Inside the Schottenstein Center* at The Ohio State University, Annie and her Goats take the floor for warmups, but Coach Bull has to inquire as to the whereabouts of his superstar player. I don’t know who this guy “Ralph” is, but someone oughta tell him that use of that Big White Phone is strictly reserved! What Keisha meant to tell Coach is that Summer is “driving the porcelain bus”. Or “laughing at the ground”. Or “throwing it into reverse”. Or…
(* Hat tip to Helskor for location scouting!)
I’ll just skip the icky exchange in today’s first panel. I’m scratching my head over what follows: “…I’m baking!” “Maybe you’re hungry.” What? I’ve experienced the occasional headache from skipping breakfast, but fever? And aren’t you supposed to starve a fever (and feed a cold)? The offer of some chips is met with an Ulp! from Summer. Gee: fever and nausea? Could it be a case of…the flu? Darin must be paying his rent in germs.
Um, is the Championship Game going to be played outdoors? Then why is Les glued to the weather forecast before the gang departs for Columbus? Probably to allow TB to unload what feels like a leftover punchline from Crankshaft.
Well, you knew the Westview girls were going to the State Championships…TB himself spilled it in an interview five months ago. So today’s strip is anticlimactic. No matter; there’s plenty to goof on here. The girls’ penultimate victory seems to be celebrated by only two players, the coach, and four fans (one of them wearing UGG Boots®!). Assistant coach Fishstick Annie, ostensibly the reason for their remarkable success, is nowhere to be seen. Maybe that’s her, standing out of frame and bellowing “WE’RE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!” at the top of her lungs (and in big, bold, Dr. Seuss letters).
Helskor
February 20, 2012 at 10:31 am
Beginning writers are told to show and not tell, but if Batiuk wants to tell us that Westview won the conference instead of showing them win via another week of excruciatingly boring basketball strips, he can go right ahead.
Well, today’s strip nearly accomplishes that. Three panels, three opponents, three wins, including payback to those nasty Blue Valley girls. TB achieves not only economy of storytelling, but also of color and detail. While the action poses are painstakingly traced “inked over”, the backgrounds, color palette and “supporting cast” are positively minimalist. The Annie-Goats (love that nickname!) unis have lost their red accent and are now just black and white; and every player not named Summer or Keisha is a generic blue-ponytailed girl.
Son of Stuck Funky 
