Saturday quickies
Mark Trail, 8/4/07
Who says Mark Trail isn’t good at depicting human beings? In most hugs I’ve participated in, Person A throws his or her arms completely around Person B, tightly pinning Person B’s arms to his or her torso while he or she stands there, ramrod-straight, grinning somewhat uncomfortably. It’s a joy to behold such human closeness!
Shoe, 8/4/07
Shoe takes a break from its recent obsession with death and regret and death to offer something a little lighter: old drunks with diarrhea.
Pluggers, 8/4/07
Pluggers are desperate substance addicts. If they haven’t had their junk, they’re angry and prone to ugly bouts of violence.
Speaking of Pluggers, faithful reader (and actual math professor) TurtleBoy did some epic number crunching to try to distill out some useful facts on the demographics of Pluggers and TDIET contributors. Will it be enough to get him tenure? Check it out!
Captain Insano
August 4th, 2007 at 9:56 am
I wonder if the same study could be done in Canada?
You know–for that great unknown comic strip “They’ll Foob it Every Time.”
SecretMargo
August 4th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Don’t the dynamics of the hug become clearer if you change the wording to “ramrod-stiff”?
Nancy
August 4th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Usually I don’t participate in the FOOB-bashing, though I enjoy it greatly, but today’s depiction of Shannon, whose cleft palate apparently affects her spelling and grammer in Lynn-world, may convert me.
jules
August 4th, 2007 at 10:00 am
Shoe: Eeeeeeewww.
Mark Trail: Eeeeeewww.
Pluggers: Them’s fightin’ words…I’ve got to have my morning coffee, but I ain’t no Plugger! I’m going to Friendly, WV, to have words with Evelyn! And maybe a Right Hook o’ Justice!
Team MP
August 4th, 2007 at 10:01 am
MT: I was thinking that they just got done doing it. It was all Mark could take, seeing as though Buzzard’s clothes are properly snapped again.
Shoe: Wouldn’t that be constipation? I think that prune juice would be more then messy if he was already a bit loose.
Harold
August 4th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Here’s a repost of my comments on today’s comics from the last post:
FOOB: Lynn, I thought you established that Shannon’s speech impediment was caused by a cleft palate that went untreated until she was four years old. So why does it also affect the way she TYPES? Maybe you should send me a bag of Canadian air that I can breathe until all your rationalizations make sense to me.
Wizard of Id: Haw, haw, chewing tobacco isn’t bad for you, kids. It’s just a liberal plot to control what you think and what you do.
Spider-Man: What’s more pathetic than a super hero who just sits around and watches TV all the time? Reading a comic strip about a super hero who just sits around and watches TV all the time.
Slylock Fox: I thought the hairdresser was holding a switchblade.
Sally Forth: Ted Forth has gone to a dark, dark place. Perhaps once Ces gets back from celebrating his 40th birthday by masturbating on a beach in Portugal things will lighten up a bit.
Popeye is the funniest I’ve ever seen it. Popeye should keep his head inside a cow’s mouth at all times.
Mary Worth can’t wait to destroy Dawn’s happiness with her meddling. And that guy behind them is glad they finally got off the bench so he could read his damned newspaper.
Mark Trail: Sam Hill just confessed in the second panel that she and her father are behind it all. Mark looks mighty plesed to have Sam Hill put him in an improvised bondage position. Damn, aside from her lack of a neck and her freakishly large eyes, that girl is pretty fine.
La Cucaracha has completely missed the point of Spider-Man. There’s no TV there.
Funky Winkerbean: And now, the brain transplant subplot begins.
Apartment 3-G: NEXT: Eric hurls Margo off the balcony!
With all that traffic at the airport in Mark Trail, I don’t think bird strikes are their biggest concern. That forest should be littered with the wreckage of mid-air collisions.
Wellsey
August 4th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Baby Blues is wrong on so many levels today. Hiding from the kids on the floor of a bathroom. Gross.
FOOB is also wrong today. Who knew that kids with speech impediments were also more likely to have horrible spelling. Either that or she’s really just a coke fiend as panel four indicates. No wonder April’s smiling. Here’s a way out of my boring perfect suburban life!
Ok. Gil Thorp has made my life!! In the 70s, my dad was a lead singer in a local band and he bore an uncanny resemblance to band member Bobby C in today’s middle panel. (Except for the claw hand.) But best of all? His stage name was Bobby C Riley! What are the odds? Turtle Boy can no doubt tell me. Gil Thorp is eternally awesome now!!
Master Soft Heart
August 4th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Biz doesn’t need alcohol and explosive diarrhea. He needs a big hug. I wish I could jump in a give im one!
TurtleBoy
August 4th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Josh: Thanks for the special mention! I’m still trying to come up with other ways to slice the data to shed more light on America’s favorite reader-submitted strips. I’ve not yet graphed the P/T ratio, for instance. And I’m still trying to find a source that’ll tell me which newspapers run the two strips; that’ll surely effect the data, and I’d like to be able to cancel that out by accounting for any possible discrepancies in carriers…if any of y’all have any sorts of breakdown you’d like to see, let me know.
#7 Wellsey: the odds are about the same as those of finding a pun-free Foob strip.
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 10:17 am
*waves at No. 8* Hi, Master Soft Heart! It’s so good to have you here! Your positive affirmations are a breath of fresh air in this morass of cynical snarkery.
ragthetiger
August 4th, 2007 at 10:17 am
#7: Wellesey, awesome! I wonder if your dad looked like Alternate Mr. Spock, though, only with a Fu Manchu instead of a goatee. Cos if he did that would be doubly awesome.
katherine
August 4th, 2007 at 10:23 am
dammit! new post! And I spent so much time writing my last post on yesterthread that I’m just going to have to copy it over here.
Speaking of URL’s — Mole Station nursery used to have the charming url of http://www.molestationnursery.com. Alas, they have since changed it to http://www.molrerivernursery.com
Please, please, please say there will be an Ink Pen/Foob mashup: http://www.gocomics.com/inkpen/
please please please please please
MW; I thought something strange was going on with the jazz hands and even more stilted than usual dialogue, but today’s strip finally cleared up what is going on: Giella and Moy are taking the avant garde step of writing a comic-strip musical! Clearly Dawn’s outflung arms and dramatic delivery indicate that she is singing a rousing chorus of the show-stopping number “there can be no regrets where there is love”. What Giella and Moy did not apparently realize, though, is that newspaper technology does not currently allow for audio reproduction. To which fact, I think we can all say, Thank God.
Paperback Rifler
August 4th, 2007 at 10:23 am
To: SueAnn Suagean, Attorney at Law
Re: Copyright Violation
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have been notified of your demands re: the printing of song parody lyrics in this blog (ref comment #182 of the preceding thread). While I personally have naught but the utmost respect for your client, Ms. Johnston, as the owner and originator of all things rhymey and/or sing-songey, my legal counsel has advised me to entreat her not to pursue this course of action on the grounds that she has nothing to gain from it. There are two reasons for this:
1. The song parodies on this site do not generate any income. At least, I don’t think they do; if there is any money being gained from them, then the owner of this blog is certainly not passing any of it along to me. You might consider making inquiries about the financial aspect of this matter to the blog owner, J. Noodlefoot Fruhlinger, at blogfrontp@jfruh.com .
2. Nobody actually bothers to read song parodies. If you ask anyone who posts comments on this blog, that person will tell you that song parodies only serve to interrupt the flow of humorous commentary (commonly known as “snark”) and that an entry with a song parody merely creates a virtual barrier on the web page, and the reader must take a few seconds to scroll tediously past the song parody barrier to resume reading the snark that he or she desperately craves.
“But if that is the case,” you might ponder in between applying for subpoenas, “then why bother writing song parodies at all?”
As it turns out, the blog owner, J. Noodlefoot Fruhlinger, is actually required to have song parodies because the United States’ Occupational Safety and Health Administration has determined that the use of song parodies to break up huge blocks of snark is necessary to help prevent the increasingly common clinical syndrome known as “snarkoleptic delirium.” This syndrome is a potentially debilitating alteration of mental status and is marked by such disparate signs as finding humor in a comic strip that is not intended to be humorous and has no punchline; having a chronically beverage-stained computer keyboard and/or monitor; muttering “Margo!” to oneself in times of stress; and publicly admitting to reading Gil Thorp regularly. In more severe cases, a person in the throes of snarkoleptic delirium might voluntarily read the monthly letters on the For Better or for Worse site; and he or she might even photograph himself or herslf to recreate a scene from a comic strip despite the absence of an announced “Photograph Yourself to Recreate a Scene from a Comic Strip” contest.
So you see, song parodies are only present on this blog because OSHA mandates a certain number of them per each week of blog entries so that the blog’s readers might be spared from the ravages of snarkoleptic delirium. If Ms. Johnston still wants the song parody lyrics removed, she will have to take up the issue with the United States government. If you otherwise have any questions for me on this matter, I will be indisposed for the remainder of the weekend as I am trying to procure from a Japanese seller a sheet-shaving kit that has been customized to Elly Patterson’s exacting standards. However, you can contact my legal counsel as follows:
Regards,
Paperback Rifler
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Turtle Boy @ 9: It may be problematic to find out which papers carry each strip. However, you could use the hometown data to find out how many submitters to each strip have access to both, and which see only one strip. With only two months’ worth to work with, the data set may become insignificantly small, but it would at least give you some idea.
If a significant proportion of submitters see both strips, then the data as relates to geography, politics, etc., becomes relevant to the choices of which strip they submit to. However, if most submitters get papers that only carry one of the strips, then it becomes a question of editors’ preferences. On the upside, you may also find a correlation between newspaper circulation figures and which strip is carried.
Paperback Rifler
August 4th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Oh, and M(s/r) Suagean, as long as we’re talking about songs, would you mind passing along to Ms. Johnston that I was truly and deeply moved by the recording of her “Everybody’s Different” song on the For Better or for Worse website? As pop music, I would have to say that it’s the best since Schubert. Now a lot of folks would say that the most brilliant aspect of the song is its deft use of Aeolian cadence; but I, however, think that what really sets the song apart is its raw, unbridled sexuality. It’s extremely arousing how the song starts with a provocative interplay with guitar, bass, and drums and then keeps building and building until the singers breathlessly reach their climax with the chromatic triplet figures at the “Why do we act so insane” part. What a satisfying release!
The song simply drips with sex; and I’m sure that in time, it will take its rightful place alongside such other landmark “make-out songs” as “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye, “The End” by The Doors, and “Let’s Bake More Cookies, You Big, Big Dog, You!” by Gail Martin.
Who knows how many lives will be conceived to the sensuous strains of this 4Evah siren song? Or who knows how many young men and women will experience their “first time” to the sounds of those seductive harmonies? My effuse congratulations go to Ms. Johnston; for in “Everybody’s Different,” she has given us an unrelentingly carnal work of genius; and the world is a much, much sexier place for it!
TeacherPatti
August 4th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I’ve been very patient with the FOOB “special needs” storyline. I am a special ed teacher, and so I’ve kind of holding my breath to see if the storyline would turn into a train wreck.
My patience started to wane when there was that whole deal with Shannon standing up in the cafeteria (or wherever they were) and basically telling off the school. That’s just not gonna happen, dude. The general ed students won’t kick your ass for standing up like that, but they’re not going to suddenly “change”, either. But I figure that FOOB meant well, so I let it go.
Today’s comic stretched my patience a little bit more. On one hand, maybe the idea is that email is very casual, people often misspell things, etc. OTOH, whenever Liz or April email things, they spell things correctly and use proper grammar (IIRC).
Contrary to popular belief, there are what we call kids with “vanilla” disabilities–a crude way of saying that all of you have is a speech impediment, a visual impairment, a hearing impairment, etc. IOW, that’s ALL you have–your brain is fine, you can spell, your emotions are in check, you can walk, you can use grammar, etc. I cringe when people (often well-meaning) treat our students with kid gloves, afraid they will break just because they can’t speak/see/hear/whatever like “everyone else”.
Okay now this is turning into a rant so I’ll stop. Thanks for listening!!!
PS: That “hug” in MT is inexcusable.
PSS: Turtleboy, if you don’t get tenure from that article, there is no justice :)
Maughta
August 4th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Is that a red panda in that pluggers? I think so! Is it in space, though, that’s the question Josh must answer for me.
michael farris
August 4th, 2007 at 10:34 am
GT: I’ll be bitterly disappointed if Bobby C and his awesome fu manchu moustache don’t play a major role in Gil Thorpe’s Best! Storyline! Ever!
Shall we start a pool:
Is the Fu true?
Or machine made,
just like Gail’s braid?
MW: Mary weaves her web of plausible deniability, sowing seeds of doubt in Dawn’s fragile psyche while never actually saying that Dr Drew is a commitmentphobic horndog or Dawn is a clingy, dimwit who’s not up to the demanding and prestigious position of Mary’s possible future daugher step-inlaw.
Dawn realizes something is up, but has nothing she can put her finger on. Just before she pulls the trigger she’ll remember this as the moment her beautiful dream began to fade…..
What’s most brilliant is that Mary doesn’t have to fake her look of concern. When her victims are this weak and easy to crush, she almost pities them …. almost.
Rusty
August 4th, 2007 at 10:35 am
The Plugger mom is just showing her revulsion after a night of sharing a bed with another species and birthing its young. An anthropomorphic Rosemary’s Baby, if you will.
michael farris
August 4th, 2007 at 10:36 am
“I’ve kind of holding my breath to see if the storyline would turn into a train wreck.”
IF ?!?!?
Questions like how, when and why are perfectly natural, but …… if?
SecretMargo
August 4th, 2007 at 10:39 am
9, 14: What about internet readers? Like … many of us? Then it wouldn’t matter which newspapers carry what, right?
Oh, internet, what can’t you complicate?
sally
August 4th, 2007 at 10:39 am
What’s with the oil spill on Buzzard’s shoulders in panel two? Oh wait — now I know why Mark’s hair never ruffles!
will
August 4th, 2007 at 10:46 am
The hug in MT is one that I’m familiar with. It happens when an overly-effusive touchy-feely person insists on hugging someone who is standoffish.
Maughta
August 4th, 2007 at 10:46 am
#21: I really wonder how many of TDIET’s readers are also Curmudgeons. Would the strip still exist without Josh? Inquiring minds want to know.
erikagwen
August 4th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Great rice krispies in the morning! I’m married to a Plugger!
AeroSquid
August 4th, 2007 at 10:56 am
MT: Sorry Sam ! Mark is merely an Anthropomorphic Non-Coital Proxy Unit assigned to MARK TRAIL WORLD. He will NOT respond to your human affection !
Remus
August 4th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Turtle Boy: Very interesting: That June Breakdown by Blue/Red States had to have been gratifying…it’s damn near exactly opposite! Wow. But I gotta give you a skew factor – the newspapers that carry said strips. I live in VA, and until I found this wonderful site I had never heard of nor ever seen TDIET. On the other hand, I’ve read Shoe all my life, met Jeff MacNelly before he died (His son, who later died in a mountain climbing accident, Jake, was a fellow counselor with me at Camp Virginia, and he would come and speak to us each year), adn Gary Brookins, who took it form him when he died, is the Editorial cartoonist for our Richmond Times-Dispatch. (I’ve always suspected he took it over out of respect for his mentor than any true enthusiasm for the strip itself, a sort of neutered, wildly disparate version of a Jeff Foxworthy punchline.) Anyhoo – all that is just to say that I was, regardless of my sociopolitical leanings, exposed to ALOT of Pluggers before I even encountered TDIET, and I might not have ever encountered it if I stuck with print comics and Josh hadn’t shined his ever-lovin’ light. However, since my familiarity with TDIET, I have actually submittted (and been presonally rejected, it was a duplicate – Scaduto was nice) whereas I have never been even close to tempted to submit a PLUGGING. So…mmmmm, I dunno, but then again, I’m an English major, so what do I really know, other than on your earlier posting you used effect where you meant affect. Thanks for the data!
ralph
August 4th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Mark Trail: The police will take care of the birds? The police? Yes, we’ve been on the edge of our seats a whole week finding out whether the birds were going to be (shudder) released, since they’re clearly jaily-birds and need to be locked up. But the police aren’t going to take proper care of them, the way, say, a biologist or a naturalist would, especially a naturalist who started the whole adventure by expressing concern about birds and bird strikes near airports, and who left home and his family on a quest to right this wrong. Do we know anyone like that who might help these birds? Anyone?
Wellsey
August 4th, 2007 at 11:00 am
Okay. Here’s a side by side comparison of the Bobby C’s. On short notice, at my house, it’s the only pic from then I could find.
http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h44/mandawells/duellingbobbycs.jpg
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:03 am
How does the Plugger family have a Poppa Bear and Baby Bear, but the mother isn’t also a Bear? Is she supposed to be a Rabbit?
Jordan
August 4th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Man, Shoe is getting downright sentimental. A week ago it would have gone like this:
Roz: Name your poison, Biz!
Biz: Cyanide.
*Roz bugs her eyes in horror*
Biz: I’m sick of these cataracts!
AeroSquid
August 4th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Pluggers: Nothin’ say luvin’ more than finding a frumpy bathrobe-wearin’ pre-menstrual Wallabee in your kitchen.
TommieBlueEyes
August 4th, 2007 at 11:04 am
Has anyone else noticed the abrupt speed-up in Judge Parker? After literally months following Neddy and Abby’s first day in Paris (and accompanying hijinks), Sophie and Sam have passed two days at the vineyard in a week at most. It’s like even the writers realize how unspeakably boring this storyline is. I mean, going over someone’s account books in real life is bad enough, but reading about someone going over someone else’s account books is unforgivable. Hopefully they’ll jump on the action bandwagon like Rex Morgan did and we’ll see an explosion soon.
katherine
August 4th, 2007 at 11:05 am
22 — actually, I think those are bird droppings.
SecretMargo
August 4th, 2007 at 11:07 am
23: As someone who’s been subjected to such hugs, this comic answers one question I’d contemplated while smiling gingerly: no, holding a firearm will not act as a deterrent. Damn.
24 – Maughta: I’d never seen/heard of either strip until I started reading CC. Soon that may become the norm for their general readership, if it hasn’t already. And you, with your contribution, were there when it all began! You’re more “seminal” than a porn theatre’s floor during Fleet Week!
(And PS: I concur with Noodlefoot — they’re red pandas [in space!]. Even weirder and more arbitrary than raccoons, really, but there you go. And I forgot to say: thanks for posting The Silence Between the Screams — it was quite a fun surprise when catching up after I got back from Tokyo. Does that mean I got a part of the seminal action too? Yes! Okay, I’ll stop.)
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:07 am
27-I’d also guess the big wad of cash he gets for drawing Shoe didn’t influence his decison to continue it.
AeroSquid
August 4th, 2007 at 11:07 am
MT: Mark will now force Buzzard to wear a big sandwich sign that says: I AM OUT OF BUSINESS !
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Try as I might, I just couldn’t quite get Rex quite right: But the final panel’s the clincher anyway.
Oh well. I got my merit badge. :-)
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:11 am
The state capital appears to be on the other side of the field. Why didn’t they stop the bird hunt?
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Buzzard should have told Mark “Real men leave a permanent skull tattoo when they punch someone.”
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 11:12 am
MT: “The police will take care of those birds!”
Later…
“What are we supposed to do with these birds?”
“Dunno. Well, they look like wild ducks. Guess the best thing would be to let ‘em go in the wild.”
*creak* *flap flap flapple flappity flap flap flap flaflappa flap*
*THWONK* *rrrrrrrRRRRRRRRR* *CCRASSHH!!!*
…pause…
“Whoops!”
BlinkAndItsOver
August 4th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Hmmm … this Mark Trail strip, depicting a joyous hug between a mannequin and a totem pole, appears on a blog page bordered by an ad inviting us to “Learn To Draw The Human Figure” … kind of like finding an Absolut ad in the Christian Science Monitor.
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 11:15 am
I finally got Judge Parkher finished too, but it is definitely NSFW. I’m a little hesitant to put it in Photobucket.
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am
NSFW?
Ryl
August 4th, 2007 at 11:18 am
FOOB: Waitwaitwaitwaitwait. I could have sworn that when Shan…non was first introduced, one of the Special Ed teachers said she needed someone to take notes for her because she couldn’t process written words correctly. And now she’s TYPING? When did Canada become Fantasy Land?
SecretMargo
August 4th, 2007 at 11:18 am
29: Awe. Some. I bet he has some sweet Gail Martin memories to share from back in the day, man….
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Not Safe For Work.
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 11:19 am
True Fable @ 38: I loved your RMCG! I think the best part (after the last panel) was the sign pointing out “Gratuitous Rack Display”.
I think you should tackle GT next.
mnemonica
August 4th, 2007 at 11:19 am
That is one ginormous pineapple growing behind Mary Worth.
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Ever notice that Shannon always initiates conversations with April? We never see April approach her and start a conversation.
fizzy logic
August 4th, 2007 at 11:22 am
TurtleBoy – I thought your research was fascinating and obviously you put a lot of work into it. If I had to guess, I would have pegged the Pluggers people as being rural (and conservative) and the TDIET people as more cosmopolitan (and liberal) and your research confirms that theory. I think you did a great job.
I have one minor quibble as a west coast person…it’s a bit skewed (or skewered) like a New Yorker’s map of the country, isn’t it? Maybe that’s how the data worked out, but it seems to be richly detailed regionally (”East South Central”) throughout the Eastern and Central parts of the country. Then there’s Mountain and Pacific. Two geographically large parts of the country. Maybe there weren’t a lot of submissions from there? Also, it might be helpful in your abstract to define what states make up your regions – for example, East North Central vs. West North Central. Might be obvious to you without a map, but not so much to me without some pondering.
You can ignore my suggestions if you like – I won’t mind at all. I do think it’s great! It looks as though you had an inspiration and made it work!
scan
August 4th, 2007 at 11:24 am
shannon doesn’t spell badly, she just has low self esteem and regards herself as a fiend.
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Did you alos research what papers carry each feature? That would play into where submissions come from.
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 11:26 am
#48 Spectacular Spider-Brick – Thanks!
I have the board layout for GT ready and the title panel is done, and it’s been that way for three days. Gil Thorp is every bit as daunting as Judge Parker, only I know how to draw shapely women. I don’t know WTF Gil Thorp people are supposed to be, but it sure isn’t shapely.
Let’s see… I need to include barky sticks, Clambake, Gail Martin, Kaz and his earring, Brynna Antenna, and numerous other aliens too, don’t I?
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 11:29 am
Oh well. God hates a coward. Judge Parkher, NSFW !
queek
August 4th, 2007 at 11:34 am
55: O My! (well done, in both of them!)
Master Soft Heart owns a cat, and calls him Chubby Huggs.
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:37 am
TF-I’d say that’s pretty NSFW all right.
windie
August 4th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Turtleboy;
ask about who carries it, I bet if you don’t mention that you’re coming from here they’ll be more than happy to give you that information :)
Anonymous
August 4th, 2007 at 11:38 am
9 Turtleboy & 14 The Spectacular Spider-Brick,
Unless I missed something…
Hypothetically speaking, one might theoretically
consider perhaps attempting to contact the
appropriate syndicate(s), of whom it is not
unreasonable to expect that they have access
to the information in question and who might be
possible to persuade to divulge it, perhaps once
one has explained one’s purpose for asking for it.
VALIS
August 4th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Ah, so in panel 1 Buzzard has put back his overalls, and is wiping his mouth.
Note to self: never become Mark’s prisoner
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Yikes! Today’s TDIET is from Lafayette LA! The credit for the idea is given to someone named Paul Black! I’m married to a man named Paul Black from Lafayette LA.
Could it be?
Why, yes it is! My dear husband wanted to share a little of our domestic bliss with the entire world. Isn’t that sweet?
Excuse me while I go hide the garden hose….
seanman
August 4th, 2007 at 11:40 am
Also, RE: FOOB, why is it Shan-non can easily spell many multi-syllabic words with no trouble, stumbling only in the last panel on 2 pretty common words (though not exactly “special needs” (well, a different kind if need, I guess), I could easily see her messing up the “frie” “frei” conundrum that bedevils spellers of the word “freind” (hah!). A fiend in need/indeed!
steven
August 4th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Foob: Oh goody, the telethon raised $45,000 (Canadian) for the kids. After Insurance, Production Costs, Security, etc. they only owe $50,000.
MT: Is that a rifle Mark or are you just really happy to have a live human touch you?
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:43 am
I can’t find a link to today’s TDIET. Can someone help me?
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 11:44 am
They paid a 16 eyar old local kid $150 to play. Much more of that really had to cut into the budget.
PD
August 4th, 2007 at 11:49 am
The ease with which Mark Trail solves problems by punching them leads me to wonder why we can’t just have Mark Trail punch global warming.
Cedar
August 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am
OMG, you guys, I am seriously so, so excited about Watch Your Head today! I mean it. I’ve bitched about the character whose name I can’t remember–Robin’s friend–as she’s drawn to be darker, butcher, and larger than Robin, and is portrayed to be than desirable. I really like the idea of the white male character falling for her. You so rarely see white man/black woman couple in tv and movies, so I really hope this goes somewhere.
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 11:50 am
#64 – LTBF
Behold, Mr. & Mrs. T!
http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20070804&name=TDIE
Aren’t we cute?
The Avocado Avenger
August 4th, 2007 at 11:52 am
Ah, Trotzenbonnie, I hate to say it but I don’t really know what your hubby is complaining about! We all want it to rain on the days where it’s most convenient (just ask my husband, who hasn’t been able to mow for three days in a row). It’s, like, a law, or something.
You’ve been portrayed in the absolute cutest manner I’ve ever seen in a TDIET character. In the second panel I can just imagine the little angry arm movements and hear the jangle of the bracelets – so adorable!
Lefty
August 4th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Biz is scheduled for a colonscopy and can’t abide that awful stuff they make you dring before hand.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2007 at 11:55 am
Oh, there was so much hope in yesterday’s Mark Trail, and now it has been shattered. Not only did he bring out his Crushing Right Cross™ but he also brought along a massive shotgun to threaten the Cooter-like dirtleg. “Finally”, I thought, “a Mark Trail cartoon that had all the action of a Steven Seagal film!” Alas, I get the feeling the writers were merely teasing us, when all they intended to happen was for Mark to receive an ackward hug.
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 11:58 am
#69 – Avocado Avenger
Hey, thanks! I can’t believe I even got to change outfits between panels. But, alas, no sweater vest for Mr. T.
I think my husband is just trying to say that I bitch about everything.
Cedar
August 4th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
What is Mary Worth thought-ballooning about Drew’s “reputation”? You mean, what Drew’s dad was saying about him?
Buck Ripsnort
August 4th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Mark is smiling while checking out his reflection in Sam’s bald spot, and that’s OK!
But that roo in Pluggers looks like she had one too many Rum Runners the night before. I wouldn’t hug her, No Sir!
Cornwhacker
August 4th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
61 Trotzenbonnie – Did Mr. T surprise you by not telling you about his TDIET submission until today? Because that would make him sneaky. And awesome.
Wellsey: You had better start sending your father clippings of Gil Thorp comics, If you’re not doing so already.
Bunnë
August 4th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
TurtleBoy, I love your graphs and crunched data in a way that makes me feel truly worried about myself.
I feel like some kind of data junkie, sitting up late at night, hunched over a glowing computer screen, checking out graphs on demographics.
Only it was middle of the afternoon, at the office, but you get the picture.
Anonymous
August 4th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
You’d think Shannon would have access to an e-mail program with spell-check.
Of course, then her message would probably end up reading “If you ever nod a frond, plus let me not.”
Fireball
August 4th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
That Pluggers comic is so true to life. I ran out of coffee this morning and I had to go to the store and get some. I snarled at the cashier when she told me to have a nice day.
And she was an anthropomorphic kangaroo.
BigTed
August 4th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Whoops, sorry. “Anonymous” at 12:12 p.m. was me.
John
August 4th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Apt 3G – Are Eric and Margo about to recreate that scene in 9 1/2 weeks where Mickey Rourke has caught Kim Basinger going through his stuff? That would be cool.
ragthetiger
August 4th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
#29: I repeat, Wellsey (and please forgive me for spelling your name wrong before): awesome.
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
#75- Cornwhacker
Mr. T is awesome and he was, in fact, a professional sneak for the ( * ), but I did know about the TDIET submission. I even helped him with the wording (Hey, honey, why don’t you add ‘The urge to turn the hose on her’. The Curmudgeons will love it!) I just didn’t realize that it was August already.
*If I told you I’d have to kill you.
John
August 4th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
9CL – A gay dancer and his sexy gal sidekick are preparing an ex-nun and ex-priest to express their love for each other through the medium of an extended musical dance number.
This can only end badly.
Uncle Lumpy
August 4th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
#68 Trotz –
Congratulations to Mr. Trotz!
But level with us: do you really do it . . . every time? I mean, you don’t every once in a while, y’know . . . just skip a time? To try something different, or maybe see what would happen?
‘Cause I think Scaduto sometimes overstates his case, y’k-k-k-know?
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
#84 – Uncle Lumpy
Pssssst! Don’t tell anybody but it rained yesterday and I did a little ‘Now I Don’t Have to Sweat My Ass Off Pulling the Friggin Weeds’ dance. But I was in the garage and I don’t think the neighbors could see me.
Keep it under your hat, o.k.?
TurtleBoy
August 4th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Thanks all for your comments! In response,…
…#27 Remus: Your point concerning the newspapers is well taken, which is exactly why I’m looking to figure out who carries which. I’m in your camp; though I’d known about Pluggers for years, I’d never heard of TDIET until my wife, Maughta, brought it to my attention through CC. I have a hunch that TDIET is run primarily in large-market newspapers, and predominantly on the east coast, while Pluggers is likely more broadly distributed. (The daily rag of my dinky little boyhood hometown of Helena, MT carries Pluggers, for instance, but I don’t think there’s much call for TDIET in Montana. Incidentally, the Helena paper is called the Independent Record, but I always referred to it as the Independable Rat Turd. Ah, memories.) All of this, of course, will skew the data a bit.
#51 fizzy logic: I believe there’s a link on the demographics website to the census divisions that I used…in any case, here’s a link. I’m just followin’ the Feds on this one, so please don’t accuse me of Pluggermandering!
#59 Anonymous: I wrote to the syndicates a few weeks ago. Sadly, no response. I gotta write ‘em again, though oddly enough it’s not been first on my list of things to do lately.
#76 Bunnë: Glad I could help you get your fix.
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Meh. It lessens me to display Judge Parkher on a public site. I have taken it down.
(So why draw it, Fable? Because I could.)
SecretMargo
August 4th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
67: I agree. Plus, it was great reveal that was actually surprising without seeming cheap. More interracial comics! I’m not sure if Eva and Shawna-Marie really count. And I’m quite sure Gunk doesn’t.
And I’m off for the weekend! Bye, cherubs! (Lookin’ foxy, Trotz-y!) (Good job, True! I liked the final panel of RMCG the best, although JP had really good overall timing, in my opinion)
And for those in my time zone with normal sleep schedules: last night’s late late SecretRantings (it gets a little blue…)
Merdz
August 4th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I just wanted to give a shoutout to Turtleboy, who has now actually proven that Pluggers are rednecks.
TurtleBoy
August 4th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I just added a link from my demographics site to the U.S. Census Divisions page, for those who were interested.
SueAnn Suagean, Attorney at Law
August 4th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
To: Paperback Rifler
Re: Your Post #13
Dear Mr. Rifler,
In addition to past transgressions involving the posting of song-based materials, data mining by my client’s organization has revealed a trend in your postings in that they are often humorous in nature. I
make vacation plans for St. Bartsregret to inform you this, too, is a violation of copyrighted materials, as specified under Canadian Articles 190.1 and 192.0. To wit, these provisions clearly specify that all jokes, witticisms, puns, tall tales, gags, anecdotes, yarns, jests, capers, put-ons, bon mots, hoaxes, gags, and larfs are the sole property of Lynn Johnston, Inc. whose popular graphic serial “For Better or For Worse” currently appears in over 2,000 newspapers worldwide.You are hereby notified to remove said materials immediately or we will be forced to bring legal pressure to bear on the hosting ISP. Additionally, having conferred with Ms. Johnston, I have been instructed to inform you that (and I quote) “I don’t get it”.
As for you, Mr. Rifler (and Mr. Fable), I hereby upgrade your status to: red
Red is the color the bottom line turns when a corporation incurs my wrath. It is the color of blood that attracts sharks of all stripes, including the pinstripe kind. It is the color of the Christian Dior Infra Rose #869 lipstick that I wear in court that looks so good on me it makes a jury summons feel like a birthday present. It is the color of the Z3 loaner I’m driving while the guys down at Mitigwaki Mercedes and BMW pluck feathers out of my 325. Chicken feathers. American chicken feathers. Now I know how the British felt. (and, yeah, I guess it’s a nice change from black, but it’s an automatic for Loki’s sake. What kind of bimbo gets a Z3 and doesn’t opt for the 5 speed?). Red is the color of the judge’s face after every public spanking I lay on opposing council (you see, it’s so wicked the judge is embarrassed for him. Just thought I’d clarify that for you folks that didn’t score a 178 on the LSAT). Red might also be the color of opposing council’s face, but it’s hard to tell because the two ends of a lawyer are, of course, indistinguishable.
Defy me, Mr. Rifler (and Mr. Fable), and this color shall be your color. You will be the wetlands to my Canadian drilling.
I await your response, or that of your champion.
Warmest regards,
SueAnn
The Divine O’F
August 4th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Secret Margo: I am still fascinated by your post about how you came to be an expert in Japanese literature, and do want to respond, but since this is probably not of much interest to most here, I would prefer to do so privately. I cannot find your nom de snark in the members’ list, but mine is there, so please contact me privately. Or not. I don’t really have a whole lot to say, but the subject does indeed interest me.
Greetings, Master Soft Heart! Here’s hoping you can leaven the cynicism and sarcasm a bit. And by leaven, I mean add something bubbly, like yeast, so that they will GROW!
Gonzoid
August 4th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
GT: Anyone notice that Leonard Nimoy is playing bass for Gail Martin?
TurtleBoy
August 4th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
#89 Merdz: Thank yew, thank yew…I’d love to take credit, but I don’t know if we’re quite there yet. Sadly a boilerplate proof of Plugger Redneckitude is as elusive as a coherent Gil Thorp strip. I’m waiting until I get some syndicate figures to determine just how much that’s twisting the data. Meanwhile, Comics Curmudgeon scientists are working night and day for a proof of the Plugger/Redneck correlation!
The Divine O’F
August 4th, 2007 at 12:47 pm
ALERT FOR GRAPHICS ARTISTS!
In my local paper today there was an article about http://www.threadless.com, a t shirt company that has a weekly contest for t shirt designs, and pays $2500 in cash and prizes for winning designs. It seems to be on the up-and-up.
Herro!
August 4th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
#3 Nancy:
“Usually I don’t participate in the FOOB-bashing, though I enjoy it greatly, but today’s depiction of Shannon, whose cleft palate apparently affects her spelling and grammer in Lynn-world, may convert me.”
I was about to say the same thing, albeit not quite so well, but you beat me to it! Since when does a speech impediment alter one’s ability to spell correctly? I do remember Shannon having some trouble reading, which was addressed when she and April first met, and she introduced April to her e-mail reading equipment. I don’t understand the connection, though. Is Shannon learning-disabled? Functionally illiterate? Re-learning to read? Or is Lynn just off her rocker? Oh, wait, never mind. We all know the answer to that one.
Donald The Anarchist
August 4th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
#62 I think Shannon just did a lot of coke, under the impression that it would enable her to speak at normal speed. Unfortunately, she was then faced with the fact that no one particularly wants to talk to her, and has resorted to the Internet, like so many of us have. Anyhow, her typing skills have suffered as a result.
The Divine O’F
August 4th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Turtleboy: Your work is awesome, but I can’t peruse it because anything having to do with numbers makes me break out in a cold sweat. Which is why I’ve spent the last week trying to avoid working on my taxes.
True Fable: I am bitterly disappointed not to get to see your Judge Parkher.
John
August 4th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Or maybe ‘fiend’ was foreshadowing a FOOB/Exorcist story arc where the devil will meet his match against the Patterson powers of all that is good and pure.
The Divine O’F
August 4th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
FOOB: Here’s what’s pissing me off. I feel that Lynn has set things up–in explaining that Shannon is based on her real-life niece–so that we can’t mock anything Shannon says or does without hurting the feelings of the real-life girl. But as several posters have pointed out, a cleft palate should not affect your spelling or grammar. Are we to conclude that in addition to having a cleft palate Shannon is also retarded or stupid or a bad student?? Only if so does the badly typed letter makes sense.And we’re STILL not supposed to mock. Feh.
MT: Why do I get the feeling fricasseed duck will be served in the police station later?
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
True Fable: Though you for some reason felt it necessary to tease us by posting Judge PorkHer for less than an hour, I feel compelled to view it. Please either re-post or e-mail it to me at flagator @ gate . net. Thank you.
fizzy logic
August 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
TurtleBoy – Thanks for the clarification & the link!
Regarding Shannon – Lynn really Margo-ed everything up by Shannon’s little speech and her cleft palate explanation. According to the FBOW website (shudder), her neice Stephanie, upon whom Shannon is based, has quite a few disabilities, including learning disabilities, in addition to the cleft palate. Her speech was done as a class assignment, not as a spontaneous Norma Rae moment, and was well received in that environment (somewhat predictably – “oh, that’s what the hell’s wrong with her – I never knew” would be a response in a classroom environment, not a lunchroom environment [with whoops and cheers, never]). But by trying to sum everything up into a short little inspirational speech, which left too much out, Lynn just whiffed it. (Coincidentally, the music on my computer right now is “How to be Dumb” by Elvis Costello; interesting timing).
John C Fremont
August 4th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
# 40 (LTBF) – Old Jungle Saying?
TurtleBoy, you seem strangly obsessed. Good show!
# 61 – Congrats to Mr. Trotz! Hide the garden hose, indeed.
MW – “…and that he proves his reputation wrong.” Reputation? Oh crap, more Back Story Action. Oh well, they don’t call Mary “Old Exposition” for nothing. (They do call her that, don’t they? Well, why the hell not?!)
Foob – Y’know what’d be cool? If there were actually a band called 4Evah and Eva, and they sued the pants off of Lynn Johnston. This is my wish. Pathetic, isn’t it?
Herro!
August 4th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
True Fable: NO FAIR. I didn’t even get to see it!
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
To: Sue Ann Suagean
Re: The bug up your attractive if exceedingly uptight little ass
Dear Ms. Suagean,
You letter failed to explain just what, if anything, of Ms. Lynn Johnston’s latest work is actually witty. Furthermore, I am not a Canadian citizen, but am a fulltime resident of Greater Metropolitan Roopville and therefore internationally recognized as the pwner of said Ms. Johnston’s sad sad ass. What is more, Ms. Johnston shall never “get it” from me; not now, not ever.
Red. The color of Lynn’s false bleeding heart. A hue slightly darker than your innermost secrets, which are secret no more thanks to the images from that infamous Christmas party in which you favored the copier with a particularly interesting view of your derrière, images now in my possession I might add. Red, the color of your cheeks if you in fact knew shame. The color of Lynn’s eventual bottom line unless she stops effing around and starts using some of the wit and gags she hoards like a demon dog in Hell’s manger.
And excuse ME, my fine hot counselor, but as the Raconteur of Roopville, I not only live and die by the snark, anecdote-making is my stock in trade, THEREFORE Ms. Johnston is in violation of my right to ply my trade. Tell your leash-holder that she may figuratively buss my rear at her earliest convenience.
We’ll see what’s wet on you, my little missy, when I am done drilling on you.
Now roll over, get up and make me a biscuit, babyInsatiably yours,
Truman A. Fable
Lynn Johnston’s better (not Better)
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
Divine O’F @ 100: Shannon has been established as being both retarded and (formerly) having a cleft palate. Cleft palate is an uncommon, but not unknown, effect of the facial malformations that characterize Down syndrome, so it’s entirely plausible for Shannon to have both. More information about cleft palates and Down syndrome may be found you know where.
Skullturf Q. Beavispants
August 4th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Today’s comics:
Bizarro: Rain in eastern Montana, rather than snow? Kind of mild for January, no?
Funky Winkerbean: Yep, they’ve got a healthy body stashed away somewhere, all right — slowly forming in Jessica’s uterus! HAR!
John C Fremont
August 4th, 2007 at 1:17 pm
# 103 – On second thought, the idea of Lynn Johnston with her pants off due to legal action disturbs me. Change that to “sue her for all she’s worth” or “sue her to cease and desist that horrible, horrible strip.” Yeah, that’s better. Lynn gets sued, but gets to remain fully clothed. You’re welcome, Canada.
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
Okay, it’s back up. Gee, who knew!
Hear that whirling sound? That’s my sainted mother whirling in her grave.
Hear that buzzing sound? That’s my unsaintly father’s ultra-strength bees grinding my way. Guess I’d better put it back up, huh?
The Divine O’F
August 4th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
106 Spider Brick: Thanks for the explanation. That makes a bit more sense. I always thought Shannon was probably Down’s until all that hoo-rah about her cleft palate.
commodorejohn
August 4th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
A3G – Well, duh. This is Margo’s world. She does whatever she wants.
BBlue – I don’t think o_O quite covers this. My imagination is going all kinds of places I’d rather it didn’t.
A.D. – What is a five-letter word for political debate?
BB – Battlefield? Battlefield? Are they…are they actually going to do some battling?
Crankshaft – Parent-child strife is hilarious!
DTM – Totally not a joke done by Calvin & Hobbes years ago.
DT – You know, maybe if they’d run out and followed him in the first place instead of standing around discussing how to find him, they’d have found him by now.
FOOB – Ha ha, she is retarded! Look at her spelling! Remember, having a cleft palate makes you an imbecile!
FW – “Oh, didn’t I tell you about my hobbies?”
GA – “Popasmoke Division.”
GT – “Rough-looking?” He’s Marty Moon with a Fu Manchu.
H&L – Going on vacation because Family Circus is doing it.
Marmaduke – This is the most I’ve ever seen going on in a Marmaduke panel.
MW – Dawn looks like she’s going to break out into a musical number, but Mary stifles that joy promptly.
Popeye – Yeah, no kidding, Olive.
RMMD – “I never would have guessed that this bomb blast was an attempt on my life if you hadn’t told me so! Thank you, Young-But-Gray-Haired-Guy-In-A-Suit!”
Edison Lee – can go fuck itself for being staunchly Democrat and still thinking it has any right to complain about taxes.
Wellsey
August 4th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Thanks to ragthetiger, cornwhacker and SecretMargo re: post #29. You make me happy! I’ll try and show him today’s GT, but he just won’t get into it like we do. Actually about the only story he tells from his band days was when he and my mom and the female singer and her husband were out riding motorcycles. Technically, as I was in the womb, I guess I was there too, but I digress. Anyway, the girl singer and her husband got hit and killed by a car coming around a curve and pretty much chopped into pieces. Somehow, even after that, the band played on. On a much lighter note, he once showed up for a gig, ran on stage and started setting up his gear when he looked around and suddenly realized that none of the other gear or guys in the band looked familiar. He quickly called around to find out where he was supposed to be and the rest of the band had to cover for him for a half hour or so until he showed up at the right place in the right town. That story I do love.
Gabe
August 4th, 2007 at 1:25 pm
93: Leonard owes her for when she saved his butt from jail when he went on that coke bender in 71.
SmartPeopleOnIce
August 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I would imagine Momma Plugger might be permanently testy, what with having squeezed a bear out her rabbit-sized cervix.
IdleDandy
August 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
I am happy to report that my new plan of reading Lio directly after FOOB every day is so far a success. It’s a pretty good antidote to treacle.
I don’t know how many of y’all get Sunday’s comics on Saturday as I do, but Sunday’s FOOB leaves me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it’s a return to the simpler pun-in-final-panel days. On the other hand, it’s profoundly not funny, and makes Michael look like a larger idiot than I’d previously believed. Also, I believe we’ve just seen the first signs that Deanna is turning into her mother. Run, Michael, run! (Or maybe he tried to get away, but the car wouldn’t start because he forgot to put the key in the ignition…)
Also on Sunday, I decided for whatever reason to read Doonesbury this week. And HAW HAW HAW! It’s so funny, because we’re sick of hearing about Paris Hilton, and he’s sick of hearing about Paris Hilton! It’s funny because it’s true! And so freaking original to boot! As “topical” as the strip is trying to be, it misses the boat, because Lindsay and Nicole have been the story most recently.
I’m astonished to discover that EVERYONE IN THE NYC METRO AREA is a Plugger! Who knew?
Herro!
August 4th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
True Fable, and it was every bit as entertaining as I expected! NSFW, indeed!
mere cog in the machine
August 4th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
FOOB: Ok Johnston, you win. Uncle, mea culpa, no mas, whatever, you beat me – I lose. I told myself years ago, after the death of the only likeable character in this running sore of a strip that it wasn’t going to be that easy; oh no, you twisted Canadian termagent, you don’t chase the cog off that easily. As I watched Elizabeth and Mike grow ever more vapid and milksoppy I just chuckled and fastened my seatbelt. I gritted my teeth through the countless closeups of Elly’s enormous ass and hairy legs. I laughed nervously about John’s stupid fucking trains and closed my eyes and shook my head as April’s monstrous self-absorption grew like a cancerous tumor. I suffered gamely throughout the sickening re-inroduction of a hopelessy castrated Anthony, and stubbornly dusted myself off after the seeming demise of the enormously entertaining Kelpfroths. I clutched onto the edge of the precipice like grim death during Elizabeth’s sexless, bloodless, pulseless romantic entanglements. I screamed through the pain during Scrotumchin’s remorseless, graceless, undignified descent into senility and incontinence, BUT THE RETARD FINALLY GOT ME. You sick, evil, snowbound virago; you crafty Saskatchewan sorceress, YOU WIN. No longer will I subject my frayed and tattered sanity to this farrago of malignant imbecility. I hand you my sword, I surrender my sidearm. You have beaten me, Madam.
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 1:42 pm
#117 Fight the Future, mere cog! FIIIIIGHT!
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
#116 Herro – To tell the truth, I was afraid I’d get my mouth washed out with strong goat soap for drawin’ dirrty pi’chers! XD
TB Tabby
August 4th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
This is the second time this blog has reminded me of Freefall.
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
RMMD: June knew she was planning to stay the night when she left for Heather’s house, lo these many moons ago. So… why didn’t she bring a change of clothes?
mere cog in the machine
August 4th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
118 True: No, no, my friend; my strength is at an end (cries brokenly). But this I will promise you: They can cut my lifeless body down from Farley’s tree, but they can’t bury my spirit! Wherever, in this hallowed comics land of ours, ego is masquerading as earnestness, I’ll be there. Wherever self indulgence elbows talent off of the sofa, I’ll be there. When zealous preachiness rears it’s ugly, self-righteous head, you’ll find me. When tired, suffering Foob readers feel as if from nowhere a cool and strengthening breeze gently kiss their brow, they shall know me. (strident voice gradually fades out as Joan Baez sings quietly)
bats :[
August 4th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
115. Idle Dandy: Lio improves just about anything (or at least raises its surreal rating):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9545446@N07/1009154659/
The Divine O’F
August 4th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
122: “I dreamed I saw, Mere Cog last night, alive as you and me….”
TF: Excellent! More dirty pictures, please!
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
#122 Mere Cog – Henry Fonda couldn’t have said it better.
commodorejohn
August 4th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
#121 SSB – All her outfits look like that. Much like Einstein (reputedly) kept a closet full of identical outfits to avoid having to think about what to wear, June has realized that she couldn’t possibly look better, no matter what she’s wearing, and has settled on this one outfit as her “look.”
lughcifer
August 4th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Is it just me or is Mark Trail gearing up to give Chuck Norris a run for his money? Pretty soon, we’ll see groups on FaceBook called “Mark Trail once punched a man in his soul…”
The Spectacular Spider-Brick
August 4th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
True Fable: Okay, I’ve seen it. You can take it back down now.
From your description, I thought it was going to be dirty or something. Love Hina is naughtier. (The manga version, anyhow.)
commodorejohn
August 4th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
#123 bats :[ – Your Lio series is some of your funniest work. Keep it up!
Poteet
August 4th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
# 9 — Turtleboy, I’m seriously in love with your data, but have a question, and please pardon if it seems a little dim or if I missed the place where I could find out. To which sections of the country have Iowa and Michigan been assigned? I’ve seen some pretty weird American region maps, or I wouldn’t ask. Thanks!
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
#128 Spectacular Spider-Brick – Dude, that is dirty for me.
John C Fremont
August 4th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
# 121 – I’ve lost track. This is Hugh’s second day in America, right?
LTBF
August 4th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I got “Content Currently Unavailiable” when I tried the TDIET link. Can someone (Josh?) post it here?
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
mere cog –
Do you need someone to be a Robin-esque figure to aid you in the fight?
Josh
August 4th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
#133 LTBF– Try this:
http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20070804&name=TDIE
I’m actually going to feature it properly in a bit. People, you need to tell me in advance so’s I know!
Josh
Spotted HØrse
August 4th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
LTBF: I like to access TDIET through the Seattle Post Intelligencer, which is quicker to load than the Chronicle.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/
Unfortunately, the PI lacks many important strips, such as Gil Thorp, Apartment 3G, and Dick Tracy. Consequently, I don’t check these as often as I should. *sigh*
Foobaphobe
August 4th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
FOOB:
I ned a vomit bukit!
Innominate
August 4th, 2007 at 2:54 pm
MT: Of course Mark is enjoying the hug. He just can’t return the embrace because he’s playing with his gun… er, rifle. (Remember, rifles are for shooting, guns are for fun.)
TurtleBoy
August 4th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
#130 Poteet: Iowa’s in the West North Central Division, and Michigan’s in the East North Central Division, both are part of the Midwest Region. (Regions contain divisions, I guess.) Go figure. ‘S all right? ‘S all right.
MonkeyBusiness
August 4th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
MT – His overalls are back on…how?! Maybe Mark did punch them off after all. And then gave him a chance to put them back on before letting him explain himself.
TurtleBoy
August 4th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Y’all’ll be happy to know that I’ve re-sent my queries for syndication information to the powers-that-be at both Pluggers and King Features (overseers of TDIET). I’ll be sure to post more bulletins as events warrant.
Just for the record, “y’all’ll” was a really fun word to type.
Trotzenbonnie
August 4th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Sorry, Josh.
(Move over, Dennis. Make room in that corner for me.)
Jym
August 4th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
=16= Foob (TeacherPatti): I’ve been on the ‘net for much too long, and all I can say is that badly-spelled email is the norm.
Tim T.
August 4th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
#141 TurtleBoy: “y’all’ll be”…that’s the species of one of the Pluggers in the “morning coffee” panel, right? uh, maybe not.
Best wishes to all Curmudgeonistas and -istos.
Wellsey
August 4th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
I’m thinking waaaay too much about it, but does anyone else think that Peter is responsible for putting the bomb in Heather’s car and is the one secretly in league with Hugh? It’s sort of the most obvious solution and therefore the most likely to be used in a comic of this caliber.
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
#145 Wellsey – I called Peter as a co-conspirator a couple of threads ago. :-)
True Fable
August 4th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
At least, I think he could have planted the bomb. Sure, that would have meant the danger of Heather starting up the car, but Peter must have known Hugh had a remote, or maybe he gave it to him. He would have made sure somehow that Heather did not start the car herself.
Or, Peter is working for Oki Merlot or Semi-formal Chardonnay or Pedestrian Boone’s Farm, and wanting to get rid of Hugh for not wanting to get rid of Heather. Take ‘em both out of the equation and Peter will run the company – until Milton gets back, and Peter will still be in good stead by being the guy who “tried to do his best for Hugh and Heather, who knew they’d get blown up.”
Yeah.
Uncle Lumpy
August 4th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
#145, 146 –
Well, everybody but Peter was out of town (the Board), hurt (Hugh), in the house (June, Heather), or
gayat the clinic (Rex).Wellsey
August 4th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
Well, I’m in good company then.
Also, last night I saw a commercial for Nationwide Car Insurance Company. Their new catchphrase is “Nationwide is now going roadside!” Talk about making me sit up and pay attention!!!
ScottC
August 4th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Just a thought: If Biz is ordering a drink with prune juice, I would think the problem would be constipation, not diarrhea.
Burning Prairie
August 4th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Mark Trail has to contain the most awkward embrace of all time. Sam is clinging to Mark like she was a terrified 4 yr old who doesn’t want to go to preschool. And Mark’s posture simply screams “I’ve been dead from the waist down since The War.”
Hysterical Woman
August 4th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Monty You’re really hardcore when you dress in costume for an online RP session.
Hagar That first line sounds so awkward, even though AFAIK it’s grammatically correct.
Little Guy
August 4th, 2007 at 5:09 pm
MT: “What do you mean, “we”, Sweater Puppy Gal? This was all thanks to my Almighty Right Hook O’ Justice!”
CrabbyGenes
August 4th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
#62 seanman. I’ve read all the way up to here to ascertain that no one really answered your comment. So I guess I have to (Not that I mind answering you; I just mind having to explain/defend Lynn Johnston.)
Notice the bubbles indicating “thought.” The first panels are what Shannon is thinking she is typing. The last panel indicates what she has actually typed, which is what April is reading.
Squid Countess
August 4th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
I’ve been reviewing “My Documents.”
I don’t know if someone here wrote this or where I got it, but I saved it and I still think it’s hilarious. In relation to the Chinese man who had the first penis transplant (but then, if you remember, had it removed due to his wife’s inability to “cope emtionally”), I give you the Beatles’ Do You Want to Know a Secret:
Listen
Do you want another penis?
If I promise not to tell?
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Scrotum
I’ll construct it very near
Genuine it will appear
I’m glad I’m not you
Oooh, oo, oo
I know a penis that’s just right for you,
Barely used, it’s twenty-two
Listen
Do want another penis?
If I promise not to tell?
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Wang man
I will add some extra length
Maybe rebar for some strength
You’ll be good as new!
Oooh, oo, oo
Oooh, oo, oo
Oooo
mere cog in the machine
August 4th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
134 Trotz: I would be honored to have you as my saucy sidekick, especially as you seem to have a great store of vitality and irreverrence, and also as I’m not real good on stairs, or with schedules, or, frankly, with getting out of bed some days. Don’t even ask me about bathing. Boy, this Joad/Hill/Christ thing seems like it could be potentially exhausting!
CrabbyGenes
August 4th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Boy, that Pluggers rabbit is ME, ratty bathrobe, grim expression, and all. Brookins really nailed it for those of us who have a hard time with mornings.
I once tried to explain to my always-upbeat (thank God!) husband just why I am so crabby in the morning. “I hate the world in the mornings!” I said.
He had absolutely no idea what I was talking about. But he was kind enough to attribute it to my usually-lower-than-normal blood pressure.
Dr. Mabuse
August 4th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
So, I guess that’s the end of Shannon, right? Today’s message to April seemed to have a “Goodbye forever, you were the best thing that ever happened to me in my short, meaningless life” vibe to it. No, no, I don’t mean in a suicide note kinda way. I mean in a “that’s that” wrapping up the story arc way. I suspect that Shannon was a tiny twig in the mighty river rolling to the sea that is April, and now that she’s being left behind. By the time school starts again in September, it’ll be as if she’d never been there.
Cerulean Pointing Hand of Doom!
August 4th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
#131 TF: It’s OK, Fable. Mortal man cannot fathom the depths of depravity to which one must succumb before SSB would declare his acts “dirty.” Only a chosen few can aspire to that level of filth. We acolytes can only hope to so entirely cast off our inhibitions.
…
Please leave it up. I clearly need to see this so that I can make an informed opinion about its dirtiness rating. And I’m at work until after midnight.
Poteet
August 4th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
# 140 — Thanks, TurtleBoy. That makes sense. (And sorry for missing the capitol in your name last time around.) It appears that West North Central folks are solid Pluggers…hmmm.
Poteet
August 4th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
# 140 — Dang it, that should be been directed to # 139. Sorry.
Poteet
August 4th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
# 157 — CrabbyGenes, you have to get up at such horrible hours that your hatred of morning is quite understandable, in my opinion. I bet that Plugger rabbit or kangaroo or whatever isn’t up as early as you.
Nancy
August 4th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
#96–Herro!
Thanks for your comment. I tend to be intimidated by the level of snarky virtuosity here. Sometimes I just have to overcome my sense of inadequacy and say it simply.
#158–Dr. Mabuse has identified what gets to me about LJ’s mis-use of Shannon. She’s been dropped into the story line to teach us all a lesson. She’s there to make a point and show us the enlightened FOOBworld view. Characters are created to reflect the greater glory that is Pattersonia. What do I expect?/that’s why they call ‘em FOOBs.
And why have I just written paragraphs about this comic we all despise?
AAckTTpth
August 4th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
95 DO’F – threadless.com is most certainly on the up-and-up, although you need near genius to have your t-shirt voted into production by the member base (but the t-shirts rock). Come to think of it, we may have a couple of near-geniuses in Curmudgeonville… ;-)
Prankster
August 4th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
Elrod seems to have an almost talismanic fixation on the phrase, “Release the birds”, or some variation thereof. Perhaps it’s like that South Park episode, and one more Elrod strip featuring the phrase “Release the birds” will unleash Quetzalcoatl and his flock of hellbirds (which resemble gigantic talking ducks) on mankind, giving Elrod unmitigated control over our airspace. We’re doomed, I tell you! DOOMED!
Monster Jamz
August 5th, 2007 at 12:38 am
it might have been said before but in Pluggers World a male bear-man and a female kangaroo-woman together produce a bear cub baby? and that kangaroo woman can’t function without coffee?
i’m just guessing that “mom” is a kangaroo. could be a coyote.
and i guess “cub baby” could be from a previous marriage? wow, i would really like to know more of the backstory on kangaroo woman and her absolute need for morning coffee. i bet she has seen some hard times.
Robert Whitaker Sirignano
August 5th, 2007 at 5:24 am
It isn’t the hugs in MARK TRAIL that are upsetting. It’s the changing of size: goes on and on that the people are depicted as being the same size, but when a woman hugs someone, she loses a foot in hieght.
Of course, the hug looks stiff. MT isn’t used to peoople and doesn’t know what to do with them, unless they’re caught in bear traps.
Sheilagh
August 5th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Holy cow! And I use the term advisedly — did y’uns see MJ’s boobs in that one panel of today’s S-M? The artist seems to have gotten carried away. Yike.
Deborah
August 5th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Pluggers is wrong. It says all people are Pluggers. Or all moms are Pluggers. Or all children of grumpy moms who want to kill their children and only reach past the inevitable mayhem to find a loving heart at the bottom of a cupa Joe are Pluggers. Or something.
At any rate, if my son comes in here right now, he’s a dead teen, because I haven’t had my coffee and I’m still in my bathrobe and if that makes me a Plugger I suppose I’ll have to do something about the anthropomorphic ear growth. Perhaps a new hairstyle.
Brick Bradford
August 5th, 2007 at 9:53 am
I’ll tell you why They’ll Do It Every Time doesn’t swing in the West North Central. It’s because there are no “Eisenhower-era schlubs” there (as Prof. Bahls called them) reading comics.
The older generations don’t get caught dead with the funny papers between age 18 and senility. The younger ones, those with any retro sentiment beyond hot rods and reno’ing wood frame houses, relocate to Urban America and interbreed with the natives.
Just an observation from a former denizen of that region.
Brick Bradford
August 5th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Oh yeah. I wanna see pictures of SueAnn Suagean. If she looks anything like Lis Wiehl, I will be her love slave for life.
Nancy
August 5th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Three comments in one thread; I’ve never done this before. Comment #s 165 and 167 opened my eyes to a new way of looking at Mark Trail. There is value in going back to older threads; reminds me of why I keep coming back to this site. And the unparalleled snark of course.
Keg of Curd
August 5th, 2007 at 10:36 am
“Shhh… don’t talk to your mom until she’s the right fucking species.”
Yes, I know it’s so commonplace in Pluggers it hardly seems worth mentioning but somehow the… unnaturalness… of it just never ceases to confound me.
Hubris
August 5th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I’m fairly sure that Sam is pinning Mark’s arms to prevent him from using his gun, knowing that he usually prefers not to leave any witnesses to his particular brand of rough, Thoreau-tinged justice. She’s seen too much.
Al
August 6th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Foob: I thought that Shan…non originally had a note taker and one of those speech-writer things from IBM to do her homework/email with on the computer. I guess the speech-writer plugin for MS Word (Canada) disables the spellchecker.