Boner's Ark

Infobox comic book title
title = Boner's Ark


caption = One of the main logos of the series
schedule =
format = Series
publisher = King Feature Syndicate
date = 1968-2000
issues =
main_char_team =
writers = Mort Walker
Frank Johnson
inkers =
colorists = Mort Walker
Frank Johnson
creative_team_month =
creative_team_year =
creators = Mort Walker

"Boner's Ark" was a comic strip created by Mort Walker, also the creator of "Beetle Bailey". Walker debuted the strip under the pseudonym "Addison" on March 11, 1968. The title is a reference to Noah's Ark of Abrahamic mythology.

History of the strip

"Boner's Ark" was designed and written by Mort Walker, and first appeared in on March 11, 1968. The series ran until 27 May 2000, with the final strip depicting the Ark reaching dry land.

The series also ran in Norway and Sweden under the name "Arken", and in Denmark as "Olsen's Ark".

Storyline

"Boner's Ark" was based on a menagerie of animals trapped on a boat (the "Ark"), and constantly in search of land. The boat is helmed by the bumbling Captain Boner.

The Ark itself is portrayed as small on the outside and abnormally large within. In addition to sleeping quarters for all the animals, it also features a cinema, a restaurant run by a hippo, a hospital, a pub and a golf course where Captain Boner, Cubcake and the doctor spend most of their time. There is also a complaints department staffed by a hyena.

Major Characters

A large initial cast was gradually pared down to a small group of regulars.

Captain Boner

Captain Boner is the leader and only human aboard the ark until Miss Boner is introduced to the series. He struggles to get the animals to listen to him or follow his orders. A car enthusiast, Captain Boner remodels the bridge to resemble the interior of an old automobile. When not on the bridge, the Captain is a regular at the golf course and the end of the "plank", where he goes to escape the frustrations of his office, or is forced to walk off the edge by the Hyena's frequent mutinies.

His wife, Bubbles, was introduced to the series in the 1970's.

Duke

Duke is a male penguin and a member of the society on the ark.

Rex

Rex is a dinosaur, usually depicted on the deck of the Ark or in the hospital with the Doctor.

Cubcake

Cubcake is a koala, occasionally referred to as Captain Boner's nephew.

Aarnie

Aarnie is a male aardvark. His struggles with his enormous nose are the subject of a number of strips . He is the Ark's First Mate.

The Doctor

The doctor aboard the ark is a male duck who is often seen with Rex in his hospital. The Doctor is also a regular golfer and accompanies Captain Boner on the course.

Priscilla

Priscilla is a female pig and girlfriend of Dum-Dum the gorilla. Priscilla also unsuccessfully pursues a romantic interest with Duke.

Dum-Dum

Dum-Dum is a gorilla, and Priscilla's boyfriend. In early versions of Boner's Ark, Dum-Dum is generally naked. By the late 1970's he appears in overalls.

Lookout

Lookout is a giraffe. He is named Lookout because he is in charge of searching for land.

The Hyena

The irritable and grouchy hyena is occasionally seen staffing the complaints desk, and running a marriage counseling service for Boner and Bubbles. He stages frequent mutinies against Boner.

Minor characters

Minor characters include a snake, mouse, bear, turtle, elephant, and a lion. A hippo waits tables at the ark's restaurant.

External links

* [http://www.toonopedia.com/boner.htm Toonopedia entry]
* [http://www.tegneseriemuseet.dk/emner/basserne.htm Olsen's Ark (in Danish)]