Hagar the Horrible: The Epic Chronicles: The Dailies 1973-1974

Hagar the Horrible: The Epic Chronicles #1

by Dik Browne

Rare book

Genres: Comics, Comic Strips, Humor, Graphic Novels

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Dik Browne was born Richard Arthur Allan Browne in New York City. He was a popular cartoonist, best known for writing and drawing Hägar the Horrible and for drawing Hi and Lois.

In the 1940s he worked as an illustrator for Newsweek as well as for an advertising company, where he created the trademark logo for Chiquita.

In 1954 Browne and cartoonist Mort Walker co-created the comic strip Hi and Lois, a spin-off of Walker's popular Beetle Bailey strip, featuring Beetle's sister, brother-in-law, and their family. Walker wrote the strip, which Browne illustrated until his death. The series is now drawn by his son Chance and written by Walker's sons. In 1973 Browne created Hägar the Horrible about an ill-mannered red-bearded medieval viking. The comic is now produced by his son Chris. Both strips have been very successful, appearing in hundreds of newspapers each for decades.

He was recognized for his work by the National Cartoonist Society with their Humor Comics Strip Award in 1959, 1960, 1972, and 1977 for Hi and Lois, and again in 1984 and 1986 for Hägar the Horrible. He also received their Reuben Award for Hi and Lois in 1962, for Hägar the Horrible in 1973, and their Elzie Segar Award in 1973. He died in Sarasota, Florida.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little surprised to see that this particular strip was being anthologized, I wouldn't have thought that it really had that sort of stature. It never impressed me that much during its run. Nonetheless, it's back. The Dark Ages setting gives a slightly different twist to what's otherwise a fairly standard domestic sitcom strip, and opens the door to some running gags that you wouldn't find in most other strips. The humor tends to stay on the safe and unchallenging side, though. One thing that means is that it doesn't seem dated. Or anyway, no more dated today than a strip about Vikings would have seemed when this particular run came out, in the early 70s.

[Juan Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Qué agradable reencuentro. Disfrutaba mucho leer de niño a Olafo el amargado en el suplemento dominical de los "monitos".

[Silvia Creed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true to life classic for me.
Hagar:”Helga,did I ever tell you that I loved your Meatloaf?”
Helga:”Yes,,darling.”
Hagar:” I lied!”

[Duane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cartoon strip, I just don't think you can go wrong with Hagar. Filled with very interesting characters, the humor is simple, but lighthearted. Following Hagar, a viking, you meet his simple family, his crew, and his love of food and drink. The artwork is simple, but that's what makes it so special. A nice introduction about the artist before the strips began is a great bonus. A great book for lovers of classic comic strips.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is supposedly the first 2 years of the Hagar the Horrible dailies, but the book actually only covers from Feb. 5, 1973 to June 18, 1974. That's actually less than a year and a half. Somebody's math is off.
The comic strip itself is as Hagar always was. Right from the beginning. Great. Fully formed. Characters & relationships already established. But don't read too many at one sitting; they can get repetitious.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed Hagar. It was a delight to learn more about his creator, and to read the first two years of his daily strips. I am looking forward to reading the second volume. And I plan to look for a collection of his Sunday strips. I remember a couple of those that are classics that I would like to see again. If I find them, I will share them on facebook.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hagar, his wife Helga, his son Hamlet, his daughter Honi, adn his friend Lucky Eddie make their life in age of plundering. Hagar isn't my favorite strip. I enjoy the art, but the humor is dry and predictable.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since it debuted on February 4, 1973, Hagar the Horrible has chronicled the misadventures and daily life of a misfit marauder and his family. Included in this volume are the dailies from 1973-1974. If you're looking for a quick chuckle,look no further.

[Xpectro · Rating 5 out of 5]

El inicio de Olafo (cuyo nombre real es Hagar) demuestra que su creador le dio vida con gran maestría pues, desde entonces, es un personaje maravilloso.

[Becky Galambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the cartoons come off as slightly stereotyped and sexist and some are a little dated, but Hagar almost never fails to make me laugh.

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very first Hagar the Horrible strips.