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Comments of the week shortly, but first, a few items!

Let’s begin with yesterday’s One Big Happy, a strip that I still read in the newspaper, the old-fashioned way. My newspaper cuts off the throwaway panels at the top of the Sunday strip, so I didn’t see this:

Ruthie’s grandpa is in fact enjoying Scratch Golfer, the fine comic novel written by faithful Comics Curmudgeon reader and frequent commentor willethompson! It is available for purchase for your enjoyment, and makes a good gift for a golf-loving family member.

Also! I Found All Six, the blog by faithful reader Gold-Digging Nanny that focuses on the six differences puzzles in Slylock Fox, has taken time out to explain the difference between Lu Ann’s cousin Blaze and South Dakota heartthrob Cody Stiles.

Also also! I meant last week to link to a fine project from faithful reader LunarHalo, Riverdale Sonnets, which combines the most demandingly structured of the poetic forms with … Archie, for some reason.

And now, at long, last, it’s your COMMENT OF THE WEEK:

“My thinking is that either Frank will be choked to death by Lynn with the ‘designer scarf’ or Lynn will become paralyzed in a tragic auto-asphyxiation mishap with said scarf. Either way, that scarf is up to no good.” –Dingo

And your runners-up — so many to choose from!

“Mark Trail has his punchin’ face on! Note the engorged eyebrows — a sure sign of impending fisticuffs.” –buckyswife

“You know, despite the painful, wooden awkwardness that defines this strip, Mark is really the best heroic vigilante in the comics. Why? Because his banter is nothing less than awesome. Today’s cross-panel ‘I think I’ll go make a wager … and I’m betting that this Rabbit fellow is going to lose’ is better than anything Spider-man has ever said and even competes with the snark provided by my personal hero, the narration box in the Phantom.” –Journeyman Softheart

“Man, I can’t even imagine that kind of lifts they had to put in Ice-Dad’s shoes to make him appear taller than the 6′ 8” Mary Worth. It’s for naught, though, as Mary’s sense of moral superiority towers over all.” –Tats

“I wonder why Dolly’s soup was cold in the first place. Was Thel so lazy that she just dumped a can of soup straight into the bowl, and it was only Grandma’s pity for the little melon-head that prevented Dolly from having to eat a cold, can-shaped, gelatinous glop?” –Perky Bird

“What is with the freakish kids in the serial strips? Don’t even get me started on the Sneaky-ownin’ kid with the blonde flip ’do in Mark Trail. Her forehead is so big you could show movies on it.” –Bootsy

“I think what Mary is trying to say is ‘You can buy my love, Frank … all it will cost is your soul.'” –Eldaglass

“I for one am confused by such exotic accessories and appreciate that they went that extra mile to illustrate the — how do you say? — scarf. Of course, if they had really cared, they would have written the word SCARF underneath it with an arrow. Then all I would need is someone loudly and slowly over-enunciating as they read the strip to me.” –Mel

Does it LOOK like I’m kidding? No, seriously, does it? Because I don’t know how to change my facial expression to reflect my emotions!” –Joe Blevins

“If someone ran up to me saying ‘That’s a PET raccoon and I am taking it home!’ about the only response that would make any sense is ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ Although, ‘Get the hell away from me, you rabies-infected freak!’ would be a close second.” –DaveyK

“Wow, Mark must be particularly riled up this time. At least four hairs have broken free of whatever that blue-black matrix is that holds the rest of his ’do together.” –Joe Btfsplk

“No wonder ladies swoon over Mark Trail. If he would face a gang of drunken bloodthirsty rednecks to rescue a rabid raccoon he would have no problems spending the holidays with her family.” –IronMouse

“Is he named Rabbit because of his sex drive? Could you imagine Mark taking him home instead of hitting him and having a three way with Cherry? You can now.” –Anonymous

“Judging by the big smile on Peter Parker’s sleeping face, I’m betting he got himself some good Spidey lovin’ before going to sleep. Either that or Jay Leno’s monologue was particularly funny tonight. Both things have the same effect on him.” –Perky Bird

“I would be a little worried if in my doctor’s examination room I set eyes on a bag of french fries, a waffle, and a plate of grits. The rural health care system must indeed be stressed if doctors have to see patients while they’re having breakfast.” –Mr. O’Malley

“I think it’s great that Lu Ann’s hometown is populated by the cast of the musical Oklahoma!” –Johnny Bacardi

RMMD: “I have to laugh when Sarah coos, ‘Maybe I should do the talking.’ Otherwise I’ll be overcome with terror. This! Is! No! Child! Never before has she looked so much like a four-foot woman in white lipstick.” –Artist formerly known as Ben

“Mary has insinuated herself into Lynn’s bed in record time. What happens next will be fodder for many a nocturnal emission, no doubt.” –Tom the Pirate

“I like the throwaway panels in Beetle Bailey. We all know that Cookie’s ‘classic’ cake is simply vanilla and baking flower mixed with enough arsenic to kill the entire U.S. Air Force.” –Erik

Is there anything I can do to help? Like, for instance, may I disturb your probably set and comfortable pre-skate practice routine and make you think about other things, which in turn might possibly distract you which will lead you to lose the competition and send your father, who’s living vicariously through your success, spiraling into an alcoholic depression from which he, and you, will never recover? Or get you a glass of milk?” –Smokehouse

“I don’t know which will be the cause of more nightmares — Mary’s eyes, or Mary’s outfit. Rest assured, though, that she constitutes 99% of my nightmares. Mary, Mary, Mary, all night long. ALL NIGHT LONG. Rest assured, because I cannot.” –Lithros

“Today’s test question: Mark Trail is in the backwoods breaking up a raccoon/dog fight, surrounded by a bunch of slack-jawed yokels. What is conspicuously absent from this scene? (a) A photographer/reporter from a well respected regional newspaper whose ‘scoop’ is going to land on page one; (b) Firearms, or any weapons for that matter (unless you consider ‘the right fist o’ justice’ a weapon); (c) The line ‘let me hear you squeal like a pig’; (d) An endless series of rabies and tetanus shots; (e) A plot line that would make even the greenest tree-hugging card-carrying animal rights advocate utter ‘Seriously?’ when it plays out.” –blammers66

“Mary’s really full of advice for a woman who stole her sweater from Bill Cosby, circa 1985.” –Patrick

“To: Cathy
From: Humanity
RE: Phrases we never wish to read in a Cathy strip
‘Urinary Tract Health.’
Thank you.” –AmazingThor

“Complaining about how fast 9 Chickweed Lane moves is grounds for sentencing you to three months of reading Judge Parker, during which the following will happen: (1) Sam will get in his car. (2) There is no #2.” –Cranky

Jamaal becoming a plugger could tell us that America is entering into a new era of post-racial consciousness. Or that cartoonists are trading the same five jokes back and forth. Whichever’s more likely.” –Beatrice

Also of note is a comment by Mooncattie from earlier today that’s too long to reproduce here, but is essential reading if you want to hear the vaguely Faulkerian take of how Lu Ann Powers sort of lost her virginity in the back of a pickup truck.

Anyway, thanks go out to everyone put some change in my tip jar before heading out to the big bad city! And our advertisers will never forget their country roots:

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Your COTW coming momentarily, but why not enjoy this latest installment in the increasingly hilarious Protectors Of The Earth series?

And now, this week’s top comment:

Re: recent 9CL plot developments: “And all this has transpired over a mere handful of months. If the whirlwind pace seems somewhat dizzying, you may want to retreat to the less aggressively paced Judge Parker for a while. The presence of observable chins may at first be startling, but you will adapt.” –One-eyed Wolfdog

And the runners up!

“‘I love skating, no matter what is thrown my way.’ Well, toots, bet you didn’t count on fielding a stout matron with a firm conviction that there’s something wrong with you that ONLY SHE CAN FIX, did you?” –trey le parc

“WHEN MARGO SPEAKS YOU WILL SALUTE” –Nimrod Gently

“I believe ‘Don’t let him get away!’ is simply the one lazy cop’s suggestion to the other lazy cop. Incredibly, sloth and incompetence are actually working in Peter Parker’s favor for a change.” –Joe Blevins

“Wow! Margo went from Esmeralda to Quasimodo in three panels flat! That must be some kind of record.” –sak

“I am absolutely fascinated by the Plugger TV show. Is it a private eye trick-or-treating in Giza? Because if that’s what being a plugger means, I’m all in.” –150

“All comics tend toward a state of maximum entropy. Some, like Judge Parker, Apartment 3G, and Pluggers/Shoe, merely submit. Others, like Dick Tracy, strike out in a frenzy of madness and rage against the gathering dark.” –Uncle Lumpy

“How do those guys normally chain raccoons to logs? Is it a complicated system of dowels? Do they superglue the chains to their heads? Drill a hole through the raccoons’ necks? I mean, it’ll be a little more cost-effective to chain him to a log, with his own collar and all, but it’s just one step less than what they’d have to do otherwise, right? Lazy, lazy raccoon-chaining bastards.” –Patrick

Nightmarish imagery associated with youth athletics? Ridiculous! Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a disembodied hand walking around the set of Gil Thorp that I have to bludgeon to death.” –Black Drazon

On the Gary-Dr. Kelly discussion: “I bet he’s more like ‘Stay away from my girl.’ And the doc is like ‘Your girl? I’m gay and I thought she was a dude. The name “Tommy” threw me. Sorry. My bad.'” –Hogenmogen

What ARE they talking about? ‘Listen, Dr. Kelly, I’m…’ ‘No, I’m Gary, YOU’RE Dr. Kelly.’ ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Yes, you’re wearing scrubs — you’re the one more likely to be a doctor.’ ‘But you’re wearing glasses.’ ‘Yes, that makes me a computer guy.’ ‘Okay — now what are we talking about?’ ‘Tommie.’ ‘Who’s he? The guy in Tibet? The dead druggie?’ ‘No, it’s a she … we’re competing over her.’ ‘Oh, is that the bitchy one? The dumb blonde?’ ‘Sigh…’ –Lake Eerie Log Chains

Here, the characters helpfully demonstrate what is known as a ‘Lost Forest embrace.’ It consists of standing several feet apart with your arms extended without making actual physical contact.” –Joe Blevins

Dr. Kelly is finally telling Gary about the ‘facts of life’, and Gary looks stunned.” –Naked Bunny with a Whip

“If there was ever an event called ‘Smirkstock’, that’s what it would look like.” –Red Greenback

It’s wrong! Frank, you did it all wrong! You were too direct. Next time, smile and say something like this: ‘It’s okay, dear, all that time and money spent training was more than worth it; as long as you’re happy finishing in second place, I’m happy.’ It will devastate her for years.” –late2theparty

“That’s not sex in 9CL. That’s just the most incompetent handjob ever. Not that I blame Edda, as I wouldn’t want to touch Amos down there either.” –Tabby Lavalamp

Maybe THAT train is just what I need! The train that’s flying past me at full speed and is about a dozen yards away! By the time I reach it, I could probably use the wheels of the caboose to cut off my hands!” –survivor

“Maybe we’ll be treated to a week in which Brad and TJ stand at an intersection with a can to raise money for Rotary International. It can be mildly drizzly, and most people can awkwardly roll up their windows as they approach.” –Lettuce

“Forget playing with a bad heart! The ’Czak is openly defying the laws of gravity in order to bring the Most Homoerotic Drinking Fountain Posture trophy back to Milford after a five-year absence.” –DaveyK

As the seasons change, the tips in my tip jar continue! And our advertisers, as always, are ready to help rake up:

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Thanks to faithful reader Mark for this all-too-appropriate image!

Today is election day in the United States, and instead of attempting to quell the inevitable spirited discussions that will spin off into spittle-inducing rage, I’ve provided this post, on which you are all welcome to go at it. Feel free to boast, moan, commiserate, celebrate, argue, complain, whine defensively, or write learned, level-headed essays about why your political opponents should be rounded up and put into camps. And remember, no matter how bad you thought this year’s election was, at least it didn’t involve Spider-Man.

And if you want to discuss, you know, comics, you should probably just do so over here.

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