And yeah, we get the paper … sort of. We used to get it regularly, then quit it, then the paper got so desperate, they gave us three months for free to get us hooked again. We’ll see about that. The comics are the main thing going for them — the only thing you can’t do online is leave notes to your wife about how inappropriate Family Circus seemed today, no, really. (I actually tried to build a Web site whereby one could do something like this, but the Houston Chronicle’s tech nerds blocked my access to their images — they’re mighty protective of their stuff, or rather, I imagine the syndicates force them to be.)

Anyhow, you’ll be sad to know, Sarah, that Aaron has been out of Luann’s life for years. He moved to Hawaii, I believe. Heck, Gunther hasn’t even been in the strip much, lately. It’s all, as your dad pointed out, about Brad. Booring.

I’m kind of upset with FBoFW. Lynn Johnston seemingly promised it’d be coming to an end, then decided she’d rather not quit (perhaps because, I read, her husband left her or something). Still, there are so many legacy/zombie strips out there today!

I may have mentioned it before, but Julia and I love The Comics Curmudgeon, a blog that’s famous enough that its author semi-routinely gets mentioned in normal comic strips (the writer of Sally Forth, who’s rather a more warped person than you might imagine, occasionally comments on the blog).

I’m glad I’m not the only one confused as to whether that comment is from Mandy or Meredith. I read it, thinking, “Mr Jeronimus is a dentist.”

Also, I remember a time when I got fed up with the fact that I could never tell what was happening in the Spiderman comic strip, even though I loved the book. I spent a summer cutting out every strip, collecting it into a book, and then tried to read it at the end. It still made no sense.

I wonder if Prince Valiant would read well if it was one big thing? What does that guy do, other than inspire He-Man hair?

First, I have to go all contrarian and admit that I liked the Family Circus, in a limited capacity – the ones with the little map of the kid running all over the place like it was a treasure map. Those were fun to follow around. The rest of the cartoon? Saccharine.

My love for Garfield was really similar. I had every book. I mean, my God, there are only two jokes in the entire 30 year history of the cartoon. Garfield eats a lot. Jon is a loser. I sent you the link once for the brilliant “Garfield minus Garfield,” right?
http://garfieldminusgarfield.net/

Calvin and Hobbes – I would really be concerned about anyone who never enjoyed C&H.

Finally, my favorite cartoon ever is Bloom County. I read it as a kid and enjoyed it on that level; I read it as an adult and enjoy the subtle commentary on our society and politics that I didn’t even know I wasn’t getting. Later, the author started the wacky-for-the-sake-of-wacky Outland, which never really captured the same clever mirth.

dad, i am so glad you commented cos I HAD NO IDEA CATHY GOT MARRIED?!! WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN?!!

erin, where is the picture?!! oh and that’s like my favorite scene from “go,” when timothy olyphant talks about how “family circle” ruins his day every time.

Jessica, I remember when the Post went out of business and we lost half the good comics, too. I miss the Post, actually. One would think I’d have gotten over it in the past 15 years, but anytime I pick up the Chronicle, I think, “gosh, I miss the Post.”

The only comic I really abhor is Family Circle. I really, really hate Family Circle. (Also on a related note, I hate that Maxine character which I guess is a regular comic as well, with the chain smoking old lady who “tells it like it is.” Quit telling it like it is, Maxine, your email forwards are junking up my work inbox!)

p.s. sarah, i made cupcakes. I took a picture for you!