Details, Details

Today's "Blondie"

I'm glad that I didn't read the article on the "Blondie" page about the comic-crossover currently taking place - if I had, I wouldn't have been surprised by today's strip. Now, I'm not a fan of our current president or his policies, but in context, seeing George and Laura Bush on the other end of the line while Dagwood chortles "Har-Har! Woodley, you doofus!" has got to be one of the most classic moments in comic history. What's scary is that Laura looks a little like she and Blondie could be distantly related. (And George looks like, well - George.) The Orlando Sentinel clipped the first two panels of this strip, granted, not much to lose, but I wonder how often they do that?



"For Better Or For Worse" stands out as one of my favorite strips of all time, not only because it's funny, but it's well-written and very real in its portrayal of life's little quirks. Today's entry puts a foot forward into "Blondie" territory, yet again in a very real way (no Dagwood showing up at the door). Not only does Johnston pay homage to Dag and Blondie (and in a subtle way, "Peanuts" and "Cathy"), she also seems to be saying what we all seem to think about her strip, which is "I feel as though I know these people!" Kudos! Now, I'm wondering if we'll actually see a Patterson at the party next Sunday? (Actually, now that I review - Elly is already there - many characters already there haven't been shown since, so what are they doing? Crashing with neighbors?)



Ted and "Sally Forth" also got an invite today, in a funny bit that finds Ted asking "why do all the dorky-looking guys always score the hot-looking women?" (Sally's sly reply: "you tell me.")

In Other Comics

"The Boondocks" had me laughing out loud today as grandfather tries to impress upon Riley the importance of washing one's hands before supper. Riley is not-threatened and unmoved by gramps' insistence (and swinging belt) as he counters with logic such as "I know where my hands have been, and I'm not puttin' 'em all in your food. So why are you so worried about it?" Funny, Riley doesn't strike me as being the stubborn one.

The uneven "Opus" scores on the current events front with a funny strip about "intelligent design" and nipples on men. I can see one of the uses that Steve comes up with for nipples, the other one tho'. Ouch! (And this coming from a guy with a pierced nipple.)

Thanks to "Non-Sequitur" for adding yet another great tidbit to my phrase dictionary. "Le wump" seems like an all-occasion sort of commentary, don't it?

And finally, "Shortcuts" says "this is your brain" in an edition sponsored by Pinky and the Brain" ("are you pondering what I'm pondering?") - but what got me were some little details that I've not spotted before - a band-aid on the big lunky guy, the insignias on the bottom of Juanita's shoes (assuming that the redhead is not Juanita), and what's up with the kid with the glasses? No wonder he's always got the scared look on his face, he's a hapless critter (in this case, caught in mid-fall while dishing trivia.)

I'm really looking forward to next Sunday's anniversary party for Blondie and Dagwood and I'm hoping that they will release a book of all the artists' efforts to make this an unforgettable event! I'm sort of wishing now that I'd been clipping and collecting - but it's sort of like T.V. Guide (which I used to collect) - if you miss a few, it becomes maddening. I can't imagine the licensing effort involved with getting all of the different syndicates to dance together. That alone is cause for celebration!