Category Archives: bricks

by | January 30, 2013

Less Hope

Yes, I know this is a "comic" strip, but must every conversation serve as setup for a wry riposte? For starters, Jessica's is sort of a loaded question; asking about old Fred's chances of a "full recovery" from an obviously severe health episode. The guy's lucky even to be alive. Then Darin goes into the windup: "We-e-e-l-l-l, hope isn't dead, dot dot dot…" The "punchline"—and I always feel the need to put that word in quotes when talking about FW—is confusing as well: so is Fred on life support? Hope is on life support? Way to stay positive, "son".

On a side note, the Westview P.O. Bombing Arc page has been updated, and is more or less complete.

31 Comments

Filed under bricks, Darin, Jessica, Montoni's, squiggly lines

by | January 15, 2013

Hide Yo' Happiness

Today Batiuk revisits one of FW's dominant themes. No, not clumsy sentence structure ("…go ahead again anyway"?). Nope, not bricks. Naturally, I'm talking about the need to conceal one's happiness, lest one attract the wrath of the universe. I truly wonder if this notion exists anywhere outside the Funkiverse? Imagine being unable to express even the slightest joy, out of an abject fear of recrimination. This might work as a quirky trait for a particular character (think Joe Btfsplk from Li'l Abner), yet this phobia is clearly understood and shared by everyone in Westview. Anyway, in this case, said wrath takes the form of an ill-timed phone call from…Darin's mom? Is Lisa checking in from the afterlife again?

26 Comments

Filed under bricks, cellphone, Darin, Jessica, Montoni's

by | January 11, 2013

Scar-struck Babies

billytheskink
January 10, 2013 at 9:13 am
All I really take from this storyline is that Crazy's "happy dance" is not spontaneous in any way, but rather, a premeditated event purposely intended to scar those who view it. Frightening.

Spontaneous? No. Frightening? Presumably. I don't know. John sure seems pretty used to it. Owen looks like he just got a whiff of something bad. Cody and the peanut head in the blue hoodie just look fearful. Blue hoodie kid has some kind of jagged sparks emanating from his head, signifying perhaps that he's "on something".

24 Comments

Filed under bricks, chullo, Cody, Cody and Owen, Crazy Harry, hoodie, John, Komix Korner, Owen

by | November 21, 2012

Funksgiving

Thanksgiving 2010: Becky is so exhausted from selling band turkeys that she's unable to stay awake for Thanksgiving dinner with her family (no wonder she stuck Owen with the job this year).

New Year's, 2011: While two living, breathing women compete for his affections, Les rings in the New Year pining for his long-dead wife.

Labor Day 2011: At Cayla's family picnic, Les fouls a softball off his face.

New Year's, 2012: Coach Bull is too busy fretting over the Lady Scapegoats' winless streak to enjoy a party with friends.

Mother's Day 2012: Summer carefully selects just the right card to leave on her mother's grave.

Father's Day 2012: Funky "honors" his father by dragging him from the rest home for an awkward meal at the food court in the bustling mall.

Readers have surmised by now that, in a Funkiverse where people avoid expressing joy lest they tempt cruel fate, the holidays are occasions to ratchet up, rather than leave aside, despair. Having decided that it's too taxing to take Dad out of the home for the holidays, Funky contents himself with paying  the old man a visit "now and then". Pop may not recognize his only son, but you can't blame him for thinking that this "nice man" must live in the nursing home too: he certainly looks to be of age.

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

21 Comments

Filed under Batiukmobile®, bricks, Funky, Funky's dad, holidays

by | November 9, 2012

Damn Your Hide

Well! Who's sounding like a "pedantic schoolmarm from a bitter hollow" today? I'm sure all you "hidebound literalists" in the audience, as well as all you beady-eyed nitpickers, feel duly chastised for dismissing Serious Storytelling Art as mere "comic strips"!

Epicus Doomus
November 8, 2012 at 11:03 am
…Is all of this some sort of attempt to justify the continued existence of comic strips or something?

Nope, just more of Tom Batiuk railing against us Philistines…

28 Comments

Filed under bricks, chullo, comics, Dead Skunk Head, John, Montoni's, Owen, silhouette

by | November 6, 2012

Prize Putz

Professor John Howard of the Kollege of Komix Book Knowledge goes back, back into komix history, even beyond Action Detective Comics #1, across the pond and all the way to the late 19th century. Cody brightens at the mention of a name he vaguely recognizes. TB's heard of Joseph Pulitzer and his prizes too, having come thisclose to claiming one for himself.

Remember to exercise your right to vote today.

25 Comments

Filed under bricks, Cody, comics, Dead Skunk Head, John, Komix Korner

by | October 27, 2012

Are We There Yet?

Smirks 'R Us
October 25, 2012 at 8:43 am
And the Smirk-Mobile rolls on…..yawwwnnnn.

…and on, and on. The Tour de Fairgood as now widened in scope to take in not just Ann and Fred's first apartment, the place where Ann once worked, and now, their second apartment, which "didn't have the charm of the first place," which was in a slum. In the unseen fourth panel, Jessica takes umbrage at Ann's "cardboard boxes for dressers" remark, as it aptly describes how she and Darin have been living for the past ten years.

Snarkers, hatin' on Funky Winkerbean 24/7 sure can wear a body out. Your ol' pal TFH is going to take a break this week and turn over the proceedings to my caporegime, David O. I'll see y'all down in the comments section. Thanks for snarking.

22 Comments

Filed under Ann Fairgood, Batiukmobile®, bricks, Darin, Fred Fairgood, Jessica

by | September 26, 2012

I Kent Believe It

Looks like Cayla's elbow convinced Les not to skip the orientation, which is being conducted by a ferret-faced refugee from a 1950's Virgil Partch cartoon.

18 Comments

Filed under bricks, Cayla, Kent State, Les