This actually isn’t bad, although it’s a bit stretched for a Sunday episode. Credit where it’s due–Tom Batiuk has finally realized what an obnoxious a-hole Les is, so instead of having him deliver these puns, he has Cayla do it, where they are far less smirk-coated and can be appreciated (as much as puns can be, that is). If the roles had been reversed, this would have been one of the worst strips ever. The punchable smirk in the penultimate panel would have been woven throughout like a plague bacillus.
Mr. Batiuk even has Les accepting Cayla’s puns, instead of whineley squawking that all the attention isn’t on him. He actually looks proud of her. That’s progress of a sort. Maybe Cayla will actually start to come into her own as a character. (Doubtful, but who knows?)
The one puzzling aspect is Cayla’s expressions; she looks like she’s at a funeral. Especially odd is her look in that penultimate panel. But I think I’ve figured that one out. Cayla is beginning to understand what it is to be Les Moore, spouting endless puns for approval, and it smells pretty bad to her.
In short, good one, Mr. Batiuk–thank you.
Don’t misunderstand–this is like finding a raisin in a bowl of rabbit turds. You didn’t want a raisin anyway, and you’ve lost your appetite, but at least it is edible–unlike the rest of what’s in the bowl.
Son of Stuck Funky 