La Donna Della Mia Vita

Wow. In a comic strip legendary for its epic sadness, I don’t think it’s ever been sadder that it is today. Bad enough that Harry’s devotion to Tarzan “comical books” would lead him to consider cashing in his daughter’s college fund. But when Donna, the only woman in the world who finds him desireable, dares to (only-half-) jokingly expresses her longing for him, everyone in the room is immediately and visibly repulsed. I suppose Maddie can be forgiven her reaction to hearing her parents allude to “gettin’ busy”. As for John, he’s probably skeeved at the thought of caressing anything besides pubescent boys.

A while back, someone stated on Twitter that the Komix Korner was based on Ground Zero Comics in Strongsville, Ohio (15 miles from TB’s home in Medina). I couldn’t find GZ Comics’ website, but some pics found on patch.com seem to support this. The store’s nestled in a strip mall, not above a pizza joint, but like the Korner, it’s decorated with nerd tchotchkes. They also have a Space Invaders machine just like Tony’s.

The Picture of Dori-Ann Gray

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT???

Folks…The Cartoonist has completely outdone himself this time. Since she resurfaced last December at Darin’s birthday party, Ann’s looks have varied wildly, from 70-ish to late 30’s -ish and back and forth again. In today’s strip, she looks to be the same age as the crones from Crankshaft. Even her glasses and hair color are different.

It’s hard to get beyond Ann’s complete makeover, but also worth noting is Cayla’s condescending attitude regarding Ann’s (now blatantly advanced) age. Are the girls not supposed to “take to” a coach based on the fact that she’s about five times their age? And “Eight Track” for a nickname? That might fit a baby boomer (such as yours truly, whose 8-track collection was pretty impressive). The way TB has rendered Ann here, I’d dub her “Grammy-fone”!

Many, many thanks to those of you who have given generously in support of the snarkin’ good times here at SoSF! Your contributions have already been applied to hosting costs, and have given your humble, unemployed scribe one less thing to worry about. Today’s the last day of the fund drive…if you’re a fan and have a buck or two to spare, and haven’t done so already, please consider clicking the PayPal “Donate” button in the right hand column. Thanks again!

–TFH 

Dese Nuts

Oh, you just know that somewhere in Batiuk’s studio is a napkin, from Luigi’s of Akron, on which TB has jotted “idea for strip punchline: academia nuts!”

Tell me if reversing the order of panels doesn’t make it funnier:

Cayla, who’s been disparaging the team since the start of the season, decides she’s gonna lighten things up with her little nut gag. The “joke” goes over like a turd in a punchbowl, and she sheepishly puts away her bag o’ nuts, mumbling to herself while Les and Linda offer pitying glances.

Un-be-Weave-a-Bull

Epicus Doomus
January 19, 2012 at 1:35 am
…[W]hy did Ann stop attending WHS girls’ basketball games in the first place?…[W]hat was she doing for all those years, hiding in her house reading comic books? It makes no sense I tells ya!

Looking for sense in a Funky Winkerbean story arc? That way lies madness! Silly Epicus: Ann’s been lurking in the wings this whole time, just waiting for the She-Goats to falter so that she could dust off the ol’ “weave-screen” play!