HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: dtate@unix.cis.pitt.edu (David M Tate)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: Bloom County and Outland
Date: 17 Apr 92 00:39:43 GMT
Organization: University of Pittsburgh

In article <1992Apr16.205125.21950@midway.uchicago.edu> thf2@midway.uchicago.edu writes:
>>sinking towards the end, but Brethed took a quantum leap downwards.
>
>What are you talking about?  Breathed gave up pretending that there
>was any difference between Outland and Bloom County at least a year ago.

Other than quality, you mean?

>Bloom County was pretty overrated to begin with.  By 1988, the satire
>was frightfully shallow.

Perhaps.  But the first few years of Bloom County were better, at their
worst, than the best of Outland.

Breathed made the same mistake Trudeau made, all those years ago.  He decided
that he could have at the world directly, without first filtering it through
the personalities of his characters.  He got rid of all the characters who
actually *had* personalities (Milo, Binkley, Cutter John, Bobbi, Mr. Binkley,
etc.), and immediately forfeited every last trace of the reader empathy that
makes a strip work.  

There has never been an Outland strip as funny as the single panel of Bloom
County in which Portnoy and two other animals are imitating George Will,
William F. Buckely, and Carl Rowan.  But even that would get old after a 
while, if you didn't have context of "real" characters for this stuff.



-- 
          David M. Tate            |"The man who hath no music in himself
     dtate@unix.cis.pitt.edu       | Nor is not moved by concord of sweet sound
  A poem should be dumb, / As old  | Is fit for treason, stratagems, and spoils
 medallions to the thumb.-MacLeish | 	Shakespeare, "Merchant of Venice", A.V
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: west@esd.dl.nec.com (Mike West)
Subject: Re: The Best Far Side cartoon
Organization: NEC America, Engineering & Support
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 16:23:17 GMT

From article <34178@unix.SRI.COM>, by cole@unix.SRI.COM (Susan Cole):
> In article <1992Apr10.141656.9933@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> sarwate@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Sanjiv Sarwate) writes:
>>
>>My personal favorites:
>>The one where the dog is holding a gun at the dinner table and says 
>>"Hey bucko, I'm through begging!"
> 
> Dog at back door addressing owner, while a bevy of dog-piloted space ships
> hovers nearby:  "Well, they finally came.  But before I go, let's see *you*
> roll over a few times."

Or the absolutely best dog joke done:

"Neither rain nor sleet nor snow could stop him.  But he hadn't
counted on REXBO!!!"

Picture shows a dog dressed like Rambo holding a smoking bazooka
looking at a crater in front of a mailbox with a couple of letters
fluttering to the ground.  A truly classic comic.

Mike West
west@esd.dl.nec.com
From: markrose@spss.com (Mark Rosenfelder)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: Calvin and Hobbes
Date: 8 Apr 92 00:19:51 GMT
Article-I.D.: spss.1992Apr08.001951.8192
Organization: SPSS Inc.

In article <1992Apr7.201000.8088@nic.unh.edu> ss1@kepler.unh.edu (The Rink) 
writes (quoting some other folks):
>>>Calvin and Hobbes is by far the best comic strip around.  Just trying to
>>>start some arguments... 8)
>>
>>But who would want to argue with that?
>>
>Not me!
>
>--Sam.
>
>"Hi!  My name is Hobbes.  I'm the result of a six year old's demented
>imagination.  Would YOU like to be my friend?"

But *here's* something to argue about.  Don't you know that Hobbes is real,
but just turns into a stuffed animal when other people are around? 

Best proof I can recall offhand: the strip where Calvin is imagining he's
a pirate, and says "Walk the plank!"  "But our ship IS a plank," Hobbes
interrupts, bringing Calvin back to reality-- a reality which includes
Hobbes.

(There's a historical parallel with Barnaby.  But Mr. O'Malley was visible
to anyone who looked.)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: lozanoj@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Jones)
Subject: Re: Using computer for comics
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 1992 02:20:50 GMT

ntaib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Iskandar Taib) writes:

>That brings up another topic, so this goes under a new thread.

>Has anyone actually used a computer to produce a comic strip? Let
>see.. what software would be appropriate. I suppose Autocad might
>be overkill. Some of the paint programs might fit the bill. I know
>that Bloom County was produced with extensive use of a xerox ma-
>chine. Good cut-and-paste would be mandatory, but the final pro-
>duct shouldn't have that computer-generated clipart look.

NOOOO!! Here in Boulder, there is a comic strip called "TOALERiiN" which
SUCKS! It is indeed one of the shittiest comics I have ever had the 
misfortune of having read. I don't know what program the originator
(I REFUSE to call this guy an 'artist') uses, but the entire comic
strip is just a face in each panel spewing out nonsense every day.
There is no way that an artist can get a quality comic strip out using
computer aided drawing; real artists have enough trouble doing it by
hand.

Perhaps the problem is that most of the people who really know how to
use a computer in this manner don't really have the talent necessary
to make a good strip (I know I'm generalising, sue me!).

Please, take my word for it, computers have no place in the creative
process of drawing a comic strip. They may help in production, but
when it is used as the medium in which the strip is created, the
quality suffers tremendously, IMNSHO.

Flame away

Jones
-- 
James "Jones" Lozano      |
University of Colorado    | "Don't ask _me_, I just sleep here."
lozanoj@ucsu.Colorado.EDU |
From: willimsa@unix1.tcd.ie (Gavin Williams)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: ``Reality'' of Hobbes (was: "Reality" of C&H)
Date: 8 Apr 92 22:29:27 GMT
Organization: Trinity College, Dublin

In <1992Apr08.185837.28473@bmerh2.bnr.ca> coop1w13@bnr.ca (Mike Hammond, not Bill Saunders) writes:

>2) In a single strip, Hobbes was boosting Calvin up into a tree. While it's
>   possible that Calvin just imagined himself being boosted, I kind of doubt
>   it because Hobbes proceeds to take off Calvin's shoes and tickle him,
>   causing Calvin to let go of the branch and fall on Hobbes. The thing is,
>   the branch that Calvin was on was much too high for him to grab without
>   the real Hobbes' (not the stuffed Hobbes') help.
> 
Aargh! You got there before me!
Still, on a related note......
		When Calvin is at the bottom of the tree-house, and he has 
to sing to get up, HOW DOES HOBBES GET UP BEFORE HIM?????
--
         ______________________________________________________________
	|  A.G. Williams          |        Plus qu'il n'en faut.       |    
	|  willimsa@unix1.tcd.ie  |                                    |
	|_________________________|____________________________________|
From: lazlo@triton.unm.edu (Lazlo Nibble)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: The Angriest Dog in the World
Date: 15 Apr 92 05:53:19 GMT
Organization: Living in a satellite fantasy, waiting for the night to end.

trev@hubcap.clemson.edu (Trevor Bauknight) writes:

> I haven't quite gotten a grip on this strip's significance, but I have
> come to the conclusion that someday I will, and it will be a big
> moment... 

The significance of the strip is that it has none, and yet everyone
keeps looking for it. :-)

As one-pun-a-strip strips go (which is all it is -- a pun every strip),
ANGRIEST DOG is vaguely amusing.  I'd certainly rather read it than FAMILY
CIRCUS . . . 

--
Lazlo (lazlo@triton.unm.edu)

"Daddy, why doesn't Barfy move anymore?"
    "Rrrrrrrrr!"
	-- THE ANGRIEST FAMILY DOG IN THE CIRCUS WORLD
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: markrose@spss.com (Mark Rosenfelder)
Subject: Re: Peanuts: Can Snoopy Talk?
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 1992 23:45:57 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: SPSS Inc.
Keywords: peanuts

In article <1992Apr13.214107.7652@descartes.waterloo.edu> kbnguyen@descartes.waterloo.edu (Khanh Nguyen) writes:
>	A friend and I was discussing the other day about if Snoopy can
>talk to others, or when he talks, do others hear?
>
>	Is he like in a world of his own like Calvin (& Hobbes) and has his
>own imagination. Because most of the time that I've seen Snoopy talk, 
>he has thinking clouds.

He never talks (although he's been known to bark).  However, the other
characters sometimes have an insight into what he's doing that would be
hard to figure if they can't read his mind-- e.g. how did they know that
he was reading _War and Peace_ one sentence per day?  This is simply
one of the surrealistic elements in the strip.  

Perhaps they just read his thought balloons.

>	As well, does he talk to Woodstock?

He does seem to communicate with the birds.  

"Mother Goose and Grimm" uses the same convention-- the animals only "speak"
in thought balloons-- in an even less rational way; you see Grimm and the
cat (Attila, I think) having long conversations apparently telepathically.

By contrast, Tintin's dog, Milou (or Snowy, if you insist), seems to be
able to speak perfectly well.
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: pyr491@oz.plymouth.edu (Scott Bernier)
Subject: HOBBES (of C&H) Bumper Sticker...where can I find one?
Reply-To: pyr491@oz.plymouth.edu (Scott Bernier)
Organization: Plymouth State College - Plymouth, N.H.
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 92 22:48:38 GMT

    Considering the volume in this group, I am forced to make it worse
with the following repost.....

    I saw last year on some car bumper somewhere:

    A bumpersticker that at first looked like the Greatfull Dead sticker
with their logo bears.  Closer inspection revealed it was not those bears
but Hobbes in various dance positions...each one a different color
like the GD (that's Greatful Dead and not G*d D**n) bears.

    Does anyone know what I'm talking about, and where can I find this
in New England or the Washington, DC Area?


-- 
Scott Bernier    UUCP: pyr491@oz.plymouth.edu   
The Moxie Kid.   INTERNET: scott@vortex.plymouth.edu 
"Anyone can chug beeya, but it takes real guts to chug MOXIE!"
MOXIE -- Maine's original Party drink since 1884!
From: jb118@prism.gatech.EDU (Jeffrey N. Burch)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: Calvin and Hobbes
Date: 7 Apr 92 20:14:37 GMT
Organization: Georgia Tech Research Institute -- EOL

In article <ku3stgINNbo8@bosque.cs.utexas.edu> gert@cs.utexas.edu (Gert Westermann) writes:
>In article <1992Apr7.184259.6196@acsu.buffalo.edu> v121r529@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Scott A Elwood) writes:
>>Calvin and Hobbes is by far the best comic strip around.  Just trying to
>>start some arguments... 8)
>>
>>					A big fan,
>>					Scott Elwood   
>
>But who would want to argue with that?
>
>                                       Another big fan,

There was a newspaper story a few weeks ago (in the Atlanta Constitution,
I believe) which discussed Watterson and his cartooning efforts.  There
was a picture of him, and it was the first time I'd ever seen him.  

The resemblence to Calvin's dad is amazing (and not coincidental, I
suppose).

It was also surprising for me to learn that he lives in Santa Fe, New 
Mexico.  If I'd known that when I was living in Albuquerque, I'd have
probably driven up there to try to meet him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^  Dr. J(effrey Neil Burch)                 jb118@prism.gatech.edu    ^
^  Georgia Tech Research Institute                                    ^ 
^  Electro-Optics Laboratory                                          ^
^  Atlanta, Ga.                   All Hail "Calvin the Bold...",      ^
^  30332                      "Boy of ... Destiny",  "Super-genius",  ^
^  404-894-3628                 "Stupendous Man",  "Spaceman Spiff"   ^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: csmith@onetouch.COM (Craig Smith)
Subject: Re: Bloom County
Organization: MCS/OneTouch, Inc.
Date: Wed, 08 Apr 92 19:10:01 GMT

amm50@DUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (Andrew Murphy, Amdahl Ireland Ltd.) writes:


>Hi,

>   Is anybody else a fan of Bloom County ? It doesn't appear in any
>newspapers here, so I've only got to know it through buying collections
>in book form. In the last book that I bought, which was about a year ago,
>Bloom County winds down at the end and all the characters go their own
>ways. Since then, no new books have appeared. Does this mean it's finished
>completely? If so what is Berkely Breathed at these days?

Yes Bloome County is dead. Berk Breathed is now doing "Outland", or as
I call it "Night of the Living Bloome County". It stinks like a corpse.
-- 
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
:: Craig Smith                                         csmith@onetouch.COM ::
:: Columbus, OH                                  ...!uunet!onetouch!csmith ::
::::::::::::::: "Life is a fulltime occupation."--Gene Kalman :::::::::::::::
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: dxf12@po.CWRU.Edu (Douglas Fowler)
Subject: Re: Mass sexism and racism in Beetle Bailey
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 92 00:44:36 GMT


     Don't you think perhaps it's sexist to get people to see how dumb
sexism really is?
     I used to like this strip when it was mainly just military jokes and
M*A*S*H was still on the air as my favorite television program.  I never liked
the fact the Sarge beat up on Beetle so fiercely, but I pictured it as a
Laurel and Hardy sort of thing - remember the old movies, how big, fat
Oliver Hardy would bop Laurel in the head or at least blame if he'd gotten
them into "another fine mess."
     I have grown less interested in it, though; perhaps it is being too
preachy.  After all, there are other things they could be doing besides
sexist jokes - where were they during Desert Storm - the company could have
gotten into some real shennanigans over in the Middle East.
-- 
Doug Fowler: dxf12@po.CWRU.edu      :    "Every baby born into the world is
Real home: Canton, Ohio             :  finer than the last."--Charles Dickens
 Trying to follow in the path of our :     "A baby is an inestimable
Lord;anything close will be a success:  blessing and bother."--Mark Twain
From: asmundvn@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Nils Erik Asmundvaag)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: C&H translated where? (Was: Re: Needed: COMPLETE)
Date: 9 Apr 92 10:59:57 GMT
Organization: Glasgow University Computing Science Dept.

>In article <53938@hydra.gatech.EDU> gt4646a@prism.gatech.EDU (Rob Beauchamp) writes:
>My younger sister came back from a semester studying in Mexico with 
>a C&H book called "Calvin y Hobbes 4". Wonder how many other languages
>they've been translated into.

Calvin & Hobbes are also very popular in Norway.  There is a Calvin & Hobbes
magazine, the books (at least some of them) have been translated and many
newspapers have strips on a daily basis.

In Norwegian, Calvin & Hobbes are called Tommy og Tigern (Tommy and the Tiger).

Nils Erik Asmundvaag
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: steph@cs.uiuc.edu (Dale Stephenson)
Subject: Re: Kudzu
Keywords: Southern Humor
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 01:19:21 GMT

In <mp_rc.24@cox.nsac.ns.ca> mp_rc@cox.nsac.ns.ca (ROB CHUTE) writes:

>Hi I need help.

>One of the main papers in the Province used to carry a strip called "Kudzu".
>It disapeared(sp?) from the paper some time ago.

>Does anyone out there know if it is still being drawn, and if there are any 
>compliations available?

I think there are two compilations out there.  One is
"There's no business like snow (?) business"
with the preacher on the cover.
--
Dale J. Stephenson |*| (steph@cs.uiuc.edu) |*| Gigabit Study Group 

  "It is considered good to look wise, especially when not 
   overburdened with information" -- J. Golden Kimball
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: steph@cs.uiuc.edu (Dale Stephenson)
Subject: Re: Tumbleweeds?
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 01:01:56 GMT

In <1992Apr8.134605.6131@doug.cae.wisc.edu> jverdega@cae.wisc.edu (Jeffrey Verdegan) writes:

>I've seen a couple of references to Tumbleweeds.  The title is familiar, but
>I can't remember the premise.  Could somebody refresh my memory?

Tumbleweeds ('Weeds) is a cowboy who lives in the old west town of Grimy
Gulch (pop 48-49 -- the sign changes when people leave and come in).
'Weeds' horse is named Epic, and is an army reject.  Epic has cost our hero
more than one cowpunching job.

Other denizens of the town include a corrupt judge, an old maid whose goal
is marrying Tumbleweeds, an undertaker, a gravedigger, a criminal, a totally
incompetent deputy, and the town sot.

The local Indian tribe is the feared Poohawks.  Interesting Poohawks include
Lotsa Luck, a mute snob, Limpid Lizard, a complete fool, and the longsuffering
chief who unsuccesfully tries to stop modern innovations from ruining his
tribe.

Cameo appearances have included the legendary Paul Bunyan.

I've been cut off from the strip for a few years, so someone else will
have to post a sample strip.  It may sound stupid from my description, but
it really is a funny strip.

--
Dale J. Stephenson |*| (steph@cs.uiuc.edu) |*| Gigabit Study Group 

  "It is considered good to look wise, especially when not 
   overburdened with information" -- J. Golden Kimball
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: hubcap@hubcap.clemson.edu (System Janitor)
Subject: Re: Calvin and Susie- whaddya think?
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1992 13:46:31 GMT

Hey susie, wanna trade lunches? Today I'm having cigar butts in gallstone
sauce (actually beanie-weenies).

gotta love it!

-Mike
From: gt1759c@prism.gatech.EDU (Donald Morris)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: Calvin and Hobbes
Date: 7 Apr 92 20:22:44 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology/NE Student

In <53813@hydra.gatech.EDU> jb118@prism.gatech.EDU (Jeffrey N. Burch) writes:
>In article <1992Apr7.184259.6196@acsu.buffalo.edu> v121r529@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Scott A Elwood) writes:
>>Calvin and Hobbes is by far the best comic strip around.  Just trying to
>>start some arguments... 8)
>>
>>					A big fan,
>>					Scott Elwood   

>But how can you start an argument when the original hypothesis is
>absolutely correct?
>The Far Side and Peanuts are distant seconds...

Actually, I'd rank Peanuts a distant 5th. Far Side has dropped to 3rd since
Larson's sabbatical, as about 80% are re-runs I've seen in desk calendars..
So, what's tied for 2nd? (And a rather close 2nd in my book...)

	Baby Blues and Foxtrot!

Yes, I'm serious.. >:) Between these three, I usually get 2 good laughs 
a day. (BTW- For anyone who hasn't noticed, the new Baby Blues book
'She Started It!' is out. I just got it Friday.) PLUG ALERT!! 

Donald Morris                         Box 24815 Ga. Tech Station
vapspze@prism.gatech.edu              Atlanta, GA 30332
====================================================================
Sensitivity - "Some women like sweet."
        "They _like_ it, they just won't SLEEP with it..." - Intellect
-----------Herman's Head - Sunday, February 2, 1992-------------------
From: greg@cs.washington.edu (Greg Barnes)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Calvin!!
Date: 15 Apr 92 18:25:53 GMT
Organization: Adolph Eichmann's Evil Cake Factory

Posted at the request of <ctq15@cc.flinders.edu.au>, who has reading but
not posting privileges:
-----------------------------------------------------
From: ctq15@cc.flinders.edu.au (Dirk Pitt....!)
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 92 08:59:32 +0930

 On this subject of Hobbs and his "reality".
 HOBBS is real.....I mean he just is................

 However I do have some evidence.

         The strip when Calvin says he is gunna name the creek out the back
 and when they get there thers already the sign "Hob's Crk".
 Following the line of thought of someone else (cant remember the name)
 Calvin is hardly going to make a sign for hobbs and the gp  away and
 make his sign just so he can have a dispute with Hobbs is he.

 I offer this as real evidence that Hobbs is real.

 Besides the look on his Hobbs face when they find the sign is wonderful.

            Signed
                   ..Darren..

            E-Mail : ctq15@smeagol.cc.flinders.edu.au
-----------------------------------------------------
From: joev@creek.ugrad.ee.ufl.edu (Joseph Versagg)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: Re: Doonesbury (sp?)
Date: 9 Apr 92 21:26:38 GMT
Organization: UF EE Department


Oh Boy,
You are asking for both barrels! Yes, D is almost all sarcastic; but remember that D focuses mainly on politics, and with politics all you can be is sarcastic! Needless to say, the only way to not be sarcastic about politics is to be a politico yourself; and it follows that you probably are without humor anyway. 

What peeves me is that you say that D lacks "any subtlety whatever." I cannot think of a strip around now that is more so. And Trudeau can be funny without bitching, but I must grant that recently he has focused on tearing on the status-quo.

To conclude,D is the best comic strip for the same reason that the rolling Stones are the best rock band-it has been around for so damn long and is read by so many people(even Republicans on Capitol Hill) and actually affects the way people think about society.

I'd better hurry and put on my flame retardant suit for your repost.

Joe
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
From: trev@hubcap.clemson.edu (Trevor Bauknight)
Subject: Re: The Best Far Side cartoon
Organization: Jes Grew Carriers -- Metaphysical Bunko Squad 
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 00:12:17 GMT

Rumpled cat on floor...exhausted man being held upright by his arms...
wife saying:
   "Well, it looks like both the cat and Henry are fine, but thank
    goodness for the Heimlich Maneuver!"

Man and son standing in yard, fences all around...
   "Now see, son, how by the use of song, the male sparrow stakes his
    territory -- an instinct common in the lower animals."

"The others sent me up here to ask you not to roll around so much."
   



 
Trevor Bauknight         trev@hubcap.clemson.edu    ...gatech!hubcap!trev
 
                                                     +-----------+
                                                     | _> ###    |
                  clownhead                          |     |     |
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From: bhoughto@hopi.intel.com (Blair P. Houghton)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.comics.strips
Subject: The Angriest Dog in the World
Date: 13 Apr 92 02:23:14 GMT
Organization: Intel Corp, Chandler, AZ

That FREE newspapers (City Paper, Boston Phoenix (which is
free at most campuses), New Times -- your city of course has
one of these things in some form or another) still pay for
this thing is the greatest mystery of the space age...

				--Blair
				  "Makes Family Circus look avante-garde."