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Mark Trail, 9/29/10

Not for the first time, I’m completely flummoxed by the moral and legal universe that Mark Trail inhabits. We’ve had plenty of wholly understandable righteous indignation about Future Governor Frank’s semi-caged hunting of semi-wild animals scheme, but no mention of any actual laws that it might break. What, then, does Mark hope to achieve with his telescopic-lens photos? Career-wrecking shame? But Frank seems to believe that this hunt will improve his popularity, not harm it. But maybe we’re meant to believe that honest ordinary voters would be repulsed by caged hunts, and only the twisted, effete elites would take joy in this vile pastime. Perhaps Mark wants to reveal Frank in the midst of clubby scenes like panel one, with its “gentlemen, let’s toast to evil!” vibe, and destroy the common-man cred that we haven’t seen him doing any kind of work to build up. Today, however, we become privy to immorality within immorality, with the already farcical hunt’s outcome being fixed in advance to curry favor with some influential lawmaker. Where does the rabbit hole of depravity end?

I’m pretty numb to bizarre Elrod-ball placement at this point, but I do find panel two particularly charming. Ol’ Joe isn’t too bright, apparently, as he needs to be reminded that he is in fact Frank’s ranch foreman. Frank carefully outlines the details of his scheme, but Joe can only look on numbly and mutter “Jack Elrod” in response. Perhaps simple Joe will be this story’s moral center, refusing to fulfill his odious duties and instead revealing the sins of his employer to the world. “Jack Elrod!” he’ll shout, in triumph.

Ziggy, 9/29/10

Ha ha, Ziggy, don’t worry! Nobody actually wants to buy your body parts. In fact, most people, upon discovering that your liver or one of your kidneys was inside them, would probably try to remove the offending organ with whatever sharp implement was at hand.

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Ha ha, remember last week, when you woke up bright and early every day with Uncle Lumpy’s comedy stylings? Well, you’re with me now, and you’ll take posts at random times and you’ll like it.

Mary Worth, 9/28/10

Oh … oh God. Without even the benefit of a Charterstone pool party to cleanse the palate, Mary has moved on from matchmaking to start her most ambitious meddle yet: the Mother of the Bride Meddle. Sure, she isn’t technically Adrian’s mother, or even her stepmother, but she’s served as Jeff’s platonic yet monogamous consort ever since she killed his wife in ritual combat, so she’s the closest thing Adrian’s got. Mary’s passive-aggressive commentary on the inadequacies of the dress, DJ, floral arrangements, wedding invitation fonts/paper stock, and attendants that Adrian has selected will be delicious. If we’re really lucky, she’ll insist that they make it a double wedding with her new favorite couple, the now merged into wholeness Mike and Jenna.

Mark Trail, 9/28/10

“Wait, did I say ‘cagey,’ as in ‘reluctant to give information due to caution or suspicion?’ Ha ha, that makes no sense. I mean ‘caged,’ because I’ve transformed my property into a giant cage by means of miles of chain-link fence. Not that this cage-hunting business won’t be exciting and challenging! Do you gentlemen smell something gubernatorial in here? I think you’ll find that it’s me!”

Apartment 3-G, 9/28/10

Oh, look, Lu Ann is still acting like a sullen teenager over her hair. Yep, haven’t missed much!

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Brewster Rockit, 9/27/10

Brewster Rockit stumbles onto The Comics Curmudgeon‘s core concept. Ooh! Look at the tiny pictures getting all smartass.

Mark Trail, 9/27/10

Cherry daydreams, watching Mark overcompensate. Explains a lot, really. Dude, just buy a bigass gun and crash Frank’s party.

Mary Worth, 9/27/10

Why hello, Dr. Cory, Mrs. Worth; how very nice to see you again, and I’m pleased to see you both looking so well. Please accept my apologies for those terrible things I said during your last visit — I’ve learned a valuable lesson, and assure you it won’t happen again. I’ve been thinking about you quite often over the past few — my goodness, has it only been weeks? Let me just say I hope you’re planning a nice long stay. What, Jenna and Mike? Oh, let’s put all that behind us, shall we? Please? I’ll beg if you want!

Mandrake the Magician, 9/27/10

If you like The Phantom, Lee Falk’s other, daily-only adventure strip is worth a look. The loose line and saturated color take some getting used to, but Phantom fans will feel right at home with the quick pace and deep back-story.

Here, Mandrake responds to a call from policewoman Millie there, about strange doings in rustic Timber Lake: a terrified populace, unexplained blackouts, the sudden appearance of a giant bat, an uncooperative police captain, and a mysterious prisoner who claims to know Mandrake. It’s not on the mighty Chron, but you can find it at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, also worth bookmarking as a source for large-format comics from King Features.

Apartment 3-G, 9/27/10

Shear and soften one starchy, buttoned-up cauldron of sexual fury and another claims her throne. Behold Apartment 3-G: The Dawn of Doris!

Hey, I’m outta here — thanks, everybody, for a fun week! Look for Josh’s triumphant return with Comments of the Week on Monday. Enjoy!

— Uncle Lumpy