Ha ha, look, a callback to a recent arc! You remember, the one where Holly was all upset because Cory never answers her calls! Remarkably, it’s still exactly as funny as it was the first time. Even funnier is the wary look on Funky’s face, good thing they left Mr. Weisenheimer in charge instead of someone qualified. Nice going, fatso.
So I guess they’re really taking this trip to Florida. Holly and Funky in a car together for six days…(shudder). That’s considered torture in some countries. Not this one, though. At this rate the Alumni Reunion Band thing could take years to play out. Then again, tomorrow’s strip could feature Funky and Holly talking about the trip and the reunion in the past tense and honestly I wouldn’t even bat an eye. After yesterday’s strip, a two-week car ride arc is the least of our problems, as a senior citizen marching band arc appears to be, uh, looming, let’s say. Sigh.
Those eyeballs in the corner really freaked me out until I realized it’s just the Montoni’s logo in the window. The sudden attention to detail really threw me off.
Um, they’re going to be running a pizza place. If they don’t answer the phone when it rings, there’s a serious problem.
“Is this Montoni’s?”
“No, this is Patrick.”
“honestly I wouldn’t even bat an eye”
I think you meant, “wouldn’t Batiuk an eye”
This arc continues to raise questions:
1. Why are Cory and Rocky even working at Montoni’s? Did their time in the military fail to provide them with any sort of job skills that could lead to to gainful employment somewhere — anywhere — else?
2. If they are here, then where are Wally and Rachel? Have they, like their children before them, been seemingly ret-conned into oblivion?
3. If Wally never existed, does that mean Becky will suddenly regrow her arm?
4. Can Buddy still exist? I’d sooner read about him that this gaggle of ninnyhammers any day.
I may be going out on a limb here but I’d assume that Ohio cities have health regulations. Here in Philly all workers handling deli items, fresh seafood, fresh cut meat or food that is prepared for consumption have to take a course in food preparation and handling and pass an examination to be certified. A restaurant or store operating without certified personnel present would be ordered closed until it was in compliance.
The premise of this strip appears to be that neither Cory nor Rocky have worked at Montoni’s. (Caveat- Cory since his military service)
Sorry I’m late to the party, but…
Looks like Holly’s Xanax is kicking in.
Or stroking out.
Rocky truly is Guy Smiley’s daughter, isn’t she?
So this is going as it usually does. Holly’s wearing her non-descript purple top and even though they’re at Montoni’s, they appear to be taking their luggage out to the car. Batiuk remembers that they don’t actually live there, right?
Also, Cory is now sporting the bizarre 40-year old woman template in panel 2. He looks like Lisa or one of the women who sings Les praises at his damnable book signings. He’s also much shorter than his mother, with narrower shoulders. Makes me wonder if Batiuk and Ayers have ever actually seen a man in his early to mid twenties, or if Kevin’s supposed to be Cory’s lost father.
Panel 2 Cory is about eight years old. He’s been stealing the youth from his parents, now approaching their early eighties.
So, I really appreciate draftsmanship and love it most as it was once expressed in the funny pages. I myself struggle to write my own name legibly and the quality of my drawing is, in a word, awful. That said, I do know something of how to draw cartoon characters. That is the few key strokes to create eyes and eyebrows, noses, and, of course, smirks. When done by someone with talent and skill, just a few simple strokes can convey the subtlest nuances of reactions and emotions. When I do it, it kinda looks like a melting potato with a horrific imitation of a smiley face on it. Still, it’s way less disturbing than whatever those misshapen noggins in panel two are supposed to represent.
All of this effort for a stupid gag about how no one wants to talk to a moron who doesn’t know that she doesn’t get to run her son’s wedding.
I have to say it. What’s with Cory’s noodley arms?
They never made him do push ups in the army?
A gimmick to promote that Montoni’s is now serving limp pasta along with their flavorless pizza
You know what would be a perfect job for Batiuk? Creator of sitcom characters. Just tell him he’s creating the heroes and you’ll get all the “annoying neighbors” you’ll ever need.
Re: Wally and Rachel – I like to think they’ve been the source of the raw material al la Sweeny Todd, for the sausage, pepperoni, and meatball pizza toppings. “Their Pizza has never tasted better” goes a recent yelp review.
It’s the romantic in me.
Plus Rachel’s kid (who’s name I can’t remember, as it’s been so long since he appeared in a strip) and Buddy.