The springboard for this week's gag is based on the classic 1897 play "Cyrano de Bergerac". Although there was a real-life Cyrano, he was almost nothing like Edmond Rostand's character in the story. (Aside from having an oversized nose)
The reason I went with a Cyrano gag for this strip was because of the song by X, a terrific 80's punk band. I always liked the lyrics to that one.
The look for Christian and Roxanne in this strip is derived from the 1950 film version of the play. It's not a bad movie, but my favorite screen translation of "Cyrano de Bergerac" is probably Steve Martin's. You know, because I'm classy like that…
Cyrano himself is modeled after "The Laughing Cavalier". This was a painting completed in 1624 by the Dutch artist Frans Hals. I had an art book as a kid that featured this painting in a gallery entitled "famous smiles". (Guess which painting was mentioned first?) For some reason, "The Laughing Cavalier" always stuck with me. And, well, after you modify the nose he's a perfect Cyrano.
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