A Car with No Name

“Nice car, Funky…”
“…Did you get a good deal on the lease?”
“…How’s the gas mileage?”
“…Have you given it a name yet?“ Yes, friends, only in the Funkiverse would that third question be the one that gets asked of a new car owner (ok, lessee).  Indeed, Funky has given some thought to this matter: turns out that to unwisely choose your car’s name will invite a “beat-down”. From whom? The Happiness Police?

Clown Car

We know it’s a new car because it’s giving off little “sparkle” lines. What isn’t new is the gag here: Funky’s so pleased with himself for having remembered to bring the necessary documentation with him to the dealer, but in the midst of crowing about it, he is reminded of his own fallibility.

Whatever else can be said about Tom Batiuk, I happen to think he’s got some pretty good musical tastes. Along with today’s Steve Earle reference, in the past he’s had Funky and Holly dancing to a Rodney Crowell tune, and he’s name-dropped Mink DeVille in an interview.

But he still can’t draw cars for shit. How’s Funky even gonna fit in that thing?

Little Old Lady Who?


Most
carelessly-rendered
neon sign ever.

Looks like Batiuk plans on letting the Kilimanjaro Saga unfold on an alternate-week basis…

Today we find ourselves in the familiar confines of Montoni’s. I always asssumed that the lettering in Montoni’s window was a neon sign, but the closeup in panel 2 reveals that the letters are not connected. Maybe they’re painted on, or maybe they’re those gummy window clings? Though that doesn’t explain how they light up.

“The Boss”, meanwhile, is finagling with the guy at the car dealership. Stress, strain, killer-shark issues, and two time jumps have beaten down our titular character to the point where he matter-of-factly renounces his very manhood, self-identifying as “a little old lady”.

I'll Fly Away

Nothing like waiting til they’re being dropped off at Akron-Canton Airport to ask Cayla’s blessing. Summer tries so hard to look sincere in the fourth panel that her face is starting to melt. Not to worry, Summer: Miss Cayla doesn’t “do” camping (she doesn’t “do” mountains either). Cayla: nice job of dismissing the epic father-daughter trek as a mere “camping” trip.  And so much for “wither thou goest, I will go”, huh? Well, you haven’t taken any vows yet. In fact, since you’re already at the airport, here’s the perfect opportunity to get tickets for yourself and Keisha to fly far, far away from “Les”view.