So today the huge Holly/Cory comic book caper mega-arc more or less “officially” begins! Yes, the seemingly-eternal wait is at long last finally over! Cory’s looking snazzy with his new “military spec” haircut…a lot sharper than his mom, who apparently gets her hair done at a lesbian barber college for the blind. No offense to blind lesbians intended, of course.
BatTom does a nice job capturing the look of FaceToFacebook’s layout, especially for someone who openly hates that dadgummed “technology” crap as much as he does. He also does a nice job capturing Cory’s sudden eyebrow injury in panel three, although I have no doubt that modern medicine (featuring technology!) can at least try to repair them so Cory can resume at least a somewhat “normal” life when he (inevitably) returns to Westview to a) work at WHS, b) work at Montoni’s or c) work at the Korner.
Not too long ago, The Grand Finale was a frequent topic around these parts (TGF being how TB decides to end FW). My present working theory is that Cory, who will escape the military mostly unscathed, will return home a “fine young man” who will begin dating and eventually marry (ugh) Westview’s resident “fine young woman”, thus bringing the Moores and Winkerbeans together at long last in a sort of unholy alliance of wry smirking, rapid aging and sudden weight gain which will culminate in the birth of Lisa Jr. on Xmas Day, at which point our collective heads will explode and SoSF will cease to exist. My back-up theory is that nothing whatsoever will happen, which is definitely far more likely.
Son of Stuck Funky 
TGF: Cory returns home with PTSD and goes postal.
just in time Bathack, been trying to think of xmas gift for my son who is stationed where ever Cory is, I think I’ll make scrap book of this arc with glitter an shiny stuff an send it over. Hope he likes it
Nice rendering of sheer panic on Corey’s face in panel three. I wonder what Holly’s dialogue was supposed to be back when Tom Batiuk drew this–what he thought would bring out such an expression. You know, as opposed to the dialogue we have here, thought up ten minutes before the deadline.
I can’t believe it, Batiuk drew a character who looks younger than he is (Cory). Though if you took out her earrings, Holly would look like a dude. It’s stuff like this that makes it hard to believe that at one time Holly was a cheerful person with promise.
Not too long ago, The Grand Finale was a frequent topic around these parts (TGF being how TB decides to end FW).
Awwww…you remembered…how sweet!
I no longer have a TGF in mind, since Batiuk said there wouldn’t be any real ending to the strip (or, apparently, most storylines)…but I think he’s making a mistake here, letting his readership die off before the characters live happily ever after…
Is it possible for Holly to look any more bored by this conversation? She’s as big an ass as her husband.
Hand salute to OB Dan – as far as I’m aware the originator of the TGF Theory. The major obstacle to any TGF, though, IMO, is TomBat’s lack of cohesion and his inability, demonstrated almost daily, to pull it off. Still not impossible, however unlikely, the TGF will be heralded by may appearances of Les and a heretofore unseen level of Les-worship.
As set forth in stall #4, Boy’s Bathroom #2 at Westview High:
“One Les to rule them all, One Les to find them, One Les to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.”
“We’re just having to make due with jury-rigged stuff. For example; the internet connection I’m using right now consists of three goats, moss, a used shaving razor, and duct tape.”
@BC, totally agree, Cory’s expression in p3 makes no sense with the dialog. I’m guessing Holly originally was supposed to say something like “I took this picture of your father’s boil, we can’t agree if I should lance it, what do you think?” or “do you like my new nipple ring?”.
TGF: TB gives us what we want and kills Les. When he arrives at Heaven, he sees Lisa banging Dead Grandpa from THE FAMILY CIRCUS.
I’m sure she’ll have no problem at all getting fresh supplies into Afghanistan, seeing as she’s married to the President of the Chamber of Commerce and all (or whatever civic organization Funky was involved in when it was convenient for a storyline). Or she can always call Les and have him organize a Military Supplies Fun Run. And Wedgman is on hand to play delivery boy, since he suddenly has all of next year freed up with nothing better to do than bully Afghan rebels and swipe their meds.
This dialog fits Cory’s expression a little better IMO.
Based on Batiuk’s level of enthusiasm for the strip nowadays, the real GF happened in October 2007.
I suppose I shouldn’t ask this, but…okay, Funky is Corey’s step-father.
Who is his real father? Anyone in the cast?
Corey’s biodad is Winkle, I believe he used to spend an uncomfortable amount of time handing around with his head majorette. (Holly was the majorette with the flaming batons, correct? Aw, who the fuck cares at this point). Since they can’t get needed supplies in Afghanistan, Holly will track down some rare comic book to help them out. All fixed.
Since they
Or Dinkle, whoever the asshat band leader is.
Yeah, I know what you mean Corey.
If only the United States resoures weren’t used up by another war taking place in the same vicinity.
It’s almost like it’s 2003 instead of 2013.
Re: Cory’s bio-dad, another example of Batom getting carried away with the ten thousand melodramatic back stories. I have absolutely no idea who he might be or even if it was ever explained at all.