As a long-time fan of Gil Thorp, I must admit that I was initially saddened to hear about Rod Whigham stepping down after more than a decade of brilliant work. However, upon learning that Rachel Merrill is taking over, my excitement has been reignited! With her impressive resume that spans from The New Yorker to the animation industry, Merrill brings a fresh perspective and undeniable talent to the table.
Gil Thorp, the veteran funnies-page high-school coach, is getting new help on the sidelines.
Starting on September 30, Rachel Merrill assumes the responsibility for drawing the ongoing comic strip, which is set at Milford High School’s sports fields. This marks the first occasion in over 16 years that Gil Thorp will be illustrated by a different artist. Previously, Rod Whigham, who has been rendering the escapades of Mr. Thorp since 2008, will relinquish this role.
Henry Barajas, who’s been writing ‘Gil Thorp’ since July 2022, praises Rod Whigham as an outstanding collaborator. Rod is not only a talented draftsman but also a great storyteller. According to Henry, this marks the end of an era on the comics page. Rachel, who is set to take over from Rod after his remarkable tenure, is ideal for the challenge. She’s managing to blend respect for the art that came before her while still making her own impact on this legendary comic strip.
In recent times, many classic comic strips have undergone significant changes. For instance, “Nancy” and “Mark Trail,” two long-standing comics, have essentially been revamped, featuring new artwork, altered characters, and revised storylines. Even “Blondie,” a comic that has been in circulation since 1930 and is often associated with timeless comics, isn’t exempt from modernization. The artists responsible for the comic have recently introduced a new character, a pastry chef, who could potentially be the strip’s first regular character of color in many years.
Throughout Barajas’ time as the creator of “Gil Thorp”, the comic has consistently tackled relevant social issues, while also keeping it modern. Topics such as abortion, gender identity, and alcoholism have been explored, along with a storyline involving Coach Thorp’s spouse leaving him for a female relationship. Occasionally, Barajas includes references to musician Aimee Mann in the comic strips.
Merrill has published work in The New Yorker, Bright Wall/Dark Room, Vinegar Syndrome, and Southwest Review. She’s also worked as a storyboard artist for companies like Ulta Beauty and NBA x Meta, and in the animation sector, where she served as a rotoscope artist for the indie film “Quantum Cowboys.
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2024-09-13 17:18