I thought this was a throwaway joke, but it grew into something much more. To my surprise it proved to be very popular, and then the invention of the tank provided enough jokes to keep me going up to the big Christmas storyline.
Tag / Smith
Smudge v the clowns
In the war between Smudge and creepy clowns, there can only be one victor, and you can guarantee it won’t be the clown. Especially if her wall is involved.
Rzzzzz
The creepy killer clown craze was possibly one of the least bizarre manifestations of 2016. Let’s face it, in a world where a nation can vote for Brexit without actually having a clue what it means or how to do it, or in which Donald Trump is President Elect of the USA dressing up as a clown and intimidating people seems to be a perfectly natural response.
I’m not sure why ‘Rzzzzz’ is the sound a creepy clown makes – it just seems right. It’s a reference to a Frank Zappa album I’ve never actually heard, but I get the feeling that the actual music in the album can oly pale in comparison to the weird stuff I’m imagining this cover art should deserve.
There was some speculation on the comments boards (remember them?) that the clown would turn out to be an owl, based on the shape of the eyes. It was actually my attempt to draw a scowl when just the eyeballs are visible.
Birthday
November 21st is by some strange coincidence my birthday as well. Funny how these things work.
Cat, interrupted
The problem with dogs is that they don’t have an off-switch and you can never play alone.
Design flaw
There was a hiatus of two and a bit weeks after this one. Sadly, after a long illness, Linda’s mum died and we were called over to the States at short notice for the funeral. I didn’t have any strips drawn in advance so I had to stop for a bit.
It was a odd two weeks. While we were there the Cubs won the World Series, Donald Trump became President Elect and the family celebrated a muted Thanksgiving a couple of weeks early while we were all together.
Bird scarer
One of these things has appeared in my neighbourhood. It’s essentially a kite in the shape of a bird of prey (or a kite in the shape of a kite if you like) tethered to a pole. It’s made out of polythene so it’s very light and it only takes the lightest of breezes to send it aloft, and as it’s tethered it rises and then swoops down suddenly like stooping buzzard. The combination of the silhouete and the movement keeps nesting seagulls away. This summer we haven’t had any seagulls on our roof.
However, it does also look like a very large cat toy.
The third way
If Wednesday’s strip was a comment on the US Elections, this must have been a premonition of its eventual winner. I even used the word Trump in the punchline! Or it’s just a dog doing what dogs do in other animals’ doings.
Easily led
Looking back, I wonder if this was a subconscious comment on the US Elections? Probably not. It’s just some fun with a stick and a ball.
Choice
This is me in the pen aisle of the local art shop.