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The Outbursts of Everett True
The Outbursts of Everett True
Everett True is a portly man with a big temper and a short fuse, who takes a dim view of the various transgressions that are inflicted on him from time to time by various members of the human race.
Is there one of us who wouldn't like to give a poke on the nose the fellow who cuts in front if us in the waiting line, administers a sound thrashing to the chap who abuses an animal an animal, throw onto the street a rude bus driver or give a verbal lashing to the chronic borrower? Of course we'd all like to do all of these things. The rules of social decorum (to say nothing of the simple laws on assault and battery) prevent most of us from behaving the way Everett True does. But when he wreaks havoc on his fellow man, he's really acting as our surrogate and we can take out out own frustrations by laughing at his antics!
This little known but clever comic with its marvelous graphics appeared in America just after the turn of the century and we at The Vestal Press think its high time he was brought out for another look!
This 1983 edition is a reprint of the original 1907 collection.
Is there one of us who wouldn't like to give a poke on the nose the fellow who cuts in front if us in the waiting line, administers a sound thrashing to the chap who abuses an animal an animal, throw onto the street a rude bus driver or give a verbal lashing to the chronic borrower? Of course we'd all like to do all of these things. The rules of social decorum (to say nothing of the simple laws on assault and battery) prevent most of us from behaving the way Everett True does. But when he wreaks havoc on his fellow man, he's really acting as our surrogate and we can take out out own frustrations by laughing at his antics!
This little known but clever comic with its marvelous graphics appeared in America just after the turn of the century and we at The Vestal Press think its high time he was brought out for another look!
This 1983 edition is a reprint of the original 1907 collection.
94 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1907
About the author
A.D. Condo
4 books1 followerArmundo Dreisbach "A.D." Condo was an American cartoonist best known as the creator of the comic strip The Outbursts of Everett True.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 19, 2020
Everett True is one of those classic comic strips that deserves to be more widely known. Although some of the references may be dated--the book was originally published in 1907--the humor, and the attitude behind it, is as timely as ever.
Most of the strips are two panel affairs. Panel one depicts some person or persons engaging in annoying behavior. Panel two features Mr. True blowing his stack at them. I can relate. Although I’ve never gone full Everett True on anyone, I have definitely fantasized about it on more than one occasion.
Take the strip on page 2, for example. The setting is a soda fountain. Such things no longer exist today, or at least they're exceedingly rare in my experience. But the situation is definitely recognizable: a customer is having trouble making up his mind while Everett glares at him. “I guess I'll have a little--a little--chocolate--no. Gimme lemon. No, lemon’s too sour, make it strawberry--no, cherry. Hold on, I’ll take--say, what have you got that's good?” In panel 2, Everett has upended a tureen of chocolate syrup over the man’s head as he berates him: “I’ve got this that’s good for you, you beetle-brained bat! Do you think I can sit here all day while you're making up that sponge-cake mind of yours? You're not the only man at the fountain!!!”
It’s also fun reading these for the glimpses of daily life around the turn of the previous century that they afford. Soda fountains, hotel rooms that are considered pricey at $6 a night, public telephones, horse-drawn carts, train travel … The settings may be different, but the people are not: rude officials, pushy salespeople, elderly folks reminiscing about the old days at the drop of a hat … It's worth noting that Everett’s wife gets some outbursts of her own, taking her husband to task when he well deserves it.
The Outbursts of Everett True is a delight that deserves to be better known among classic comics fans. Recommended!
Most of the strips are two panel affairs. Panel one depicts some person or persons engaging in annoying behavior. Panel two features Mr. True blowing his stack at them. I can relate. Although I’ve never gone full Everett True on anyone, I have definitely fantasized about it on more than one occasion.
Take the strip on page 2, for example. The setting is a soda fountain. Such things no longer exist today, or at least they're exceedingly rare in my experience. But the situation is definitely recognizable: a customer is having trouble making up his mind while Everett glares at him. “I guess I'll have a little--a little--chocolate--no. Gimme lemon. No, lemon’s too sour, make it strawberry--no, cherry. Hold on, I’ll take--say, what have you got that's good?” In panel 2, Everett has upended a tureen of chocolate syrup over the man’s head as he berates him: “I’ve got this that’s good for you, you beetle-brained bat! Do you think I can sit here all day while you're making up that sponge-cake mind of yours? You're not the only man at the fountain!!!”
It’s also fun reading these for the glimpses of daily life around the turn of the previous century that they afford. Soda fountains, hotel rooms that are considered pricey at $6 a night, public telephones, horse-drawn carts, train travel … The settings may be different, but the people are not: rude officials, pushy salespeople, elderly folks reminiscing about the old days at the drop of a hat … It's worth noting that Everett’s wife gets some outbursts of her own, taking her husband to task when he well deserves it.
The Outbursts of Everett True is a delight that deserves to be better known among classic comics fans. Recommended!
October 17, 2024
The more things change, the more they stay the same. This series of cartoons from the early 20th century ages remarkably well - people will be people, and stupid is eternal. As is the desire to punch it.
December 23, 2023
sometimes he's like the saviour we need and other times he's like a grandpa with terrible anger issues that needs saving. good man overall :)
December 22, 2023
Loved mrs true's outbursts more haha
November 1, 2025
Technically, I'm reading individual comics in the LOC archives, but close enough. Good fun in small doses, creepy all at once.
March 31, 2026
this man mustve done wonders for the umbrella industry what with how many he went through
January 23, 2013
Funny!
Quoting the great and profoundly well-read Tony Isabella, from his blog post in memory of the late (sometimes great) Comics Buyers' Guide:
"Charmed by an ancient comic strip called The Outbursts of Everett
True by A.D. Condo and J.W. Raper (1905-1927) and which featured a
quick-to-anger grouch..."
From
http://tonyisabella.blogspot.com/2013...
Quoting the great and profoundly well-read Tony Isabella, from his blog post in memory of the late (sometimes great) Comics Buyers' Guide:
"Charmed by an ancient comic strip called The Outbursts of Everett
True by A.D. Condo and J.W. Raper (1905-1927) and which featured a
quick-to-anger grouch..."
From
http://tonyisabella.blogspot.com/2013...
August 8, 2013
Best character ever.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews