Sunday readers are advised to have that second cup of coffee before trying to parse today’s strip. At first it appears to be a continuation of yesterday’s run with Les. But Funky, rather than sweating profusely and moaning, is positively chipper. He shares with Les about his “most amazing dream.” CUT TO: a headline about Funky getting an award for his dream, then a beaming Funky sporting more awards, and then Funky bolting awake from a dream…about having a dream.
Tag: Falling leaves
Lindsay’s Legacy
We interrupt Wally Winkerbean’s School Days to remind you yet again that Sunday, September 11, is the Rotary Run for Lisa’s Legacy in Mentor, Ohio. Too bad yours truly is even less fit than ol’ Funky: what I wouldn’t give to participate in Sunday’s 5K and be rewarded with one of those sweet (two sided!) tee’s that Les is modeling in today’s strip. Speaking of the Funkman, you think that as a recovering alcoholic he’d be a little more charitable to someone else who struggles with addiction.
Ex-Sponged
Today’s “contemporary issue affecting young adults”? The high rate of turnover among comic book artists. I wonder if the artist is “leaving the book” because he’s sick of having to work with the deadline-averse Pete Robertini? In any event, it seems that Batiuk just realized that Crazy Harry, though he may look like it now, was not born in the 1940’s, and has updated young Harold’s appearance (compare with this strip from 2010).
Blightmare
Here’s something I like about today’s strip. No, it’s not the idiotic word-play. It’s not the artwork, the falling leaves, or the grotesque slab of Les’ greasy hair in panel two. (Seriously, look at that. I mean, we all want him to melt in agony, yet here it is and it isn’t any fun at all!)
No, what I like are the expressions in panel three. Those are three of the most bitter, most miserable people in the world. Even the guy who’s delivering the pun doesn’t look pleased with himself–he looks as if he’s really loathing himself for having to do this.
What we see here are three people realizing that they are mere toys in the hands of an angry god, and they must dance for his pleasure or burn. They have one freedom left: the freedom not to smirk at a pun. They can withhold their approval in this one thing without fear of annihilation.
No wonder both Les and Cayla envy Les’ dead wife. Even though the dead can never rest, they can’t die again. either.
Of course, Les’ expression in panel three is typical of him when someone else delivers wordplay. It just galls him when someone beats him to the punline. I recall Barry Balderman’s remark about “Life is like masking tape, the more you use, the less you have” (or whatever he said). Les’ face then was just Boy do I hate you. Boy do I hate you. Lisadamnit, I’m supposed to do the clever stuff.
Given what passes for “clever” in these parts, I suspect most cast members would be happy to pass it off to Les. “Happy” being the completely wrong word, of course….
Bus driver please look for me
Today’s strip is actually kind of sweet, for the most part. It isn’t really a satisfying payoff to this past week’s glacial activity, but it does express a very nice sentiment.
Cory calling Westview “a sight for sore eyes” is, uh, some other things.
For one thing, it’s bizarre. In his teen years, Cory was pretty much never depicted as enjoying his life in Westview. Yes, that could be said about nearly every character in this strip, but unlike the adults around him Cory wallowed in it because he had no choice about living there. He seized his best opportunity of escaping and, until now, never looked back wistfully.
For another thing, calling Westview “a sight for sore eyes” in this context is a grave insult to the nation of Afghanistan.
Son of Stuck Funky 
