Tag: Fred Fairgood

Brds…Bees…Boxcar!

Let’s go break the news to poor old Fred, the invalid who has conveniently (for everyone but him) been given a room upstairs, where he passes the hours watching the world below go by without him. Naturally, Grampa-to-be’s reaction to this ostensibly “good” news is an expression of personal regret at never having had “the talk” with his son.

Thanks to the colorist making Jess’ shirt the same color as the yellow background, her demure pose in panel 2 makes her appear to be convulsing.

 

Fred's World

Batiuk’s really just conquering my will to snark anymore. Just what the hell is he showing us today? Starting with a God’s-eye view of earth, zooming in on Westview, then along a street where neighbors wave to one another (and a postman not named Harry delivers mail, interesting), where Darin makes himself useful for once under Ann’s watchful eye. Then we’re looking up towards Fred’s window, and now we see Fred, in his chair, in his room, looking utterly helpless, fearful, and alone.

The only way I could cheer myself up after this was by noticing how much that picture frame in panel 1 reminds me of that weird “Phantom Zone” album-cover like thingy that they used to banish the bad guys in the first Superman flick: