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May 16, 2006
If You Think It's So Easy, Why Don't YOU Write a Comic Strip! Okay.
The sad thing is Scott Stantis is probably somewhere patting himself on the back for his current "controversial" look at the war in Iraq. Hopefully he twists it so badly he won't be able to draw. Again. Ever.
I've long accused Stantis of being a lazy azz writer, and today is a perfect example. Here he basically has Winslow monologing - speaking directly to the audience and providing exposition as to what's happening off screen while Carmen just sits there. He tells us that the coyotes have finally realized that the Shi'ites, Sunnis, and Kurds don't really care for each other - wow, Stantis and his timely revelations. Part of Toby's job should be to buy him a new Bloom County calendar every year since the one from 2004 is a little dated now.
Today's strip could have been different. It could have told the exact same story, but actually made use of the fact that Winslow is supposed to be a warmongering apologist and Carmen the plucky young rebelling journalist. How? I'm going to pick up the If I Were A Big Boy Comic Strip Artist Writing Utensil (patent pending) and see what I can come up with.
- Panel 1 -
Winslow, decked out in his army fatigues, stands behind a podium. Behind him hangs a sign with the words "Mission Accomplished" hanging, the words "Almost" hand-written in. In front of him sits a gaggle of reporters. Plucky young reporter Carmen sits among them.
Winslow: Next question!
Carmen: Private Winslow, is it true that the coyotes' war against the hamsters has hit another snag?
- Panel 2 -
Winslow shakes his head, perturbed.
Winslow: No, no...
Carmen: Is there anything to the rumor that the coyotes didn't realize the ethnic divide between the gray and biege hamsters was so severe?
- Panel 3 -
Winslow: Well, it does seem they REALLY don't like each other. But who could have known?
Carmen: Um, shouldn't YOU have known?
- Panel 4 -
A group of large, burly coyotes grab Carmen and drag her off panel.
Winslow: No liberal media in these press conferences!
Carmen: Please, not G'itmo! I promise I'll be good!
****
Now granted I'm not some big fancy schmany comic strip writer, but wouldn't that at least be a change from Winslow and Carmen telling us everything instead of doing something? There used to be a time when Stantis would actually make the effort to have something going on, but now he just plops the coyote and the little neo-con tot down in the middle of the panel and they just tell us what's going on. Booor-ing. Man, if you're going to be unfunny and non-sensical, at least make it readable.
Comments
He's getting all Jabberwocky on us. Yeah, that must be it. Brilliant!
Posted by: Sacki at May 16, 2006 09:31 AM
I guess I'll bite the bullet and comment on the lead-in photo: a penis?! And here I fancied myself unflappable.
Posted by: j kendall at May 16, 2006 12:59 PM
