First off though, I would like to talk trash about "The Sidekick," which is the unfortunate format in which we Boston regionals now receive our daily dose of comics. The Sidekick is this special smaller assemblage of newsprint within our beloved Boston Globe. It opens like a book, sort of like the sunday Chronic' Datebook, only smaller, and not pink. The comics take up several pages, which I find irritating: I think they should all be on one spread. While the Sidekick contains some other stuff, like the crossword, your horoscope, the TV guide, and some super-lame mini articles about "lifestyle" type stuff, there's not much in there. If your sitting on the T and reading the Sidekick, everyone knows your just reading the comics. If I'm reading the Datebook on BART there's always a chance that I could be reading up on a review of the SF Opera's latest production, or something equally classy. Aside from any of these considerations, I firmly believe that the 'mix should not be ghettoized into some crappy other section, ever. (On an only sort of related note, Monday June 11th's Sidekick features Melt Banana on the cover, which makes me feel wierd. One thing's for sure, if Yasuko were a president she'd be Baberham Lincoln.)
Anyhoo, glad to be reading:
ROSE IS ROSE by Pat Brady and Don Wimmer. I think if I had started reading this comic at a later age I would be disgusted by it, but having grown up with it I find it JUST ADORABLE. While most family 'mix rely on conflict for their comedy, this one needs only pure sacharine cuteness, complete with a kitten, and little rainbows, hearts and candy canes that float around the characters' heads when they are feeling particularly stoked. Maybe if time ever moved in their world, Paquale would turn into a surly, difficult, teenager, but they have been stuck in a utopian lovefest ever since I started reading. I can't remember them ever having a problem, except maybe when Paquale's greedy friend Clem (was that his name?) comes over. Oh, totes reinforces RHN, obv.
I'm sorry for liking this, I can't help myself.
ARLO AND JANIS by Jimmy Johnson. Jimmy Johnson is a funny name. This is the wierdest comic about a married couple around. Perhaps 'mixdood420 will tell you guys about the now classic topless sunbathing strip someday. On the website Jimmy reprints a handful of old comics a day accompanied by awesome commentary. Here is a sample from 2002:
Jimmy writes: "This is one of Janis' hairdo variations over the years. Looking back, I think it worked quite well. Specifically, it solved the difficult problem of her bangs, a problem that haunts me still." Oh, the difficult problem of her bangs, that really gets me. What about the fact that what is happening in this strip, is that ARLO JUST CRAWLED INSIDE JANIS' NIGHTGOWN. Amazing.
ZIPPY by Bill Grifith. Brings a tear to my eye. Curse you SF Chronicle, for taking this strip away, you must truly think poorly of us.
Not so stoked on:
MALLARD FILLMORE by Bruce Tinsley. This hyper-conservative comic is really boring. I wanted to read something really obnoxious to get riled up about, but instead he's just hating on Jimmy Carter. THAT'S ORIGINAL, you lamewad.
Now for something we can all relate to: this turn that FBorFW has taken. Oh, Lynn, why must you continously introduce new men into Elizabeth's life when we all know that there is only one man for her? This poor girl has been jerked around for too long. If she and Anthony don't smooch by the end of the wedding, I'm writing a letter. You hear that Lynn?! A letter!! Another thing I will mention in this letter is something my woman friend Alexis brought to my attention recently: Why, when we visit FBorFW.com, do the characters blink? This animation is creepy, and it just distracts us from the issues at hand.
In conclusion:
Liz + Anthony 4eva, Blinking 4neva.
