Oversleep

October 6, 1966

Tulip seems like fun.

If we didn't have that little nose wiggle line in the first panel, Brutus would look dead. Kind of like I commented on before.

Can We Go Back To Talking About Malts?

May 17, 1987

I don't know. Is it? I think no, it's just frowned on. It's so weird how many comics hang their entire punchline on readers knowing the rules of golf.

It's nice to see a woman playing golf, though. Unless her being a woman is supposed to be part of the punchline. It's so hard to tell sometimes.

Ok. What would you like to do? You want to go out to a nice dinner? See a movie? Paint the town red as it were? Then you gotta make plans. Doesn't mean we'll be going out because maybe Brutus will get a gallbladder attack like I did yesterday. Hard to enjoy a Saturday when you can barely move and are spasming all the time.

Yes, please stop Mother Gargle from talking about all the dates she used to go on in high school. I have nothing against stories like that, but I do have something against How I Met Your Grandfather-esque stories that last about two seasons too many, has no character growth, and an unsatisfactory ending.

Take a look at Saturday's post on the Towhead Creek Bridge. If you would like to support me or this website, you can leave a tip on the Support page.

Six A.M. Smells

September 28, 1966

It took me a minute but Blackie has killed at least four people in this shoot-out. Good for him!

I like how the sheriff star on his hat is just an asterisk. Just a tiny butthole on his head.

I'm the same way. I will wake up like an animal with an alarm, but if you just let it happen, I'm in a better mood. I hate waking up in the morning. I especially hate waking up and then having to do stuff.

The + symbols in the eyes when these characters are excited are weird. +s and Xs are a symbol for death. They'd be much more at home in the first panel.

See?

All Snuggled Up...Kind of Cute

September 23, 1966

"Of course they had to invite me on egg and tomato night..." Never offer to show up on a theme night if it's something they can throw at you. Or don't be someone people want to throw things at.

I like how your reaction to this is based on when you actually read it. If you read it early in the morning, Brutus falling asleep isn't great. But if you read it at four, it's the end of the day. Of course he's tired.

I, however, am a morning napper. That's when I typically want to doze off.

Hanging Off the Back of the Chair Probably Isn't Helping You Stay Cool

April 26, 1987

Bo Derek does not consent! I've never had a dream (or nightmare) that made me not want to go to sleep. They may be scary or unsettling or just plain cruel, but I enjoy sleep too much. Just like in real life, you are not entitled to dream women.

Why is it so hot in the house? I don't care if it feels like a 115 outside, it should be vastly cooler indoors even with just the shade and lack of air flow. I thought Gladys was not going to give a shit this year.

Hottest day of the year...so far. We still got August to get through.

🠄 What started as just wanting to know more about this elephant debacle turned into researching the elephant. While I never found out what happened with Myrtle and Singh after their stop in Topeka, I think it's interesting nonetheless.

If you would like to support me or this website, you can check out the support page at the top. You can also contact your Congresspeople and urge them to do something about releasing the Epstein files (because Trump clearly doesn't want that information out) and ending starvation in Gaza.

It's All Pig

September 12, 1966

On a casual glance with this comic, I initially thought "Oh, no! Their buddy (probably Thornapple) has been turned into a vampire! What a horrible night for a curse!" But he's just stuck in his sleeping bag and apparently we can't just pull that down to get him out?

It's fried ham slices/pieces. How can you not tell the difference? Has Brutus never seen bacon and/or Canadian bacon before? Is today is first day on Earth?

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988. If you are a part of the LGBTQ+ community and need help, you can contact the Trevor Project.

Cool Breeze

April 19, 1987

This is how I always feel when I have to comment on a golf comic. I can only say so much about it. The ball is only half a foot from the hole! Just wake up and tap it in!!

Yeah, and? Turn off the furnace and let me enjoy my chilly house and glass of ice tea on this hot summer day.

"You've got the air conditioning running full blast! I can't make my brown-tinted AI slop when the house is this cold!"

If you haven't seen the new Superman movie, please do so. You won't regret it. I want to go see it again. In the meantime, Superman and Batman are on the trail of a vampire in this review of Action Comics Annual #1 from 1987. If you would like to support me or this website, you can click Support at the top of the page.

Water, Water

May 25, 1966

Was this a common dream people used to have? Frolicking with pretty angels? Greek or Roman Gods? Fairies? Whatever. Say 'good night' to Bob Cratchit.

Veeblefester drinks the water from the watercooler? I mean, don't get me wrong, Veeblefester doesn't drink tap water, but I can't picture him drinking water from a little paper cup at the watering hole like an anthropomorphized Timon and Pumbaa who now have 9-to-5 jobs, yet there it is. I'm seeing it.

To Sleep Perchance to Rest

May 11, 1966

I mean, he's clearly done it successfully before since, even though it makes him nervous, he's still alive. I would take solace in that, at least.

Veeblefetzer was the original name for things now named Veeblefester. I don't know why the change. Maybe Veeblefester rolled off the tongue better. According to Wikipedia, it's based off a word created by Harvey Kurtzman, but there's no attribution to that information.

Is there something wrong with a man taking a nap after a hard day of, I'm assuming since it is Wednesday, work?

Headline News

December 28, 1986

Brutus, fix your neck and get out of that manhole! You're embarrassing Gladys!

Why are they both walking with their eyes closed? And why is Gladys following a few steps behind Brutus? She's not a loyal Japanese wife.

News has been pretty bad lately. Between the genocide, ripping the wires out of the walls of our government, costs continuing to go up, the detainments, disappearing, and deportations, and numerous constitutional crises, things seem pretty bleak right now. It's good to know that Brutus has a soul, unlike Republicans and about 77 million American voters. You're all terrible, you know that right? I assume you do since you've all been terrible for about 20 years now. And some of you even longer. You just don't care because it's fun to watch other people get hurt.

I find it weird that the drawers of the end tables are facing the reader and that Brutus and Uncle Ted are sharing the same ottoman.

Enjoy the adventures of J.J. Jennings, Chauncey Bigsky III, Ernest McDuff, and more of the employees and tourists of Art and Chip Sansom's early 1980s western comic strip, Dusty Chaps! If you would like to support me or this website, you can do so here.

Actual Constructive Criticism

April 9, 1966

I think all naval mines are dangerous, I don't think we need the Imperial Japan flag on it.

Look, Brutus, I suggest you keep being the mediocre employee you are, because if you become good at your job, they will just make you work more or add stuff to your responsibilities for no extra money and that is just awful.

Sleep Big Last Night

April 4, 1966

What's going on here? Is this a "I don't like the idea of Milhouse having two spaghetti meals in one day" thing only the spaghetti is roast ox and, what is it? Crepes belle otero?

Dreaming is different than sleeping or cat napping. The size(?) of sleep is not indicative of the size of dream. When I sleep, I have a lot of little dreams. Quick stories to rile up one of my emotions. When I nap or doze, that's when the sleep paralysis demons come out to play.

Up and At Them

February 9, 1966

I know I trip, fall and get my head stuck in a plant pot all the time. You'd think I'd learn by now...

I'm just assuming he tripped and fell and it wasn't just him staring at the pot and then thinking "I bet I could fit my head in there..."

Miss Goodge!!?

He doesn't even have any work on his desk.

You should just let him sleep. Harder to screw things up when Brutus is asleep.

The Night Before Crimmis

January 26, 1966

I don't know how infrastructure was back in the 1960s but good luck not stepping on a crack while walking on a sidewalk these days.

I love when policemen argue like family and friends. Just kiss already.

I'd rather have visions of sugar plums dancing in my head for a dream than some of the ones I've been having. Hanging out in a laundromat? I haven't stepped foot in a laundromat since 2005.

Saturday Sleeps

January 15, 1966

It's because of this why Ted Kaczynski moved to sending explosives through the mail.

People have been predicting and "ushering in" the end of the world for centuries now and all I can say is when is it actually going to happen? I've had my bags packed for years.

It is Saturday. Lemme sleep! My cat sure didn't.

Finally Friday

December 23, 1965

We're coming into Christmas 1965 and thus the end of 1965 of the Born Loser. That also means we are about to close out 1965. There's been some good ones, a few bad ones. Most have been alright. I bet the ones that are bad are just because I/we don't understand the reference.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have money, but getting a turkey is pretty cool, too. I don't know the cost of turkey back in 1965 but I got a turkey from my job a few years ago and I appreciated it. Turkeys don't grow on trees, you know.

Why does everyone look cartoony and dumb, but there's one guy drawn realistically? I mean, what the hell is this?

August 8, 2024

"Infuse my water with coffee, daddy!" Sorry. I apologize for that. "Infuse my water with coffee", you mean make coffee?! Actually, you can buy something where that happens. It's how you make cold brew.

Brutus works hard all week. Well, he works all week. A working man can have a nap if he wants. Look, he can either nap Friday evenings or go visit whores. It's one or the other, take your pick.

Not That Impressive, Really

October 30, 1965

One thing I find interesting is how many times cartoons, comics, TV shows, movies, basically anything pop culture-related of a certain age go to the William Tell well. It's like quicksand, piranhas, and dynamite. Just made us kids go around thinking someone would want to shoot an apple off our head.

"I got up just before dawn this morning." "Good slap-happy God, why?!?" is a much better response.

At this time of year, dawn is typically around 5:50 AM in Cleveland, Ohio, which is a normal time to wake up if you have to be at work by 8 and you have a normal routine that includes eating breakfast every morning.

Saturday Suffering

October 13, 1965

I am assuming what's going on is this delivery person delivered flowers to this lady, and as a tip, she gave him a flower from the many flowers she receives from different suitors. That's my take on this poorly scanned comic anyway.

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What?! Do Uncle Ted's naps last longer than a day? You should go see a doctor about that, Uncle Ted. How is a calendar going to help? Calendars don't wake you up. What is this comic trying to say?!?

And are Uncle Ted and Brutus practically wearing matching outfits!!!?!!

Day of Rest

December 17, 1989

I understand how frustrating this would be, but why are you calling Veeblefester? He doesn't want to talk to you and you calling him is weird in the first place. He's your boss. I try my hardest to not have to talk to my boss.

Hey, Gladys. If you aren't going to help with the work, then you don't get to criticize it. There also appears to be five more hours of sun so he has plenty of time to trim those hedges. Or you could do it.

Ugh. Need to replace that picture of Mother Gargle with a picture of Kewpie.

Steven Kraan

It's almost summer which means I won't be getting paid. If you would like to support me or this website, you can buy me a cup of coffee over on Ko-fi.

I Hear Kum & Go Will Be Available Soon

October 1, 1989

Brutus didn't have to say anything. Gladys was clearly asleep, just get up and brush your teeth. Or wait until morning. One thing I try not to do when having to get up in the middle of the night is wake the other people in the house up.

Cool. This place just went down a notch from "diner food" to "gas station food". We have a gas station that serves some food. Apparently they have really good biscuits and gravy. So people are just going to leave their cars at the pumps while they eat? That seems inconvenient.

As for a catchy slogan, I think people will notice the changes based on the newly installed gas pumps.

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