Brutus Is Definitely In Better Shape Than the President

April 19, 1967

Normally I wouldn't connect a strip like this to what's going on in the world right now, but people like this with giant signs have been telling us the world is going to end for generations. When is it going to happen? I feel we've run our course. We had a good run and it didn't work out. Earth will be fine without us.

I mean, if not all of us then just Trump. Again, all of humanity or just Trump. Either or.

I don't think Brutus is doing that right...

I don't care if Brutus diets or not. It's his life.

Needs Improvement

March 2, 1967

When I get these strips, I just glance to see the gist of the punchline and move on to the next day. I didn't understand this one. His pants fell down because of the jackhammering and that woman doesn't want to be anywhere near this pervert.

With construction so close to this bus stop, I feel like this stop should be closed.

Are we going to get a week of Brutus searching for another job? That's a pretty bold suggestion to make. "What will make you a better employee?" "I don't know. Make this place worse?"

Toothpaste Was Probably One of the Better Choices

*Sigh* Someday. (You can add Noem, RFK Jr., Patel, whoever you want
to either side of who I have labeled Vance and Johnson.)

I'll be honest, this is the only logical way out of this. Even if we do elections in November and can get Trump impeached, Vance is still there and Trump will still be around doing what he wants, just using Vance to get his way. Trump could also just leave office and we vote in a new president in 2028, but Trump has exposed so much of what we need to change as a country.

Clearly the guardrails put in place cannot be enforced if those put into power to enforce those powers do absolutely nothing. I don't understand how MAGA can see everything they claimed President Obama was going to do happen and be fine with it, but I guess that's why we consider it a cult. All these years, they were just projecting. Republicans and conservatives worried about Obama taking their guns, locking them up, or killing them because deep down, that's what they want to do to Democrats and other liberals.

And don't worry. I understand the irony of me alluding to Hitler/Mussolini for the Trump Administration, but there needs to be consequences of great magnitude to insure that someone else who might want to do this, will think twice.

February 21, 1967

ACAB includes dog catchers. When I watch TV or movies, I often see things and am like "Nope, I'd be out." I gotta chase this dog around, trying to catch it? I'm out. I'm going to break into this house over the holidays, but a little brat just shot me in the balls with some little steel balls? I'm out. I'm not going to break my body mentally and physically for my job. I can't. I won't.

I wonder how Chip came up with toothpaste as his solution to the correction fluid situation. He's just running around the house in a panic and frustrated trying to find different white colored things he can smear over ink.

Chip's wife, watching him try to finish this comic.

Don't You Be Bringing Facts Into This Argument!

February 17, 1967

It's nice to know this Veeblefetzer enjoys going to work as much as I do. And that's really saying something considering Veeblefetzer is the--NOW HEAR THIS!--president of the company.

Sigh. I'd rather see Brutus slip on the ice at the bus stop.

it's cold and the snow is falling and he's standing out there...

January 23, 1967

I feel like the door should've been open anyway. Not just so something like this doesn't happen but mostly for ventilation. I'm guessing there's an open window off-panel.

Not gonna buy Lividea a present?

Why, for the love of all that is holy, is Rancid W. Veeblefester waiting at the bus stop? Is he just keeping Brutus company? That still doesn't answer why Veeblefester is waiting at the bus stop!

Sit Back. Relax.

December 30, 1966

Goody. Brutus is going to get skloted by...the Pirates of Prospect Avenue...? This is what happens when you take public transportation. Sometimes you have to be punched by the Gruesomes. Not the Flintstone characters but the Canadian garage punk band.

This isn't much of a joke and more of what really happens.

I don't want to talk about sports. Why is this chair so close to the TV?

We Interrupt This Repeat Program for a Word From Our Sponsor You've Seen Dozens of Times

December 28, 1966

Splashing people with mud while they are standing on the corner is a far cry from this strip where Veeblefester drives Brutus to work. It's more on brand for Veeblefetzer.

Are both Brutus and Gladys waiting for the bus?

That's how television works. Right? I know I watch very little live TV anymore but shows still get put into reruns and all the commercials are still the same, right?

Is it me or is Chip kind of phoning it in this week?

Uncle Ted Would Still Have a Landline

December 13, 1966

The concept of a fraternal order of something is probably lost on the general youth of today. My generation barely knows about it from The Flintstones and their Loyal Order of Water Buffalo. Most people, even of my generation, were not aware of common place fraternal organizations like Kiwanis and Shriners or Odd Fellows. Yet it's 1966 and these men don't know this is a lodge outfit? He's dressed exactly like how I imagine a Grand Poobah would be dressed.

Hey, it's the first appearance of Apex Doob.

How did those kids get your phone number? Were they just calling people listed in the phone book? How'd those kids get a phone book?

Favorite Chair

July 5, 1987

I am always fascinated by weird things falling out of the sky. Weird jellyfish like things. Frogs. Golf balls. Blood (really just oxidized rain). Most have explanations and I think I can explain what is happening here. There is a nearby popcorn factory that has some malfunctioning vents causing the popped popcorn to escape and blanket the area. It kind of happened to coffee creamer back in 1969. Of course, my theory only works if there's a popcorn factory within a four-block radius.

The big question is: Would you eat some of this popcorn?

You better not be in my ass groove!

The chair is molded to Brutus' body shape. It also smells like Brutus' farts and a little bit like his pee. There are just some pieces of furniture you don't sit in when you're at someone's house.

The J.D. Small Ranch/Careyhurst is the featured article for yesterday. If you would like to support me or this website, you can Support at the top of the page.

Non-Constructive

October 22, 1966

I love that Brutus is sucking his thumb and shaking. Good for him for quitting. And this was the 1960s when smoking was healthier than it is now.

Ok. He said "constructive criticism". Saying Brutus has no pluses doesn't help him be better. It's like when my old bosses would tell me "Pull up the script and read from it." Ok, but it sounds stupid and I'm not a robot. If I get the information across then what does it matter? Now I have a job where they just leave me alone for the most part and it's been great.

Monday Quickies

October 5, 1966

Maybe she didn't notice. And even if she did, who cares? How often does she pass by this bus stop? She doesn't have a face anyway.

But this job is terrible, you don't really like it, and I'm pretty sure no one likes you.

Golf-bledy Gook

May 24, 1987

So. Much. Crime. Too much crime. Was Cleveland, Ohio just a cesspool of crime between the 1960s and 1980s? According to Art Sansom's The Born Loser, yes it was.

Why is Brutus even in this rough neighborhood? Does he usually have to transfer buses on this street when heading to or from work? Also, bus stops in rough neighborhoods tend to be well-used and fairly populated.

A lot of times the first couple panels of a comic strip don't appear in the newspaper. Which is why these throwaway panels tend to either contain exposition not needed for the rest of the strip or its own separate joke. Today's is some exposition that doesn't make sense. "I cannot wait to get out on the golf course again!" Who's been stopping you? You can leave right now and go golfing. Is your golf pro keeping you from the course? Just leave now.

From 2018.

In case you missed it, on Saturday I posted about one of my favorite movies as a kid, Rock-A-Doodle. It's a retelling of Chanticleer but if he became Elvis Presley. Spoiler alert: People probably died in the floods.

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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.

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Veeblefester Said Surrounded By Sacks of Money

September 14, 1966

You don't hear about witches using bombs very often. I guess that's a witch. I guess it could just be a very sinister person wearing a dark trench coat and one of those floppy slouch hats. Anyway, I wonder what they are going to blow up.

It's easy to say "money isn't everything" when you have a lot of money.

"It's okay you didn't get the raise. It's not like groceries haven't gone up 3% since January and utilities keep raising rates, and wages have been stagnant for about four years, and everything is going up because of profits and tarrifs. We'll get by somehow. Maybe we can sell Wilberforce or they'll reopen those mines children used to work in."

"I thought I hid that box better..."

May 12, 1966

I'm guessing Agnes made a joke about her being beautiful, but also dumb. And she gave herself a real kick out of that! And I'm not here to comment on Agnes' looks. I think everyone in this strip at this time look like beasts--even the beautiful ones.

Is this why he's taking the bus? His car is out of gas? Was life ever considered like a highway outside of the song by Tom Cochrane? Not that I can see so I don't know who this "they" Brutus is talking about is. Cochrane? Chris LeDoux? Rascall Flats?

So Veeblefester suggested reading a magazine, but didn't give Brutus an old copy or gift a subscription? Is the magazine not available in stores? Can I read it online? Sorry, Veeblefester, I'm going to stick with The Motley Fool even though I still know nothing about investing or stocks.

Cool, now we can make such favorites as Spam and Lima Bean Casserole, Igloo meat loaf, frosted ribbon loaf, and tuna Jell-O pie. It will be delicious. Weird, but delicious.

Another Late Post

February 17, 1966

Is it even raining, or are they just all standing around with their umbrellas open?

I love how Art includes at least one woman in the bus stop crowd. It's 1966 after all. Women's equality and being in the workplace and all that claptrap.

Brutus hasn't been at the diner since early December. Brutus has a chance to dramatically change his life and he botches it. Maybe in 2025, he can at least stay away from ordering fish from this place.

Does Veeblefester Do This With Every Employee?

February 10, 1966

Classic born loser. This would be the strip I'd choose as a header photo if I wanted to showcase the quintessential Born Loser comic.

I like how everyone is standing cautiously away from him and are probably hoping the rain doesn't follow him onto the bus.

My salary could at least follow the increases in cost-of-living and inflation. I'm not saying Brutus deserves the Moon because he's clearly just an average employee, but he does deserves the bare minimum in salary. As we all do.

Saturday Quickies

January 24, 1966

He's a witch! BURN HIM!!

Let us hope that he never uses that finger on a person.

Why is an eight-year-old girl buying presents for a grown-ass man anyway?

Tea Cozies Have Engineers?

February 23, 1986

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Never be nice to anybody.

Was that not the bus Brutus wanted to take? Did bus stops used to have multiple buses at one stop? The man even puts his hand out like he's hailing a cab. What is going on?

I get not inviting the schlubs that work in the factory/warehouse to this staff meeting, but only nine people work upstairs? I mean, I guess so. Once again using television as my guide, only 15 people worked upstairs at Dunder Mifflin--16 when Darrell got promoted. I'm guessing that Dougan is the Toby of the group.

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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.