Comments on: Penn and ink http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:59:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jaku http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-365495 Jaku Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:29:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-365495 Frazz is so rip offed of Calvin and Hobbes. I like bridget over troubled waters. Is good and funny. http://www.bridgetovertroubledwaters.com Frazz is so rip offed of Calvin and Hobbes. I like bridget over troubled waters. Is good and funny.
http://www.bridgetovertroubledwaters.com

]]> By: Scotty B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-122726 Scotty B Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:31:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-122726 ...or F Minus? …or F Minus?

]]> By: Scotty B http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-122697 Scotty B Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:43:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-122697 Anybody know of an RSS feed for pearls before swine? Or Dr. McNinja for that matter? Anybody know of an RSS feed for pearls before swine? Or Dr. McNinja for that matter?

]]> By: Mike http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-122310 Mike Wed, 01 Oct 2008 03:51:43 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-122310 Another (usually) good comic is F Minus, though you probably already know about it. Here is a recent Astronomical-themed strip: http://www.comics.com/comics/fminus/archive/fminus-20080921.html Another (usually) good comic is F Minus, though you probably already know about it.

Here is a recent Astronomical-themed strip:
http://www.comics.com/comics/fminus/archive/fminus-20080921.html

]]> By: Tim http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-122106 Tim Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:29:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-122106 Frazz also has a good following in the bike racing/riding community since there are usually lots of good refernces to cycling and bike racing. Frazz also has a good following in the bike racing/riding community since there are usually lots of good refernces to cycling and bike racing.

]]> By: Calli Arcale http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-122085 Calli Arcale Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:46:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-122085 That's a pretty good description, yumenoko. I love Frazz too. And I love Calvin & Hobbes. Frazz is not a ripoff of C&H, and anyone who's read more than a couple of strips knows that. One especially needs to know that Frazz himself is nothing like Calvin. The closest equivalent to Calvin is probably the black kid (can't remember his name at the moment), though he's not as hyper and distractable as Calvin. It's an awesome strip, and somewhat in the same vein as C&H, only it lacks the fantastical elements that came up so often in C&H. There's no Spaceman Spiff equivalent, and no transmogrifier either. ;-) That’s a pretty good description, yumenoko. I love Frazz too. And I love Calvin & Hobbes. Frazz is not a ripoff of C&H, and anyone who’s read more than a couple of strips knows that. One especially needs to know that Frazz himself is nothing like Calvin. The closest equivalent to Calvin is probably the black kid (can’t remember his name at the moment), though he’s not as hyper and distractable as Calvin. It’s an awesome strip, and somewhat in the same vein as C&H, only it lacks the fantastical elements that came up so often in C&H. There’s no Spaceman Spiff equivalent, and no transmogrifier either. ;-)

]]> By: John http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-122033 John Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:05:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-122033 Another vote for Sluggy Freelance here, as well as Girl Genius. Another vote for Sluggy Freelance here, as well as Girl Genius.

]]> By: Adrian Lopez http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121987 Adrian Lopez Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:51:13 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121987 The only thing that bugs me about the Complete Calvin and Hobbes collection is that two of the strips have been edited for content [1]. The unedited strips are available as part of the individual collections [2], but unfortunately the first seven books have black and white Sunday strips while the Complete C&H has them in color. I don't know which choice is best: a) all the strips in a single volume, with Sundays in color but two of the strips edited for content, or b) individual collections featuring the unedited strips but with black and white Sundays. [1] http://books-worlds.blogspot.com/2008/01/complete-calvin-and-hobbes-calvin.html [2] http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Calvin-and-Hobbes/lm/83RA10R4NUMT/ The only thing that bugs me about the Complete Calvin and Hobbes collection is that two of the strips have been edited for content [1]. The unedited strips are available as part of the individual collections [2], but unfortunately the first seven books have black and white Sunday strips while the Complete C&H has them in color. I don’t know which choice is best: a) all the strips in a single volume, with Sundays in color but two of the strips edited for content, or b) individual collections featuring the unedited strips but with black and white Sundays.

[1] http://books-worlds.blogspot.com/2008/01/complete-calvin-and-hobbes-calvin.html
[2] http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Calvin-and-Hobbes/lm/83RA10R4NUMT/

]]> By: yumenoko http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121985 yumenoko Tue, 30 Sep 2008 02:43:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121985 Frazz was a true blessing when he started up in the LA Times years ago. I could only ever describe it as "Calvin and Hobbes all grown up, except that Calvin stays the same young kid -- in the guise of all the wily kids in that school -- but the objective Hobbs is now a bike ride loving janitor. ^__^Y Frazz was a true blessing when he started up in the LA Times years ago. I could only ever describe it as “Calvin and Hobbes all grown up, except that Calvin stays the same young kid — in the guise of all the wily kids in that school — but the objective Hobbs is now a bike ride loving janitor. ^__^Y

]]> By: Donnie B. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121965 Donnie B. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 23:36:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121965 Thanny, if you grew up in or near Cleveland in the 1960s you might have gotten a different impression. Captain Penny, who hosted an after-school kids' show (cartoons, Stooges, Little Rascals), used to sign off his show this way: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time... but you can't fool Mom!" I was actually surprised to learn about Abe's version. It just didn't seem to scan right. Thanny, if you grew up in or near Cleveland in the 1960s you might have gotten a different impression.

Captain Penny, who hosted an after-school kids’ show (cartoons, Stooges, Little Rascals), used to sign off his show this way:

“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people some of the time… but you can’t fool Mom!”

I was actually surprised to learn about Abe’s version. It just didn’t seem to scan right.

]]> By: rdriley http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121949 rdriley Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:28:08 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121949 @Quiet Desperation: I also asked for and got said C&H box set for Christmas, two years ago. I was 37. :P Also, for webcomics, I've found nothing even close to the honest to god laff out loudness of Overcompensating. Two nights ago I spent five minutes nearly hacking my lungs up after a good three minutes of breathless laughing at one of the strips there. @Quiet Desperation: I also asked for and got said C&H box set for Christmas, two years ago. I was 37. :P

Also, for webcomics, I’ve found nothing even close to the honest to god laff out loudness of Overcompensating. Two nights ago I spent five minutes nearly hacking my lungs up after a good three minutes of breathless laughing at one of the strips there.

]]> By: Todd W. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121947 Todd W. Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:25:19 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121947 No one's mentioned Sluggy Freelance yet? For shame. A very good comic. Check out the niftiness. www.sluggy.com No one’s mentioned Sluggy Freelance yet? For shame. A very good comic. Check out the niftiness. http://www.sluggy.com

]]> By: Thanny http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121943 Thanny Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:12:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121943 In case anyone's wondering, it's from Lincoln. In case anyone’s wondering, it’s from Lincoln.

]]> By: Davidlpf http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121940 Davidlpf Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:59:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121940 The xkcd cartoon can not be right there is not mention of plasma so therefore the do not know what they are talking about. The xkcd cartoon can not be right there is not mention of plasma so therefore the do not know what they are talking about.

]]> By: Torbjörn Larsson, OM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121937 Torbjörn Larsson, OM Mon, 29 Sep 2008 21:38:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121937 Girl Genius, of course. Pibgorn could have been something, but became satisfied with being a one-trick pony. (See GG for how to do character and plot evolution.) I've also started to exploit "pure" web comics, but I guess I don't have any real finds yet. Oh, except maybe for Schlock Mercenaries (later also printable AFAIU), which is often as zany as I want them. Replace steampunkage with hardscifiing (except when it's soft, of course). And I do like the promising format of the Dark Horse Comics quickies on MySpace. Girl Genius, of course. Pibgorn could have been something, but became satisfied with being a one-trick pony. (See GG for how to do character and plot evolution.)

I’ve also started to exploit “pure” web comics, but I guess I don’t have any real finds yet.

Oh, except maybe for Schlock Mercenaries (later also printable AFAIU), which is often as zany as I want them. Replace steampunkage with hardscifiing (except when it’s soft, of course).

And I do like the promising format of the Dark Horse Comics quickies on MySpace.

]]> By: Larian LeQuella http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121919 Larian LeQuella Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:08:36 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121919 QD, got them both. I'm 42. :) Also got a Bloom County collection (Pre-Opus only stuff). XKCD stuff is always funny/quirky. QD, got them both. I’m 42. :) Also got a Bloom County collection (Pre-Opus only stuff).

XKCD stuff is always funny/quirky.

]]> By: Michael L http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121917 Michael L Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:02:58 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121917 @Madge: Speaking of comics, do they still have Dandy and Beano comics in the UK? I loved those as a kid! @Madge:
Speaking of comics, do they still have Dandy and Beano comics in the UK? I loved those as a kid!

]]> By: Sili http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121915 Sili Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:57:57 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121915 <em>Arlo and Janis</em> (<a href="http://www.arloandjanis.com/" rel="nofollow">Jimmy Johnson even has a blog</a>.) In all likelihood you'll like <em>Evil Inc.</em> and <em>Arthur, King of Time and Space</em>. They're most punny. <em>Sheldon</em> is fun for the whole family (with plenty of sci-fi references: Tuvak, Vulcan party planner; What Would a Klingon Do?). And I don't see the <em>C&H</em> ripoffness. Perhaps Frazz does look like a grownup Calvin, but they're not a bit alike. Arlo and Janis (Jimmy Johnson even has a blog.)

In all likelihood you’ll like Evil Inc. and Arthur, King of Time and Space. They’re most punny.

Sheldon is fun for the whole family (with plenty of sci-fi references: Tuvak, Vulcan party planner; What Would a Klingon Do?).

And I don’t see the C&H ripoffness. Perhaps Frazz does look like a grownup Calvin, but they’re not a bit alike.

]]> By: drksky http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121909 drksky Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:39:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121909 "WOW. That xkcd strip needs to be available in a poster." It is. Look at the link at the top of the page. “WOW. That xkcd strip needs to be available in a poster.”

It is. Look at the link at the top of the page.

]]> By: Mike O'Connell http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121908 Mike O'Connell Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:35:47 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121908 Haha, I get Frazz in the local newspaper (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Haha, I get Frazz in the local newspaper (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

]]> By: drksky http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121907 drksky Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:35:37 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121907 Peanuts is zombified because Charles Schulz is dead. United Features is just re-running old comics to suck more money out of his work port mortem. Email them and tell them to stop it. Peanuts is zombified because Charles Schulz is dead. United Features is just re-running old comics to suck more money out of his work port mortem. Email them and tell them to stop it.

]]> By: COD http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121894 COD Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:53:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121894 You can get an RSS feed for Frazz at http://server.phpgrabcomics.org/ You can get an RSS feed for Frazz at http://server.phpgrabcomics.org/

]]> By: MattGS http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121888 MattGS Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:42:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121888 @Quiet Desperation: I salute you, Sir. The complete Calvin & Hobbes AND the complete Far Side? That shows amazingly good taste. @Quiet Desperation: I salute you, Sir. The complete Calvin & Hobbes AND the complete Far Side? That shows amazingly good taste.

]]> By: Law Mom http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121880 Law Mom Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:16:11 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121880 Oh, it is. Oh, it is.

]]> By: Law Mom http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/comment-page-1/#comment-121878 Law Mom Mon, 29 Sep 2008 18:14:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2008/09/29/penn-and-ink/#comment-121878 WOW. That xkcd strip needs to be available in a poster. WOW. That xkcd strip needs to be available in a poster.

]]>