Funky – Page 170 – Son of Stuck Funky

Pizza Logic

Somewhere between yesterday’s second panel and today’s first, Les’ bemused expression has been replaced by one of abject terror. It must be his reaction to Funky’s Vulcan grip on his shoulder as, wild-eyed, he explains to Les why it is immutable destiny that the launch party be held at Montoni’s…rather than at someplace without a red, white and green awning.

TB also introduces a new visual effect, sort of a “sepia telescope” through which past events are viewed. Interesting to note how vans figure in Darin’s delivery as well as his conception. And hoo-boy: does Les on his wedding day look like a gay Batman or what‽

Launch is Served

That loud, metallic grinding you hear is Batiuk abruptly and inartfully shifting narrative gears back to the Les Gets Published story arc. “Hey, Les: since you and I are standing around in this deserted pizzeria, without any customers to attend to, I might as well stroke your ego by asking if that book of yours will ever see print.” Observe Les’ trademark smug, sidelong glance as his favorite topic is raised. “Ahem, yes, well, my publicist…she’s in New York, you know…is diligently seeking the proper venue for the launch par-tay…” Because that’s such a goddamn important detail in releasing a book. She can take her time booking a place: that mimeograph machine over at KSU Press only cranks out about ten pages a minute. Then they gotta collate and staple everything together.

Funky wastes no time in offering, no, insisting, to host Northeastern Ohio’s literary event of the decade at, where else, Montoni’s! …immediately sending Les into “thanks but no thanks” mode. “It’s a launch party…not a youth soccer awards banquet/after-bowling soiree/kiddie birthday party…”

Popcorn Surprise

http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20100822&name=Funky_Winkerbean — Click to view larger

Jumping from bad-date story to bad-date story; only the pushy female and unwilling male have been changed (and popcorn subbing for fried pickles). Funky has apparently suffered a relapse (he was at work, without the neck brace only a week ago) and has planted himself on the couch to enjoy a little TV…only to be literally dragged away to the INEPLEX to catch a screening of IRO MA. Of course, this being the Westviewniverse, Funky’s night is ruined when the ticket-seller sells him his tickets at a senior discount, which you think would make the penny-pinching bastard happy.

Tom Batiuk interview at CancerConnect.com

For those who are looking for a little extra insight into the guy behind the comic we all love to snark on… I’d like to share some video: an interview with Tom Batiuk: Prostate Cancer Survivor.

The full transcript of the interview is below the video, for those who don’t feel like watching, but it is worth watching, especially for glimpses of some art we haven’t seen before. TB actually comes across as a likeable guy. We see him doing what he does best, and I don’t mean cartooning: I mean justifying being such a self-important downer…here’s the interview, and Tom Batiuk, in a nutshell:

“I didn’t get the memo, you know, that you’re only supposed to be funny, but what I really owe my readers is to sort of challenge my expectations of myself, and challenge theirs as well.”

Across the Crazyverse

http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20100815&name=Funky_Winkerbean — Click to view larger

Another Sunday, another episode of The Old Philosopher. Even Funky, in the throwaway first couple of panels, is beginning to lose patience with this old fool. “Oh shit…Harry’s formulating another one of his wacky observations…Hey! Hey! Postie! Get the hell outta here now. Really. Stop taking up space at my counter and go deliver the goddamn mail!”

But no, Funky the enabler has to ask him what he’s “thinking”. What follows is so thuddingly lame and nonsensical (“swallowing helium”? Swallow this!) that Funky cannot even muster a smirk.