@tauycreek: February 2025

Friday, February 28, 2025

Does That Plant Have Needles?

A man comes barging into a room. "Hey, boss! That there's not 'Botchy' Werehoffen!" "Then let's get outta here..." and they leave a man tied up and gagged with his feet in cement.

April 2, 1966

What do mobsters do if they discover the person they are trying to kill isn't that person? I always thought they just killed them anyway because now they've seen too much. Turns out they just abandon them, which kind of seems worse.

From off-panel while Gladys is watering a plant, Brutus' voice comes in "What? That's absurd! You're an idiot!" Gladys, talking to the reader or the plant maybe? says "Some people listen to sports talk on the radio, my husband talks back to it."

Do you ever see ads or know of any podcasts where it's just some guys talking? They don't really have topics, it's just talking? I'm always like, why do people listen to this? It's like listening to DJs on the radio just without the music. And look, I have a radio deejay group I really like but I wouldn't want to listen to 3 hours of them rambling about nothing without any music. It just sounds awful to me.

I took this picture back in February of 2022 when Russia first invaded Ukraine. My city lit up the downtown plaza in support of Ukraine so the small fountain had blue and yellow water. Unlike our president and those who kowtow to him, I will always support Ukraine. Fuck Putin.

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Thursday Quickies

Our proto-Brutus is at the beach with a dog(?), giraffe(?) floatation device around his waist. A lightbulb appears above his head as he notices a man asleep in the sand. Brutus kicks sand onto the man's face. The man then, of course, angrily chases proto-Brutus into the ocean with proto-Brutus saying "My problem is I'm too impulsive."

April 1, 1966

"Born Loser"? You created this yourself.

At least he's not a muscular beach man, but he's tall and stringy and probably pretty fast.

Brutus and Arnie are at work standing next to the watercooler. Brutus looks a little down in the dumps. "Having a bad day, Thorny?" Arnie asks. "You look a little down." "I'm so low, it feels I have to reach up to touch bottom."

Come ask me about how my life is going, Arnie.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

I'm a Rocker

Our proto-Brutus is sucking in his stomach as several beautiful women walk by. He says good morning to all them--Barbara, Leslie, and Jennifer--and they all say "Hi" to him. A more unattractive woman walks by with a happier greeting of "Good morning, Brutus." Brutus promptly lets his stomach go and just responds with "Hi".

March 31, 1966

I'm sorry Ugly-Yet-Polite Woman, Brutus only has eyes for the three lovely ladies who would never want him.

No, that's mean. These women could be fond of personality and be fine dating a slightly more unattractive man. Except Jennifer, the one wearing the cloak. She wants handsome and she wants money.

Uncle Ted is sitting in a chair on his phone. "Just when I was about to stream some classic rock, it seems the wi-fi is down again." He gets up and walks across the room to his record player where he gets out The Raspberries' album 'Side 3'. "But I don't need wi-fi, I have my trusty old hi-fi."

I bet Chip was very proud of this when he thought of it/saw someone say it online.

Raspberries were a band from Cleveland so they probably hold a special place in Chip's heart during their five years (1970-1975) of existence.

It's weird seeing Uncle Ted's hair kind of from the front.

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Bald Is Beautiful

March 30, 1966

So is Rocky in there? Or is Rocky so sure that Detective Not-Yet-Brutus won't get backup and actually do anything? At first I thought it was the moon rising, but then I realized it's the sun going down and the moon appearing later.

Is he at the docks?

I swear to God if Brutus ordered something from Hims...

Brutus, you look fine. I'd actually recommend you just shave whatever hair you do have. You'd look like...well, I don't want to say the name of one of the handsome famous bald men...

Monday, February 24, 2025

Another Monday

A man storms out of the Science Research Lab. He turns around and sticks out his tongue and then leans angrily against a light pole. A scientist inside the lab talks to another scientist. "He wanted to will us his brain but we wouldn't take it."

March 29, 1966

I feel this is how a lot of people react when they discover their brain isn't something people want. I would say 99% brains are unremarkable. Especially when you stick your tongue out at people.

Brutus walks up to Veeblefester. "I've come up with an idea that will boost productivity and reduce costs!" "Bravo!" Veeblefester exclaims. "Let me guess, you're going to tender your resignation?"

Good lord, just fire Brutus already! Does Brutus have a clause in his employment contract where he is guaranteed employment for one year and since this is a comic strip, the year never technically ends?

Was Veeblefester just standing there? Maybe they're on kind of a catwalk overlooking all the slave labor used to make the tea cozies.

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Breathless Sunday

via Tomb of Null

It's great to see all the laws and news about trans people lately. Did I say great, because I meant horrifying. I've been around for 40 years and I don't think I've ever seen a group of people so hated by the government and a small minority group of people. I mean, other groups have come close, but the transgender community are the first that are being legislated out of existence.

Since January, there has been 21 anti-trans bills introduced in Congress including bathroom bills, keeping men out of women sports bills, and protecting minors from transitioning bills. Even states are getting in on the act. There have been over 550 bills coming out of the states. Even my state of Kansas is doing the protecting minors from transitioning and teachers better not use your preferred pronoun or name without parental consent garbage. We've seen these before, minors are not undergoing major transitioning, it's normally just puberty blockers and hormone therapy. No minors are getting top or bottom surgery. As for the name/pronoun thing, teachers would need parental consent to use the student's preferred name or even a nickname. So, Mr. and Mrs. Gatsby would need to give permission for the school to use their child's (Mark William) nickname of Willie.

The biggest thing that has been happening over the last couple of days is transgender inmates in federal prisons are to be moved to prisons according to their biological gender. For years, transgender prisoners have been held in prisons corresponding to their current gender. It has been that way because of the number of assaults and rapes of transgender inmates. Many people against the move claim it's basically "death by rape". Trans inmates will either be killed or kill themselves to make it stop. It's interesting to note that this comes from an executive order. Executive orders are not laws, they are guidelines to follow. The Bureau of Prisons doesn't need to follow the order but are choosing to. Both the BOP and President Trump are just being needlessly cruel, which has been the point for much Republican legislation for years.

Call me crazy, but I don't feel we should be bothering people that aren't bothering us. If you can explain how someone being transgender affects and hurts you I am very willing to listen, but all the arguments I've heard aren't real arguments. Transgender people don't molest children (at least at the rate seemingly religious people do) and transgender people aren't taking over women's sports.

I've contacted by Congresspeople (all 3 Republican) and thanked my state legislators (I'm lucky to have Democrats represent me in my statehouse) to let them know my thoughts on any and all anti-trans legislation. We all need to contact our representatives and let them know how we feel. I've had students that were trans, I have family members that are trans, I've had coworkers who are trans. I worry about them and want them to be safe and I don't understand why people who consider themselves good people would want to hurt other people. Trans people deserve to be safe.

Please follow trans journalists who do a much better job of reporting on trans and other LGBTQ+ issues than the mainstream media does. Some of my favorites are Erin Reed, Imara Jones, Frankie de la Cretaz (who mainly focuses on sports), and Samantha Riedel.

Wilberforce is answering the phone while Kewpie stands next to him. "Is your daddy home?" the person on the phone asks. "No," Wilberforce responds. "How about your mommy?" "She's out shopping." "Is there anyone with you?" "No, it's just me and Ms. Kewpie." "Ms. Kewpie? Let me talk to her." "Okay, here she is." Wilberforce puts the phone up to Kewpie's ear. "Ms. Kewpie, I'm Mr. Thornapple's financial advisor and..." Kewpie then barks, prompting a question mark from the telephone and a giggle from Wilberforce.

October 12, 1986

Wilberforce just announced to everyone that he is home alone. All you criminals know what to do!

Does this guy think Ms. Kewpie is a maid or housekeeper? If you are Brutus' financial advisor, then you should know Brutus can't afford anyone like that.

Brutus walks up to Mother Gargle at the kitchen table. Both are drinking a cup of coffee. "Good morning, Mother Gargle," Brutus greets her. "I have a bone to pick with you, Brutus," Mother Gargle already in rare form this morning. "Wait!" Brutus orders. "Don't move. Hold your breath...That's it. Don't stop! Keep holding as long as you can," Brutus instructs. Mother Gargle's face begins to look strained as she holds her breath. "Okay, well done, Mother Gargle," Brutus finishes and Mother Gargle exhales. "What was that all about? Some sort of yoga relaxation technique?" "No, I just wanted a few extra moments of peace and quiet before you start in on me!"

"Keep holding it. Hold it...Hold it..." Mother Gargle passes out, falls out of the chair, hitting her head on the table before hitting the floor. Brutus looks down at her unconscious body. "Keep holding it..."

It is eight o'clock in the morning. What could you possibly have to complain about so early? It's not as bad if you leave off the first panel and you can pretend it's mid-afternoon or whatever, but starting out with "Good morning" and then immediately jumping in with "Here's a list of why I hate you!" is just cruel.

Saturday's post was a mostly pictorial one about the Salt Creek Bridge in Osage County. If you would like to support me or this website, you can buy me a cup of coffee over on Ko-fi.

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Spirit Animal Saturday

A shady looking man is at the back of the line to a bank teller. He tells the guy in front of him "It's a stickup, pass it on." The man dutifully passes on the message which makes its way up the line to the poor proto-Brutus at the front.

March 24, 1966

I'd like to try this out and see what happens. Although I never see this many people in a bank anymore.

Hurricane Hattie is talking to Brutus who is sitting in his green chair. "I've decided my spirit animal is a fox," Hattie reveals. "They're clever, bold, independent and playful. What's your spirit animal?" "Gee, I haven't thought about it," Brutus replies. "Do you have a suggestion?" "How about a sloth?" Hattie sneers.

Eh, I'd go for more like a koala. Koalas also sleep a lot--up to 20 hours a day--but, like Brutus, are loyal, caring, sensitive, respectful, tolerant, and riddled with chlamydia.

Salt Creek Bridge

This steel truss bridge, built in 1945, crosses Salt Creek in Osage County just east of Lyndon.

Friday, February 21, 2025

How Rich Is He?

Quincy Madison is standing with another man, in glasses who is shorter than him. "Ah, yes, Mr. Veeblefetzer, let me revel in stimulating fact-packed articles providing accurate forecasts of future trends. I prefer to feel that I am a wicked, witty observer of life! One who would prefer his spark to burn out in a brilliant blaze rather than be stifled by dry rot!" The other man just stares at him angrily. "One thing about you, Madison, even if you have nothing to say, you say it!"

March 19, 1966

Quincy does seem kind of snooty and not a good reader of people. If it weren't 1966, he'd definitely be autistic. Instead, he's just...well, kind of snooty and not a good reader of people.

"How rich is your boss, Mr. Veeblefester?" Wilberforce asks Brutus, who is sitting in his green chair. "He's so rich that when he's at a wishing well, he tosses in a silver dollar and he doesn't even bother making a wish." "Wow!" Wilberforce exclaims.

"Wow! We should kill and eat him. We should seize the means of production. We should rise up and eliminate our capitalist overseers. Burn down the country, and start anew!"

This doesn't make any sense. Veeblefester would never waste money on a wishing well, no matter how much it is.

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Even Startled the Watercooler

Truth Social post from Donald Trump reading "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD! Manhattan and all of New York is SAVED! LONG LIVE THE KING!"

MAGA: "He could mean anything by "Long live the king!"

I mean, I guess he can call himself a king if he wants. We fought an entire war (a revolution, even) to get rid of kings. If he wants to be a king, fine, but then he and his followers can't get mad when we do what should happen to all kings.

gif of a cartoon guillotine going up and down.

Two painters angrily walk away when their checkerboard paint job doesn't match in the middle.

March 18, 1966

It could just be painted black or white. Luigi over there on the right has more squares than Mario.

Only two? I need at least two to make it through waking up and the first hour or so of work. The dosage on the bottle/box is just a suggestion, right? Nothing bad happens if you take three or four times more than it says, right? Right?

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Current Events

A man, our new favorite character who should make a return, Quincy Madison, is standing a bit too close to a woman. "And then I saw you standing there, Marcia, my goddess! You went to my head like the bubbles from a glass of champagne, like a comb that's looking for a part. Look no further, Quincy Madison, my heart sang!" "Quincy?" Marcia asks. "Yes, my darling person?" "You're standing on my foot..."

March 17, 1966

Marcia has an...interesting look. It's like she's supposed to be pretty but it looks weird because Quincy is just a cartoony ovalish blob. If only her face wasn't 3/4ths hidden...

"Like a comb that's looking for a part"? A poet Quincy is not.

Hey, Uncle Ted, I see you are interested/concerned about pennies but not Elon Musk and a bunch of young adults who barely have hair on their chest and have nicknames like Big Balls having access to the government checkbook, your Social Security, and more than likely your banking information? I'd be contacting my Congresspeople and talking about that, but I feel Uncle Ted is part of the reason we're in this mess.

And, yes, Brutus, I do see they are being discontinued because they cost three times as much to produce. I am reading the article in the newspaper after all.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Moldy WOLDI Oldie

A child, who seems like a little brat who needs to be slapped and you can do that because it's 1966, is in a bathroom shouting, probably at the top of his lungs, "HO-HO-HO! I'm locked in the bathroom and you can't get me now!" He yells this three times before beginning to yell it a fourth time when a ladder gets propped up against the window in the background.

March 16, 1966

Who's this kid hiding from? Is this a "Home Alone"-type situation or a Rosalyn situation or are his parents trying to punish him? Eh. Whatever is going on, I hope he gets strangled.

It's fine. It's 1966.

Brutus is sitting at a small table with a radio. He turns on the radio which opens with a station identification. "You are listening to WOLDI radio. Playing all the hits from your youth." The station then begins playing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".

I don't know. I think if an older loved one of mine just sat down at a table to listen to the radio, I'd suggest maybe seeing a doctor. "It's okay, Brutus. You just listen to the radio..." Gladys says sadly.

WOLD (102.5 FM) is a real classic rock station out of Marion, Virginia. WOLDI makes no sense as radio stations aren't given five letters. I get what Chip is doing but he should have stopped with WOLD.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Lucky? Really? $5 Salisbury Steak?

A man stands a fence with a sign that reads "Beware of vicious giant dog". He hears a small bark and goes into the yard where he pets a small dog that only comes up to his knees. "Oh-ho-ho! You friendly little fella. Your master certainly has a sense of humor," the man says, petting the small dog, while a very large dog, whose legs are the only thing we can see stands chained up behind him.

March 15, 1966

We're all familiar with Clifford, the Big Red Dog, who debuted just three years before this strip. Inspired by that friendly, lovable dog, Art introduced Hogarth, the Vicious Giant Dog. I mean, I'd buy those books.

Brutus is at his favorite disgusting diner again. The waitress comes up to him. "About your order of our five-dollar salisbury steak special. Well, you got the last one." Brutus happily responds "Lucky me!" The waitress continues "Not really. I told that to the guy who just sat down in booth 2 and he bid ten dollars for your salisbury steak meal."

Seems to me that Brutus still gets the salisbury steak, unless you want to, I don't know, I'm just spitballing here, fight to the death. Survivor gets the salisbury steak.

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Slab Crab

Brutus and Gladys sit cuddling in his green chair. It's very awkward looking. "Happy Valentine's Day, Brutus!" "Happy Valentine's Day, my love!" "This feels just like our first Valentine's Day together." "Yes, it does," Brutus begins. "Except I don't remember you feeling so heavy..."

February 14, 2025

Sorry I was gone all week. I caused you to miss this lovely comic featuring Brutus and Gladys' last Valentine's as a married couple.

A frog bounces up to Hurricane Hattie as she sits on a log eating a sack lunch. "Psst, little girl, I need your help," the frog says. "I'm really a prince but I was turned into a frog by an evil spell! Kiss me and I'll become a prince again," the frog says. "Kiss a frog? EEccchh! What's in it for me?" Hattie asks. "No sweat, I'm a prince. How does $1,000 grab ya?" "Hm..." Hattie thinks and then grabs the frog and stuff him into her paper bag. "Hey! What'cha doing?" the frog yells. "Simple," Hattie begins. "A talking frog is worth a lot more than $1,000!"

October 5, 1986

Who is this frog? Prince Andrew? How about you find a woman over the age of consent, and not, you know, a 9-year-old?

And this isn't going to be a One Froggy Evening situation. If that frog prince doesn't sing, Hattie will just play frog baseball with him or just throw him against a wall.

Brutus comes into the kitchen with a paper bag. Gladys is standing at the stove. "I'm back, Gladys. I stopped at Todd Sweeney's butcher shop. Would you believe he raised his prices again? These ribeyes I bought cost an arm and a leg. It's outrageous!" "Everyone knows he has the highest prices in town," Gladys says. "Why do you continue to shop there?" "When it comes to a good steak, money is no object!"

I mean, if Todd Sweeney has the best meat then paying his exorbitant prices is fine. I'm willing to pay a little more for fresh cut slabs of the best beef this side of the Ohio River from Todd Sweeney, the demon butcher of Fleet Street.

I posted a link on social media yesterday, but for those who may have missed it, Timmy and the Robot posted yesterday. If you would like to support me or this website, you can buy me a cup of coffee over on Ko-fi.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Timothy and the Robot

The mere fact you call your comic "Pop-Pop" tells me you aren't ready to have a comic.

"Timothy and the Robot" Pop-Pop Comics #1 (R.B. Leffingwell, ca. 1945)

Story and art by the Jason Comic Art Studio

Tired of being chased by a hungry wolf, Timothy Rabbit, an inventor, builds a robot to fight back. The robot plays a very small role in this story despite being second billed. It's also strange that Timothy didn't exactly need the robot as he handles the wolf just fine.

Sunday, February 09, 2025

Super Bowl Licks

Folks, it is time for me to take one of my week-long breaks to get caught up on writing, do some house maintenance, and make plans for new future posts. Before I go I have today's Sunday comics for you and a link to yesterday's post on Agnes Lawrence. Be good to each other, unless they are a Nazi supporter. You know what I'm talking about. There's only one political party current degrading several groups of people and allowing an unelected, unvetted by Congress South African immigrant to go through private government records. Contact your Congresspeople and check in on your minority friends and neighbors. It's a coup! If you would like to support me or this website, you can buy me a cup of coffee over on Ko-fi.

Brutus is angrily dialing and talking on the telephone. "Hello, Leonard Birdshot, the tailor," someone answers. "You people lost a blazer I had dropped off for some alterations. And now you send me a bill for the alterations!" Brutus complains. "Certainly. The alterations were made before we lost the blazer," the man responds. Brutus agrees and hangs up, the confusion washing over him slowly.

September 28, 1986

Brutus gave up way too easily. Time to call Leonard Birdshot, the tailor, back and say you are not going to pay.

Leonard is probably wearing the blazer as we speak...

"I'm really excited to watch the big game," Brutus begins. "I want to watch the Super Bowl with you," Gladys says. "Great! We'll start watching it at 7:30!" Brutus says. "7:30? But I heard the kickoff is at 6:30," Gladys replies, knowing when kickoff is yet never watched before. "It is, but I'm going to record the whole game on the DVR and we'll start watching it at 7:30. That way, we can see the entire game and fast-forward through the commercials," Brutus explains. "Skip the commercials? But that's the only part of the Super Bowl I want to see!" Gladys reveals.

Why is she saying this like she's never watched the Super Bowl before? Because she has and apparently first started watching it back in 2019 (apologies for the Arjon story). Commercials are all Gladys has ever wanted to watch. I looked back and found that Brutus is not a fan of the commercials and just watches for the game.

I can't imagine watching a sports ball games with someone that records and is constantly going back, forward, and pausing to offer their own opinion on what's going on.

Saturday, February 08, 2025

He's Fine

A man is at the front of the checkout line at the grocery store. A woman comes up to him and asks "May I go ahead of you? I only have one item," and he agrees. The checker whispers to her manager "This is it, Mr. Varvel." As the woman steps up to the register, Mr. Varvel exclaims "Congratulations, madam! As our 10,000th customer you get $100 worth of groceries and a free trip to Europe!"

March 14, 1966

Remember kids, never do anything nice for no one!

Are there any stores that still honor some random number with free stuff or a trip? Maybe local stores do but clearly your local Kroger isn't. $100 of free groceries? She'll be able to buy three dozen eggs!

I love the tiny carts and that she dropped the one thing she was purchasing.

Gladys and Wilberforce walk in where Brutus is sitting in his green chair reading a newspaper. "We're back!" she exclaims. "What did the doctor say is wrong with Wilberforce?" Brutus asked. "The doctor he has a rhinovirus," Gladys replies. "And I haven't been to the zoo in months," Wilberforce says, oddly gesticulating with his hands.

Now she's dressed like it's freezing cold outside.

I don't believe the doctor phrased it like that at all. He has a cold. Why'd you even take him to the doctor for a cold?

And what's with Wilberforce's hands in the last panel?

Bobby Hill with his shorts pulled up to his chest, his arms outstretched with the caption "What are you talking about?"

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