have a dog who fantasizes about being a WW1 flying ace (something most kids don't even have a clue about; I sure didn't); a little girl who runs not a lemonade stand but a psychiatric stand (!) which the local kids actually patronize (!); a sadistic neighborhood where all the adults apparently see nothing wrong with filling a little kid's Halloween bag with rocks; a boy who is always referred to by both his first and last names, even by his best friend; a girl who thinks "naturally curly hair" is just the greatest achievement ever ... it's so funny that Peanuts is generally seen as a kind of cuddly, mild, cute comic when, as you have pointed out, a lot more is going on!
And yeah, the WEIRDNESS of the strip is often overlooked, exactly as you say. I never questioned that as a kid -- the "sincere" Pumpkin Patch, but it's brilliant isn't it? For a time, Linus's security blanket became animate too, and sought revenge on Lucy. It was SURREAL. And Snoopy's doghouse having a billiard room, and an Andrew Wyeth painting, and an entire inner area (that he NEVER uses, because he sleeps on top of it ... on the eave? How does he not fall off?? That was explained once too). And Peppermint Patty thinks Snoopy is a "funny-looking kid" and even takes him to a dance? It's all this weird, fantastic mix of reality, fantasy, and surrealness, and the borders are VERY blurry. But one thing is constant: the world is a hard, unforgiving place, and anyone smart enough to see that (Charlie Brown, Linus) is constantly plagued by dark thoughts, and everyone else distracts themselves to ignore this obvious truth (with Beethoven obsession, or figure skating, or sports, or outright fantasy). It's just crazy brilliant!
Just because he didn't kick it in the comic strip doesn't mean he hasn't kicked it since the strip ended. Do comic characters only exist when humans can see them drawn out? OOOooooooo
Charlie Brown never kicked the football, it's true. But once, Lucy didn't pull it away. In a long story arc, Charlie Brown spent a week in the hospital, and Lucy promised that if he got better, the next time he tried to kick the ball, she'd let him. She kept her promise, but in typical Charlie Brown fashion, he accidentally kicked Lucy in the arm. "Next time you go to the hospital, Blockhead, stay there!"
If he had kicked the ball, this is how it would've gone down:
Linus: So you finally kicked the football, Charlie Brown.
Charlie: Yes. But to tell you the truth, Linus, it wasn't as much fun as I thought it was going to be. I'm still depressed about Christmas coming.
It was really only as an adult that I fully appreciated the delightful weirdness of the Peanuts universe, *especially* the Great Pumpkin (where did the idea of a "sincere pumpkin patch" even come from?). You have a dog who fantasizes about being a WW1 flying ace (something most kids don't even have a clue about; I sure didn't); a little girl who runs not a lemonade stand but a psychiatric stand (!) which the local kids actually patronize (!); a sadistic neighborhood where all the adults apparently see nothing wrong with filling a little kid's Halloween bag with rocks; a boy who is always referred to by both his first and last names, even by his best friend; a girl who thinks "naturally curly hair" is just the greatest achievement ever ... it's so funny that Peanuts is generally seen as a kind of cuddly, mild, cute comic when, as you have pointed out, a lot more is going on!
haha, very on point!
And yeah, the WEIRDNESS of the strip is often overlooked, exactly as you say. I never questioned that as a kid -- the "sincere" Pumpkin Patch, but it's brilliant isn't it? For a time, Linus's security blanket became animate too, and sought revenge on Lucy. It was SURREAL. And Snoopy's doghouse having a billiard room, and an Andrew Wyeth painting, and an entire inner area (that he NEVER uses, because he sleeps on top of it ... on the eave? How does he not fall off?? That was explained once too). And Peppermint Patty thinks Snoopy is a "funny-looking kid" and even takes him to a dance? It's all this weird, fantastic mix of reality, fantasy, and surrealness, and the borders are VERY blurry. But one thing is constant: the world is a hard, unforgiving place, and anyone smart enough to see that (Charlie Brown, Linus) is constantly plagued by dark thoughts, and everyone else distracts themselves to ignore this obvious truth (with Beethoven obsession, or figure skating, or sports, or outright fantasy). It's just crazy brilliant!
This is one of my favorites of all the pieces you’ve shared.
Well, thank you! Glad you liked it.
Just because he didn't kick it in the comic strip doesn't mean he hasn't kicked it since the strip ended. Do comic characters only exist when humans can see them drawn out? OOOooooooo
Okay, Lisa, let's get you back to the asylum, shall we? ;-)
Oh is it time to go back already?
These days, there isn't really a difference.
Tell Michael I'll see him there!
You of all people should know that he's not allowed visitors in his wing. The last time they did, he ate the guys liver with, well, you know...
Oh right--onions!!
Charlie Brown never kicked the football, it's true. But once, Lucy didn't pull it away. In a long story arc, Charlie Brown spent a week in the hospital, and Lucy promised that if he got better, the next time he tried to kick the ball, she'd let him. She kept her promise, but in typical Charlie Brown fashion, he accidentally kicked Lucy in the arm. "Next time you go to the hospital, Blockhead, stay there!"
Haha so you're a true fan too. This is the incident I'm referring to when I saw he kicked Lucy instead. And I do love her line to him. 😂😂😂