September 10, 2002 - Origin Story

September 10, 2002 - click to embiggen

I don’t dislike cats personally, but Gentle does. I enjoyed this story arc--but I don’t know if it was a favorite with readers.

September 3, 2002 - Situation Normal

September 3, 2002 - click to embiggen

I can’t remember if this actually happened to me or if I imagined it while eating lunch alone one day. I began to write more pointed strips, weaving in the theme that we all have different values yet fail to see the inherent silliness in passing judgment on the ones that don’t line up with ours.

October 29, 2002 - The Light Flickers On

October 29, 2002 - click to embiggen

The old shtick of the consistent simpleton who suddenly talks in a profound manner doesn’t do much for me. Didn’t stop me from using it here, though!

October 22, 2002 - Sea Change

October 22, 2002 - click to embiggen

I enjoyed imagining the girl and Maybel overrunning the store and doing things their own way. Plus I was able to sneak in another Strangers in Paradise name drop.

July 30, 2002 - Bill the Cat

July 30, 2002 - click to embiggen

I wrote this just so I could try drawing with a different pen. I’m not happy with how it came out (drawing- or writing-wise). Oh well.

July 23, 2002 - Catatonic Stupor Returns!

July 23, 2002 - lick to embiggen

The roommate has a name! I thought it might be fun if Barry was as thrown by Sylvia as Jake was by the girl (at first). The differences being a) Barry would never get better and b) his meltdown would be total (as opposed to Jake’s early flop-sweats). 

July 16, 2002 - The Meek Shall Inherit

July 16, 2002 - click to embiggen

The punchline to Marty’s joke is completely made up - just some Star Trek geekness. I got a kick out of making them terrified of the girl’s roommate. The posters along the bottom highlighted my favorite comics from that time - Bone, Strangers in Paradise, Thieves & Kings, & Herobear and the Kid (with Gentle as Herobear).