Merely Margy - Flapper Comic

This comic strip from 1929 is called 'Merely Margy' by illustrator, John Held Jr., well-known for capturing and defining the "roaring 20s". His flappers became synonymous with the times and 'Merely Margy' is no exception. She embodied the care-free attitude of the era, lounging around teasing her numerous, mindless suitors.

The strip first appeared in 1927 and lasted into the early-1930s when he replaced it with a strip called 'Rah Rah Rosalie'. I imagine Rosalie wasn't that different than Margy. As the Great Depression took hold of America, the whimsy and lifestyle captured in 'Margy' lost its steam as did much of Held's work, not just the comic strip.

From this example, it appears to be a pretty shallow comic strip, the characters simply playing out a gag - and a long, dragged-out gag at that. Margy herself is fairly transparent, her motives being to get as much male attention as possible from the team. The joy of the strip is Held's artwork. His famous Art Deco style is a treat to enjoy in comic strip form. Just check out the football tackle scene, it's delicious! And Margy is rendered so beautifully, both elegant and awkward in her high-fashion flapper style.

A few other things to note. I like the names of the football players: Arab, Noisy, Mr. Phwhen and Bull. It is funny how the skinny medics aren't even attempting to carry Bull to the ambulance. And typical of Held's work is the sophistication of the women while the men appear foolish.

I hope you like this treasure of a strip. Go Endgate!


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