Mental Flotsam, Mental Jetsam

Because the only thing that beats going crazy is going crazy with somebody else

Friday, January 14, 2005

What The Deuce?

Alright. I don’t know how many of you frequent the homes of certain webcomics. One that has become a must-visit in the last few months, Wapsi Square by Paul Taylor, has taken a turn for the different. I can’t say it has gotten weird, since WS was already a little weird. One of the characters is the Aztec god of alcohol, for cryin’ out loud.

Anyway. Since just before New Year’s (December 23rd to be exact), the tone of the comic has gotten more serious, and even a little preachy. Characters are being given chicken-soup-for-the-soul nuggets of wisdom from their resident coffee chick, which I find annoying, frankly. The main character, Monica, is afraid she’s going crazy, due to seeing some things in the last few months that defy a logical explanation. (See above re: alcohol-god.) It’s all a bit too much of a downer for a comic strip that usually, to quote a well-spoken gent, brings the funny.

Not to say that a comic strip can’t be serious. For Better Or For Worse is a classic, and it’s dealt with some very serious, timely issues in a respectful way. FBOFW is also based on reality, though. Wapsi Square has always been a little on the left of normality, with a healthy dose of goofy comedy thrown in. (Like her pet dog getting hit in the head with a Frisbee. Classic.) Point is, lately it’s changed its tone in what I think might be an attempt on the writer’s part to make the comic more… relevant, for lack of a better word.

It’s freaking depressing. I think Scott Kurtz put it best...

Later, all. Have a good one.


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