Half Step

Why must Summer refer to Darin as “my half-brother” to her soon-to-be stepsister? Wouldn’t Keisha know who Summer was talking about? I was sure TB was engaging in more retconning regarding Darin’s “adoptive mom”, but according to the Unofficial Funky Winkerbean Fan Page, in addition to being one of Les’s teachers, Ann Fairgood in fact also coached the girls’ basketball team.

Longtime snarker and Ohio resident Redbird was kind enough to scan and send the Tom Batiuk article from this month’s Ohio Magazine. If you’ve read any of the TB interviews I’ve referenced before, well, it’s pretty standard stuff, but it also contains a Tom Batiuk self-portrait, and, from March of 1972, the very first Funky Winkerbean strip (pardon the quality; I lifted it from a PDF):

Wonder whatever happened to “Roland” and “Livinia”…You can download the complete article here:
http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/3406272/ohiomag-batiuk-interview-pdf-january-3-2012-8-53-pm-1-2-meg

Harry New Year!

I’m not a huge believer in New Year’s resolutions, but I’ll make one here: in 2012 (well, after today) I will cease to snark about Becky’s Pinned-Up Sleeve. Back in November, snarker Charlene made this comment:

Charlene
November 29, 2011 at 4:24 am
…The lack of a prosthetic arm is one of the few realistic features of this entire strip. Her amputation is too high up for a prosthetic to be of any use.

Take it from me: not every amputation can magically be replaced with a prosthetic. You need a certain amount of bone and muscle left, and her stump is just too short.

So we will allow that Becky (and some real-life amputees) are not unwilling but rather unable to use a prosthesis.

But HOO BOY, does TB beat us over the head with that empty sleeve today! Do you suppose, when Becky puts on her winter coat, that the rolled up sweater sleeve tucks neatly inside the rolled-up coat sleeve?

Inconsola-Bull

It’s just not a Westview New Year’s Eve if there’s not somebody who’s depressed and all alone! Last year, of course, it was Les, ditching the party he was hosting to ring in 2011 with the ghost of Lisa. This year, Bull stares into the depths of his punch cup, looking for answers to the She-Goats’ 0-2 start. Would be nice of his wife to try to console him, except she’s too busy talking to Les, whose own significant other is forced to share a table with Principal Nate and Miss Grundy.

Thank you one and all for a terrific year of snarkin’! It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your host. Best wishes for 2012, and if you are celebrating the New Year, please, please don’t drink and drive, and don’t ride with someone who’s impaired. Happy New Year to All!

–TFH