We’ve talked about color. Today’s A&J comic strip (yes, above) is an example of how color can, on occasion, enhance a cartoon drawn to be presented in black and white. In most newspapers, although not all, readers will see the black and white version, while readers of comics.com will see a version colored by elves at United Media.

When I came up with the idea for this cartoon, I was betting heavily on the mental picture we all have of a Christmas stocking: red. Concerning the elves, my bet paid off. Although I had no prior communication with them, they indeed pictured the stockings as red, though evidence in the past indicates the harried little fellows do not always read deeply enough to pick up on a color-centric gag. Anyway, props to the elves, because this time it really does help the cartoon.