How Does a Cartoonist Keep it Fresh?

       How does the cartoonist keep getting ideas that work for a long-lived comic?  This one jolts a little with freshness partly because it moves you back and forth from the main character to something he couldn't know, the title of the cartoon he's been in all these years.  Of course, the parents know, or if not, they could easily manufacture it right at this moment.  In any case it sure looks like the Mom is contemplating it, and not blushing either.  Of course, Dennis is entirely "innocent," ho ho ho.  And for us, the oh-so-familiar title, which we virtually disregard because of that, is suddenly restored attention--from within the comic itself.

       The cartoon is the thing, but words and rhyme and naming are at the heart of the matter.

(Website to reach Hank Ketcham's "Dennis the Menace" is found here.)