Comments on: Newspapers and readers react to cancer on the funny pages http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/10/01/newspapers-and-readers-react-to-cancer-on-the-funny-pages/ The source for industry news for the professional cartoonist Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:54:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Lisa Dunlop http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/10/01/newspapers-and-readers-react-to-cancer-on-the-funny-pages/#comment-63524 Lisa Dunlop Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:32:26 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/10/01/newspapers-and-readers-react-to-cancer-on-the-funny-pages/#comment-63524 The people who are complaining about the all-too-real illness and death of the Lisa Moore character must be far too sensitive to read the front pages of the newspapers carrying the comics. At the heart of this controvery is a moving story, gentle and difficult, that stirs all this reaction because it feels absolutely real. There is no rule that "comics" have to be "funny." The comics pages have always had some strips that aren't even intended to be humorous (I grew up wondering how "Mary Worth" was a "comic" strip, but indeed, there is room for all), and Tom Batiuk's serious story lines are intensely human and engaging. If I can manage to skip the funnies that aren't funny to me (for example, I just never connected with "Marmaduke"), then readers can skip "Funky Winkerbean" if they don't want it. It's NOT a horror ... it's real life, handled sensitively, and models outstanding behavior by the characters surrounding Lisa Moore. In the situation they faced, it's hard to know what to do, how to say yes to help; seeing it played out in little steps in the daily strips is instructive to readers. Kudos to the brave and fine cartoonist, and to the hundreds of newspapers who agree that this is indeed art that improves our lives. The people who are complaining about the all-too-real illness and death of the Lisa Moore character must be far too sensitive to read the front pages of the newspapers carrying the comics. At the heart of this controvery is a moving story, gentle and difficult, that stirs all this reaction because it feels absolutely real.

There is no rule that “comics” have to be “funny.” The comics pages have always had some strips that aren’t even intended to be humorous (I grew up wondering how “Mary Worth” was a “comic” strip, but indeed, there is room for all), and Tom Batiuk’s serious story lines are intensely human and engaging.

If I can manage to skip the funnies that aren’t funny to me (for example, I just never connected with “Marmaduke”), then readers can skip “Funky Winkerbean” if they don’t want it. It’s NOT a horror … it’s real life, handled sensitively, and models outstanding behavior by the characters surrounding Lisa Moore. In the situation they faced, it’s hard to know what to do, how to say yes to help; seeing it played out in little steps in the daily strips is instructive to readers. Kudos to the brave and fine cartoonist, and to the hundreds of newspapers who agree that this is indeed art that improves our lives.

]]> By: leslie threlkeld http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/10/01/newspapers-and-readers-react-to-cancer-on-the-funny-pages/#comment-63161 leslie threlkeld Sun, 07 Oct 2007 19:50:44 +0000 http://dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2007/10/01/newspapers-and-readers-react-to-cancer-on-the-funny-pages/#comment-63161 I've laughed many times reading the comic strips, but I was honestly crying when lisa died....I'm still sad. I kept hoping the cartoonist Tom B would change his mind. Thanks Leslie I’ve laughed many times reading the comic strips, but I was honestly crying when lisa died….I’m still sad. I kept hoping the cartoonist Tom B would change his mind.

Thanks
Leslie

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