Abbie and Slats

Abbie and Slats is an American comic strip which ran from July 12, 1937 to January 30, 1971, initially written by Al Capp and drawn by Raeburn van Buren.

Related Topics:
American - Comic strip - July 12 - 1937 - January 30 - 1971 - Al Capp - Raeburn van Buren

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“Abbie” was Abigail Scrapple, a spinster who lived with her sister Sally. “Slats” was Aubrey Eustace Scrapple, their younger cousin who comes to live with them in small town Crabtree Corners. Belying his given name, Slats was a stubborn, streetwise city kid. Upon arriving in town he made an enemy of Jasper Hagstone when he drove into Hagstone's limousine while trying to avoid running over a dog. Other important Crabtree Corners residents include Slats's later sweetheart Becky Groggins, and her father J. Pierpont “Bathless” Groggins.

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Abbie and Slats was the idea of Al Capp, who intended to start a second strip to build upon the success of his popular Li'l Abner. Instead of drawing it himself, Capp recruited successful freelance magazine-illustrator Raeburn van Buren. Initially van Buren turned him down, but was lured by the prospect of steady work. The strip was a success, but did not attain anything like the popularity of Li'l Abner. Capp abandoned the strip in 1945, turning the writing chores over to his brother Elliot Caplin. Van Buren stayed on the strip, and it ended with his retirement in 1971.

Related Topics:
Li'l Abner - 1945 - Elliot Caplin

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