Early this year, I ran across several books put together by Bruce Simon and Ron Evry. And I quickly fell in love.
Uh, not with Bruce and Ron—although they’re both great guys—but rather with their books collecting the Out Our Way cartoons of James R. Williams.
The art has fantastic line work. And, despite—or maybe even because of—the antiquated subject matter, I was anxious to see if I could turn some of the art into Last Kiss comics.
My thanks to Bruce and Ron for permission to use panels from their books. This first one is from Hoo-Hah! Out Our Way: Born Thirty Years Too Soon.
On Wednesday I’ll be running a sequel to today’s Last Kiss gag. In coming weeks, you’ll occasionally see more Williams art here. I hope you enjoy it—as well as Williams original gags.
Comic (circa 1920s-’30s) by J.R. William. Reprinted from Bruce Simon’s & Ron Evry’s book: Hoo-Hah! Out Our Way: Born Thirty Years Too Soon. Used with permission.
Transcript:
SCENE: Two boys in a bedroom. Boy #1 is on the bed, but is peaking out the window. Boy #2 is in bed and trying (without any luck) to sleep.
BOY #1: Suzy’s at her window…looking at me! I hate when girls look at me!
BOY #2: Suzy’s gone! She’s visiting her aunt.* That must be Suzy’s dog.
BOY #1: Her dog? Emily? But…she’s a girl too! It’s a conspiracy! They’re all out to marry me!
CAPTION: *Suzy’s Aunt lives in Girlville!
Vintage Art: J.R. Williams New Dialogue: John Lustig
Art from Bruce Simon’s & Ron Evry’s book:
Hoo-Hah! Out Our Way: Born Thirty Years Too Soon
ART: Born Thirty Years Too Soon-0146
BOY #1: Suzy’s at her window...looking at me! I hate when girls look at me!
BOY #2: Suzy’s gone! She’s visiting her aunt.* That must be Suzy’s dog.
BOY #1: Her dog? Emily? But...she’s a girl too! It’s a conspiracy! They’re all out to marry me!
CAPTION: *Suzy’s Aunt lives in Girlville!
Vintage Art: J.R. Williams New Dialogue: John Lustig
Art from Bruce Simon’s & Ron Evry’s book:
Hoo-Hah! Out Our Way: Born Thirty Years Too Soon
ART: Born Thirty Years Too Soon-0146
I’ve seen some of Ron Evry’s collection and saved off a favorite or two. Wish I could post it here. My father had a favorite too.
I remember reading ‘Out Our Way’ as a child. I was from a remote, small town in Canada and yet the characters seemed so familiar and relatable. And funny. Thanks for the reminder.
Chicks, man……
I was reading Out Our Way in the comic section of the now gone New York City newspaper World Telegraph & Sun.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_Our_Way
I’m very encouraged by the reaction to this comic and particularly to Williams’ work in general. I didn’t know how many people would know Out Our Way, but readers have been enthusiastic and nostalgic—both here and on https://www.gocomics.com/lastkiss/2020/09/21