Tangled Up in Blues

This is the weekly dispatch from Bizarro Studios North, where I have been writing and drawing the Monday through Saturday Bizarro comics since 2018. My partner and friend Dan Piraro created Bizarro in the late twentieth century and continues to do the Sunday comic from Rancho Bizarro in Mexico.

Wayno

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Seems to me it ain't the world that's so bad, but what we're doing to it, and all I'm saying is: see what a wonderful world it would be if only we'd give it a chance. Love, baby, love. That's the secret.

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong is America's most influential musician. I love his music, but I admit to going out of my way to avoid hearing "What a Wonderful World." The song makes many people happy, and there's nothing wrong with that, but it's not for me.

I steered away from the record for so long that I only recently learned that the words quoted above are taken from a spoken introduction added to the 1967 recording in 1970.

Armstrong's role as a civil rights leader and advocate was underrecognized in his lifetime and is often forgotten today. He was well aware of injustices in the world, including those he suffered personally, and he used his art, fame, and popularity to work for change.

Music is one of my daily requirements, and it inspires me as an artist. Armstrong's music is high on my list. The words of his spoken intro resonate today as we process the realization that fifty percent of people who voted did so in support of an ideology based on hate. 

Maybe he was ahead of his time on the concept of manifestation through visualization, and he described what he "saw" as possibilities.  

Louis's speech continues:

If we loved each other, we'd solve many more problems. And then this world would be gasser.

Thanks, Pops. We need to remember that. 

Although I'm still not crazy about that song, I now understand its intent differently and can appreciate it in a fresh context.

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Today's pipe pic was captured in the wild by Bizarro reader David S.

Here's a zoomed-in view:

David writes:

I have been a fan of Bizarro for years and just wanted to say how much I enjoy your work, blogs and emails. I just came back from a vacation in Sicily and, while wandering around the dock in Palermo, I noticed this boat and thought it might count as a pipe picture even if it is somewhat non-traditional

The boat's name is somewhat mysterious. My Italian is limited, but the word for a tobacco pipe is pipa, and Pippo is a person's first name.

Whatever is behind the name, I tip my hat to David for the calming and colorful photo.

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Now, let's review our latest cartoons because (to paraphrase Bob Dylan) the only thing I know how to do is to keep on keepin' on.

Merlin missed the meeting, but he sent an automatic out-of-castle reply.

Bruce Wayne is a wealthy philanthropist, industrialist, and literalist.

The little guy is going places at Reaper, Inc.

There's still spice in their relationship.

A helium tank is also handy when telemarketers call. 

"We carry the carcass, so you don't have to!"

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Shameless Promotions Department

Following on last year's Cowboys & Clowns wall calendar, we're pleased to present the 2025 Bizarro Animal Instincts calendar.

Every month, we highlight an animal-themed cartoon from the Bizarro archives (Bizzarchives?), featuring the work of Dan Piraro and yours truly.

They're available at the Comics Kingdom shop.

Here endeth the commercial.

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Thank you for reading and supporting the cartoon arts.

I apologize for the political content this week. I know you don't come here for that, and I generally try to stay away from it, but it's part of our daily lives, and sometimes, it creeps in, particularly when processing unpleasant realizations. People I admire and care about are already being affected negatively, and it makes me sad and angry.

See you next week with more cartoons and a fresh pipe pic.

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Bonus Track

Lou Donaldson: "Alligator Boogaloo"

Blue Note Records, 1967

Lou Donaldson died last week at age 98. "Alligator Boogaloo" featured a young George Benson and the great organist Dr. Lonnie Smith.

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