What follows below is the text of an actual email that I’ve sent to “the real Dan” Messina, to find out how he feels about being portrayed as a boob in the newspaper funnies. As of this writing I have not yet received a reply, but will keep you posted!
I’ve enhanced this as best as I could from the
tiny original. Dan
(center) does not appear to be miserable.
Dear Dr. Messina,
I’m the author of SonofStuckFunky.com, a blog that offers daily commentary on the comic strip Funky Winkerbean. I’ve been following the Mt. Kilimanjaro story arc in the comic the last couple of weeks. It’s interesting to compare Tom Batiuk’s cartoon portrayal of you with the 2010 article and photo gallery from the Staten Island Advance. From your own account, it appears that you found the trip to be challenging but rewarding and fun, while in the comics, “Dan” is depicted as a miserable complainer.
My readers and I are curious to know your feelings about this portrayal of you. And also if the kitten thing really happened.
Congratulations to you on conquering Kilimanjaro, and best regards.
Very truly yours,
Tom Hackett, Son of Stuck Funky
Son of Stuck Funky 