Goofus and Gallant

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.

Created in 1948 by Garry Cleveland Myers, "Goofus and Gallant" is a one-page multi-panel cartoon feature in Highlights for Children where two boys named Gallant (good) and Goofus (bad) would teach examples of what is good and bad to do, such as "Goofus bosses his friends. Gallant asks them what they want to do."

Tropes used in Goofus and Gallant include:
  • Anti Role Model: Goofus.
  • Art Evolution: There've been at least three illustrators over the years, and the first (Marion Hull Hammel) could give Jeph Jacques lessons in self-consious changing of drawing style. 1951, 1959, 1963, 1979, 1987, 1994, 2002, 2010.
  • Early Installment Weirdness: Check out that 1951 image again. Yes, those are pointy elf ears.
  • Limited Wardrobe: At least in Leslie Harrington's illustrations. Goofus has worn the same green hoodie since 2006, while Gallant has worn the same red T-shirt over a white long-sleeve shirt since 2006.
  • Right Way, Wrong Way Pair: The Trope Maker.
  • Stock Parody: Putting them in teenage or grown-up situations is popular; while in the real thing Goofus is always on the left panel so that readers see the "wrong" and "right" way to handle a situation in that order, parodies often reverse this for better comic effect.
  • Vague Age: Depending on the illustrator and the situation they've appeared as everything from very early elementary age to almost-teenagers.
  • What Do You Mean It's Not Heinous?: Some of Goofus's antics weren't all that naughty.
  • Who Names Their Kid "Dude"?: At no point are their real names mentioned, leading readers to believe their names really are "Goofus" and "Gallant".
    • "Mon always liked you best!"