Submitted for evidence: the first thing I read in the newspaper from end to end every morning is the comics section.
Yes, even Mary Worth. In spite of the fact that she is so preachy-preachy it's nauseating.
My favorites are Pearls Before Swine, Zits and Frazz.
Recently, my local fishwrap decided to start messing with the regulars. It seems they are trying out various strips, then doing a survey of their current readership to get a reaction. They haven't come to us yet to ask our opinion. In the meantime, two of the oldest strips -- Hagar the Horrible and Beetle Bailey -- have been evicted. And some unknowns have had their day.
Peanuts is still there. Running the same strips over and over. Charlie Brown will forever be a doofus. And just about every female character is a nasty bit of something. If they were going to put in a comic strip and run it in perpetuity, I wish it could be Calvin & Hobbes. (Yes, I realize Bill Watterson would not let that happen. But I can't help wishing.)
Of course, what would the whole section do without the advice column...now there are two in my paper. When people have problems to solve, large or small, there's no better way to make them go away than by sharing them with someone who is only hearing one half of the story.
I do so enjoy reading the comics with my breakfast. Although, these days it's mostly in front of the computer, where my newspaper is accessed digitally. I miss snuggling up in my dad's chair with the old-fashioned printed version.
I know I'm just avoiding all of the politics and mayhem. And yes, I do read the main section of the newspaper, too -- eventually.
But it's so nice to first dive into imaginary worlds and see what my favorite characters are doing. I don't watch soap operas. Or Downton Abbey. So this is my guilty pleasure.
Everyone needs to have just a little Dagwood in them.
Suddenly, I feel the urge for a nap. And maybe a sandwich. I hope that pesky Elmo doesn't show up.
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