Mornings can be tough. The alarm goes off, the to-do list starts piling up in your head, and sometimes you just need a moment of peace before the day really gets going. For millions of people, that moment of peace involves a cup of coffee and the funny pages. If you are looking for a comic strip that feels like a warm hug and a good chuckle rolled into one, then you need to meet the Pickles family. Created by the talented Brian Crane, Pickles has been a staple in newspapers for decades, and it offers the perfect, gentle transition from sleep to the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Unlike some comics that rely on slapstick or edgy jokes, Pickles finds its humor in the everyday moments we can all relate to. It centers on Earl and Opal Pickles, a loving older couple navigating the joys and challenges of retirement, family, and each other. Their world also includes their divorced daughter, their young grandson Nelson, and a couple of very opinionated pets. It’s a simple formula, but it works beautifully because it’s rooted in truth and genuine affection. Reading Pickles is like getting a little dose of wisdom and wit from your favorite neighbors, making it the ideal way to ease into any morning .
10+ Pickles Comics
Image Credit : Pintrest.Com
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Meet the Pickles Family: Your Morning Friends
The heart and soul of Pickles are its characters, who feel less like drawings on a page and more like people you know. First, there’s Earl, the lovably grumpy yet soft-hearted husband. He’s the king of the well-timed sarcastic remark and the master of avoiding chores. Then there’s Opal, his sharp and witty wife who loves Earl deeply but isn’t afraid to call him out on his nonsense. Their loving, playful bickering is the foundation of the strip’s charm and provides a daily dose of relatable married life .
Adding to the fun is their grandson, Nelson, who often visits. Through his young eyes, we see the generational differences that provide so much comedic material. Whether he’s trying to explain modern technology to his grandparents or simply seeing the world with a child’s innocent logic, Nelson bridges the gap between young and old in the most heartwarming way. And let’s not forget Roscoe, the family dog, and Muffin, the cat, who often have the funniest and most truthful observations about the humans they own .
Starting your day with this crew is like catching up with old friends. You know their personalities, you anticipate their reactions, and you look forward to seeing what little moment from their lives Brian Crane has decided to share. It creates a comforting sense of familiarity that makes the morning routine just a little bit brighter. You can always count on Earl to have a clever excuse or Opal to have the perfect comeback, and that reliability is a comforting way to begin the day .
Laughter for Every Generation
One of the most beautiful things about Pickles is its ability to appeal to readers of all ages. If you’re a young adult, you might see a little bit of your own grandparents in Earl and Opal. The comic offers a sweet, funny glimpse into a stage of life that might seem far away, making it feel familiar and accessible. You’ll laugh at Earl’s struggles with a smartphone or Opal’s clever way of getting what she wants, recognizing the timeless dynamics of family life .
For older readers, the strip hits even closer to home. Brian Crane, who started the strip later in his own life, has a knack for capturing the small, specific truths about getting older. From dealing with new aches and pains to the joy of a quiet afternoon, he portrays aging with honesty and humor. It’s a reminder that while your body might change, your spirit, wit, and sense of adventure don’t have to. This multi-generational appeal makes Pickles a comic that can be shared and enjoyed by everyone in the household, from kids to grandparents .
This universal humor is a big reason why Pickles has been so successful. It doesn’t matter if you’re 8 or 80; you understand the look Earl gives Opal when she catches him sneaking a cookie. You understand the pure frustration of trying to fold a fitted sheet. These are life’s little struggles, and Pickles turns them into gold. By finding the funny in the universal, Brian Crane has created a strip that brings families together, one morning at a time .
A Simple Routine to Start Your Day Right
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to reach for our phones first thing in the morning and immediately get sucked into a vortex of bad news, stressful emails, or social media. Pickles offers a wonderful alternative. Taking just a minute or two to read a single strip can set a positive tone for the rest of your day. It’s a small act of self-care, a moment of calm before the storm of daily responsibilities begins. Instead of starting your day with stress, you start it with a smile .
Making Pickles a part of your morning routine is easy. For years, the classic way was to flip to the comics section of the newspaper while sipping your coffee. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic and satisfying about that physical ritual. However, in today’s digital age, you can also get your daily dose of Pickles online. Websites like GoComics feature the strip daily, and Brian Crane is active on social media, sharing new comics with his millions of fans. This makes it simple to get your laugh no matter where you are .
The best part about this routine is its simplicity. It doesn’t require a huge time commitment, just a moment for yourself. That small pause, filled with the gentle humor of Earl and Opal, can act as a mental reset. It reminds you not to take life too seriously and to find joy in the little things. And what better way to face a busy day than with that mindset? By choosing to start with a laugh, you’re choosing to approach the day’s challenges with a lighter heart .
The Genius of Brian Crane: An Award-Winning Cartoonist
The warm and witty world of Pickles is the creation of Brian Crane, a cartoonist whose own life story is as heartwarming as his work. Crane, a graduate of Brigham Young University, spent years working as a graphic designer and art director. It wasn’t until he was 40 that he decided to take a chance and pursue his lifelong dream of being a cartoonist. After some initial rejections, Pickles was finally syndicated in 1990, and the rest is history. His story is a wonderful reminder that it’s never too late to follow your passion .
Crane’s talent has not gone unnoticed by his peers. He has received some of the highest honors in the cartooning world. In 2001 and again in 2019, the National Cartoonists Society awarded him the title of Best Newspaper Comic Strip. Then, in 2012, he received the organization’s most prestigious award, the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. This is a huge honor, placing him in the same league as cartooning legends like Charles Schulz (Peanuts) and Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes). In 2014, he also received the Inkpot Award for his achievements in comic arts .
Today, Pickles is more popular than ever. It appears in over 900 newspapers around the world and has a massive following online. Crane draws inspiration from his own life, including his wife Diana, their seven children, and his many grandchildren. This personal touch is what makes the strip feel so genuine and relatable. Knowing that the humor comes from a place of real love and experience makes the daily strip feel even more special and connects readers to the artist behind the laughter .
Conclusion
In a world that often feels too complicated, Pickles by Brian Crane is a beautiful reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple things. It’s a comic strip filled with heart, humor, and characters who feel like family. From the loving squabbles between Earl and Opal to the innocent wisdom of their grandson Nelson, every strip offers a tiny, perfect moment of connection. It’s humor that doesn’t rely on cruelty or cynicism, but on the shared experiences of life, love, and the occasional frustrating fitted sheet .
So, tomorrow morning, when you’re reaching for your coffee or tea, take an extra minute to find Pickles. Let Earl’s grumpy face or Opal’s sly smile be the first thing that makes you laugh. Let the simple, wholesome humor of their world be a gentle entry into your own. You might just find that starting your day with a visit to the Pickles family is the perfect way to put a smile on your face and carry a little bit of that warmth with you all day long. It’s more than just a comic; it’s a daily dose of joy .
