Friday Catch-Up

June 3, 1974

Wait until Brutus makes it to 2023 and he ends up paying $3 a gallon for gas. Oh, 1974 Brutus, there are so many things to warn you about, but sadly, I cannot.

In 1973, Brutus appeared in some Energy Wise ads that were in newspapers. I posted a few up on my Twitter but I found a couple more during my research.

Speaking of cars! How can his car be ready? Isn't that it on the lift behind them? It needs tires.

Is this a thing that could happen? You take your car in June 4, they have to order a part which won't get there until June 6 and on June 5 your warranty expires? I feel it would still be in effect though I could see how some places might argue. I mean, this guy looks like a jerk.

Um, wow. Brutus is enjoying hearing about how Uncle Ted banged his way through the many lovely ladies of the Great Lakes Region. And what's to know if Uncle Ted still gets any.

I don't know what this "have a second cup of coffee" euphemism is, but I don't like it.

I'm around children all the time and I find Brutus' statement debatable. Brutus should be glad Veeblefester didn't just set Brutus on fire.

I was gonna say! Mother Gargle is definitely not 50, and she needs to consider raising her age because it sounds weird saying you're 50 when your daughter is clearly at least 40.

I agree with Brutus. There are far too many "celebrities" and too many ways to see them on TV for really no good reason. Follow me on Twitter for more hot celebrity takes.

For What Car? They Only Have the One

September 4, 1973

Due to Brutus' perviness, there could possibly be a fatal accident on the escalator. When will people learn that you need to respect and fear the escalator?

I don't like when people complain about gas prices. I just kind of go into screensaver mode when I hear about gas prices. If they're so high then buy less gas. "We need gas!" then buy a small vehicle or a hybrid or an EV. "No!" Well, I'm out of ideas. This now sounds like a "you" problem.

Why Do You Think They--Or Anyone--Gave It That Name?

August 27, 1973

Huh. Their car is out of gas again. Was that something that happened a lot? Seems like really bad planning. You need gas, just stop and get gas. Don't just keep driving and hope you make it to wherever you're going.

I said it before and I'll say it again, just pour the gas on the car and throw a lit match at it.

I don't know what is going on here because not only is this comic in black and white, it's not even from this year. The copyright says 2016. It's doubly weird considering the comic is colorized on the website. I imagine it's some kind of glitch or someone uploaded the wrong December 5th.

But I didn't comment on this comic back when it originally posted so now I can. Why are you still making this stew if your customers all ask for their money back? I'm guessing it's stew that's made with the long-forgotten meat found in the back of the freezer or walk-in.

Is that freezer burn or mold? Only one way to tell.

Thanksgiving Prologue

August 13, 1973

Just pour the gas on the car and throw a lit match at it, Brutus.

Those trading stamps aren't going to worth crap here in a couple of months, Gladys. We got a good old-fashioned energy crisis a-coming up in October which will cause a decline in the usage of trading stamps because stations would instead focus on lower prices to gain customer loyalty.

You're eating year-old leftovers? I don't think you should be doing that. I don't care how frozen it's been this whole time.

Used Cars Are Expensive Right Now. Can You Really Afford One?

May 1, 1974

Why would Brutus be late when it rains. He was at the bottom of the goddamn ocean the other day and seemed to be making it to work okay. He can make it to work during a flood of biblical proportions but not when rain is in the forecast.

What do they need a second car for? Brutus takes the bus to work most of the time leaving the car at the house for Gladys to use.

And I get it, gas prices are kind of high right now. The joke still could've been "...if you don't mind not eating anymore." Or, "...it will give us a second bedroom when we can't pay for the house." And my personal favorite, "...if you have no qualms selling Wilberforce to some shady people."

Brutus, Dude, You Don't Need To Hold the Handle

Is Brutus' gas tank behind the license plate? Do they still make cars with the gas tank behind the license plate? I feel like that's an old car thing. Gas in Ohio is around $4.82 a gallon as of me writing this. If the gas goes up in real life like it does in this comic, it will be around $4.87 by the end of this sentence.

This is a good strip. I mean, it's no Wilberforce is literally first base and I fear what the GoComics and Facebook comments will devolve into but it's pretty good.

It's Something But At Most You're Saving $6

According to Google, gas in Cleveland is currently hovering around $4.05, a month ago when this comic was made, it was about $3.30. It's funny because even with the 50 cent discount, you still don't get down to the price when this comic was made.

The Price of Crude

I'm wondering why people aren't fussing more about gas prices. I remember back in 2008 that people struck back, using public transportation and just not going anywhere. This time, not so much.

I looked up gas prices in Cleveland, Ohio and the cheapest I saw was $3.67 per gallon which would give Gladys not even 3 gallons for her $10.

SUV/Gas Joke Hybrid

I had forgotten all about Frank & Ernest. Another strip I can't believe is still out there. At least F&E is surreal enough to keep it interesting. I just can't believe Ernie bothered a doctor just because he bit his tongue.

Yeah, very few books have a chapter on what to do when your giant behemoth of a dog knocks you down and has his way with your ribcage.

Ooh, very topical. Next Chip will be talking about Hillary Clinton running for president.

Can Cartoonists Afford Gas?

It's a sad day in Loserville when I whole-heartedly agree with Born Loser's content. It's a sad, sad day...