Aging is a journey that everyone takes, but not everyone knows how to laugh about it. While many people see getting older as something sad or scary, the beloved comic strip Pickles takes a completely different road. Created by Brian Crane, this comic has been making readers smile since 1990 by showing that life after retirement is full of funny moments, silly arguments, and genuine heart. The strip centers on Earl and Opal Pickles, an elderly couple navigating their golden years with a mix of sarcasm, love, and a whole lot of patience . Whether they are dealing with a confused dog, a mischievous cat, or their curious grandson Nelson, Earl and Opal prove that you are never too old to have a good laugh. In fact, the humor found in Pickles resonates so deeply because it reflects the real, everyday experiences of growing old, making it a favorite for readers of all generations.
What makes Pickles stand out in the crowded world of newspaper comics is its commitment to authenticity. Brian Crane doesn’t just make jokes about wrinkles and aching backs; he digs deeper to find the comedy in the human spirit . The characters are not just “old people”; they are people who happen to be old, with the same desires, frustrations, and joys as everyone else. This approach has earned Crane prestigious awards, including the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year in 2013 . By looking at life through the eyes of the Pickles family, readers learn that while your body might slow down, your wit certainly doesn’t have to.
Image Credit : By Brain Grane
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The Relatable Struggles of Everyday Life
One of the biggest reasons Pickles captures the humor of growing old so well is its focus on the small, everyday battles that become surprisingly tricky with age. Anyone who has watched their grandparents or parents get older knows that simple tasks can sometimes turn into major events. Brian Crane has a genius for spotting these moments and turning them into comic gold. For example, Earl once famously tried to “turn over a new leaf” by helping with chores, only to interpret this literally by firing up a leaf blower inside the living room . It is this kind of literal, unexpected logic that makes the strip so hilarious. These moments remind us that life doesn’t stop being funny just because you retire.
Then there is the universal struggle with modern technology, a theme that Pickles explores with perfect timing. In one famous strip, Grandma cannot figure out the volume on her phone or remember her password. When her grandson Nelson looks at her like she is from another planet, she fires back with the ultimate mic-drop moment: “I taught you how to use a spoon” . This clever comeback highlights the generational gap in a way that feels good for everyone. It doesn’t mock the elderly for not understanding tech; it simply points out that wisdom and knowledge come in many forms. Whether it’s battling with a TV remote or believing a printer is “lying” about a paper jam, these strips make us laugh because they are so painfully true .
The Sweet and Sassy Dynamics of Long-Term Marriage
At the heart of Pickles is the marriage between Earl and Opal. After more than fifty years together, they know exactly how to push each other’s buttons, but they also know how to have each other’s backs. This balance is where some of the best humor in the strip comes from. Their relationship is not always perfect, and that is what makes it so easy to relate to. Whether Earl is offering Opal sunscreen and blood pressure meds during a simple walk (annoying but sweet) or accidentally creating a scene in public, their interactions are filled with the kind of banter that only comes from decades of partnership . They bicker about breakfast, argue about household chores, and drive each other crazy, but the love underneath it all is always visible.
Sometimes, the strip surprises readers with tender moments hidden inside the jokes. In one memorable comic, the family makes fun of Earl’s fanny pack, calling it full of junk. But when they look inside, they find a worn photograph of Opal . In that single panel, a joke about an old man’s silly fashion choice transforms into a testament to enduring love. In another strip, when Earl asks Opal if she regrets marrying him, she delivers a line that sums up their entire relationship: “You drive me bonkers… but I like being driven bonkers” . It is this mix of irritation and affection that defines their marriage. They show us that growing old with someone means accepting the bonkers moments and cherishing the quiet ones, all while keeping your sense of humor intact.
Lessons from the Younger Generation
While Earl and Opal are the stars of the show, their grandson Nelson plays a crucial role in capturing the humor of growing old. Through his eyes, readers see how the older generation interacts with the younger one, and the results are often hilarious. Nelson acts as a bridge between the past and the future, and his innocent questions often lead to punchlines that reveal the simple wisdom of children or the playful stubbornness of his grandparents. For instance, when Nelson draws a picture of his grandpa, he decides to “improve” it by adding hair and hiding the bald spot . It is a sweet and brutally honest moment that shows how children see the world—and how grandparents learn to accept themselves through that lens.
The generational humor also works the other way around, with Earl and Opal teaching Nelson life lessons in the most unexpected ways. Whether it’s Grandpa demonstrating the “proper” way to avoid puddles only to stomp in one himself, or Grandma explaining that there is no such thing as “normal” hair, these interactions are filled with warmth . Nelson learns that being unique is something to celebrate, often directly from the example of his quirky grandparents. Through these exchanges, Pickles shows that growing old doesn’t mean you stop being playful. In fact, being around young people can bring out the kid in anyone, and that is a beautiful, funny thing to witness.
Finding Humor in Memory Lapses and Health Quirks
Let’s be honest: getting older comes with its fair share of memory issues and health concerns. Pickles does not shy away from these topics, but it approaches them with a light touch that makes them funny rather than frightening. Everyone has misplaced their keys or forgotten why they walked into a room, but Earl takes it to another level. In one classic strip, he frantically searches for his glasses while they are perched on his nose. When Opal points this out, he replies, “Not those glasses,” explaining that he wears one pair just to help him find the other . It is a silly, clever joke that turns a frustrating moment into something to chuckle about.
The strip also tackles health issues with the same gentle humor. From colonoscopy prep talks to discussions about medications, nothing is off limits, but everything is handled with class. In one comic, Opal admits she gave up on contact lenses not because they hurt, but because she had more important things to do, like repeatedly letting the cat in and out . This kind of joke resonates because it turns a health decision into a relatable story about priorities. Similarly, when two older gentlemen sit on a bench complaining about their bodies wearing out, the punchline about parts “disappearing altogether” (revealing a bald head) lands with perfect comedic timing . Pickles teaches us that while aging comes with challenges, laughter is the best medicine for dealing with them.
Conclusion
In a world that often tries to hide the signs of aging, Pickles stands out by putting them front and center and celebrating them. Brian Crane has created a world where getting older is not an ending, but a continuation of life filled with purpose, love, and above all, humor . Through the daily lives of Earl, Opal, and their family, we see that the golden years are not always easy, but they are always interesting. The strip reminds us that memory lapses can be funny, marriage is a constant work in progress, and the bond between grandparents and grandchildren is a special kind of magic .
Whether you are twenty or eighty, there is something in Pickles for you. It captures the universal truth that while our bodies and circumstances change, our need for connection and laughter does not. So the next time you misplace your phone, forget a name, or have a silly disagreement with your spouse, just remember Earl and Opal. They are probably going through the exact same thing, and they are probably laughing about it. After all, as Pickles shows us every day, growing old is just another adventure—one best faced with a smile
