I like comics that are up-to-date. In fact, they are the only ones that I read (when I read the comics which is only occasionally). “Doonesbury” is my favorite. I am too young to remember either “The Flibbertys” or “Dondi”.
I frequently work with breast cancer patients and survivors and I think that any chance to deliver any of the messages that you describe is appropriate. I particularly like the idea of appreciating the preciousness of life.

Thank you, Cris, for your professional perspective. I hope the world has evolved sufficiently since “The Flibberty’s” to face the unpleasant with the pleasant, particularly in this media-driven, escapist culture of ours.
Too young for “Dondi”, huh? Well, I’m sure you can find it online …
Joe

Here’s my comment on Funky:

http://www.shortpacked.com/comics/20070416cancer.png

Ah, Andrew, ever the provocateur. But ye shan’t raise me ire, lad, for sure as there’s a God above it’s people like you who keep the rest of us charmed and amused.

I enjoy comics of all types! ‘Funky’ has been such a sad, sweet, touching story. It has not been told in an inappropriate way. Why not tell it like it is? Even in the comics? Why should this type of print entertainment be any different then any other type of entertainment… a variety of topics that appeal to everyone. If you don’t like it, then don’t read it! ‘Funky’ has been one of my top favorites, along with “For Better or For Worse” (which I have read since the first pen stroke) and “Zits”, which I think was written about my family! My all time favorite was “Bloom County”, I was so disappointed when Berke Breathed stopped doing this strip. He was naughty, funny, relevant, edgy and nothing was sacred! It was the only thing that made me laugh in a very, very sad time in my life. My kids still give me these books, because they know how much they make me laugh…I guess I must have a weird sense of humor!

As a youngster I liked Peanuts, Archie, Lil Abner, Snuffy Smith and Richie Rich. I’m sorry Joe, I don’t remember the two you mentioned, either.

And Andrew, my retort to your link on Funky is, in the immortal words of Bill the Cat, “ACK”!!!

I read the comics for years & years and Funky along with many others were among my favorites. I haven’t read them in months, even on sundays.

I am VERY surprised this is included in the comics and I went just now to check and even feel sad for her even tho it’s a comic strip.

We see enough about this already, we hear about it all the time. It’s very sad. We don’t need to be reminded when we (well you guys) sit back to enjoy the ‘funnys’.. no way should this be in there. And I’ve never liked Doonesbury~

ps…
I actually meant the dieing part in this comic.. I know she’s battled with cancer for a very long time, and I thought that was okay to read about, ( it is everyday life) but to end it this way, I just don’t like myself.

It’s hard on some people, I know. But I’ll bet it engenders even more conversation than it already has received. And the cause is worthy. This is not to discount your feelings, which I understand.

Well, I really do not feel like cancer should be in a comic strip. But any way to get this terrible disease out in the open more might be a good thing. My friends and family that had cancer always laughed about it and maybe that is why they are still living. I do not look at these comic strips so I should not comment. Cancer is everywhere you go. Both my parents died from cancer and my sister has been cancer free for 15 years. She got it at 40. I just had my mammogram a couple of weeks ago and I would not leave until the doctor looked at it and told me it was ok. With my history, it is only of matter of time and a lot of praying.

Funky Winkerbean has never been really “funny” even when it started with them in high school. It always went for realism and pointed more to the irony of life. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always mean only the really old are the ones that die, as Joe and I know all too well. Sometimes we are able to learn from the comics how characters we can identify with are able to cope with tragedies or just the daily annoyances. In a way, it’s like watching TV. Those characters usually have the same situations we all face one time or another. Sometimes they are exaggerated but usually they are pretty on-target. I think if Funky and Lisa’s situation helps a woman get early diagnosis or if it helps a spouse cope with losing their loved one, it will have been worth it. Or like the current situations, the friends are willing to help out or the family is able to make peace….what a wonderful way to improve someone’s life.

See what I just found…

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003646748

I have been interested enough in Funky to pick up a Raleigh paper since we are away and not getting our Roanoke paper.

I actually am curious how they will handle the death.

I am not sure anyone under thirty reads the comics, but as a member of one of the older generations, I, like Joe, enjoy the relevance.

For “Better or Worse” has also covered some difficult topics.

Debi,
Thanks for the link. I had no idea Batuik had so many responses & will have the Lisa’s Legacy Fund along with her story.

I, unfortunately know about the loss of too many being very young also. I lost my husband this year but not from Cancer.
I know many friends & family, some have survived, some haven’t & as I mentioned before, I still just don’t see it in the comic section.

I agree ‘Funky W’ has never been very funny and it is about real life. I enjoyed it for awhile and as I went to get the paper much earlier, it was the first thing I was going to look at but instead, I had to come back in and call the RT because my paper still isn’t out there.

They squeeze dozens of comic strips on the page. Some are funny, some not so funny (Family Circus -retire it, please!), some dramatic, some tragic. There’s something for almost everyone. It just kills me when people write in complaining about a single comic strip. If you hate it, skip it!

“Funky” is fine, it make you aware that life is not always fun and games, but humor can be found even in sad situations.
Doonesbury has become a constant political attack that I don’t think is funny under the present world situation.
Question, would we be better with or without it on the comic pages?
Joe Y

Debi,
thanks, indeed, for that link. It’s wonderful that Batuik is doing that. The folks who pen the “comics” have a story to tell, just like any other writer or artist. They are creative types who need to express their feelings through their work. They are moved to do so, even if, sometimes, their audience may not like it. I personally, respect those who aren’t afraid to tell their story and put themselves out there. Their are many creative types in my family,and I know, to bear your soul can be a scary thing to do, because you don’t know how it will be received, but you feel compelled to do it anyway.

I had never read Funky w. so went back and read it this morning. I read Pickles, The family Circus,Blondi and will check out Peanuts and Garfield. I guess I need to expand my reading to others. I cut them out when I think are really funny and I put them in my granddaughters journal I have been keeping for her since she was born, 11 years ago. On the left side of the journal I put in things I believe will interest her when someday she will be reading them. We all need humor in our lives each day. I just think it is interesting what band wagon people get on these days and feel strong enough to send a letter to the editor. Joe asked would we be better off with it or without it, i say if you do not like it you sure do have the choice not to read it.

I guess it has something to do with being Scots-Irish, but nobody loves a good story more than I do.

I think it’s important to remember exactly what comics are supposed to do - and that is, tell a story. Some stories are told in voice, some are written down in words, some are put down in prose and still others are sang to music - comic strips are just stories told in pictures - and picture stories are just as valid as any other type, at least in my opinion.

Given this, it’s hard for me to understand how any topic would be “inappropriate”. A particular comic may well be unsuitable for kids, but with the right audience, I don’t see why a cartoonist should be afraid to tackle ANY subject, including cancer…

Well said, Ron. Of course I agree …

I agree with Joe, well said Ron

I don’t think cancer is off subject in the comics. I think they might be a good vehicle to talk to children (and get them talking) who might have cancer in their family.

Personally, I know too much about cancer as it is.

Take a peek at Funky today.

Isn’t that some kind of timing. I went to the Tech game yesterday with my brother whose wife died of cancer in April. We had a good time and I greatly benefited from his views and plans for the rest of his life.
In retrospect, I wish I’d been as patient and thoughtful as he is when my kids and I had our major loss.
But we do what we can do.

We all deal with loss in different ways. There isn’t one right way or wrong way to deal with loss and grief. Hopefully, we take something from it…I’ve learned, after the death of my son, to try not take my love ones and other people in my life for granted and to make the most of each day, because it is precious.

Cherish the times with your brother, you have an a stronger connection now.

So did anybody read “For Better or Worse” this morning? Do you think there will end up being two comic deaths tomorrow?

Well, this is a little late. Been busy and all that. But I love Funky W. Also love “For Better or Worse” and am sad to see it going, but then all good things do end, don’t they? As for serious topics on comics page - guess which ones I read first! I like lots of the comics, but this is such an ideal place to shed light on serious issues. I admire the artists who have the guts to let us see their thoughts.

Yes, I read “For Better or For Worse” today. I’ve been wondering if Grandpa Jim was going to pass away since Lynn Johnston is putting the strip in semi-retirement. It hit me when they published all the flash back strips in the last week, if the end might be near. There is a well written Letter to the Editor in the RT by the Executive Director of Good Samaritan Hospice today. It’s about “approaching death with dignity, love and grace”, even in the comics. Very well written.

I read the strip today on my way to work and started crying my eyes out. I have really been following the story for quite awhile now. Am I the only one out here crying over this. I dread seeing tomorrow’s strip. I wondered if Jim is dead too. That would be wild two comic deaths in one day.