It’s so easy to laugh, it’s so easy to hate; it takes strength to be gentle and kind
Speed Bump, 12/16/04
One of my New Year’s resolutions for the coming year is to be less negative, and in that spirit, I had decided to not make my first comment about any of the new comics in the Sun until I had something nice to say. So, here’s today’s Speed Bump. It made me laugh.
I mean, not a lot, mind you, but, you know, more than I did at the last three, which were so spectacularly unfunny that I didn’t even understand why they were supposed to be funny.
Oh, wait, I’m doing it again! Hah. Sorry ’bout that.
Anyway, this panel: funny. Vaguely. Play on words. You know, the word “flight” used to primarily be used as a noun derived from the word “flee,” and it generally meant “an escape.” But now we usually use it as a noun derived from the word “fly.” Still, the old meaning is embedded in certain set phrases, like “fight or flight.” Thus the joke.
I like the sad expression on the trying-to-fly guy’s face, too. And the fact that the mugger is rolling his eyes in disgust.
Or at least I think he is. The drawing of the mugger’s face isn’t very good. What’s that little line thing on his chin? A beard?
Gah! No, I mean, the art is fine. Really! I certainly couldn’t do better. I can’t draw a lick! Ha ha! Panel: funny!
Anyway.
No doubt you’ve noticed that my blog has gone back to its original color scheme. This is not because I’ve gotten over the Sun’s execrable comic-elimination decisions (I haven’t); it’s just that I was getting a headache from reading white type on a black background all the time.
Making me even less over it is something that my fianceé pointed out to me this morning: part of the real estate on the newly consolidated comics page (which has been cheerily rechristened Fun & Games) is taken up by a syndicated contract bridge column. Yeah, you heard me right. A bridge column. It’s not even the one written by Omar Sharif, which is kind of cool in principle because, you know, it’s a bridge column written by Omar goddamn Sharif. But this other, non-Omar-Sharif-penned bridge column — who the hell reads that? Nobody. And the people who do are weirdos.
As opposed to the perfectly normal people who read all the comics every day, even crap like Speed Bump.
Wait, did I say crap? I meant…
Dammit.
Kristen
December 16th, 2004 at 5:47 pm
I actually kind of like the curiousity of the pedestrian who half turns to see the mugee trying to take off but has no intention of ever stopping to help the guy.
Its kind of a “what the heck does he think he’s doing? Just shut up and get mugged” expression.
Hubris
December 16th, 2004 at 11:05 pm
I would respectfully submit that everyone is missing the point. He is flapping his arms to distract from his tradtional flight response; that is, he has actually evacuated his bowels on a busy street corner. Oh, the shame.
Bob
December 17th, 2004 at 8:28 am
Put a fez and a striped shirt on Bob (the Bob in the cartoon, not me) and you have Groening’s Akbar and/or Jeff. Big nose, eyes on both side of head…
Anonymous
December 17th, 2004 at 9:39 pm
Hey, my mother reads the bridge column. Bastard.
Anonymous
December 17th, 2004 at 9:47 pm
Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Sue
December 18th, 2004 at 4:26 pm
Please don’t try to be nicer, Josh. Your caustic comments brighten up my days!
peep
March 1st, 2005 at 5:37 am
did you notice bob’s hip shoes? i do believe those are adidas sabas. nice choice.
Mary Brandt
October 24th, 2005 at 7:52 pm
That “gun” looks so…just…it’s so WRONG.
-MB
Brian
July 5th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
This is like your 3rd Smiths reference so far. Awesome.