Johnny Hart - Cartoonist

[Amelia]

Today's Christian, March/April 1997

Johnny Hart: Not Caving In

The cartoon characters of "B.C." reflect their imaginative creator, Johnny Hart. Especially his unapologetic faith in God.

by Joe Maxwell

Editor's Note: Cartoonist Johnny Hart, a devoted Christian whose award-winning B.C. comic strip appeared in more than 1,300 newspapers worldwide, died on April 7 at age 76. Today's Christian interviewed Hart in 1997.

Quote:

B.C. vs. The Times

Johnny's work stirs more than a love for life. For some, Johnny's bent has become too religious and/or political. While other cartoonists' characters get away with blatant statements reflecting non-Christian views, over the past few years a different standard has been applied by some newspaper editors to Johnny's cartoon figures.

For four years now, The Los Angeles Times has refused to run certain "B.C." strips containing witty Christian messages during holiday seasons. In March 1996, when the Times refused to run his Palm Sunday strip, a national uproar ensued, reaching even the Washington, D.C., talk show circuit. The strip had Wiley—a brooding, poet-wannabe in B.C.'s cast of characters—sitting against a tree, tablet in hand, writing a poem entitled "The Suffering Prince":

Picture yourself tied to a tree,

condemned of the sins of eternity.

Then picture a spear, parting the air,

seeking your heart to cut your despair.

Suddenly—a knight, in armor of white,

stands in the gap betwixt you and its flight,

And shedding his 'armor of God' for you—

bears the lance that runs him through.

His heart has been pierced that yours may beat,

and the blood of his corpse washes your feet.

Picture yourself in raiment white,

cleansed by the blood of the lifeless knight.

Never to mourn,

the prince who was downed,

For he is not lost! It is you who are found

http://www.christianitytoday.com/tc/7r2/7r2018.html

[Amelia]