math and science humor

Saw a link off the Comics Curmudgeon for this comic, "xkcd" (described as a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language) (i'm in love!), and had to share it. Had to send a link to my desktop for regular updates.

It's been a rough coupla weeks (just started a new job here at The Gaz), but I hope to get back on track here at "in good humor." It's time to pick a couple of new strips for the Comics Test Center in The Gazette. There's been fairly good support for "F Minus" these last few weeks. Moderate support for "Agnes." And increasing support for "Cul de Sac," which could be the sleeper hit here. I mean, how can you not like this?:

Of COURSE that's what the gate is for!

Here's a look at another new fave, "The Argyle Sweater."








I'll ask to see if we can test it, but I think my buddy John at Universal Press is going to say, "Dena, if you like it so much, buy it." Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, as we know: My tastes do not necessarily reflect the tastes of Gazette readers.

I've heard from someone who wants to see "Crankshaft" and someone who wants "Piranha Club." A few folks egging me to get other web comics into print.

Send your ideas and I'll start making pitches to the syndicates. Any more votes for "Daddy's Home"??

Scott Adams nails it

Whoa, that's harsh. But who hasn't been there!? Man, I love that first panel. The look on the guy's face and the coffee splashing out. So simple, so biting. Humor that provokes a nervous laugh in cubicleland.

The link between badgers and waffles

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Cul de Sac is outta the test center. So, sue me. The more I read it, the more I enjoy it. Here's today's peek into the neighborhood. Creator Richard Thompson noted in a previous post that he commutes from room to room in his home. I'd swear somedays he's peeked into mine -- Otterloop West.

I don't get it

At all. Can someone explain? Windex? Velvet?

Meanwhile, I'm hearing a bit about "Agnes" and "F Minus." Mostly positive. Most of the negative comments come in letters from our older readers. Such as this, from Jack:

"Agnes": Ho-hum, yawn, shrug.

"F Minus": Pointless, absurd in most cases. Offends the sensibilities. Where did you find this abomination?

I suppose some "F Minus" fans would say absurdity is the point of the comic, and that it doesn't strive to be sensible. But, "abomination?" C'mon. A tad strong, I believe.

Traffic n beans

I have to share this. Talk about a freaking slice of life! Start to finish, deja vu. I especially love the last panel.

It's kid humor day.

Mother Goose and Grimm So THAT's where M&Ms come from.

Sherman's Lagoon A little ED and then a little SBD. Does it get any better?

Check out Arctic Circle

A poster asked if I'd seen Arctic Circle. Yep, I have a folder from the syndicate. It went over so-so in the office. Thanks for reminding me to check in on it and see how it's coming along.

It's about Ed, Oscar and Gordo, three penguins who migrate from antarctica to the artic. Antics regularly include their polar bear, tern, lemming and rabbit friends. Alex Hallatt, the creator, lives in Lyttelton, a wonderful town on New Zealand's south island. My friends and I stopped there while tramping some years ago. A real delight. A guy we met at the train station insisted we stay at his home instead of finding a youth hostel or a cheap motel. Everyone was friendly and the surroundings are absolutely gorgeous.


Here's a couple of sample strips to get a feel for the 'guins and their banter:








Take a look at the site and let me know what you think. We should pop in and look at Cul de Sac today, too. I miss those rascals!

Another cartoonist friend loses his job

I mentioned yesterday there was an online interview with former Gazette editorial cartoonist Chuck Asay. It's a bummer we don't have a staff cartoonist, especially for local issues. Now I read on The Daily Cartoonist that another former colleague lost his job cartooning for the editorial pages.

Gordon Campbell started out freelancing and then was picked up full time at The Daily Bulletin in Ontario, Calif. He's a great guy, who brought a local flavor and voice to that paper's opinion pages. He had a few things to say about it.

It's about time

This is what kills me about story strips. It can take for-freaking-ever to move a story along...

Did it really take the other man to get to this point? Haven't followed this storyline? Read the last week or so here.

A double-whammy: