The Comics Curmudgeon

Main Menu

Social Media

Comment of the Week

I couldn't understand how these four sentences could constitute a joke, or even a coherent series of statements, until I suddenly solved the puzzle: you're supposed to read the panels in reverse order! Check it out: 'Some opinions are but a grain of sand on the beach. However, in the grand scheme of things… I think everyone is entitled to speak their minds… and that's the way I think we should run this country!' Now all of a sudden there is a logical order of thought -- initial observation, followed by counterpoint, clarification, and conclusion/call to action. The 'joke' is that Herbert is literally experiencing life backwards, yet he has a forward-thinking perspective on the social contract.

—Franklin Delano Loafing
Comments are closed

It’s all so obvious, in retrospect

Post Content

Cathy, 11/22/04

When Cathy of Cathy accepted Irving’s marriage proposal, all of us regular comics readers knew that we’d be seeing big changes ahead in the strip. Clearly the artist felt that the strip’s original concept had run its course, and wanted to move into entirely new directions, to grow creatively, to mine new comedic territory. This week’s strip is a sign of the next wave of Cathy, as the strip has finally, at long last, got to a point where it can get a week’s worth of mileage out of mother-in-law jokes.

Yeah, that’s right. Mother-in-law jokes. The thrills just keep coming! Where else are you going to get mother-in-law jokes? I mean, other than in Hagar the Horrible, Herb and Jamaal, the Lockhorns, the Middletons, and Momma? But don’t be afraid, Cathy! Blaze new trails! Excelsior!

About this Post

Comments are closed.
Comments are closed

Hugging can be harmful

Post Content

Doodles by Mac & Sack, 11/21/04

“This is my pal, his name is Doug — he always greets you by slowly tightening his coils around your rib cage until you suffocate, then unhinging his jaw so he can swallow you whole!”

I mean, really, look at the expression on Doug’s face. There’s been no attempt to hide the obvious fact that he’s thinking about having about some tasty koala for dinner.

Meanwhile, I note that there are three features at the bottom of this page — “Doodle Zoo”, “Draw!!”, and “Riddles!!!” — and that “Doodle Zoo” itself actually contains a riddle. I feel a little cheated by that.

Comments are closed

Pre-cliched for your convenience

Post Content

Gasoline Alley, 11/20/04

I think Gasoline Alley is making the (quite accurate) assumption that nobody reads Gasoline Alley on a regular basis. Because otherwise, why would it bother so obviously advertising the villain of this confrontation by having him actually twirl his mustache? Seriously. Mustache twirling = villainy. You can look it up.