Some thoughts on Print Comics

I was never really a fan of Lynn Johnston's "For Better For Worse". I remember chuckling at certain strips and rolling my eyes at others, but I never particularly grew attached to any of the characters. I suspect it's to do with the fact that FBOFW is one of those strips where the main characters age in real time. I think the real-time aging makes it even more likely that fans will identify with and grow attached to characters, but being somewhat smack in between Elizabeth and April age-wise, I never found myself much identifying with either girl and that never changed. But I do find the internet reaction to the current events in the comic fascinating.

Understand, I'm not trying to judge the people who're reacting so strongly to the comic. It means little to me, but I'm fairly certain if you've been reading this blog long enough you can probably figure out that I have my own obsessions and interests that I react very strongly to, so all's fair.

Shelly's got a really nice post here that explains a bit about why she's upset by the whole deal. McBangle's another fan rather annoyed by the events who expresses said annoyance in some very entertaining ways.

And then of course there's Shaenon Garrity's Why I Hate Anthony post, which is positively marvelous reading even for someone, like me, who doesn't really care about the whole deal.

To be fair, I suspect that if I were more of a fan of the series, I WOULD be very upset. I've read it often enough to notice a few strips leaving a bad taste in my mouth. Particularly anything to do with Anthony's ex-wife. There's something about seeing a woman practically demonized for daring to have a professional career and not particularly wanting children in this day and age that just doesn't sit well with me.

I don't quarrel with Ms. Johnston's right to tell her story as she pleases, but I think it's a damn shame that it's going in a direction that's so unsatisfying to many people. But at least it's causing smart and funny people to blog about the whole deal.

Me personally, I'm glad I stick with Pearls Before Swine. As long as it's got crocodiles that speak in lower case with horrible grammar and a duck toting destructive weaponry (I love that duck), I'm happy.