A World Unchanging, In the Back of the Newspaper

Quote of the day:
“Man stands in his own shadow and wonders why it’s dark.”
--Zen Proverb

John G commented last Thursday that Tom Baituk, cartoonist of “Funky Winkerbean,” might be a bit unreasonable in killing off two younger characters since 1995.

He mentioned that there are characters in “Crankshaft” who just go on and on--including one with Alzheimer’s. This is an excellent point.

Think about it. Dagwood Bumstead looks pretty good for 105. And Jeffy in “Family Circle” has taken longer to reach his growth spurt than anyone I’ve ever met--some 30 years. And, as John says, everyone in “Peanuts” is in their fifties.

The world we live in is changing and uncertain and sometimes threatening. So we look for “unchanging” places to anchor ourselves. This is how many people view their church--the most important characteristic is the longstanding weekly traditions.

In the midst of a chaotic world, church can be an oasis.

Comics are viewed the same way, I think. That’s why most comic characters are frozen in time--they don’t age or change.

That’s also why there’s such a flood of criticism when comics deal with anything contemporary, realistic or “close to home.”

It might be the politics of “Doonesbury” or the real families of “Funky Winkerbean” or “For Better or For Worse.” Many people find it disturbing when real uncertainty or fear come to the comic page.

And they find it even more disturbing when a favorite comic is moved or discontinued. Newspaper editors say they get more mail about changes in the comics than in any other part of the paper.

We depend on them, and we escape to them daily.

Funky Winkerbean: Lisa's Last Day

Quote of the day:
"We are all of us resigned to death: it's life we aren't resigned to."
--Graham Greene

Today’s the day for Lisa in “Funky Winkerbean.” What a gracious, simple and respectful way to portray this.

I hear that the cartoonist, Tom Batiuk, has been getting a lot of flak from readers who are either upset or annoyed that Lisa has passed away. Why would anyone get worked up about this?

I guess part of is what I talked about back on September 20th. Lots and lots of folks are of the “I-don’t-read-the-comics-to-read-this-kind-of-stuff” ilk. They prefer fantasy and jokes.

But “Funky” has always been about life, and has been at its best when portraying real human situations in both an honest and lighthearted way. Other strips do this regularly, too. I think of my favorite “For Better or For Worse.”

One argument is that kids shouldn’t see this--as if it’s threatening to children or will scare them in some way. If Batiuk wasn’t so skillful and sensitive I might be concerned about a child’s reaction. But I can’t imagine any child being frightened at these comics, except if he or she sees a parent being afraid or having a conniption about it.

Another reason some people get rubbed the wrong way by this week’s “Funky Winkerbean” is that the thought of death is so disturbing to them that they avoid it at all times and at any price.

But it’s one thing we all have in common, and it is a 100% inexorable part of life. That’s such a cliche, but still the thought of it brings up big-time fear in many of us.

That’s why we need artists like Tom Batiuk and comics like “Funky Winkerbean.” It’s a gift.

Funky Winkerbean

Quote of the day:
"The trouble with super heroes is what to do between phone booths."
--Ken Kesey

Have you been reading “Funky Winkerbean”? If you have, you probably know why I ask that question.

Funky’s wife Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Now she is in the final stage. Hospice is visiting, and her bed is in their first-floor living room.

So many, many people have said to me that they go to the movies/watch TV/read the funnies to be entertained, not to be challenged or depressed. Often the reason given is something along the lines of “I work hard, and when I go to the movies/watch TV/read the funnies about the last thing I want is to see a downer. I don’t even want to think.”

I’m all for rest and recreation. We really don’t get enough of it. With traffic, work and family worries, becoming one with entertainment inertia can be wildly appealing.

But don’t we rob ourselves of a bit of life when we insist on not thinking or feeling when we encounter movies/TV shows/funnies? We might miss some good stuff.

And Funky Winkerbean is good stuff. The writer, Tom Batiuk, is not trying to be morbid or depressing or funny especially. He is simply trying to depict real, human characters. And the people he brings us are funny, sad, nostalgic and inspiring.

Seeing this strip is a good moment in my day.