Comic Riffs is a blog devoted to the comics fan. Come in, sit down and put your feet up as we celebrate, contemplate, eviscerate and pontificate on cartoons. 
RSS FeedArchive: The Rants
Henry Allen speaks: When the reader reaches a tipping point
When the Comics Reach the Readers' Tipping Point NOTE TO READERS: In the wake of recent newsroom events, more than a few readers have urged and encouraged Comic Riffs to re-post this rant, which was first published two weeks...
By Michael Cavna | November 5, 2009; 01:10 PM ET | Comments (19)
Strip of the Week: Supersize Your Comics Complaint
In a fairly inspired week of comic strippage, one strip stood out from the rest... 'DOONESBURY' (UPS)Enlarge Image This week's Riffy Award for Strip O' the Week goes to "DOONESBURY," which tackled the sticky matter of the Incredible Ever-Shrinking...
By Michael Cavna | July 18, 2009; 09:00 AM ET | Comments (13)
How Newsweek's Guest Editor Let Us Down (That Means YOU, Mr. Colbert)
'MIKE LUCKOVICH' (Atlanta Journal Constitution / courtesy of cagle.com) A hearty tip-o'-the-hat today to Stephen Colbert -- which in ever-ironic "Colbert-speak," of course, actually means that we're taking him to task with a vigorous "wag of our finger." Tsk,...
By Michael Cavna | June 10, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (0)
Read Obama's Lips: Cartoonists Deal in Bizarre Caricature
I've tried to keep my lips sealed for some weeks now, hoping the whole nasty matter would correct itself. Unfortunately, since the Inauguration, it only seems to be getting worse. So now, my own gums must flap to flag a...
By Michael Cavna | January 28, 2009; 06:00 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Rant: Introducing a D-Day in the Cause for Comics
Speaking from an extremely self-serving place -- that is, as both cartoonist and writer of features -- I can say with full confidence and honesty: I find today's "Mother Goose and Grimm" to be the funniest cartoon of the year....
By Michael Cavna | January 5, 2009; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (4)
The Rant: Just How Much Is a Political Cartoonist Worth?
Listen to political cartoonists, newspaper editors and readers and one thing quickly becomes plainly, painfully evident: In these downsizing times, there is no consensus on how much value to place on employing a staff editorial cartoonist. Opinions on the matter...
By Michael Cavna | November 24, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (4)
The Rant: 'Garfield': Nine Lives, but Are They Worth Living?
Some comic strips, like great music, have soul. And then there is Garfield. Does anybody really know what time it is? (UPS) Enlarge Comic "Garfield" is the huge bubblegum pop hit that is catchy, that understandably appeals to kids --...
By Michael Cavna | October 27, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (3)
The Rant: Stop "Frank & Ernest" Before They Pun Again...
We are the first to admit it: We love a good pun as much as the next reader. Which is precisely why something must be done about "Frank & Ernest" -- because we love a good pun as much as...
By Michael Cavna | September 17, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (7)
The Rant: When 'Cathy' Haters Are Staler Than the Gag
Is there anything staler than a "Cathy" gag about her latest chocolate binge? Why yes -- yes there is. That one thing would be: Bashing a "Cathy" gag about her latest choco-binge. Sorry, late-haters, but you're tardy to the party...
By Michael Cavna | September 16, 2008; 04:30 PM ET | Comments (6)
The Rant: A Showdown to Whet Our Appetites
If Garfield won't fight other critters, then we implore him to put up his paws and display the one activity he has shown a talent for: Eat, you zaftig kitty! Eat! Feline, meet fusilli. Fusilli, feline. (UFS)Enlarge Comic There's just...
By Michael Cavna | August 25, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (3)
The Rant: Improving "Prickly's" Rundown City
Art, and the beauty therein, may be in the eye of the beholder. But right now, we're beholdin' today's "Prickly City" and -- try as we might -- we're not finding a whole lotta beauty. Now, to be fair, we...
By Michael Cavna | August 21, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (11)
The Rant: "Beetle Bailey" Must Shape Up or Ship Out
BEETLE BAILEY: It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that relevant ring... (KFS) Enlarge Comic In three weeks, "Beetle Bailey" will celebrate its 58th birthday. And to that we whoop: "Congratulations!" "What an accomplishment!" Oh, and one other...
By Michael Cavna | August 13, 2008; 11:00 AM ET | Comments (19)
The Rant: DC Is the Funniest City...After Montreal?
When it comes to comedy, with all due respect, this month's GQ magazine has all the ham-handed insight of a Gallagher routine. We've no beef with Seth Rogen cracking the cover of the recent "Comedy Issue," you understand, and...
By Michael Cavna | August 12, 2008; 02:49 PM ET | Comments (2)
The Rant: Bucky Katt v. Garfield
It's not a matter of if any longer, but only a matter of when. And the sooner it happens, the sooner we can all relish the thrilling spectacle: Bucky Katt and Garfield must throw down. Paw-to-paw combat for comic-feline supremacy,...
By Michael Cavna | July 23, 2008; 10:45 AM ET | Comments (16)
