Brian Crane, the cartoon genius behind the widely adored Pickles comic strip, has mastered the art of turning everyday senior life into a laugh-out-loud experience. Launched in 1990, Pickles follows Earl and Opal Pickles, a quirky elderly couple, through the ups and downs of retirement, family life, and the general hilarity of growing old.
Meet the Artist Behind the Laughter
Crane’s cartoons have earned him accolades like the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award, and his strip is syndicated in hundreds of newspapers worldwide. His artwork combines expressive characters with punchy one-liners and moments of pure gold that feel pulled straight from real life. Whether it’s dealing with technology, grandkids, or creaky joints, Pickles is a charming tribute to aging with humor and heart.
#1 Colonoscopy Chronicles.
In this strip, Earl dodges a colonoscopy appointment with a level of denial that only a true senior can muster. His final solution? Wait for the end of the world. Now that’s one way to procrastinate like a pro!
#2 Toilet Paper: The Dinner Edition.
When napkins are nowhere to be found, Earl whips out a roll of toilet paper and calmly suggests, “Martha Stewart won’t mind.” This gem captures the resourceful (and slightly gross) creativity that comes with age.
#3 Dog or Dad?
Opal lays down the law about someone getting into the fridge. When her daughter asks who she’s talking about, the answer is, of course, “the dog.” But the punchline? Everyone thought it was Dad. Hilariously close to home.
#4 The Itchy Shirt Incident.
Earl blissfully puts on a warm shirt fresh from the laundry—until the itch sets in. Turns out the cat had first dibs on the laundry basket. A classic tale of pet meets polyester.
#5 When Tech Kills the Wisdom Dream.
Earl reflects on how older folks used to pass down wisdom. But now? His grandson just needs to “click restart.” Aging in the digital era never felt so humbling—or funny.
#6 Salt & Scream Therapy.
Opal tries an old remedy—salt on a cold sore—and Earl listens from the other room as she screams. Without flinching, he casually remarks, “Sounds like it’s working.” Relationship goals, truly.
#7 Surprise! It’s a Broom.
Nothing says romance like gifting your wife a broom… and implying her old one is worn out. Earl learns the hard way that no good deed goes unpunished—and that includes cleaning tools.
#8 Explaining Marital Bliss.
When the grandkid asks if Earl and Opal were arguing, she insists they don’t argue—she just explains why she’s right and he’s wrong. And honestly? That’s senior marriage in one perfect sentence.
#9 Grandpa or Boompa?
Nelson calls him “Grampa,” but Earl drops some linguistics knowledge. Still, he admits he called his own grandpa “Boompa.” Aging is a constant mix of tradition and bizarre nostalgia.
#10 Kitchen Immunity.
Opal is ready to scold Earl for muddy footprints—until she sees him washing dishes. “No man ever gets yelled at while he’s working in the kitchen,” he says. And just like that, she retreats.
#11 Grandpa’s Job Description.
Nelson asks why Grampa’s always home. “My job is being your Grampa,” Earl replies. Aww. Then comes the kicker—“Check with Grandma, she thinks that’s her job.” The cuteness is real.
#12 Where Are My Glasses?
Classic case of glasses-on-the-head amnesia. Earl searches frantically while Opal enjoys the chaos. When he finds them, she shrugs, “There was nothing good on TV.” Brutally honest and 100% on-brand.
#13 The Fork Fix.
Opal’s bent fork mystery is solved when Earl reveals he used it on the garbage disposal. Sure, it didn’t fix anything—but hey, at least now they know forks aren’t the answer.
#14 Grandpa’s Life Advice Misfire.
Earl gets philosophical, asking Nelson to sing his own life song. Nelson proudly sings “I’m a Little Teapot.” Cue the awkward silence. Grandpa’s wisdom gets hilariously steamrolled.
#15 Bad Hair Day Drama.
Nelson complains about a wild hair day. Grampa is unmoved. “Not much sympathy for bad hair days” is peak grandpa energy. Balding wins again.
#16 Word of the Day: Pulchritudinous.
Earl drops a word bomb on Opal—pulchritudinous. After a confused scramble to look it up, she learns it means beautiful. The reward? A heart-filled smooch. Vocabulary: worth it.
#17 Dog Saves the Day.
A Cheerio hits the floor. Earl’s about to stomp on it, but the dog saves the day—snack intact. Sometimes, the household hero has four legs and a slobbery tongue.
#18 The “To-Don’t” List.
Earl proudly crafts a “To-Don’t List” of things to avoid. Chores, responsibilities, you name it—it’s getting crossed off. Retirement planning at its finest.
#19 List Confidentiality.
When Opal asks to see the To-Don’t List, Earl refuses. Why? Because sharing it is literally one of the “don’ts.” You have to respect that commitment to laziness.
#20 Dinner? Nah.
Opal gets in on the To-Don’t action too, and guess what’s at the top of her list? Dinner. Earl’s face says it all—he played the game, and she just won.
Final Thoughts
Humorous aging cartoons like these from Pickles by Brian Crane are the perfect blend of wit, warmth, and wisdom. They highlight the quirks of aging, marriage, and family in a way that’s both relatable and laugh-out-loud funny. Whether you’re 30 or 70, you’ll find a little piece of yourself in Earl and Opal’s world.
Credit: All comics featured are by Brian Crane.
📌 Official Website: PicklesComic.com
📘 Facebook: Pickles Comic on Facebook
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