What Are We Fighting For?

As a precocious kid coming up in the 1970s, I was drawn to the editorial page of the morning newspaper, where I first discovered Gary Trudeau, with his irreverent but accurate portrayal of American narcissism in the form of “Doonesbury.”
Andrews McMeel Publishing has recently issued “40: A Doonesbury Retrospective,” a compendium of every strips published since the comic launched in 1970. Also included are brief chapters by Trudeau on his most significant characters, including Mike Doonesbury, Uncle Duke, Zonker Harris, and others.
At the beginning, Trudeau explains what the book is not. “It’s not about Watergate, gas lines, cardigans, Reagonomics, a thousand points of light, Monica, New Orleans, or even Dubya. None of that.” He is also sure readers will be “relieved” at this news.
Trudeau is confident readers are not interested in “decoding long-expired topical material.” He explains that the book is instead an attempt to show “how it felt to live through those years.” This coffee table sized read includes 13 percent of the 14,000 strips published.
His character’s and his comic strip’s history is all here, nonetheless. The strip began, as most regular readers will already know, while Trudeau was an undergraduate. His first character was B.D., inspired by a college pal. But when syndication came, he knew was necessary to expand his character pool, so soon after, between 1970 and 1974, came the additions of Mike Doonesbury, Mark Slackmeyer, Joanie Caucaus, and intrepid CNN newsman Roland Burton Hedley, Jr.
A quickly noticeable feature of the strip’s evolution is the development of the drawing style and coloration. The first few panels are black and white, the outlines suitably shaded, but less structured and less defined than those of later efforts.
That evolution is also evident in the character’s dialogue. Whereas Mike and B.D. are largely concerned at the outset with what college life might offer, whether there are enough girls to meet a mixers, or the power of campus protest, the acceleration into topics of national significance and lasting impact is remarkable for its historical significance.
Richard Nixon might not make an obvious appearance, but nonetheless, here are Mark, Mike, and B.D. handing out awards to “the men and women who made Watergate a reality.”
Just when it appears Trudeau and his imaginary friends might stay fixed on matters of national significance, however, they veer back toward the ordinary, such as when Mark’s father announces to his still sleeping son, “Yessir, tomorrow’s the first day of college and it’s time to shake down the old man for the upcoming semester.”
Trudeau's most iconic character, however, is Uncle Duke. Modeled on bombastic journalist Hunter S. Thompson, Duke is memorable, whether lambasting his CIA intern for launching a Predator drone, or praising his Samoan aide for mixing a pitcher of daquiris.
For a look back at who we are, check out "40: A Doonesbury Retrospective."
Good Reading.