We're Not Even Sure Biff Is a Friend

September 21, 1966

That dog, I'm assuming it's a dog anyway, kind of looks like Killer from All Dog Go to Heaven.

That movie had dogs shooting other dogs with
machine guns.

Was the music already playing or did the dog put on the record before dancing with Brutus?

What is wrong with her? Why is she phrasing it like this? "I just heard about Biff Hooper. He has appendicitis. Do you have any questions?" No. Why do I even care? Appendicitis isn't contagious. Appendicitis also isn't all that serious. Get back to me when he has something communicable or terminal.

Thirsty for Something Sweet

August 11, 1966

I think we should start doing this to anti-vaxxers. "I don't want to get no jab!" Oh, because the needle scares you? "No, because it's a gubmint conspiracy to give us autism and control us!" I just look away, it's a little prick, and you move on with your life. "But then you get the 'tism and never contribute to society!" Not true, but that's better than getting sick with a completely curable disease🤷.

That looks like a really long needle and the doctor does look kind of psychotic.

Ha! Kids! For some reason they don't want a glass of slightly colder than room temperature water with no ice. Go figure.

Maybe Brutus has some juice or something. There's a bag of sugar on top of the fridge.

Working 8:59 to 4:59

June 17, 1966

Did medicine have flavors in 1966 like they do now? I know medicine used to be really gross--metallic or bitter-flavored. And let's not forget things like cod liver oil or other gross "natural" things that kept you "healthy".

Everyone loves medicine that makes your head want to collapse in on itself.

Wow. Brutus is clocked in and ready to work at 8:59. Let me document this occasion with a picture. Instead of talking to the reader, you should be going through that in box.

I'm unnerved by the lower case 'a.m.' and 'p.m.'

The Watercooler Revolution

May 13, 1966

The doctor looks...almost glad it's Friday the 13th and he might kill this man. Does this doctor use Friday the 13th as an excuse to murder patients 1-3 times a year? Can we get the medical board to look at this and then make a bio-series about it starring Joshua Jackson?

Nothing like crushing the happiness of your employees. It's kind of cool that Veeblefester can quell an uprising with just one 'no'. I at least am assuming Brutus, Arnie, and blonde woman are planning an uprising.

Get back to work!

Eye Spy

April 30, 1966

It's clear this is just some guy who owns a boat and took his friends out on it, right? Ha ha! His friends are going to let him drown. What'd be even funnier is if the woman is his wife and she and these two guys are going to sail off into the sunset and she's going to get railed by both of them on a deserted island. Eiffel Tower!!

Eye drops aren't generally expensive. I mean, I guess $15 for 10 milliliters of liquid can seem kind of steep. Especially when you miss getting it in your eye and in your lashes, on your eyelid or basically anywhere else around the eye.

He's Fine

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.

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?

Take Two of These and Don't Call Here Anymore

January 20, 1966

Wait. That's not a beanstalk. I would just keep sawing that branch off and then just leave that tree alone. I don't need any of the problems that are located at the top of that tree.

One problem I always had with Jack and the Beanstalk is how coincidental it was that the beanstalk grew right where there was a castle in the sky. What are the odds. Are there numerous castles in the sky in this universe?

I'm glad the doctor is taking this seriously. That's what I want to spend this $30 copay on.

I have a laundry list of things to talk about with my doctor when I see her since I am a person of a certain age. I'm sure it'll be great.

Monday Quickies

January 11, 1966

You should be lucky he just took a pair of scissors to your tie, Lance P. Kettledrum, President❕

Is Willoughby trying to tell him something? It could be one or all of a number of things. It also looks like he's walking about not wearing any pants.

It also could cause a torn perinium but we're not gonna talk about that.

Seriously, Why So Angry?

I had to think about it, but I have never been denied anything from my health insurance. I think my wife has been, but it was reinstated because of the doctor or on appeal or something, I can't remember. However, it suddenly came to me that a healthcare denial has personally affected me.

My mom was in the hospital for almost a month. Because she had Aetna, every couple weeks she had to be testing to see if she was getting better. Honestly, depending on the day, it did seem like she was getting better, slowly but surely. Anyway, it came to a point where she had to be at a certain point or they would stop paying for her hospital stay and require she be moved to a nursing facility.

I don't understand or know what their criteria is/was. I asked but even the professionals couldn't really tell me. Anyway, an extension of her stay was denied so she was then transported to a nursing facility. In the meantime, because her insurance would basically no longer pay for care/rehab and I certainly can't afford it, we began proceeding to basically begin palliative care. She went to the facility where she died two days later.

Anyway, I don't know if former Aetna CEO Brian Kane, who left Aetna in August, had anything to do with it. But maybe all these insurers realizing how much they are hated and having at least one person do something about it will make current Aetna CEO Steve Nelson be better.

But probably not.

July 13, 1986

Part of this is on Gladys. Why did she use these words? She also didn't have to spill the beans on the chair. Is today Brutus' birthday? Maybe. It'd be one of seven, I think is what we are up to now.

Chip got me. I have been complaining since forever about Brutus eating out at fancy restaurants without his family and for no good reason. Well, we finally have a reason. Whenever he's in a fancy restaurant without his family, he's on a business trip. Chip won this round.

What I don't understand now is why this waiter got so angry so quickly. Brutus got the wine pairings right so it's not like he's being gauche. Don't be a dick, just offer a suggestion, dude.

In case you missed it, there's an original post about the He Said/She Said comics of the early 1990s. If you would like to support me or this website, you can buy me a cup of coffee over on Ko-fi.

You'll Have to Speak Up, You're Talking to My Nose

So now Brutus is just listening to the front desk person ramble on about nothing? We're not going to mention the bounced check anymore? You know if you mention a bounced check in the first scene, it needs to go off in the third.

Is Brutus ok? He's just standing there.

He Could At Least Dry Off

"You're soaking wet!"

Yeah, he just came out of the bathroom so one could reason that Wilberforce just took a shower. Don't you want your child clean?

Bubbly Guts

December 31, 1965

What is going on here? Is he drunk and hitting on everyone...even his wife? Is he going to club his wife with that umbrella? Tarzan never clubbed anyone.

My choice for winner of this costume party is the person dressed as a damn tree.

I have stomach issues, too. Is it because I'm getting old? I'd be fine with that if there was some rhyme or reason to it. I can't eat anything.

Maybe I should try more probiotics. Or just do what I want and die on the toilet.

Tummy.

Belly Belly Nice

December 29, 1965

I feel like the fault is not on the one-way street. Those things just don't pop up out of nowhere.

For some reason, I don't have an issue with the word 'belly' like I do with 'tummy'. I mean, this is still a weird context for saying 'belly', but at least it's not 'tummy'.

Brownie Wednesday

December 22, 1965

Infectious hepatitis, or Hepatitis A, now has a vaccine, approved for use in the United States back in 1995. That doesn't help anyone here in 1965, but anytime we can stop people from getting sick is a win. Pam and Uncle Ed got sick and died (maybe?) so that we may live.

Mm. I'll take some brownies. I'll even help make them. Well, maybe not. How about this: I'll get the stuff out and lick the bowl.

Thursday Quickies

December 16, 1965

Hey! More death in this comic strip!

Skipper and Smee? We're mixing pop culture references now.

July 25, 2024

Hmm. Someone watched that Christmas episode of The Office where Dwight is selling Princess Unicorn dolls, the hottest toys of the season, and says "Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-ka-ching!"

Maybe don't watch the Olympics tonight, Brutus. They're clearly depressing you.

Foot Pain

When a group of bandits make an important cattle drive pass impassable, a group of cowboys--and Bess, a cowgirl(!), try to figure out a way to their destination. But, when their best shot, and Bess' boyfriend, is gunned down, a mysterious stranger steps up. But can he be trusted? Read Ride Fast for Wyoming!

May 25, 1986

Knowing Veeblefester, I'd appreciate the empty box.

First Veeblefester remembers I have a kid and their name is Wilberforce. Now he's gifting me empty boxes.

The walk-in clinic was too booked up to help you? You can't speak with your own doctor to try to get into the podiatrist? I know the American healthcare system is terrible, but Brutus just seems lazy here. Which I'll allow.

He dropped a can of paint on his foot.

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

Hard of Hearing

November 2, 1965

Who's making toys of proto-Brutus Thornapple? I mean, I'd take one. I think modern Brutus Thornapple would make a good stress ball. The people at GoComics merchandising should get on that. They'll get my $10-15.

Anyone remember that movie where Jackie Gleason buys Richard Pryor to be a toy for his son? Will this end up being like that, only less racist?

As long as Mother Gargle can see Brutus' reactions to her dickery, she'll be fine.

Saturday Squish

October 26, 1965

This is why you're not putting me to sleep if I ever have surgery. I have a right to hear what goes on in the operating room.

I am a bit disturbed that the patient wasn't already asleep, could hear everything, and can just get up and leave without anyone noticing or caring. They better not bill his insurance.

"I must've left it in the kitchen" so he sits down instead of going into the kitchen to retrieve his sandwich? "I must've left my peanut butter and jelly sandwich in the kitchen. I can't go back and get it. I guess it's lost forever."

End of May Quickies

October 25, 1965

Is...Is Thornapple dead? I'm just assuming and I'm guessing the cause is by how tight the blood pressure cuff looks. Hope that Popeye arm swelling goes down before the funeral.

Why doesn't Brutus want to go out? Maybe he's not allowed to go wherever they were planning to go.

"You promised to take me to the Olive Garden in Parma tonight."

"I can't go there. You know that."

I'm Going to Ignore the Bad Joke

Gordo, August 28, 1965

I appreciate Gus Arriola putting in all the sounds cats make when they wash themselves.

That is a very well-drawn cat.

September 20, 1965

You're going to die thousands of miles from your loved ones and you are upset about not having matches? I mean, I guess I get it: You have these cigars, why not smoke them, but still, get your priorities straight.

Is Brutus' stomach in knots because he has a crush and that crush just got into a new relationship? Eh. Probably just some bad pudding or something.