I was gonna title this one “I Melt With You” but someone (TFH himself it turns out) already thought of that, so I had to fall back and punt. The reason for using “melt” should be obvious from the artwork: these people are dissolving before our eyes into some kind of primordial slime. And worse, it’s because they’re laughing so hard at Becky’s…wit.
Ever notice that when one of Batiuk’s favored characters says something intended as a joke, the crowd dissolves into paroxysms of uncontrolled laughter? Yet when one of his hated characters says something that’s actually funnier, those characters are met with a stony silence iced with contempt.
Of course you’ve noticed. It’s one of the hallmarks of this strip, now that it has morphed fully into the “revenge on those who failed to appreciate me” Legion of Doom.
In melting news, look at Mr. and Mrs. Pinkenpurple in panel two.* This, ladies and gentlemen, is some damn bad art. But it’s in the cause of making Becky look great!
Which makes it even worse, in my opinion.
As for the “tuna” part of my title, well, they’re talking about food and tuna is a food so there you go. I’ll admit the level of work I put into this one approaches Batiukian levels. But…I’m writing about Batiukan stuff! So it turns out to be all “meta” and like that, and my check better clear at the local Sprawl Mart, or there’ll be trouble in guest-hosting land!
Speaking of bad art, when folks ask me about my college career, I tell them “I got a degree in fine arts…gateway to the restaurant business!” Meaning I got a lot of jobs as a busboy and stuff. I think my joke is better than Becky’s on the same theme, though I’ll admit mine’s only a tiny bit better.
*Fun fact: I was going to call them Mr. and Mrs. Goodnplenty because I thought Good N Plenty candy was pink and purple. In fact, I would have sworn that was the case. But they’re not, they’re pink and white…unless I’m a victim of the Mandela Effect.
Son of Stuck Funky 