In the interests of balance, here’s the other side of the Christmas equation…
Tag / Smudge
Vooooooo!
We don’t see many illuminated inflatables in Britain, but I see a lot of them in Clovis, NM. There’s something sad about them during the day – deflated Santas lying collapsed on a front lawn made of straw.
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.
Suppose they gave a war and nobody came?
Some people can only get validation by being as obnoxious as possible and seeing what response they get. Ignore them and it’s like you’ve taken away the reason for their existence.
So now you know
I’d always wanted to do a story about the origin of Smudge’s wall, but was never quite sure how to do it until the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings rolled around. I’d considered a story from World War 2 where the wall was all that was left of a bombed out cat shelter, but it would never coalesce into something tangible that could be told in six pages. I’d also wanted to do a 1066 story. The two dovetailed together quite nicely.
Feinites is the term school kids to the south of England use to say you give up, or want a truce in a game. Most dictionaries, however, spell it as Fainites. Time Out appears to be the equivalent in the States.
Repel all boarders
Smudge in a horned helmet. Of course. What else would she wear?
Look who it is!
Of course it was Sandy all along. After guesting for the previous two summers, here she is in her new role as one of the strip’s regulars. By popular request I may add….
Lynch mob
Reflecting the new meaner small-minded mood towards newcomers that had manifested itself after the Brexit vote. If anyone’s going to be the reactionary in the group its going to be Smudge. Luckily her brother is a bit more Zen about things.
Yet more evidence
