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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBut, in between, I discovered another unique and brilliant strip called \u201cCul de Sac\u201d by Richard Thompson. Again, it had it\u2019s own voice and look. It has this sketchy, dashed-off quality to it and I love it. I didn\u2019t know much about Richard, but over the years Iearned he had so many styles of art. He drew hilarious spot illustrations, a delightfully bizarre feature in the Washington Post called \u201cRichard\u2019s Poor Almanac\u201d as well as being a breathtaking caricaturist. In short, the man was a genius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back in the day, as happened, we followed each other on Twitter (when it wasn\u2019t a cesspool) and would go back and forth once in a while. He even recommended I go to the National Gallery when I was visiting Washington D.C. But, we never met in person or had an actual conversation. A real regret, because, as we discovered, he had Parkinson\u2019s Disease and first his career ended, then we lost the man. Way too young. But I made it a point to find and pick up as many books by him as I could find.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to learn about the man, The Art of Richard Thompson is a fabulous book showcasing his art and accompanied by interviews. And, for those who might like an idea about his life and work in video form, you can watch THIS<\/a><\/strong> video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, it took a while, but I was able to find and purchase an original. It currently hangs right above my computer so I can look at it every day. It focuses on my favorite character, Petey, a neurotic and anxious boy. Also, it references Lord of the Rings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find the Cul de Sac strips and Richard\u2019s Poor Almanac on Go Comics and also, if you\u2019re inclined, donate to Team Cul de Sac,<\/a><\/strong> which raises money to go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (another hero of mine) and help find a cure for that horrible disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I hope more people learn of Richard\u2019s work and keep it alive!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As everything, it seems, with me, revolves around the comic strip. I grew up loving Peanuts, graduated to Bloom County, The Far Side, and Calvin and Hobbes. After that, it seems there was a drop off of strips that I … Continue reading <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n