Hagar the Horrible (3/26/09)

Even though violence is common in the world of comic strips (think Sarge stomping on Beetle Bailey or Lucy roughhousing with Linus) it’s usually depicted in an exaggerated, over-the-top manner. That’s why it’s so unsettling to see Hagar the Horrible not only bleeding, but suffering from such serious wounds that his blood drips from his body and forms puddles on the floor. Judging by his heavy eyelids in the second panel, it looks as if the poor man is about to lose consciousness. I’m not sure anyone would find this punchline funny, but it does illustrate the unglamorous nature of battlefield injuries in terms not usually seen on the comics page.

Hagar the Horrible (10/13/08)

This is pretty kinky territory for Hagar the Horrible, or any comic strip for that matter. Based on the whimsical helmet and beard combination, I’m going to assume that the old man in this strip is Hagar’s father and not Helga’s. He’s apprently fond of French women barbers and has no problem gleefully sharing his Gallic fetish with his son. That’s pretty disturbing, but what redeems this strip for me is the comically concerned look on Helga’s face as the old man whispers his desires to her in panel two.

Hagar the Horrible (4/7/08)

Apparently, Pigpen from Peanuts has grown up and made his way into the wacky viking world of Hagar the Horrible. It’s a good thing, too, since the characters in this strip have been rendered the same way for years. Dirty Dirk looks like an unkempt clone of Hagar, but the grimy clothes, unkempt beard, and sloppy hat give him a style all his own. It’s enough for me to hope that Hagar himself will be given a variety of looks. Today’s strip also taught me that Hagar and his crew are stationed in Norway. That’s not much of a shock, but I don’t remember it being spelled out in the strip before.