A Clean Break from Westview

Some story arcs are fun to snark upon. Some story arcs just make me angry. This week’s “Susan Steps Aside” saga is an example of the latter.

To summarize what has been pointed out here and elsewhere in the comics mockage sphere, Susan is a possibly mentally unbalanced individual, and Les is a complete and utter asshole. She’s cleaning out her desk because of him, and they’re both joking about it. Well, when the “writing” becomes too vexing, we can always critique the “drawing”: Les has never looked more punchable than he does in panel 3, while Susan’s bashful smile makes her look like Droopy Dawg.

Mind Is Because All of Made Up

Sgt Saunders
June 24, 2011 at 1:47 am

…By the way, I don’t think that’s Screweasy, but rather Fembot Screweasy…Tomorrow, she’ll begin to spark and shake and smoke will come out of her, and maybe some sparks will fly from her jubblies.

I was sure that Sarge was right about “Screweasy” when I saw today’s panel 3. Susan appears to be experiencing a short circuit, a stroke, or even a very heavy burtation. “Mind is…because…all…of made up.” Th’ hell? I finally figured out that she and Les are talking over each other: “You don’t have to resign because of…” “Mind is all made up.”

Besides Cayla, do you know who else will be happy to see Susan go? Whoever colors the daily strips. Susan’s bangs have always presented a coloring dilemma: where does the brown hair color end and the forehead fleshtone begin? Panel three Susan’s part goes nearly to the crown of her head, but she’s been rendered far worse (see right).

How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?

O.B. Dan
June 24, 2011 at 6:33 am

Station Wagon Susie is not gone, not by any stretch of the imagination.

Nope, first she needs to pack up her belongings. Les pops in to share a little chuckle over the whole “being forced to resign in disgrace” thing. What should be an awkward, regretful farewell turns into another smirkfest. Les looks more than a little creepy in panel 3; he’s smirking so hard he resembles a bespectacled Jack Nicholson. Les looks like he’s about to bend Susan over a desk.

Anniversary Schmaltz

Finally: a respite from Les!

The titular character and his missus are celebrating their anniversary, at…where else? Montoni’s! And according to this news item, “Tom Batiuk, the cartoonist, specifically requested the use of the song as a loving tribute to his wife for their 40th wedding anniversary.” Awww! Happy anniversary, Tom and Cathy.

I have to give Funky (and TB) credit for musical taste: “Til I Gain Control Again” by Rodney Crowell is a pretty sweet tune (though it was never the “B” side of “The Rock of My Soul“, which was recorded 26 years later…