Sosfdavido here, and here is today’s strip for you night owls while I return from an evening at the Guinea Pig races!
Tag: comics
The Pit of Man’s Fears
I like things like photography, horror movies and cats, but those likings are not deep, obsessive interests–the kind that I talk about all the time, or am constantly steering the conversation toward–so this whole week has left me a little baffled. I’m trying to imagine a child of mine coming up to me, showing me the engagement ring he’s bought, and my response is something like–
“Wow, cool! Did you meet her through a camera club? What kind of camera does she own, and what kind of pictures does she like to take? Is she a Nikon or a Canon person? How many pictures of cats has she taken?”
I’d be much more interested in what she’s like, how they met, are you sure about this, are you prepared to start a family, when can I meet her–all without throwing in anything about cameras or cats. And adding my sincere congratulations and wishes for happiness. That’s generally how these things work.
Not Holly. All she can talk about are comic books, comic books, comic books. As I said earlier, she has a mild interest in her son’s future, but it’s nothing to the torch she carries for comic books. That doesn’t seem very healthy to me. After having comic books relentlessly thrown in my face by this strip, I will reluctantly concede that it’s fine to have an interest in them, but unless you’re connected to the industry, a 24/7 love-fest is not a life. Fat, drunk, and comic-book-obsessed is no way to go through life, son (if I may borrow a quote).
I’m guessing that Chester’s geyser of ecstasy is supposed to make him look ridiculous, but it comes across a bit hypocritical given the fury Holly displayed earlier–and her lackadaisical response to an upcoming massive change in Cory’s life. Yeah, that Chester sure looks silly, Mr. Batiuk, but…physician, heal thyself.
Here’s a picture of my cat. I took it with a Nikon after watching a horror DVD. See, two can play that game.
How to Blaspheme
Well, Holly’s going to Hell. She actually said something was more important than comic books–which she referred to as “silly“! Yes, straight to Hell with her.
Oh wait. She’s already in Westview. Never mind.
The box in panel one is quite well rendered–quite a contrast to Cory in the same panel, who looks like Popeye the Sailor, before his eye popped. (Probably an accident when he opened a slabbed comic book. Serves him right!)
And like yesterday, she seems mildly interested in her son’s life, but I seem to recall when she scored a comic book or two last year, she was ecstatic. Only in Funky Winkerbean, folks.
Psychotic Reaction
Those of you who thought Holly’s expression was terrific yesterday are in for a treat today. I stand in line where Fearless Leader’s choice in banner images is concerned, but I think the face in panel one is the winner.
That’s the face of pure malevolence right there. It reminds me of Boris Karloff at his most murderous, leading a torch-bearing mob against those who dare oppose his villainy. How did he rouse the ire of the crowd–did he accuse his foes of being witches, or Satanists, or grave-robbers? Maybe it was something worse!
When I altered the above, I originally drew the widow’s peak way too far. I ended up with someone quite different-looking. In fact, what the heck–
In both those images, the only thing I altered was removing Holly’s hair and adding a bit of ear. The face is pure Batiuk.
As for actual content, those of you who guessed “Engagement Ring for [Rocky]” you can collect your prize money at the ticket window. While that was probably the most likely possibility, it still leaves Cory as the crook who stole the Lisa funds. I never thought that act would simply get glossed over–it was pretty much Cory’s defining moment–but then, most of the stuff that happens in this strip is inexplicable. And not in a fun way, either.
You Kiss Your Mother With That Mouth?
Well, I have to say that Holly in panel three is a sight for sore eyes. Finally, someone moved to exhibit an emotion, and it isn’t abject despair! This has got to be a Funky Winkerbean first. Even Funky didn’t approach this level of anger when he learned that Cory stole the Lisa’s Legacy funds. The force of her rage has actually flattened Cory’s head! Well done, well done, Mr. Batiuk!
It now pains me to point out that the sentence structure sure suffers by comparison. For one thing, Holly was vacuuming, not sweeping–and there is a difference. “Cleaning” would work in this case. But the third panel really shouldn’t be a question, based on the content of the first two panels. Panel two should have been “When I noticed something…” which could easily fit the available space in that word-balloon and wouldn’t make the final panel seem so awkwardly put together.
I guess the least aspect of this episode is the idea behind it. Holly collected the comics for Cory and gave them to him. That’s the end of the matter; he’s free to do with them as he pleases. I guess in the Author’s mind, a gift isn’t just a gift, it’s an actual aspect of the giver, and thus must be treasured forever as that aspect instead of being appreciated as an object with its own function. Thus, selling the gift is a terrible, terrible insult.
(I guess. In my mind, I have an amusing picture of Tom Batiuk in high school, and a “friend” of his finishes a candy bad, then hands the wrapper to Young Batiuk. “Tom…I want you to have this,” he says, trying to hold back the laughter. “It…it meant a lot to me.” At home, Young Batiuk has whole shoe-boxes filled with candy wrappers et al which he would never consider parting with.)
Well, at least we got a classic face out of today’s episode. It’s the best thing I’ve seen in this strip since…well, it has been a while, let me just say that.
Son of Stuck Funky 