Why Does He Still Have That?

September 1, 1966

Looks like Brutus thinking only with his penis has come back to bite him in the ass. I don't feel this is a think for proto-Gladys to get upset about. Although I'm having trouble trying to figure out why and when Brutus was in Paris. World War II? That was twenty years before this comic. Now I'm concerned about the age of this French woman at that time.

This strip is clearly for people of a certain age. I'm an old Millennial and do not know of this clothing style.

The thing is, Brutus and Gladys should be older Millennials as well. Or young Gen X. They should also not know of this style.

The Brutus P. Thornapple Memorial Watercooler

March 29, 1987

Why is Brutus wearing a top hat? I've never seen him in a top hat before and I don't think I've seen him in one since. I guess Brutus is trying something different. Something he will probably stop doing because it caused him to fall into the sewer.

Who are those kids? Why are we just creating random children when Wilberforce and Hurricane Hattie are already established characters?

Didn't you hear him? Weren't you listening? Veeblefester specifically said the naming rights would be paid for. My reaction wouldn't be "Golly, Chief!" but "How much is this stupid idea going to cost us? Me, specifically?"

Naming the watercooler for Brutus does make sense since that's where Brutus spends most of his day.

You'll Never Catch Mother Gargle Pop Some Tags

August 10, 1966

I hope this guy is sitting in the old buzzard's office. He originally just used the office to fart in and then one day, just never left. Except to get that picture of the boss off the big printer.

Does Mother Gargle hate everything? Isn't that tiring? She clearly doesn't like thrifting unless it leads to an insult of her son-in-law.

Dizzy Up the Brutus

August 8, 1966

Why would you hang your nice clean clothes directly over mud? water? oil? Just get those shorts pinned and try to get that string tied back together.

This is why clotheslines are typically made of wire.

Cool. Another symptom of old age we can gladly talk to Wilberforce about.

Has Brutus started any new medications? Maybe Gladys is slowly poisoning him. Does that coffee taste different, Brutus?

You Hit One More Person It's Technically a Spree

A neighboring county's sheriff's office posted back in March that a horse was found dead. Believing the horse to have been shot, the sheriff went well out of their way to find out who did it. Getting the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, K9 units, detectives from other agencies, and even veterinarians from Kansas State University in on the investigation, the sheriff ginned up anger from all across the United States and got about $10,000 donated as a reward to catch the perpetrator. Whoever killed this horse was clearly going to have a public hanging.

Then, about a week ago, they posted that the cause of death was discovered. Traumatic brain injury. They caused all this anger and finger pointing for absolutely no reason. Going through the comments on the post, most of them are going "Heh. Yeah, that's a horse for you. Always hurting themselves." Then why wasn't that the go-to explanation until you discovered more? When someone actually did call them out on it, the person was attacked with "They were doing their job" and "Everyone matters or no one matters". But they didn't do their job. They claimed it was murder, got other people to do the work, and couldn't find or do anything until they actually knew what happened. And let's be honest, they did more for this horse than most cops do for a missing or dead person, because they thought it was going to be easy. They even admitted in their posts that criminals that do this tend to talk about it so keep your ears open for people talking about it. The social media for this sheriff's office is run almost like a meme account. It is clearly run to generate views and interactions, so I guess mission accomplished. And all it took was turning neighbors against each other.

Yesterday, my story For Ashlea posted. It's the first thing I've written that I've posted since 2022. It took a lot of convincing myself in order to get it scheduled. Please check it out, and I hope you like it.

February 8, 1987

I guess that's not Brutus' hat? How many hats has Brutus lost now? At least four, I think. Maybe he should stop wearing them. It's the 80s, most guys don't wear them anymore.

I'll be honest. I initially checked out on the word 'oopsie'. I had to go back and read this again. Were they able to get the Thornapple family truckster off the other car or did Gladys get a ride, from I assume a police officer, and the car is still on top of the other?

If you would like to support me or this website, you can toss some money at the Support Page.

Mathing

June 15, 1966

Did Thornapple not see that gigantic sign hanging up next the entrance? Maybe he always walks around with his eyes closed so he doesn't see advertisements. I also find it odd they don't have signs inside the store.

I don't know if anyone else in education has this issue, but it's kind of difficult to explain to students that when you add or multiply you can transpose the numbers (34+63=97, 63+34=97, 9x8=72, 8x9=72) but you can't do that with subtraction or division (12-4=8, 4-12=-8, 49÷7=7, 7÷49=0.14...) so Hattie is already ahead of those kids.

Late Monday Quickies

June 10, 1966

This is like one of those Warner Bros. cartoons about life and society. You know the ones, where something is updated to be futuristic or easier but it really just makes it more difficult. Remember that one where you could press a button and have the upstairs come downstairs? Then when you pressed the button again, it's revealed the downstairs is basically obliterated in the process? That always stuck with me.

That's the suit he wore at his wedding?! This marriage was doomed from the start.

17-Down

May 9, 1966

Brutus now wears that same tie. The more things change...like specialty suit stores with salesmen that will do anything for the sale...the more things stay the same.

I don't think Brutus is a jerk. He's other things, but jerk isn't one of them.

It's not quite the same green chair. Are they at Mother Gargle's house?

It's Suspicious Activity on a Canceled Credit Card, It's Not the End of the World, Arnie

December 15, 1965

THEN WRITE A LETTER AND MAIL IT TO SOMEONE WHO CARES!! THIS WINDOW IS FOR COMPLAINTS SO IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO COMPLAIN THEN GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!

Surely, you saw this suit before buying it. You saw the long-ass sleeve, uneven button placement, and pants leg and said "I think this'll work."

July 24, 2024

Ok. Sure. I'll work 12 hour days. Do I get 4 days off? That's the only way I'd work 12 hours a day. Also, I need at least a $75,000 a year salary.

"Are they going to send you a new one?" What kind of question is that? I'd ask what was purchased that was suspicious? A bunch of calling cards from Mexico? Yeah, that's suspicious. A very specific OnlyFans model subscription? Maybe not so suspicious.

Also the Screen Is Very Small

November 29, 1965

Yeah. Ok. But Cary Grant looked good.

Maybe he should try a hat that, you know, maybe, fits his head?

What? Are we talking about uploaded stuff on YouTube or something? Most places you can stream movies have an app that you can put on your TV and watch. Or was this strip supposed to be an ad for some kind of VPN? The real losers are those that don't use VPNs to encrypt their data.

Basics? That's Everything!

Since summer started, I haven't been writing as much as I had planned. I had grand schemes to get to work on my next novel and my young adult novel, but it hasn't happened yet. It still might. I don't know. I think I take for granted how inspirational my students can actually be. Also, to be honest, much of my writing is to avoid doing my job. I'm hoping to do better and getting things done over the next month or so before having to go back to work.

But, even though I haven't been doing much writing, doesn't mean there isn't stuff to read if you haven't read them already. The focus this week is on Virgin Mari. Mari is a young woman who likes to have fun. When a mysterious voice tells her she'll die the next time she has sex, Mari attempts to change her lifestyle, but her life may be making a change she didn't expect. (Virgin Mari contains a lot of sex so reader discretion advised.)

I will be taking Monday through Wednesday off to focus on writing and outlining, along with submitting a couple more queries for my novel. I will be back on Thursday, playing catch-up.

March 30, 1986

I'm assuming the sweater doesn't have arm holes. It's hard to tell since the scan came out so dark. Since this comic also was published in March, we're getting into warmer weather where Brutus won't necessarily need a sweater.

He seems really excited in the sixth panel. A little too excited.

Where in all the posts about money does it claim that the Thornapples have enough to remodel the kitchen? I guess they could use the equity in their home or take out a second mortgage. Doesn't seem worth it though.

If you would like to support me or this website, you can buy me a cup of coffee over on Ko-fi. Until Thursday, I remain...

Father's Day Plans

November 11, 1965

One piece suit? So where it looks like the jacket ends is really just like a skirt-like thing? I'd rather just wear a skirt--or a dress. They look so freeing.

Now we know why this specific week was chosen for this week of reruns. I am not a huge birthday or "your day" person. I feel like you should be honoring me everyday because I'm a damn delight.

I appreciate those parents who just want to lounge around and do absolutely nothing on these parent-specific days. Can I have just one day off from you howler monkeys? Thank you.

What was I on back in 2022?

Casual

September 7, 1965

You can look all you want, dude, but Wilma here is never going to leave Fred.

What's up with that tree? Is it a portal to another dimension? Are there schlubs like this guy there? Maybe Gloria should check it out.

"I was born dressed like Mr. Peanut and I will die dressed like Mr. Peanut!"

Corporations believe that their employees would rather be able to wear jeans to work than get paid what they're worth. "Here's your Friday Pizza and Jeans Day! Try not to think about how much you get paid compared to those above you who do less!"

Friday Quickies

August 30, 1965

This happens a lot...

At least somebody is going to show up and help this guy, because I'm pretty sure the guy in the above link died.

I don't know about you but I absolutely would not wear a shirt that read "XXL".

That Was No Blood Bank

August 13, 1965

Does she know him? Is she just walking through the department store telling people to not buy stuff? Is she saying no to that suit? Why does she care what he buys?

We're only three months into The Born Loser and Art is already looking for suggestions?

Is she his wife?

It has been years since I've donated blood. I used to do it all the time when my place of work offered that type of service. I had to look up why a blood bank would be calling you. It's to remind you of appointments, events, and sometimes just to get you to come in and donate more.

Sadly, that's not why they are calling Brutus. Hopefully, Brutus gets a lot out of the time he has left.

Pantsed

August 6, 1965

At least he's getting rescued. Right?

I can't tell where her boobs, stomach, and hips begin and end, but that's not the fault of the pants.

Television Bore

July 21, 1965

Gotta do better than that to get Shirley's attention, Proto-Brutus. I'm surprised she doesn't feel it getting drafty or that the chair isn't rolling along behind her.

Brutus must be watching La Brea.

Maybe Brutus would be more engaged in the show if he sat up and sat in that chair like a normal person.

Jeans Day, Part 2

May 20, 1965

I've never been interested in the Battle of Little Bighorn. It's just never captured my attention like so much other history. Which is probably why I thought it took place in South Dakota when I looked it up. Nope. Montana. Huh.

When I was growing up, some of my favorite comic strips were ones that continued from day-to-day. Calvin floating up into the sky holding onto a balloon, the wacky misadventures of the Patterson family, even watching the Keanes go on road trips was exciting. My local paper didn't carry any of the soap opera strips so the crazy storylines of Rex Morgan, Mary Worth, and even Apartment 3G weren't on my radar back then.

I have a soft spot in my heart for things that end with 'to be continued'. It's that kind of stuff that keeps my attention. Keeps me tuning in. You probably remember the Disney Afternoon series Gargoyles and the 22-part "Avalon" storyline. That kept me tuning in every day after school.

Jeans Day

May 19, 1965

Maybe Harold Fantod is bouncing away because you are chasing him. He sees this as a game. At least those are pretty small holes and will easily be smoothed out. Should really have a construction sign up or some yellow caution tape.

I want to warn everybody that we are entering a two-part Born Loser strip about Brutus still being able to fit into a pair of jeans he wore when he and Gladys started dating. It's a dumb thing to fight about but it's made weird by the fact that Brutus still owns those jeans(!?) and that he didn't come out wearing the jeans. Anyway, here is part one of "Dating Jeans".

I definitely still have jeans from when I first started dating my wife (2008) and I still have jeans from when I first started dating (2000) since it's clear Brutus and Gladys dated shortly after high school or college. Oh, wait. No, I don't, because that's strange.

Un-Usual

May 15, 1965

Fashion, like art, is subjective. One person's yum is another person's yuck. Just because all these French fashion designers like something doesn't mean Johnny-On-the-Street will. We're just conditioned to think that because they "know" fashion, whatever is fashionable is good. And I'm assuming they're talking about the dress on the rack and not what she is wearing, right?

What about that wall of hair on the saleslady? It's beautiful. Much better than the dress.

I apologize for Brutus, you just look like every other woman who has worked at this diner and Brutus gets easily confused.

(Brutus really shouldn't be bragging about being a regular at this place.)