Laugh Tracks

Vote Now!

Toby and Buckley and Clovis, OH MY!

Check out today's "Legend of Bill" for some GoComics all-star cameos!

FRS: COPING MECHANISMS THROUGH COMICS

Happy end of the summer, GoComicers! With the turn of the leaves, we can see the dwindling light at the end of the beach and BBQ tunnel, making way for the shorter, darker and somewhat dreaded days of winter.

With most proclaiming their love for the fall foliage, crisp air and spiced beer that accompany Autumn, there are those of us who find it difficult to function. The loss of daylight hours, coupled with the thought of the impending winter months can bring an already fragile psyche down into Oscar the Grouch-level dumps. Call it what you will: depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder... Laziness. It’s a real thing, happening to real (and now fake) people.

Allow me to ‘splain…

Usually, when I find myself slipping into that dark place of deep depression, I slide further beneath my covers, cry at the sun, howl at the moon and shake my fist at daytime TV. This could last for days, weeks or even months. However, the unfortunate reality is that I have work to do, deadlines to miss and dogs to pet. With that in mind, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to cope, or at the very least, get through the day without blubbering over the latest TV commercial featuring celebrity puppies and/or stray puppies in need and/or celebrity puppies helping stray puppies in need.

This year, when the crippling anvil of depression hit, I remembered that old pearl of wisdom for the ever-struggling writer, “Write what you know.” Okay, well, I know I can’t find the motivation to brush my own teeth, bathe or get out of my pajamas. I know that I’m considering allowing my hair to grow for one year, just to see if I can fashion hair-cup holders for each side of my head. I know that I can’t remember why it’s important to eat…

So, with these irrational thoughts in full exercise, I decided to project through a week of THE ELDERBERRIES comic. The story unfolding this week is that Dusty Winter’s best friend, Boone, falls into a cycle of complete and total “meh”. While Boone tries to find the reason for his sudden lack of interest in all things human, Dusty and friends attempt to snap him out of it anyway they can, including pie.

Hopefully, the exercise helps ME climb out of my dark hole, while simultaneously providing good material for my paying job. I’ll let you know if it all works out next week.

*On a personal and serious note, clinical depression is a very real and sometimes dangerous thing. My own struggles with life and overcoming feelings of massive inertia, while hardly trivial, have not reached the depths of what some people can experience when deeply depressed. My success in keeping out the very dark depths can be attributed to a great circle of close friends, an understanding wife and a competent and helpful therapist. My reading and understanding of the causes and remedies for depression have helped in my awareness of what’s happening to me when I get depressed and how to deal with it, before it becomes overwhelming.

If you get depressed, or you have friends that seem to suffer from depression and it seems like there’s no hope, please seek proper treatment from a professional. I absolutely can’t stand feeling the way I feel when I’m depressed, but because I sought help, I now know there’s a way out and a way to feel better again.

Remember: The most important things in life involve laughter. And comics. Especially my comics.

Words, Harpoon Winter Warmer Ale and leaf peepers,

-FRS

Vote! Vote! Vote! LIO LOOK-ALIKE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!

Vote here

And a notable entry for Lio's dad!

Based on a True Story

Today's W.T. Duck captures an embarrassing moment for me. Aaron was right to chronicle it, though. Sometimes I can be a bit mean-spirited, but in my defense it's because I care too much and I eat too much fried food.

-JG

Just saw this LOL video ...

More Unrestrained JG Blog Love for Zach Galifianakis

I watched HBO's "Bored to Death" last night ... and regrettably, by the end, the title seemed apropos. Though the reviews I've read have said that the pilot is the weak link and to keep watching.

What I was delighted to find out is that in the show, Zach G. plays a cartoonist ... possibly a Web cartoonist, possibly comic books. I don't think he could play a syndicated cartoonist because he's not attractive enough.

Lio Look-Alike Contest: Vote for the Finalists!

After six weeks and an amazing influx of entries from Lio fans all across the country, Lio creator Mark Tatulli has hand-picked his favorite entries for the Lio Look-Alike Contest finals!

Hey, everyone! Mark Tatulli here. First and foremost, let me extend my deepest thanks to all of those who entered the first-ever Lio Look-Alike Contest! Seeing so much enthusiasm for the strip has been a blast. I've enjoyed seeing all of the creative ways fans staged their photos - many with props, homemade costumes, and of course, Lio's trademark spiked hairdo. Each and every contestant photo brought a smile to my face. With so many great entries, narrowing it down to just six was incredibly tough!

About the finalists: These six contestants nailed it, right down to their inclusion of the hometown newspaper. They've got the look, but what's more, each of them really captured the spirit of Lio. It was a tough field of competitors, but these six (in no particular order) rose above the rest:

(Click image to enlarge)

And lest I forget, I have to give honorable mention to one more entry. Had this been a Lio's Dad Look-Alike Contest, this contestant would have won, hands down:

Well, it doesn't get any easier from here, but at least my part of the judging is done. Now it's your turn! Which of the six finalists should win the first-ever Lio Look-Alike Contest? Vote now!

MT

Thanks again to all of the participants. Don't forget to place your vote, and then come back here September 28 to see the winner!

W.T. Duck at Barnes & Noble

Garfield as Garfield

More Garfield hijinx!

http://www.garfieldasgarfield.com/

-JG

BBC's Peep Show (NSFW language and hilarity!)

http://tinyurl.com/ltoj7b

This is my new favorite BBC show. Takes a few minutes to pick up the context ... but it looks like you can see a full episode with some careful YouTube navigation.

-JG

(seriously ... lots of cursing and some inappropriate themes.)