Sometimes these Herriman illos from Don Marquis’ the lives and times of archy and mehitabel get even better when taken out of context.

One of the lessons that has stuck with me since college was that you couldn’t truly consider yourself an animator until you developed a drinking problem and worked in the industry for five years.

Five years ago today I began my first job at a studio. I’m halfway there.

It’s been some time since my last post and for that I deserve a good ol’ caning. I’ve been travelling the last month all around Malaysia, Thailand and heading to Camodia to go land-mine hopscotching in  a few days.

Thanks Steve for the ever-lovin’ blue eyed posts and the Dharma Bums book! I’ll try and find a stable place soon with solid internet and build up a bit of I Was Ben goodies. Lots of Ancient Kaiju pics piling up…

Despite an emphasis on the insanity that is teenage dating, Archie comics are rarely romantic. Their truncated length usually demands that only one mood can be explored at a time. Happily, there are stories where the slapstick is dialed down and romance is allowed to blossom.

In The Last Kiss, Betty is convinced that Archie has dropped her off at home only to immediately step out with Veronica, all of which is par for the course for a guy who double-books on what seems like a weekly basis. Still, this is the limit for Betty, who finally breaks down upon the mistaken realization that she will always be second best.

Mr. Cooper storms over to the Andrews residence to tear Archie to pieces, and they sort out that what Betty thought was a date was really only Archie and Veronica chatting as he made his way home. The menfolk are afraid Betty will become even more upset when she realizes that she jumped to conclusions, so Archie concocts a plan, one that involves a toll booth the Coopers will be traveling through on their way to a family vacation.

I think what I like best about this story is the attention to detail that goes into Archie’s surprise. Normally he would just show up at the appointed spot without explanation, but The Last Kiss specifies the favours Archie has to call in, the distance he has to travel, and when he has to leave Riverdale in order to intersect with the Coopers. It’s a nice reminder of the unsung effort that often goes on behind the scenes to make even the simplest gesture work, from a candlelight dinner to a thoughtful gift to an unexpected kiss.

I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to stick with Young Liars, but I’m glad I lasted long enough to catch the Heavy Metal Parking Lot reunion.

Priest rules, man.

Panels by David Lapham from Young Liars #4. Comparative screenshot from Heavy Metal Fuckin’ Parking Lot.

George Herriman serenades us towards Valentine’s Day, from Don Marquis’ the lives and times of archy and mehitabel.

Thrown decapitated heads were just one of many obscure forms of communication used during The Hyborian Age.

Illustrations by Big John Buscema and Klaus Janson, from Savage Sword of Conan #48, reprinted in the fourth SSoC collection from Dark Horse.