Religion In The Comics - 020

Dell Four-Color No.103, Published 1946


For me, Easter is the most annoying of all religious holidays. Because this is a "Christian Nation", most restaurants, shops, and businesses are closed. But despite being a "Christian Nation", it is not a paid holiday. And because it always falls on a Sunday, that means I get the day off anyway with no pay, nothing to do and nowhere to go. At least when Christmas falls on a weekend, Friday or Monday is usually a paid day off.

Easter is also one of those holidays the church stole from the Pagans. In this case though, I think the Pagans have the last laugh. Easter is now all about eggs and rabbits, two icons of fertility which is what Spring is celebrated for. Kids associate Easter with colored eggs and chocolate rabbits. Who needs Jesus at the party?

This week's comic book is all about the secularization of Easter. Jesus has been replaced with Mother Goose. No mention is made of the crucifiction and zombiefication of Jesus H. Christ. No mention of him and no image of him appears on a single page. There is only one word that has religious implications, and it appears in this three pager by Walt Kelly. And it is only used to hint at the religious affiliation of sentient Easter eggs.





Next week, more Walt Kelly.