Comments on: Tom Batiuk to Make Appearances to Promote “Lisa’s Story” http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/ The source for industry news for the professional cartoonist Sun, 12 Feb 2012 15:23:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Donald Billing http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-80764 Donald Billing Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:32:46 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-80764 Tom just go to acam.org and learn how cancer can be cured without the usual treatments. Tom just go to acam.org and learn how cancer can be cured without the usual treatments.

]]> By: Bev Lino http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67891 Bev Lino Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:48:02 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67891 December 26, 2007 I got "Lisa's Story: The Other Shoe" for Christmas and read it thru today. Although I have followed the comic strip right from the beginning, and knew the outcome, it really touched me. I felt like Lisa was a friend of mine, and I felt so sad for her and her family. She showed such courage and grace during her illness, anyone would be proud to be her friend. Tom Batiuk did a remarkable job writing this story, and he did a great service to all women helping them to be more aware of breast cancer. December 26, 2007

I got “Lisa’s Story: The Other Shoe” for Christmas and read it thru today. Although I have followed the comic strip right from the beginning, and knew the outcome, it really touched me. I felt like Lisa was a friend of mine, and I felt so sad for her and her family. She showed such courage and grace during her illness, anyone would be proud to be her friend.

Tom Batiuk did a remarkable job writing this story, and he did a great service to all women helping them to be more aware of breast cancer.

]]> By: Cathy Scott http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67871 Cathy Scott Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:57:08 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67871 Funky is not funny. Neither are the feelings of pain, anxiety, fear, loss, etc. that his comic elicits. The last thing I read about Tom Batiuk (in his own words) is that he believes we live in a cold and uncaring universe. I'm sorry he believes that. I'm sorry that Lisa's husband, who by clinging to past, is not living today. (Honey, it's been 10 years since Lisa died! We don't forget the loved ones we've lost, but the brave among us, move forward and find love again.) And, I'm even more sorry that Lisa's husband is passing that behavior on to their daughter...through his actions. I'm not saying we shouldn't remember...we should. I have lost people I dearly love...but I know that I will see them again one day...in Heaven. With this coming new year, my 75-year-old mother will start her 3rd year of fighting Inflammatory Breast Cancer (stage 4). My younger brother (who was my best friend growing up as Air Force brats and in a chaotic, alcoholic home) will start his 4th year of fighting colon cancer (again, stage 4). I don't know what else the new year will bring. My marriage died years ago. (Can it be resurrected? It can, but it will take 2 people...and God.) Menopause, being a caretaker, loving people whose timeline to meet the Lord appears to be more compressed than mine, job-hunting, etc., takes its toll on my mind, body, and spirit some days. (And, I'll tell ya, estrogen has never been my friend! Someone told me menopause lasts even longer than 7 years. I hope not!) And speaking of hope, I have hope for the coming year. I believe in miracles with my whole heart. I believe in love--real love. I admit that I am an incurable romantic, but romance fades...and a deeper, more spiritual love takes root...or the marriage dies. Some people start their marriage with a spiritual connectedness; I didn't. But I have learned that the only abiding love is God's. Maybe Tom Batiuk only knows God's love through other people (perhaps his wife who stood by him during his own battle with cancer). My prayer for him is that God would touch his heart and allow him to see how much He loves him--and that this is not a cold and uncaring universe. God brings people into our lives for seasons and earthly lifetimes. But Heaven--it's forever, baby. And actually, we can (and do) have a piece of Heaven on earth. Today is Christmas...a day when the majority of us celebrate the birth of our Savior. And, it's okay that others worship differently--or not at all. We still love ya...we don't have to believe the same thing. This is America...we have that freedom. I normally cry at Christmas (as I have been doing this morning) and I am not even sure why. It's probably a combination of things. So, I guess I'll just go with it. Cry, that is. I'll cry a little for my personal loses (both past and anticipated--a bad habit of mine) and pains; I'll cry for your loses that you've shared in this blog; I'll cry for the wrongs that I want to right in this world, but can't. Then, I'll stop. And, I'll have joy in my heart again. Because today is Christmas...and that gives me hope. I hope cartoonists will stop spreading pain, death, gloom, doom, despair, real-life suffering, etc., in their strips. Honey, I got enough of that in my real life. (Again, that's my hope...doesn't have to be yours. If you like reliving old hurts, more power to ya!) I read comics to make me smile...and so many of them don't. Let us get back to the basics if we must and look at the definition of comics. I find nothing funny about cancer, strokes, etc., that are in comics today. (BTW, I do find some political cartoons funny, but they are in the right section of the paper--not in the comics!) I think I'll write my newspaper and tell them I wish they'd stop carrying those. (I can do that because this is America. And if enough people think the same as I, then we can get some of those cartoons that are not funny out of the comic strip. And, that might get the cartoonist to listen since it would impact their pocket books. If not, that's okay. I've only been reading one or two strips out of the whole page in our paper anyway. All it does is waste paper (but, I won't go there today). Merry Christmas. To God be the glory and may He bless you, yours, and the USA. Love, Cathy B. Funky is not funny. Neither are the feelings of pain, anxiety, fear, loss, etc. that his comic elicits. The last thing I read about Tom Batiuk (in his own words) is that he believes we live in a cold and uncaring universe. I’m sorry he believes that. I’m sorry that Lisa’s husband, who by clinging to past, is not living today. (Honey, it’s been 10 years since Lisa died! We don’t forget the loved ones we’ve lost, but the brave among us, move forward and find love again.) And, I’m even more sorry that Lisa’s husband is passing that behavior on to their daughter…through his actions. I’m not saying we shouldn’t remember…we should.
I have lost people I dearly love…but I know that I will see them again one day…in Heaven.
With this coming new year, my 75-year-old mother will start her 3rd year of fighting Inflammatory Breast Cancer (stage 4). My younger brother (who was my best friend growing up as Air Force brats and in a chaotic, alcoholic home) will start his 4th year of fighting colon cancer (again, stage 4). I don’t know what else the new year will bring. My marriage died years ago. (Can it be resurrected? It can, but it will take 2 people…and God.) Menopause, being a caretaker, loving people whose timeline to meet the Lord appears to be more compressed than mine, job-hunting, etc., takes its toll on my mind, body, and spirit some days. (And, I’ll tell ya, estrogen has never been my friend! Someone told me menopause lasts even longer than 7 years. I hope not!)
And speaking of hope, I have hope for the coming year. I believe in miracles with my whole heart. I believe in love–real love. I admit that I am an incurable romantic, but romance fades…and a deeper, more spiritual love takes root…or the marriage dies. Some people start their marriage with a spiritual connectedness; I didn’t. But I have learned that the only abiding love is God’s.
Maybe Tom Batiuk only knows God’s love through other people (perhaps his wife who stood by him during his own battle with cancer). My prayer for him is that God would touch his heart and allow him to see how much He loves him–and that this is not a cold and uncaring universe. God brings people into our lives for seasons and earthly lifetimes. But Heaven–it’s forever, baby. And actually, we can (and do) have a piece of Heaven on earth.
Today is Christmas…a day when the majority of us celebrate the birth of our Savior. And, it’s okay that others worship differently–or not at all. We still love ya…we don’t have to believe the same thing. This is America…we have that freedom. I normally cry at Christmas (as I have been doing this morning) and I am not even sure why. It’s probably a combination of things. So, I guess I’ll just go with it. Cry, that is. I’ll cry a little for my personal loses (both past and anticipated–a bad habit of mine) and pains; I’ll cry for your loses that you’ve shared in this blog; I’ll cry for the wrongs that I want to right in this world, but can’t. Then, I’ll stop. And, I’ll have joy in my heart again. Because today is Christmas…and that gives me hope.
I hope cartoonists will stop spreading pain, death, gloom, doom, despair, real-life suffering, etc., in their strips. Honey, I got enough of that in my real life. (Again, that’s my hope…doesn’t have to be yours. If you like reliving old hurts, more power to ya!) I read comics to make me smile…and so many of them don’t. Let us get back to the basics if we must and look at the definition of comics. I find nothing funny about cancer, strokes, etc., that are in comics today. (BTW, I do find some political cartoons funny, but they are in the right section of the paper–not in the comics!) I think I’ll write my newspaper and tell them I wish they’d stop carrying those. (I can do that because this is America. And if enough people think the same as I, then we can get some of those cartoons that are not funny out of the comic strip. And, that might get the cartoonist to listen since it would impact their pocket books. If not, that’s okay. I’ve only been reading one or two strips out of the whole page in our paper anyway. All it does is waste paper (but, I won’t go there today).
Merry Christmas. To God be the glory and may He bless you, yours, and the USA. Love, Cathy B.

]]> By: Rich Diesslin http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67612 Rich Diesslin Tue, 18 Dec 2007 07:10:35 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67612 Tim, you submit "wrongly" in my opinion. There are several funny strips out there. Funky is no longer one of them. Tim, you submit “wrongly” in my opinion. There are several funny strips out there. Funky is no longer one of them.

]]> By: Tim Marth http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67580 Tim Marth Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:23:26 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67580 I have a question for Tom. Since Lisa's death, the strip has seemed to jump ahead about ten years. Did I miss something? I try to read every day, but don't understand the leap. Unlike the myriad of negative comments, I submit that almost none of the comics today are funny, but Funky has been both an amusing and serious part of our lives for years, and I think his handling of the storyline has been nothing short of brilliant. I have a question for Tom. Since Lisa’s death, the strip has seemed to jump ahead about ten years. Did I miss something? I try to read every day, but don’t understand the leap.
Unlike the myriad of negative comments, I submit that almost none of the comics today are funny, but Funky has been both an amusing and serious part of our lives for years, and I think his handling of the storyline has been nothing short of brilliant.

]]> By: Nichole http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67308 Nichole Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:00:26 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-67308 We had a great interview with Tom at one of these speaking engagements. He discusses some of the topics you bring up. If you'd like to see it, here is the link: http://www.understandingcancer.tv/Home/UnderstandingCancerYou/UnderstandingCancerTV/WatchEpisodes/tabid/106/Default.aspx Enjoy! We had a great interview with Tom at one of these speaking engagements. He discusses some of the topics you bring up. If you’d like to see it, here is the link: http://www.understandingcancer.tv/Home/UnderstandingCancerYou/UnderstandingCancerTV/WatchEpisodes/tabid/106/Default.aspx
Enjoy!

]]> By: Don Bearden http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-65445 Don Bearden Sat, 17 Nov 2007 02:52:04 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-65445 I've held off writing this note as long as I can. My father died of pancreatic cancer on September 27, 1995 six months after diagnosis. My mother wife and 18-year-old daughter lived the story I was reading in Funky Winkerbean. The names were changed, and the type of cancer, but the date was a real problem for me. It was so obvious that last couple of weeks that Lisa could not survive long and I feared the date of her death. It was a minor relief for me when the anniversary passed, but it was still a rough time. The Hospice nurses spent many hours with us and friends from my parents church came to relieve us as we sat by my Dad's bed, but we never forgot what was happening. We watched, we prayed, we mourned, we waited. That was the worst -- waiting and watching that once-powerful body shrink and wither away and then the mind begin to go. The day he died, each of us had asked our God to take him out of his pain and give him peace, without the other knowing we had. I was napping on the couch before beginning my 11 PM to 3 AM shift by my dad's side while my 18 year-old daughter sat in the room with him finishing her shift. My wife woke me and said I'd better come to the bedroom. My daughter had been alone with her grandfather when he breathed his last and I had to be the one to confirm his passing. I checked his artery and my mother used the stethoscope, then I went into the dining room and called the hospice nurse. The nurse called the funeral director and I called my dad's pastor and my Uncle, then I called my pastor. Tom has told a beautiful story with all it's pain, and he's done a great job, but there is still more to it. Right now, he seems to be staying mostly 10 years in the future. I don't mind that, but he needs to revisit the year following Lisa's passing. Even his readers need that time to adjust to the event. When he has taken care of that problem, I'm perfectly willing to have him spring forward 10 years and begin a new stage in life with Summer as a teenager and Funky a fat fifty year old. My thanks to Tom for a wonderful story even though it hurt deeply. Don Bearden age 65 I’ve held off writing this note as long as I can. My father died of pancreatic cancer on September 27, 1995 six months after diagnosis. My mother wife and 18-year-old daughter lived the story I was reading in Funky Winkerbean. The names were changed, and the type of cancer, but the date was a real problem for me. It was so obvious that last couple of weeks that Lisa could not survive long and I feared the date of her death. It was a minor relief for me when the anniversary passed, but it was still a rough time.

The Hospice nurses spent many hours with us and friends from my parents church came to relieve us as we sat by my Dad’s bed, but we never forgot what was happening. We watched, we prayed, we mourned, we waited. That was the worst — waiting and watching that once-powerful body shrink and wither away and then the mind begin to go. The day he died, each of us had asked our God to take him out of his pain and give him peace, without the other knowing we had.

I was napping on the couch before beginning my 11 PM to 3 AM shift by my dad’s side while my 18 year-old daughter sat in the room with him finishing her shift. My wife woke me and said I’d better come to the bedroom. My daughter had been alone with her grandfather when he breathed his last and I had to be the one to confirm his passing. I checked his artery and my mother used the stethoscope, then I went into the dining room and called the hospice nurse.

The nurse called the funeral director and I called my dad’s pastor and my Uncle, then I called my pastor.

Tom has told a beautiful story with all it’s pain, and he’s done a great job, but there is still more to it. Right now, he seems to be staying mostly 10 years in the future. I don’t mind that, but he needs to revisit the year following Lisa’s passing. Even his readers need that time to adjust to the event. When he has taken care of that problem, I’m perfectly willing to have him spring forward 10 years and begin a new stage in life with Summer as a teenager and Funky a fat fifty year old.

My thanks to Tom for a wonderful story even though it hurt deeply.

Don Bearden age 65

]]> By: Howard Rogers http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-64818 Howard Rogers Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:11:55 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-64818 The Lisa story mirrors our tragedy to the letter. I've been glued to the strip for years and particularly to Lisa's story. Tom has the ability to deal with weighty subjects so well and with great accuracy. His illustrations during Lisa's decline were so real that they struck real chords with me. I saw the same daily changes a decade ago. Readers should and will understand the horror of cancer and the sensativities of care giving. My wife left behind a 22 and a 25 year old who aree with me. Good work, Tom. The Lisa story mirrors our tragedy to the letter. I’ve been glued to the strip for years and particularly to Lisa’s story. Tom has the ability to deal with weighty subjects so well and with great accuracy. His illustrations during Lisa’s decline were so real that they struck real chords with me. I saw the same daily changes a decade ago. Readers should and will understand the horror of cancer and the sensativities of care giving. My wife left behind a 22 and a 25 year old who aree with me. Good work, Tom.

]]> By: Mike Rae http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-63847 Mike Rae Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:53:08 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-63847 Tom Batiuk has done a great job describing the ups and downs that comes with having a family member suffer and ultimately die from Cancer. I think he is to be congratulated for his excellant, realistic portrayal of a cancer victim's last few months along with the moments of hope, dispair and most importantly, love. I plan to attend a book signing by Tom and congratulate him on a job well done. Comics entertain, enlighten and make our hearts feel....Tom has accomplished all of those objectives. I can understand the criticism of some because the issue may still be too close in time to such a loss. I'm six years away from losing my dad and time not only helps to heal, but also gives perspective. The moments you share and the moments you let your loved one know they are loved are so very important...whether your loved one is sick with cancer or totally healthy. Tom Batiuk has done a great job describing the ups and downs that comes with having a family member suffer and ultimately die from Cancer. I think he is to be congratulated for his excellant, realistic portrayal of a cancer victim’s last few months along with the moments of hope, dispair and most importantly, love. I plan to attend a book signing by Tom and congratulate him on a job well done. Comics entertain, enlighten and make our hearts feel….Tom has accomplished all of those objectives. I can understand the criticism of some because the issue may still be too close in time to such a loss. I’m six years away from losing my dad and time not only helps to heal, but also gives perspective. The moments you share and the moments you let your loved one know they are loved are so very important…whether your loved one is sick with cancer or totally healthy.

]]> By: Patrick Wilken http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-63772 Patrick Wilken Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:03:46 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/09/19/tom-batiuk-to-make-appearances-to-promote-lisas-story/#comment-63772 My area newspapers foolishly removed "Funky" some time ago, and I've truly missed Tom Batiuk's sometimes zany, sometimes quiet imaginings. On occasion, I’ve acquired out-of-town papers to keep up and was shocked when I saw that Lisa's cancer had returned. Every day since, I've been filled with such anxiety until I read the paper- wondering where we were headed next. I too lost my mom to cancer and the vividness of Tom's storytelling in print has me finally, after six years, starting to grieve. How tears can cleanse and heal! I have resisted following the story online, for I believe you can't match the sensation of touching the artwork, studying it and carrying it around as you measure its depth. I am soooo thankful that Tom has teamed up with Kent State University Press to release the whole story (in hardcover and soft). I'll be purchasing several copies for friends and family (what a loving present!). The book signings are a bit too far for me to travel, but probably for the best. Tom might be rather startled by some big lug hugging him... My area newspapers foolishly removed “Funky” some time ago, and I’ve truly missed Tom Batiuk’s sometimes zany, sometimes quiet imaginings. On occasion, I’ve acquired out-of-town papers to keep up and was shocked when I saw that Lisa’s cancer had returned. Every day since, I’ve been filled with such anxiety until I read the paper- wondering where we were headed next. I too lost my mom to cancer and the vividness of Tom’s storytelling in print has me finally, after six years, starting to grieve. How tears can cleanse and heal! I have resisted following the story online, for I believe you can’t match the sensation of touching the artwork, studying it and carrying it around as you measure its depth. I am soooo thankful that Tom has teamed up with Kent State University Press to release the whole story (in hardcover and soft). I’ll be purchasing several copies for friends and family (what a loving present!). The book signings are a bit too far for me to travel, but probably for the best. Tom might be rather startled by some big lug hugging him…

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