Never thought I’d be making a comic about OJ “The Juice” Simpson in 2017. Not even as a “strapped for material” type desperation comic. This was actual legit news. OJ Simpson got parole. He’ll be a free man as early as October. Wow.

I still remember the drama of the trial, even though I was 7 years old. I had to follow it via eavesdropping on my parents conversations. I didn’t really understand what was happening, but I have a very distinct memory of sitting at home watching TV with Mom after dinner, Dad comes in from the garage to a dark faintly lit kitchen, and says “Not Guilty, what a crock” and slaps a newspaper with the verdict on the table. I didn’t understand why he was innocent, my parents thought he was guilty, I was far too young to understand the complexities of what happened. Honestly, I don’t ever really think I truly “got” it until I watched the OJ “Made in America” Documentary on ESPN last year and I finally grasped the scope of it all, along with details I never bothered to learn. If you’ve never seen that documentary it’s worth every minute.

It still weirds me out to think that even though The Juice was ruled innocent, I don’t think a single person really thinks he actually was. I think everyone has run on the idea that he’s a cold blooded murderer pretty much since the trial. He may have been ruled innocent but he’s basically seen as guilty by the world at large. It’s a very unique case. I think him going to jail for the armed robbery felt like “putting Al Capone away for tax evasion” in some ways. He didn’t get the justice he probably deserved, but he got something that could put our minds at ease. But now he’s out! He’s 70 years old, but he’s still out. My thoughts go to anyone who knew the victims, this is probably opening some old wounds they hoped had healed by now.

In somewhat lighter and bizarrely coincidental news, Ford recently announced they are bringing back the Bronco. The car model that for about 20 years has basically been unable to outlive it’s most famous moment in history: being driven by OJ Simpson down a freeway. Can’t make this shit up.

Anyway, as an aside: OJ Simpson may be a vile human being, but “The Juice” is still an all time great nickname.