What's in a face?

In order to console myself about my own pale and haggard appearance during the winter months, I've been clicking through the Smoking Gun's 2008 Mug Shots of the Year. There's some pretty great shots on there, including this fellow arrested in Lewiston, Maine, who police said "became very flexible" after he removed his teeth. 

Looking through and laughing about these mug shots reminded me how there's just no substitute for a funny or outlandish facial expressions in the comics, whether it's the main characters in the last panel or just some guy in the background. Since it would take me far too long to comb back through the entire year of Universal features, I thought I'd go through today's strips and pick out a line-up of cartoon expressions that are especially eye-popping...

Santa, after Baldo's sister Gracie whispers to him that his fly's unzipped

A cow from In the Bleachers (coaching basketball, of course)

from For Better or For Worse: A picturesque reminder never to ask your mother what "a blonde nubile wrapped in cellophane" is.

A nice guilty look from Lio's dad in a rare father/son role-reversal 

In Pepe's world, even the sun grins lecherously 

Garfield is a master of the non-expression, and his deadpan look here is nicely offset by the "I (heart) Polka" sweater. Garfield minus Garfield may get all the glory these days, but sometimes there's just no substitute for the cat himself. 

Ronaldinho, after breaking yet another window with a soccer ball. After all the glass he's gone through, the sheepish expression should be all but plastered onto his face. 

A nice look of shock from Pooch Cafe's Carmen

A similar expression from young Petey Otterloop, as it would be criminal to highlight facial expressions without an inclusion from Cul de Sac. 

While most comics readers can't claim to never forget a face, they're much more likely to remember an expression that makes them laugh, conveys emotion or even seems to tell a story all of its own. So whether you're posing for a mug shot or illustrating a comic, remember that there's nothing like a funny face for getting people's attention.  

- LW