A Tip of the Hat

If you're reading this, then the internet has survived another week of overload, as our shared isolation strains the capacities of Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix.

As a relief from all of that video action, we present a selection of static images from the week's funny pages.

Despite the fact that I wrote and drew this comic, I find the image slightly disturbing.

Non-essential oils were asked to stay at home.

My favorite detail in this gag is the bib, but I was pleased to note that many readers responded positively to the server's bow tie. It's backed with a type of Velcro that adheres to anteater fur.

I recently read a fascinating article about a twenty-first century update of the longstanding tradition of postmortem photography in the home. The story also discussed the practice of laying out the deceased in the type of clothing they might choose for themselves in life. 

My work-from-home office mate insists that the character in the coffin looks like a self-portrait, but nothing could be further from the truth. I could never grow stubble with that much coverage. Besides, I've never owned a pair of purple flannels.

The truth about gnomes' headwear.

I'm going to post occasionally on the Comics Kingdom blog, which is hosted by King Features Syndicate, Bizarro's newspaper distributor. My first dispatch appeared yesterday, and summarizes this gag's evolution from sketchbook doodle to finished comic.  It's educational: I now realize that I need to streamline my process.

When I uploaded Saturday's gag back in January, it was simply a joke about a cookie-person going to the doctor. In light of current events, it doesn't land the same way it did then. That's a hazard we face working weeks or months ahead of publication. Last October, the newspaper here in Pittsburgh started running a full week of comics in a Sunday section, making the timing of cartoon topics even trickier. 

I understand that many people had to hear unpleasant medical news this week, and I apologize to anyone who was reminded of that and upset by this cartoon. Our intentions as cartoonists are to help our fellow humans by providing laughter, and to help us all deal with our fears by finding (sometimes dark) humor in them. Sometimes events undercut those efforts.

I look forward to a time when we can see a gag like this, process it, chuckle, and move on to another activity.

Please check out my partner Dan Piraro's blog for his thoughts on this week's gags, and to see his latest Sunday Bizarro page. 

Bonus Track

A small dose of escapism, courtesy of a completely dumb but annoyingly catchy record from 1957.