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I'm not sure which is funnier, the idea of Mary Worth having the fraud site memorized and ready to go at all times, or the idea of her memorizing it in a frenzy just before visiting Harvey. 'Okay, report dash fraud dash FT -- wait, no, report dot fraud dash -- run it by me again one more time, Toby?’

—Austria
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Curtis — Keepin’ it real

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Curtis, 9/3/07

This

Curtis, 9/11/06

is

Curtis, 9/19/05

just

Curtis, 9/13/04

shameful.

— Uncle Lumpy

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Freezing FOOB

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I closed my eyes.

There was a sound like that of the gentle closing of a portal as big as the sky, the great door of heaven being closed softly.
It was a grand AH-WHOOM.

I opened my eyes—and all the sea was ice-nine.

The moist green earth was a blue-white pearl.

Cat’s Cradle © 1963 by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

For Better or For Worse 9/3/07

Today is Fööberdämmerung — launch of the new, frozen phase of For Better or For Worse.

Well, so they say. In fact, the strip road-tested its “Mike ‘n’ Meredith” photo-reminiscence gimmick back in July — so nothing really begins today. And the current storylines, including the one with Canada’s Favourite Couple, won’t treacle out until early next year — so nothing ends, either. In fact, despite the announcements and interviews, there is no actual event here — it’s like Canadian Grandparents’ Day or something.

Whatever the timeline, I’m conflicted about the conversion of FOOB into a zombie/rerun hybrid:

 Gee!

  • It’ll be nice to see the old strips again. They were good!
  • The author is doing the responsible thing for her staff. Nice!
  • Good way to ease into retirement and keep an income stream going. You go, girl!

    • But!

  • Reruns of a serial won’t attract new readers, and nostalgia is mighty thin gruel.
  • Hey, 2,000 papers! There’s plenty of new talent out there — give somebody else a chance, eh?
  • Twenty-eight years is a great run — retire, already!

    • And Yikes!

  • FOOB is now all Michael, all the time.

    • Despite all the buildup, the FOOBocalypse turns out to be precisely nothing — perfectly congruent with the way the strip manages characters and events, and oddly satisfying.

    AH-WHOOM

    — Uncle Lumpy

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    Awwwww. . . .

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    Fred Basset, 9/2/07

    Comics don’t have to be funny.* I can’t remember ever laughing out loud at Fred Basset, but I nearly always smile. It’s something about Fred’s expressions, the comfortable way he gets along with his human family and canine friends, and his array of British virtues — mostly pluck. I’m a sucker for pluck.

    Published since 1963, this strip has been in reruns since 1991, but you’d never know. It’s sweet, and sweetness lasts. Happy Sunday!

    * Comics must, however, entertain. So, Mr. Tom Batuik, don’t think you and your dog’s breakfast are getting off the hook on Fred Basset’s coattails. No siree. And yeah, it’s a mixed metaphor. Wanna make something of it?

    Speaking of warm feelings, the mere thought of these fine CC sponsors should quicken every heart:

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    — Uncle Lumpy